Accenture Delivers International Prospectus for North West Bus. Leadership Team to Help Grow Science, Technology & Innovation

An international prospectus, Discovery to Delivery, produced by Accenture (NYSE:ACN) was launched today by The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) to encourage investment in the region’s science, technology and innovation businesses.

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Individuals (from left to right) - a. Geoffrey Piper, CEO, North West Business Leadership Team b. Susan Smith, Head of Laboratory, Sci-Tech Daresbury c. David Pinder, CEO Baxi UK Ltd and Chair of NWBLT's Science Task Force d. Juergen Maier, CEO, Siemens UK and Chair, NWBLT e. Robert Hough, Chair, Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership f. Fiona Gibson, Managing Director, Products Lead UK & Ireland Accenture North West

The strategic assessment, directed at major corporations worldwide, is based on Accenture Strategy research and analysis commissioned by NWBLT in February. Accenture Strategy and Accenture’s Global Cities practice worked with NWBLT and private, public and academic organizations to map the core capabilities that the region offers to prospective businesses, including quality of research and development, talent, infrastructure, lifestyle and local political support. Chief executives and leaders of Manchester and Liverpool city councils, Local Enterprise Partnerships, leading academics and private-sector companies were interviewed to help shape the plan.

The work highlighted the benefits and opportunities in the North West, while shaping the region’s growth and competitiveness strategy across a number of categories: identifying potential areas for improvement, proposals accelerating investment in the region, promoting global connectivity and growing existing businesses. The launch includes a promotional campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the economic growth potential of the North West.

“Backing science, technology and innovation is at the heart our plan to build a Northern Powerhouse,” Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said. “We have already made major progress with scientific investments like the £250 million Sir Henry Royce Institute with hubs across the North and significant technology commitments which will help develop new hubs across Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield.”

“I am convinced that as one nation, we must spread opportunity to every part of the country and, as this report finds, the North West has the potential to be a vital part of this,” concluded the Chancellor.

Juergen Maier, CEO of Siemens U.K. and Ireland and NWBLT Chairman, said, “The North West is one of the best places in Europe to grow a science, technology or innovation business and, with the public and private sector commitment to future investment that I am witnessing, the future for our region is very bright indeed. We have the world class cities of Liverpool and Manchester and, at currently over £140 billion, the fastest growing economy in the UK per capita. This economic development prospectus will aid and promote our region not just nationally but internationally - which is what we need to do if we are to attract more vital inward investment.”

“The report identifies that the North West has the critical ingredients for businesses to prosper and thrive in a global environment, including acclaimed academic institutions, a wealth of graduate talent, and excellent digital and transport links which allow businesses to connect to global skills and export markets,” said Fiona Gibson, who leads Accenture’s work with NWBLT. “It demonstrates the region’s ability to come together and to clearly articulate the rationale for business growth in the North West.”

The North West Business Leadership Team is an independent group of influential business leaders, who work together to promote the sustainable economic development and long-term well-being of North West England. It operates as an independent business voice for the whole North West, providing valuable strategic support for the region’s Local Enterprise Partnerships. It was launched by HRH The Prince of Wales in July 1989. Views expressed by NWBLT are those of the organization and may not necessarily represent those of all of its members.

Learn more about Accenture’s work with public service agencies around the world and Delivering Public Service for the Future.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 323,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$30.0 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2014. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

Accenture Strategy operates at the intersection of business and technology. We bring together our capabilities in business, technology, operations and function strategy to help our clients envision and execute industry-specific strategies that support enterprise wide transformation. Our focus on issues related to digital disruption, competitiveness, global operating models, talent and leadership help drive both efficiencies and growth. For more information, follow @AccentureStrat or visit www.accenture.com/strategy.

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