North East mayor Kim McGuinness and fellow northern mayors have hailed the success of the region's first joint trade mission to India, which has already delivered new jobs and investment for the North.
The Great North mission saw metro mayors and dozens of business leaders travel to India to build business, tourism and education links, including preparing for an Indian trade mission to the UK in 2027. The trip celebrated existing India-UK connections that have helped create hundreds of jobs in the North and promoted the region's attractions to Indian tourism leaders.
New Jobs and Green Supply Chain Plans
Among the announcements from the trip, Newcastle technology firm Sage revealed 128 new graduate and apprenticeship opportunities across the North East and India, with 83 new recruits in Newcastle and 45 positions in Bengaluru. County Durham firm Low Carbon Materials also progressed plans for a new green supply chain in India, exploring a supply partnership with Indian start-up Ground Up.
A new international trade centre opened in Bengaluru during the mission, working with ISS Airview at Newcastle Airport to support businesses from both regions looking to establish, trade and grow in each other's markets. Durham University also strengthened its existing relationship with further education establishment IIT Madras.
Leaders Welcome the Mission's Impact
Ms McGuinness, chair of The Great North and North East mayor, said: "We've seen new investment, skilled jobs, businesses opening doors to new markets and our universities building partnerships that will create opportunities for the next generation."
She added: "But what matters most is what happens next. The agreements we've made and the relationships we've built must translate into real benefits for people and businesses back home. We want to see more Indian businesses investing in the North, more of our businesses succeeding in India, and more students, visitors and partners building lasting connections between our communities."
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "From education to tourism, it's fantastic to see our renewed relationship with India delivering for the North, supporting hundreds of jobs and driving investment. I saw first-hand how the efforts of our Northern mayors and businesses on this mission helped connect British expertise, creating partnerships to generate growth in the North for years to come."
Sponsor Highlights Trade Agreement Potential
James Cundy, head of mid-market corporate and structured finance at HSBC, which sponsored the trip, said: "The mission has demonstrated the scale of opportunity created by the UK–India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, from new investment and skilled jobs to partnerships in innovation, education, healthcare and advanced manufacturing."
Cundy added: "HSBC has been supporting UK-India trade and investment and we're delighted to help Northern businesses turn ambition into action. We look forward to building on the relationships established during the mission and supporting a lasting, two-way partnership that drives growth and creates opportunities for communities across the North."
