Nexus welcomes Chancellor of the Exchequer

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak visited Nexus today (Thursday 12 March) to sign the new West Yorkshire Devolution Deal with council leaders from across the region.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, discussing the new West Yorkshire Devolution Deal with, among others, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Professor Lisa Roberts, and Vice-Chancellor, Sir Alan Langlands

Nexus welcomes Chancellor of the Exchequer. March 2020

Our innovation hub was chosen for the signing of the historic deal, which will see West Yorkshire have a directly elected Mayor from May 2021 and provide £1.1 billion of investment for the area over 30 years.

Vice-Chancellor, Sir Alan Langlands, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Professor Lisa Roberts, met Mr Sunak and explained how Nexus is supporting collaborative partnerships between entrepreneurs, businesses and world-leading research expertise  creating jobs and opportunities for people right across the region.

Professor Roberts said: “For the Chancellor of the Exchequer to choose the University of Leeds to sign this deal is testament to our position as a research-intensive University and a committed regional partner.

“Nexus was the perfect setting for today’s occasion, as a place that brings together academic researchers and businesses to solve problems that deliver business growth and societal impact.

“The Budget rightly recognised the important role the UK’s universities play in innovation, attracting business investment and driving economic growth, and at Leeds we applaud the new investment in R&D that will maintain the University and the UK as international research leaders. Our strengths and investments in healthtech, climate science and high-speed rail are perfectly aligned with the Government’s priorities."

The Chancellor was joined by Simon Clarke, Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and council leaders from across West Yorkshire.

During his speech, the Chancellor said: “This is an enormous day for West Yorkshire – this is the start of something new and exciting.

“When we talk about levelling up as a Government, this is levelling up in action. This is trusting local areas to seize their destiny, in their own hands, supported by Government with investments in infrastructure, in cultural institutions, in economic support – that’s what this partnership is about.”

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