Muse joins the Northern Powerhouse Partnership

Today, Muse has joined the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP), bringing its experience of delivering complex, long-term regeneration projects to the business-led organisation focused on unlocking growth across the North of England.

Muse are a leading nationwide placemaker with a track record of over 40 years working in partnership with the public sector to deliver mixed-use regeneration that supports economic growth, housing delivery and thriving town and city centres.

The business has a strong presence within the North of England, with regional teams operating in the North West, Yorkshire and the North East.

Muse has delivered some of the region’s most important projects. For example, at Salford Central where ECF – the placemaking partnership between Muse, L&G and Homes England has worked in partnership with Salford City Council for nearly two decades to deliver more than 1,000 homes, offices, and public space, as part of a £1bn transformation.

Alongside a continuation of their work in Salford, Muse are working with local and national partners across the North West. This includes in areas such as Blackpool, Oldham, St Helens, Warrington and Wythenshawe.

Meanwhile in Yorkshire and the North East, ECF are actively progressing plans for the flagship East Bank Urban Village in Hull, with Hull City Council, and working to deliver an emerging masterplan for the sustainable, 1,000-home, Bradford City Village, which is being delivered in partnership with Bradford Council.

This announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the North. Last week, the Government announced its plans to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail, while work is under way on a strategy for the Northern Growth Corridor, due to be published later this year. Together, these developments present a renewed opportunity to link major transport investment with regeneration, development and long-term economic growth.

As new members of the Partnership, Muse will contribute expertise in infrastructure-led regeneration, masterplanning and delivery models that align transport investment with commercial development, housing and innovation-led growth. This includes experience of station and corridor-led development, long-term stewardship of places, and working across complex public–private partnerships to turn strategic infrastructure commitments into investable, deliverable schemes.

Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay, Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Muse to the Northern Powerhouse Partnership at a pivotal moment for the North. Muse has an established reputation for transforming our cities and town by creating places for people to work and homes for people to live in.

With the Government confirming its commitment last week to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail, and a strategy for the Northern Growth Corridor due to be launched in the spring, there is the opportunity to bring forward more ambitious plans for our cities and towns which otherwise could not have happened. Muse’s experience in infrastructure-led growth, masterplanning and long-term stewardship will be vital in helping ensure infrastructure investment brings benefits to the lives of Northerners wherever they live.”

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council and Board Member of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said:

“Muse’s work in Bradford demonstrates the importance of linking regeneration and long-term investment with improved connectivity. As the Government moves forward with Northern Powerhouse Rail, with Bradford at its heart, and develops its Northern Growth Corridor strategy, it’s vital that towns and cities are able to translate infrastructure investment into jobs, homes and thriving places. Muse’s experience in working with councils to deliver sustainable, community-focused regeneration makes them a valuable addition to the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.”

Muse will be represented on the Northern Powerhouse Partnership Board by Phil Mayall, Managing Director at Muse, reflecting the company’s commitment to senior-level engagement in the Partnership’s work.

Phil also holds several strategic positions including Vice-Chair of the British Property Federation Regional Policy Committee, member of the Property Leaders Council, and Fellow of the RSA. He is also Governor of Oldham College.

Muse’s involvement follows their supportive engagement with several national and regional bodies. This includes the BITC – Business in the community, Passivhaus Trust, The Association for Rental Living, NLA, West London Business and Business LDN.

Phil Mayall, Managing Director at Muse, said:

“We are delighted to be joining the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. With the government’s continued focus on supporting transformation and accelerating regional growth, we have a real opportunity to make an impact and go above and beyond in delivering meaningful, lasting, change in the North of England.

“As someone born and raised in the region, I am passionate about the people, place, and potential which can be unleashed here. This is a sentiment shared by our skilled regional teams in the North, and by across the business. Drawing on our decades of experience as placemakers, we’re looking forward to sharing our insights, lessons, and learnings with partnership, to help best shape the future of the North of England.”

As a member of NPP, Muse will build on and contribute to the Partnership’s workstreams and policy development, sharing expertise on place-based regeneration, infrastructure-led growth and how long-term investment can support a stronger Northern economy.