Both the chairman of Transport for the North and a former Commercial Secretary to the Treasury have been appointed to the board of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP), the independent body established by former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in September to represent major business and civic leaders across the North.

John Cridland and Lord Jim O’Neill join a host of senior business and civic leaders on the board, with the group meeting for the first time in Sheffield last month.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Osborne said: “Today is a milestone in the creation of the NPP. Our first board meeting brings together the biggest employers and civic leaders in the North to see how we can work together to create a powerhouse. I am delighted that Jim and John are joining the board and getting involved.

“They are both hugely regarded figures across the North and two of the brightest and the best when it comes to thinking pro-actively about how to drive transformational change for the region.” Mr Osborne added: “The NPP has made more progress than I could have possibly have hoped for.”

Lord O’Neill said: “I have always been a huge supporter of the Northern Powerhouse, and I look forward to continuing to play a role in ensuring that the original vision becomes a reality.

“Ultimately, the success of the Northern Powerhouse will depend upon business and civic leaders across the North driving it forward, and the creation of the NPP is a perfect vehicle for helping to tackle ‘head on’ some of the issues that have been holding back the Northern economy for centuries.”

In October, the NPP began a series of round-table events that will help to develop a consensus among prominent business and public-sector organisations on the issues and priorities for the North.