Deloitte backs 'Build Back Better' campaign launched by Liverpool and Manchester metro mayors

Business advisory firm Deloitte has pledged support for the ‘Build Back Better’ campaign – a collaborative initiative announced by the metro mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool earlier this month.

Andy Burnham, mayor for Greater Manchester and Steve Rotheram, mayor of Liverpool city region, have called for government not to return to business as usual following the COVID-19 lockdown and to build on some of the more positive impacts, such as the drop in UK air pollution.

Run by the Greater Manchester and Liverpool LEPs, the ‘Build Back Better’ programme is designed to rewrite the goals and rules of the new economy post-lockdown, with the aim of integrating key pillars of the Local Industrial Strategy.

This includes clean growth, digital, health innovation and advanced materials and manufacturing.
Deloitte has already made a number of organisational changes and commitments to support the Build Back Better initiative.

In addition to enabling 20,000 of its employees across the UK to work remotely, the firm has launched a series of social and mental health initiatives to support staff members. This includes the ‘Deloitte Gym’ – a virtual programme of training to help physical fitness, as well as a virtual coffee club and ‘Buddies Network’ to provide staff with companionship and conversation while in lockdown.

On a wider scale, the firm has also outlined a number of commitments to support the COVID-19 response and relief efforts across the UK.

Deloitte is supporting national charity partner Teach First to help schools in disadvantaged areas, as well as helping new teachers to start their Time to Teach training. The firm is also helping over 70 organisations with pro bono and virtual volunteering to ensure critical services remain available for those most in need.

The firm will be running a series of free digital roundtable events to outline how the region can drive positive changes as the UK economy reopens for business. The series will touch on a number of key themes, including the reopening of high streets, the future of working, transport, health innovation and the green economy.

Simon Bedford, partner at Deloitte in the North West, said: “As a business community, we have a unique opportunity to take stock and re-evaluate the way we run our economy, both on a local and national level. The key question is as the UK reopens for business, how can we ensure we remain safe, while also being more efficient and sustainable?

“The ‘Build Back Better’ campaign is something that Deloitte stands fully behind, and we have already put initiatives in place to support the efforts of our metro mayors in creating a brighter future for business. Our series of webinars, which are free to join, will provide advice to businesses of all sizes on how to follow this example and create a better environment to live and work.”

Andy Burnham, metro mayor for Greater Manchester, said: “Recovering from COVID-19 will be a massive challenge, but it could allow us to make this a reset moment. Working hand in hand with local businesses, the Build Back Better campaign will enable us to create a more robust and sustainable economy, centred around the strengths outlined in our local industrial strategy. This approach cannot work without the support of the business community, so I would urge companies of all sizes to get behind the initiative and help us set the agenda for a better future.”