NatWest Group has committed £20 billion over the next decade to support economic growth across the North of England, announced at the Great North Investment Summit on Monday as part of its strategy to back regional development and investment.

The bank will deploy the funding across energy, transport, infrastructure, regeneration and housing, using direct lending, risk sharing and co-investment with partners to mobilise additional private capital alongside public funding, including collaboration with emerging Northern Combined Authorities to scale regional projects.

The £20 billion programme targets housing, mobility, energy and climate resilience projects across the North of England. Housing initiatives include working with housing associations to accelerate new build delivery and retrofit existing stock. Transport investment spans rail, roads, airports and charging infrastructure, while energy funding focuses on generation, storage and grid upgrades supporting decarbonisation and system resilience.

Research cited by the bank shows 65 per cent of senior business decision makers believe greater control for regional leaders over funding would improve investor confidence. The same proportion said long-term, stable funding increases willingness to invest, with confidence strongest in the North where established mayoral combined authorities are already in place.

NatWest plans to act as a coordinating partner for institutional and private investors, pooling projects across regions to improve scale, efficiency and execution. Its focus on projects with strong economic fundamentals is intended to make delivery simpler for public and private sector partners.

Paul Thwaite, CEO of NatWest Group, said: “This commitment reflects our confidence in the North as a growth engine for the UK. We can see the strength of ambition across the region, and the scale of projects coming forward in housing, transport, energy and infrastructure. NatWest Group has deep roots in the North and an on-the-ground presence across its many communities, so we understand both the opportunity and what it takes to deliver it. Our role isn’t just to provide finance, it’s to connect capital with local ambition – working in partnership with combined authorities, business and investment partners to accelerate growth.”

Chair of The Great North, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “Across the North, we have the talent, innovation and ambition to lead the UK's next era of growth and prosperity. NatWest Group's investment and commitment to the North shows us investors see the huge, untapped potential across the North of England and the massive prize on offer from backing our regions.”

The commitment builds on existing activity across the region, including support for Newcastle International Airport through a £364 million sustainable finance package and a £106 million funding arrangement for Broadacres Housing Association, aimed at accelerating affordable housing delivery and supporting low-carbon infrastructure investment.

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