True North, a think tank launched to help influence policy for Cumbria and the North East, has appointed a new member to its steering group.
The politically neutral organisation, chaired by former Carlisle Conservative MP John Stevenson, has welcomed Amanda Hopgood, Liberal Democrat leader of the opposition on Durham County Council.
Mr Stevenson said: ” am delighted to welcome Amanda to True North. She brings with her enthusiasm and a wealth of experience in local government. Amanda
shares with us a positive vision for a prosperous future for the North, its people, its businesses and its communities. I am looking forward to working with her.”
Ms Hopgood added: “I am pleased to be joining the team at True North, for too long the North of this country has been overlooked, we are home to amazing places and people with so much to offer, by working together we can be the place where businesses and people thrive.”
Amanda joins existing members of the steering group Dan Harrison and Ian Dormer from Newcastle, Rachael Bell from Cumbria and Paul Howell from Darlington and Angela Lee from rural Northumberland alongside the founding members Mr Stevenson, Cath Homer, Peter Jackson and Nick Oliver.
True North was launched in March and wants to develop policy initiatives to benefit Cumbria and the North East by giving it a national voice.
