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The collaborative network for purpose-led businesses.

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What is True North?

True North is the network that brings together purpose-led organisations from across the region to share knowledge, connect and collaborate.

We give a voice to under-recognised businesses who are at the heart of the communities that they operate in and the North's future growth.

Join us to connect with like-minded leaders from across the North, engage with policymakers on the issues that matter to businesses and gain access to exclusive events, insights and opportunities that can accelerate your impact.

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Northern Stars

Across the North — from Manchester to Morecambe Bay, Liverpool to Leeds, Sheffield to Sunderland, Bradford to Blackpool — our region is powered by a rich tapestry of people, business, innovation and opportunity.

Our businesses in the network — diverse, sector-agnostic and representative of every part of the North — are our Northern Stars. We spotlight them through insights-led case studies and interviews that offer learnings and best practice for our members to take forward in their own organisations.

Find out more below or watch our podcast series Making the Difference: The True North Conversations.

You can also read our reports: Scaling Northern Ambition (a practical guide to help organisations scale their impact) and Defining Northern Ambition (an exploration of the challenges present in the northern economy).

Meet our Northern Stars

Northern Stars

True North: Northern Star — Ruth Ibegbuna

Northern Stars Ruth Ibegbuna

Social entrepreneur Ruth Ibegbuna is the founder and CEO of the Roots Programme, which runs cultural exchange initiatives that bring people together to bridge divides and form meaningful connections.

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True North: Northern Star — Open Media

Open Media square

Open Media is an out-of-home advertising company built on a commitment to three core pillars — people, planet and place. Open’s purpose is not only embedded in its foundation, it’s also shaping their future.

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True North: Northern Star — GB Shared

Northern connectivity map showing manchester liverpool leeds bradford and Nottingham

GB Shared has spent the last eight years connecting businesses across the North and now nationally — fostering a collaborative, responsible culture and helping companies large and small to connect, collaborate and drive positive impact at local and global level.

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Making the Difference: The True North Conversations

Rachael Baker (JJ Smith & Co)

A woman with brown hair and glasses wearing a light blue shirt branded "JJ SMITH" in front of a warm orange wall, speaking into a microphone.

Rachael shares what it means to lead a Merseyside manufacturer with employees who’ve stayed for nearly 50 years and why inspiring the next generation is key to building homes of the future.

Oonagh Simms (The Marshmallowist)

A woman with curly brown hair is wearing a denim jacket and holding her hands together, with a neutral expression against an orange background.

From a Portobello market stall to Harvey Nichols, Vogue and a move back to Leeds, Oonagh explains the craft and chemistry behind luxury marshmallows.

Anita Frost (Green Bean Studios)

A woman with curly hair wearing a dark checkered shirt sits with her hands clasped, smiling softly against a warm-coloured background.

Anita reflects on building an IP brand from Manchester during the pandemic, the power of dyslexia in her entrepreneurial journey and winning KPMG’s Black Entrepreneurs Award.

Michelle Laithwaite (FuelHub)

A blonde woman with long wavy hair is seated against a warm brown wall, wearing a black turtleneck with buttoned sleeves and dark jeans.

FuelHub offers clean, high-protein meals without the prep. Here, founder Michelle reveals why authenticity, provenance and Northern identity are central to the brand’s success.

Dr Ed Lynch (The Wellbeing Doctors)

A man with dark, wavy hair wearing a black quarter-zip sweater sits against a warm orange background, gazing to the left with a thoughtful expression.

A&E doctor-turned-entrepreneur Ed Lynch explains how years on the NHS frontline pushed him to create a longevity platform to prevent chronic disease.

Robert White (Brabners)

A middle-aged man with short grey hair, wearing a checkered shirt, is sitting against an orange wall with a circular wall clock behind him, gesturing with his right hand on his chest.

True North Co-Chair, Robert White, explores how purpose-led, independent businesses are driving a new era of northern ambition.

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What we do

Collaboration

We host events and share insights that speak to the economic realities business owners face every day, creating a platform for collaboration on joint challenges and priorities.


Impact

We develop partnerships with experts to help nurture and unlock the talent and skills that businesses need.


Advocacy

We amplify the needs of businesses to key policymakers across the North, ensuring that their voices are heard in the devolution conversation.

A middle-aged man with short curly gray hair and a beard, wearing a striped shirt with a gray hoodie, engaged in conversation with a woman with shoulder-length, light brown hair wearing a polka dot top, in an indoor setting with other people in the background.

Who's the Network For?

Our members represent a diverse mix of organisations based across the North of England.

At the heart of the network are scaling, privately-owned, purpose-led businesses. We've found that these businesses are outgrowing the rest of the economy but are often under-recognised for their growth ambitions, mission-led approach and commitment to talent in the communities they’re rooted in.

Alongside these businesses, the network brings together a wide range of organisations committed to unlocking the potential of the Northern economy. This includes large businesses, industry groups, policymaking and policy-influencing bodies, educational institutions, non-profits and social enterprises.

True North is also supported by an Advisory Council — a small group of business leaders who help to set the network’s direction and activity — as well as a number of strategic partners focused on supporting high potential talent into businesses in their communities.

True North — latest news and insights

True North: Our letter to the new Government

True North square

True North Co-Chairs have written to senior members of the new Government and elected metro mayors of the North, offering support from the network in the development of regional economic growth plans.

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“I’ve been a member of Brabners’ True North network since day one… as a member, you build valuable connections and opportunities that can drive real business impact… Our strength as a region comes from our unique industry clusters and capacity for innovation — whether it’s digital and tech in West Yorkshire or life sciences in Liverpool. Taking a place-based approach is the only way we’ll honour these qualities and we all have a part to play in making the place we operate in one that provides a prosperous and purposeful future for the next generation. True North advocates for the businesses that are brilliant at doing this, championing those delivering value in their communities, whether that’s by opening doors to employment or driving investment into regional hubs through innovation. If you're a founder looking to scale your impact beyond your bottom line, I'd encourage you to get involved. You get out what you put in and the opportunity to shape our region's future while growing your business is one worth taking.”

Pete Mills, CEO, Crysp & Chair, Place Making & Inward Investment Partnership Board, Bradford City & District
TN Data Explorer

True North Data Explorer

We partner with Open Innovations — the not-for-profit open data ecosystem — on the True North Data Explorer.

Through this open data platform, we're amplifying the work of our network and partners, as well as identifying where focus should be directed in terms of upskilling talent, cross-sector investment, reducing inequality and driving sustainability.

Visit the Data Explorer
Robert White

Why Brabners?

Brabners is a purpose-led, independent law firm anchored in the North of England. With a mission to make the difference, we're committed to supporting our clients and businesses across the region, as well as unlocking potential and prosperity for the next generation.

True North reinforces our belief that there's a desire to go further than the concept of the Northern Powerhouse by developing meaningful partnerships and a culture of collaboration, aimed at building a better understanding of what businesses need to drive positive change within their communities.

More about us

Watch: Scaling Northern Ambition launch event highlights

Robert White Scaling Northern Ambition Launch Event

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