All available economic development research suggests that sustained economic growth requires strong leadership with a consistent and committed vision of what success looks like. However, effective leadership is difficult to establish and maintain. Private and public sector leaders need to work together over long periods of time to ensure success; these partnerships will allow policy to be tailored to the needs of the market, rather than to political requirements which can potentially create inefficiency. The need for key leaders to emerge has still developed despite a sustained period of time where the North East enjoyed a number of political representatives in Westminster.

Leadership is not necessarily a political concept; the recent rejection of a North East regional assembly has shown a lack of public appetite for political devolution. As a result of this, new avenues must be explored. It has become apparent that public perception is that regional identity is not necessarily just expressed through an independent political body. The region requires strong leadership with the powers to make a real difference to the region. Recent turnout in general, local and mayoral elections have shown a degree of apathy towards the political agenda in the region.
 
Without an independent political body, the region must look to create a greater degree of economic dependence from the central UK system. One way of achieving this is through a concentred effort to expand the size of the business stock and encourage the creation of large multinational companies which have their base in the UK. Business role models should be acknowledged for the success they have achieved and should be used as an inspiration to the population. By promoting the region’s success stories the North East can raise aspirations and shows the merits of the area.