The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) announced the appointment of Emily Mathew as its new chief executive.
The NWBLT brings together leaders of national and international businesses with substantial commitments and interests in the North West of England.
Mathew, a graduate of the University of York, will become chief executive following the departure of Emma Degg on December 3, 2026.
“In her current role as Head of Stakeholder Engagement at NWBLT, she has been responsible for strengthening relationships with senior stakeholders and business leaders across the region,” said NWBLT.
“Alongside leading NWBLT’s skills work, she has delivered key projects to strengthen public and private sector collaboration, including extensive engagement with Westminster and Whitehall policy makers.
“Earlier in her career, Emily held roles across several leading cultural organisations, including the Hallé, Imperial War Museum and Manchester United.
“She later led social impact activity at Bruntwood and the Oglesby Charitable Trust, overseeing a £1.5 million grant portfolio and more than £1 million of investment into key cultural partnerships, including the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting.
“Outside work, Emily is a Trustee of Cheshire Community Foundation and an Advisory Board Member at Be the Business, providing strategic advice to SMEs.”
Mathew said: “I am honoured and delighted to be appointed Chief Executive of NWBLT. Having been part of NWBLT’s journey, it is a real privilege to be asked to lead the organisation into its next phase.
“The North West is a region of extraordinary strengths and opportunities, and NWBLT has a unique role in bringing together leaders to shape a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future.
“I have seen first-hand the value of trusted relationships, bold thinking and meaningful collaboration, and I am excited to build on the outstanding work and strong foundations that NWBLT has established.
“I look forward to working with our members, partners and the NWBLT team as we champion the region’s ambitions, seize the opportunities for growth, and deliver lasting positive impact for communities and businesses across the North West.”