Atlantic Gateway chief gets Lords seat

Susan Williams, chief executive of the Atlantic Gateway redevelopment strategy, has been given a seat in the House of Lords.

The former leader of Trafford Council also serves as campaign director for the North West Rail Campaign.

Downing Street announced her appointment after she accepted a request from the Prime Minister to become Baroness Williams. She will be invested on a date to be announced.

Atlantic Gateway is a long term initiative backed by Peel Group and centring on the regeneration of the corridor of land between Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

Projects include the Northern Hub, Port Salford, Liverpool Waters, Sci-Tech Daresbury and Wirral Waters.

Williams said that the Lords seat would provide her with an opportunity to champion causes of importance to the North West.

She said a decision had not yet been made about whether she would be able to continue her work with Atlantic Gateway and the North West Rail Campaign.