'Why the hell are we still on Tinder, let’s get married in 2027,' - Lancs millionaire founder of IN4 Group
Mo Isap, founder and CEO of IN4 Group, compared devolution to a marriage and said while other areas were showing a commitment, Lancashire was flirting and then had second thoughts at the altar.
A millionaire businessman says to boost the economy in Lancashire the county needs to get off Tinder and get married in 2027.
Mo Isap, who is the founder and CEO of IN4 Group, an award-winning international professional technology training and skills provider, and has 30 years experience as an entrepreneur, business leader and education advocate is leading calls for an elected mayor for Lancashire.
He compared devolution to a marriage and said while other areas were showing a commitment, Lancashire was flirting and then had second thoughts at the altar.
“We have toyed with marriage for the last 20 years, to gain the dowry that the government has promised, but then we bottled it,” Mr Isap said.
“Cumbria and Cheshire & Warrington have set a date for the wedding. Their dowry is £300m-£600m and that’s capacity building, not even infrastructure, it’s not skills. That’s the prize for having a mayor. We are the only singletons in the room.”
The chairman of the Lancashire Business Board spoke at The Gazette’s sister title North West Business Insider’s Opportunity Lancashire Lunch in Burnley and rallied the companies in the room to demand an elected mayor.
He said: “The sit-com that is Lancashire’s devolution situation can’t be tolerated any more.”
Business and academic leaders have written to council bosses and government to demand an elected mayor for Lancashire.
Mr Isap said Lancashire cannot plan for future generations in a period of upheaval and without confidence whereas neighbouring counties can.
He said: “Mayors have got money but the reality is it’s the power, it’s the people who get invited to be round the table at No 10 North and can represent our economy and our businesses. That needs to be respected and backed. The Prime Minister has made it clear as to where he is putting his investment and who he will back, and it’s the mayors.”
He pointed out North Yorkshire has received £2bn in an integrated settlement.
He said: “£1.5bn is for skills, transport and economic development. £450m for their transport infrastructure. £160m for their airport, £45m for Rolls Royce, since 2022. That’s £1.4m a day.
“North Yorkshire’s economy is £30bn. Ours is £43bn. Our businesses are struggling and we are seeing the money going elsewhere.
“Now the National Wealth Fund has been announced. £28bn to mayors. More of that will be going to South Yorkshire, Liverpool and Cardiff and it will attract hundreds of billions of private investment. A mayor bats for the whole county.
“Greater Manchester mayor Bev Craig has billions to invest in her region. Guess what we’ve got... On transport Liverpool has £1.6bn, Manchester has got £2.5bn, we’ve got £1.34m. We have 55,000 businesses. More than Liverpool.
“Greater Manchester has hundreds of people working in the Combined Authority. We’ve got two secondees. Piccadilly is talking about an underground transport system. Imagine that kind of investment in Preston and Blackpool.”
Mr Isap added: “We have a window of opportunity. The last date the government will sanction will be 2028. We still have an opportunity to make 2027, like Cheshire and Cumbria. The debate is out of the window. There are no valid reasons not to be in the room.”
Addressing the businesses in the room, he said, “I want to ask you to stand up and be absolute. It’s not what colour of politics you are, it’s about economy. We can’t be the only county in the north to be left. Respect the business community, respect our ancestry. We supplied 50% of the cotton to the world.
“Now we can’t even get a meeting with a junior minister. You think any of the mayors have difficulty getting in front of the prime minister? He is asking them to come to him! But nobody is batting for us. Ask your elected members to say why the hell are we still on Tinder, let’s get married in 2027.”
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A letter was sent to the leaders of Reform-led Lancashire County Council, Cllr Stephen Atkinson and Cllr Simon Evans; Labour’s Cllr Phil Riley of Blackburn with Darwen Council; Labour’s Lynn Williams of Blackpool Council; and Jim McMahon MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth).
The letter was signed by; Lancashire Business Board, North and West Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Lancaster & Morecambe Chamber of Commerce, Preston Partnership Board, Pendle Vision Board, Cotton Court, University of Lancashire, Lancaster University, Blackburn College, RedCAT Group, Graham and Brown, VEKA Plc, Amazing Accrington Business Leaders Group, Burnley Bondholders, Brabners, Rossendale Pride in Place Board and HIVE Blackburn.
The letter states: “The opportunity cost of not having an elected Mayor is significant, the evidence is compelling and the consequence for our economy stark. Lancashire is missing from the table.
“Lancashire cannot afford to stand still while other regions move ahead. We therefore urge you to seize this opportunity and work with Government to secure the transition of the LCCA into a Strategic Mayoral Authority, giving our county the influence, investment and leadership it needs to compete and thrive.”
Mo Isap was born and raised in Blackburn, he has maintained a strong commitment to the county’s people, businesses and communities throughout his career.
He is chair of the Lancashire Business Board, providing a strong private-sector voice in shaping Lancashire’s economic priorities, investment ambitions, skills agenda and future growth. He has played an active role in developing Lancashire’s Growth Plan, championing innovation, technology, productivity and inclusive economic growth. Through IN4 Group, he has developed programmes that connect people nationally and internationally with technology skills, careers and entrepreneurship opportunities.
His work has included partnerships with national government with the likes of GCHQ, DSIT and DCMS, corporates such as Amazon, Microsoft, IBM and Aramco, local authorities, education providers, helping to create pathways into high-value sectors including emerging technology. The group is now one of the leaders in AI training. He was awarded an OBE in the 2026 New Year Honours for services to education and skills.