Inner circle of Prime-Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham reveal what lies ahead and where his northern HQ plan

One of Andy Burnham's closest associates, Tim Heatley is the co-founder of Capital&Centric, the Manchester-based regeneration developer. For a number of years he has worked for the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity, where he serves as chair, working closely with Burnham to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness across the city region.

Heatley told Insider: “I’ve worked with him for several years. Working with Andy can be great fun. It can also be infuriating because he’s so persuasive. You can be very clear in your own mind what you want to achieve and then Andy turns up, has a different view and everyone ends up going along with it.

"People like him, he’s bright and articulate. He has that great way of communicating where he asks a question, “we can’t do that, can’t we”, “that’s not fair is it” and people nod and agree and all of a sudden it’s their idea! He’s great like that. Infuriating but great. You can’t argue with the results. Often he’s pushing to go further, to do more, to go deeper, to push the boundaries. He’s a big thinker. It can be exhausting!”

Heatley said Burnham’s management style is based on a distinct lack of micro-managing. He said: “He has enormous trust in people. He doesn’t check in on people. He doesn’t say, how are you getting on? Because then you could back out. You agree it, it shall be done! Let me know when it’s done. I have learned from his management style. It’s a good management style. Surround yourself with people who are good and competent, trust them, don’t check in on them and you can cover more ground that way. Empower them. Get them to think bigger.”

Is that how he will run his Cabinet?

“Yes that’s the only way he can do it,” Heatley said. “To not micromanage. And not pick people because of friendships. You have to pick some people who will do the job brilliantly. So he will upset some people because they will say, hang on I helped you. Andy won’t do that. It’s an important job and he will pick the right people regardless of friendship. But he does have his lieutenants, hence bringing in Caroline Simpson to run No 10 North. He trusts them to get the job done.”

As Insider went to press, Caroline Simpson, chief executive of Greater Manchester Combined Authority was assumed, but not confirmed, to be playing a key role in running No 10 North. So what kind of a figurehead will she be?

Heatley said: “I think it’s very likely that Caroline will run No 10 North. I worked with Caroline originally when she was in a more regeneration role, then chief exec, then over to GM. She is not to be underestimated. She has a warm, smiley, engaging manner, but she is also happy to say no and Andy needs that. She will say no to him. She is good at protecting the public purse.

"She is very likeable and she uses that to get things done. She makes people feel that everything will be ok. But when we’ve had challenges and disagreements, we have been able to reach an agreement. She will push hard, tell you what she wants and say, “I have to get ‘this’, Tim and then I can concede ‘that’.” People will underestimate her because she is lovely, glamorous, charming, smiley, but she is very good.”

Hospitality entrepreneur Sacha Lord who worked as Burnham’s Night Time Economy Adviser or ‘tsar’ also welcomed the No 10 North.

Lord told Insider: “No 10 North is very welcoming and a clear sign that everything’s not going to be London centric. The power is shifting and it’s certainly about time.

“From the conversations we’ve had and are still having, it’s very clear that Andy understands the importance of the UKs fifth biggest sector and third largest employer, Hospitality. Over the last two years, we’ve lost 120,000 jobs in the sector, mainly because of the reckless NI increase. Most of those jobs are for 18-24 year olds. We’re now losing two pubs a day. Andy knows the sector needs stabilising with a vision to create a healthy and profitable nightlife again. I was extremely encouraged that one of his first interventions was a further increase of 20 per cent in business rates for pubs.”

Ultimately Burnham is planning to locate his HQ in Ancoats on the site once occupied by a parade of shops including Toys R Us, but that’s still a few years away. So where will it be in the meantime? One newspaper has suggested the GCHQ building on Lincoln Square, others have suggested Tony Wilson’s old First Street building. According to Tim Heatley the King of the North will opt for the same kind of mill conversion as the Capital&Centric building.

He said: “I think it will be near Piccadilly, or possibly Oxford Road. I think it will be a red brick conversion if he can. Something Mancunian. A bit like our office - it won’t be our office though we haven’t got room! The other reason I think a conversion will appeal as opposed to glass and steel is you don’t want it to look bling-bling.

"When he got a vehicle he opted for a 20 year old ex fire service Volkswagen. He doesn’t want to be seen in a fancy car and I think he will be the same with the office. But there will also be an element of, just because it’s the north doesn’t mean it has to be crap. It will be a balance. Our office, a mill conversion, is like the Dolly Parton quote, it costs a lot of money to look this cheap.”

But a source close to Mr Burnham told Insider: “Rumour has it he will take the Transport for Greater Manchester building. It will be easier to secure.”

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is headquartered at 2 Piccadilly Place across Piccadilly Curve bridge, the elevated walkway over London Road.

If No 10 North comes off, who will be on the top table?

According to Heatley, “Andy’s circle is both massive and tiny. Everybody knows him but his close circle is small.”

He said: “His closest will be Kevin Lee [director of the mayor’s office], Caroline Simpson, Rose Marley [CEO, Co-operatives UK], Eve Holt [Head of Policy & Implementation Greater Manchester Combined Authority], Lou Cordwell [magneticNorth] and Steve Coogan.”

A consultation on the formation of a mayoral development corporation (MDC) for Middleton launched in May. The proposed MDC would be chaired by the Middleton born actor and comedian, Coogan and Marley. The pair said at the time, We’ve been astounded by the engagement, ideas and innovation from the initial discussions with local people. We cannot wait to get started on building a new vision and future for Middleton and we are keen to involve as many residents and businesses as possible."

Heatley continued: “Bev Craig is being put forward for Metro Mayor. That’s a bit of an Alex Ferguson job, it’s a hard act to follow. Regardless of party everyone wants better places. Let’s focus on the bits we agree on. That’s the solution for Andy too. It’s great we can sprinkle some of the Manchester magic across the country. That will only accelerate under a Burnham leadership.”

Names suggested by other sources include Tim Heatley, Sacha Lord, Tom Whitney [government transport adviser] and John Wrathmell [Group Director, Strategy, at Greater Manchester Combined Authority].

Read the full report in the August issue of North West Business Insider.