A HOUSE of Lords peer is in the North-East to head up a groundbreaking review into the region’s economy.

As part of his role as chairman of the North-East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (Lep) economic review, Lord Andrew Adonis is visiting the area for a week of discussions and tours until Friday.

To gather evidence for the review, to be published next spring, he will meet senior representatives from the region’s offshore and subsea engineering, automotive, manufacturing, life sciences, rural, food and drink, digital, creative, property and finance sectors to talk over concerns and prospects specific to the various sectors.

Today, Lord Adonis will visit British Engines to meet representatives from the energy and manufacturing sectors before moving on to OGN Group to tour the oil and gas company’s plant.

Lord Adonis said: “This visit gives me a chance to meet many of those who know best what is needed to make the most of chances to grow employment and productivity in the North-East over the next 18 years, and what barriers to growth need to be addressed.”

The review was launched last month to provide a framework and create a strategy to propel long-term growth in the North-East, and channel future investment effectively.

The economic review team, which also includes former Observer editor Will Hutton, Northumbrian Water boss Heidi Mottram and the Bishop of Durham Justin Welby, is meeting to review progress next week. The review, which has won the support of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Lord Michael Heseltine, will be submitted to Mr Clegg and the rest of the cabinet next year.