WITH all the post-Brexit hoopla and government reshuffles, companies are now considering the ramifications of where the policies of a new(ish) government might be headed, writes Rachel Anderson.

First under the sunlamp will be the new approach to the Northern Powerhouse and devolution agendas.

As we watched the parade of new ministers walking up Downing Street, it became clear there was no place for George Osborne, the project’s main cheerleader.

Middlesbrough-born Greg Clark has been moved from the Department for Communities and Local Government to Business (a very welcome appointment in itself) and our own James Wharton, previously the minister with responsibility for the whole agenda, is busy studying an atlas following a move to International Development.

This pretty well means all the politicians familiar with devolution and the significant progress it has made in the Tees Valley and the North-East have gone off elsewhere and we need to start the process of familiarising ministers with the assets this area offers the UK.

The new Northern Powerhouse Minister is Andrew Percy (no, me neither) the MP for Brigg and Goole.

Born in Hull and a student in York, he is at least familiar with the issues the Northern Powerhouse in theory exists to address.

The challenge for our politicians is to make sure the new team understand the North-East and Tees Valley and why we are so well placed to help drive a renewed North.

Presumably, politicians in every area will want to press their case for investment early and will be in pursuit of the new minister like some political game of Pokémon Go.

The appointment of a Northern Powerhouse Minister is a positive move but less reassuring so far is the lack of a vocal commitment from the new regime to the whole project.

While the Prime Ministerial to-do list is no doubt long, some early policy statements from the Department for Communities and Local Government, and a commitment in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, will be required to calm political nerves.

As for the North, we can continue to work with the devolution deals we have and build our cases for investment based on how our economy can contribute to UK Plc.

The new PM might have a lot to get on with but we can’t sit back and wait to be asked.

Rachel Anderson is head of policy and representation at the North East England Chamber of Commerce