A PARTNERSHIP between two not-for-profit business lenders has been selected to fund manage part of the largest-ever investment fund for businesses to boost economic growth and productivity.

The £400 million Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, announced in the 2015 Autumn Statement and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, will be used to kickstart growth and support entrepreneurialism.

The Business Enterprise Fund (BEF) group, which has an office in Bradford, and Finance For Enterprise (FFE), have been selected.