The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (Agma) has selected more than a dozen business advisers to help the city-region attract international investment.

All members of the Business Leadership Council are from the private sector and will advise the ten councils that comprise Agma regarding economic strategies, policies and priorities.

Members include Lynda Shilaw, director of property at the Co-operative Group; Chris Oglesby, chief executive of property company Bruntwood; Dr Sharon O'Kane, co-founder of biomedical company Renovo; and Ian Austin, managing partner of Manchester law firm Halliwells.

Each member will serve on the panel for between two and four years and the team is headed up by John Early, who was the executive director of Amec until 2007.

Mr Early said the Manchester city-region has "huge international potential and should be a powerful engine of economic growth for the north of England".

The Business Leadership Council aims to influence investment in public transport, boost economic growth in areas like manufacturing and biotechnology, and promote environmental responsibility.