Lord Jim O'Neill, a prominent economist and former commercial secretary to the Treasury, has confirmed he will not be joining Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s team as a chief economic adviser. The clarification comes after reports suggested O'Neill was a leading candidate to help shape the region's economic strategy.

While O'Neill has previously collaborated with Burnham on regional devolution projects, his decision to rule out a formal advisory role marks a definitive end to the recent speculation regarding his involvement in the mayor's administration. Neither O'Neill nor Burnham’s office provided specific details regarding the reasons behind the decision, though the move suggests that O'Neill will continue his work outside of a formal local government capacity.

This development leaves the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to continue its search for economic guidance as it navigates ongoing challenges related to regional growth and national policy shifts. The role was viewed by political analysts as a significant opportunity for Burnham to bolster his economic credentials, given O'Neill’s extensive background in global finance and his previous experience in government.