THE ISSA brothers have topped a North West power list, naming them as the most influential people in the region.

The list was released this week by business publication Insider Media, which covers trade, investment and developments across the UK.

Blackburn's Mohsin and Zuber Issa were selected for the top spot thanks to their status in the business world and in particular thanks to their ongoing takeover of Asda.

In a statement on the deal, Mohsin and Zuber Issa said: “We are very proud to be investing in Asda, an iconic British business that we have admired for many years.

"Asda’s customer-centric philosophy, focus on operational excellence and commitment to the communities in which it operates are the same values that we have built EG Group on."

Insider Media made the rankings according to influence, impact and visibility with the EG Group founders scoring highly on all three.

Under the brothers' stewardship, EG Group, headquartered in Blackburn, has become on of the largest privately owned businesses in the UK and a major international organisation.

However it is their recent takeover of Asda alongside partners TDR Capital, named by Insider as the most memorable that has propelled the Issas to the top spot on the list.

As well as EG Group and Asda, the pair have also reportedly been attempting to take over coffee chain Caffe Nero and already own Mellor's iconic Stanley House venue.

As a result their businesses now have a presence in almost every town in the UK and many more around the world.

This has placed them above other highly influential people in the North West, including Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who was reelected over the last weekend with over 67 per cent of the vote and earned second place on the power list, and Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotherham, who came in at number six.

The Issa brothers are currently aiming to finalise their Asda takeover, having proposed to sell some of their forecourts in order to appease the Competition and Markets Authority, which had been concerned that the deal could lead to a lack of competition in the industry.

With the regulator reportedly having deemed this an acceptable solution, the Blackburn duo look set to see their influence grow further still over the coming months.