WELCOME FROM PAUL CHERPEAU, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF LIVERPOOL CHAMBER

Hello and welcome to the spring edition of WELL CONNECTED, Liverpool Chamber’s quarterly digest of news, events and insights from our members and partners.

This year is, of course, the 175th Anniversary of the foundation of our organisation. It’s a milestone of which we are immensely proud and we will unabashedly celebrate it throughout the coming months, as it reflects the long-term relationships we have been able to foster with so many businesses and, I believe, underlines why we continue to be regarded as the authentic voice of business in the Liverpool City Region. With that proud reputation, however, comes a sense of responsibility to represent businesses in fair weather and foul - and it’s a responsibility that we take very seriously at Liverpool Chamber.

There can be no hiding the reality that this is a difficult time for many businesses as they face a barrage of cost increases, some imposed by government policy, others by geo-political pressures. As I write today, we are on the precipice of National Insurance Contributions and National Minimum Wage rises coming into play and we must await to see what the short and longer term impacts of those levies will be.

In uncertain times, it is right that we and our members look to those in power for support and guidance. We were pleased, therefore, to convene a special Executive Network event where some of our patrons and strategic partners were able to meet with and pose questions to the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, and Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council.

Details of the event can be found within these pages, but I would like to thank Steve and Liam for their candour with delegates and for helping to set out the strategies they believe will allow local businesses to thrive and create jobs in the future.

A sustainable approach to growth, whether that’s through procurement processes with social value at their core, investment in future skills or the adoption of green technologies, underpins a longterm economic strategy that will create benefits for future generations of people who live, work and visit here.

Paul Cherpeau Chief Executive

That wider strategic view is also crucial when attracting inward investment and catalysing development within our city region. As part of the Liverpool City Region Capital and Real Estate Investment Programme, a large public-private sector delegation flew out to MIPIM to showcase a host of transformative real estate projects across a range of key sectors to the world’s biggest investors. It was pleasing to see so many Chamber members involved at a senior level in those activities and you can read more about it in this edition.

As we all strive to do better today, there are also opportunities to make sure we can enjoy greater success tomorrow.

A sustainable approach to growth, whether that’s through procurement processes with social value at their core, investment in future skills or the adoption of green technologies, underpins a long-term economic strategy that will create benefits for future generations of people who live, work and visit here.

Numerous examples of that approach in action can be found later in this edition and I would also urge readers to lend their voices to the Local Skills Improvement Plan, which will help to shape how training providers respond to the changing needs of employers.

I hope you enjoy the read.

Paul