CHAMBER JOINS CITY LEADERS FOR CONTINENTAL COLLABORATION

Liverpool Chamber was proud to help welcome dozens of EU ambassadors, state consul-generals and other dignitaries to the city.

Our chair Alison Lobb, chief executive Paul Cherpeau and director of strategy Christine Vaudrey accepted an invitation to the EU27 Ambassadors by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Richard Kemp, supported by Liverpool City Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority,

This event was a significant opportunity for Liverpool and the Liverpool City Region to strengthen its ties with EU nations, promote Liverpool as a leading Core City in international relations, and highlight UK PLC in a post-Brexit context. It also showcased Liverpool’s strengths in sectors including health and life sciences, creative and digital, advanced manufacturing, maritime and freeport, and net zero.

The visit coincided with Europe Day to commemorate the Schuman Declaration, which is considered the founding act of the European Union.

Guests included 12 Ambassadors, eight Consul-Generals; nine Cultural Directors and Attaches; 12 EU27 Trade Councillors and Senior Chamber Officials; eight Honorary Consuls. A series of seminars took place, hosted by Liverpool Chamber and other partner organisations including Liverpool John Moores University, the University of

Liverpool, Liverpool BID Company and the Liverpool City Region Culture Network, as well as support from National Museums Liverpool.

The Liverpool Chamber session focussed upon the business and economic ties the city has with Europe and included speaking contributions from John Perry, managing director of Grimaldi UK, whose UK headquarters are located in Liverpool, and Tom Hughes, MD at Wynne Aviation. More than 60 participants took part in this session which yielded connections, relationships and subsequent business.

Liverpool is aiming to leverage the rich historical and cultural mutual ties that the city shares with Europe, promoting opportunities for cultural and knowledge exchange, education, business and trade, inward investment and innovation.

It also saw the launch of the Liverpool European Festival, independently organised and hosted by the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Piotr Wilczek, Lord Mayor Cllr Richard Kemp OBE, and Merseyside Polonia.

Liverpool Chamber chief executive Paul Cherpeau said: “Countless Liverpool businesses have an established relationship with European trading partners and the city region can have a crucial role to play in the UK’s future economic standing with the EU.

“We were delighted to welcome dignitaries from across the continent and help to showcase Liverpool’s economic and cultural strengths.”

Leader of Liverpool City Council, Cllr Liam Robinson, said: “Liverpool has always been a proud European city, with rich European heritage and continental relationships, and I am delighted to welcome so many EU dignitaries to our city.

“Bursting with imagination and pride, Liverpool is a city of firsts and a place of pioneers. We want to become the most Europe-facing city in the UK, and the most welcoming, and the discussions we are holding today are the first step in achieving our ambition.”

Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, said: “Liverpool is once again stepping onto the world stage – not just as a capital of culture, but of commerce, innovation and sustainability.

“At a time when so many are turning inwards, we’re choosing to reach out – with our arms wide open to global partnership, progress and opportunity.

“Europe Day is a powerful reminder of our international spirit and the vital role we can play in shaping a more open, connected future.”

Lord Mayor, Cllr Richard Kemp, said: “Liverpool has always been proud of its relationship with the European Union and in 2020 the Council voted to deepen its relationship with our closest neighbours.

“Liverpool Welcomes Europe will strengthen our relations and will lead to joint employment, educational and cultural work which will benefit both our city and Europe.”

His Excellency Pedro Serrano, EU Ambassador to the UK, said: “I am thrilled to be in Liverpool with many ambassadors from countries of the European Union to celebrate the economic, cultural and educational ties that bind Liverpool and the EU.

“This is the first time that we will mark Europe Day outside of the capital, a testament to the pivotal role that cities like Liverpool play in fostering growth, innovation and friendship between our citizens.”

“Liverpool is once again stepping onto the world stage – not just as a capital of culture, but of commerce, innovation and sustainability.

“At a time when so many are turning inwards, we’re choosing to reach out –with our arms wide open to global partnership, progress and opportunity.

“Europe Day is a powerful reminder of our international spirit and the vital role we can play in shaping a more open, connected future.”

Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram