There is no other place like Liverpool in the UK
This week we have been running a series of articles looking at Liverpool’s economy.
The event is being run in partnership with Deloitte, Investec Wealth and Investment and Professional Liverpool.
Today John Hall, the chief executive of Professional Liverpool, gives his view of the city.
As someone who has lived and worked in Liverpool for more years than I care to remember, I have witnessed extreme highs and lows.
I doubt if any other city in the United Kingdom, with the possible exception of Glasgow has undergone such a seismic transformation over the last few decades.
It is no coincidence that Glasgow in 1990 and Liverpool in 2008 were voted European Capitals of Culture.
The political, social and economic difficulties which beset Liverpool at the end of the twentieth century and the resulting collapse in investment confidence are well-documented, but like Phoenix rising from the ashes, those of us who are fortunate enough to live and work here now enjoy the buzz of a unique, vibrant, edgy, fantastic city with a quality of life that is difficult to match.
Rather than allowing Liverpool to decline, as advised by Geoffrey Howe, Margaret Thatcher, following his two-week visit to Liverpool, appointed Michael Heseltine as Minister for Merseyside. The rest, as they say, is history.
Every great city has a strong professional and business sector and Liverpool is no exception, boasting amongst other qualities, the largest wealth management sector outside London, and outstanding maritime expertise which will surely gain even further traction as we leave Europe and face more to the west.
Our universities attract over 7000 first year students each year specifically to study Professional and Business-related courses.
We have the second fastest – growing digital cluster in the UK, positioning us well to support FinTech investment from both the large financial institutions growing their technology operations to the smaller disruptive organisations developing new and innovative business models.
We have hosted the last three International Business Festivals which have produced a substantial contribution to the GVA of GB plc.
There is however no doubt that the Professional and Business sector, a major contributor to the GVA in its own right, needs to keep growing to support the economic success of the city region. The signs are encouraging.
Pleasingly, what I have noticed over the last few years since we benefited from Central Government’s Devolution agenda is a willingness to collaborate that hasn’t always been there.
Despite the existence of our Combined Regional Authority there was a mystifying reluctance on the part of the outlying boroughs to support the one true marketable brand, namely – Liverpool.
As the Business Desk article earlier this week spells out, Liverpool is a recognised world – wide brand, so valuable when attracting inward investment particularly from abroad.
People who have either never been to Liverpool or who have not been here for a couple of decades are, to use the phrase mentioned to me recently by a businessman from Sheffield who came here after a gap of 20 odd years, “blown away”.
Liverpool has renewed ambition and great aspirations for the future but there is still some way to go on this journey, particularly in ensuring that all citizens have the skills to participate in the growing economy.
At Professional Liverpool, we are actively supporting the skills agenda, working with institutions such as the universities and the Local Enterprise Partnership.
Liverpool has a vast heritage in so many areas, not least its splendid architecture.
With places of outstanding beauty such as North Wales and the Lake District on the doorstep, a broad cultural and culinary offering, unrivalled sporting occasions such as the Grand National and two Open Golf venues, coupled with a “can do” attitude, I have no doubt that Liverpool’s star will continue to rise.
It is quite simply, a great place to live, work and play and I commend it heartily. Come and join us.
