Marketing Cheshire and LEP to merge

CHESHIRE’S destination marketing organisation and its local enterprise partnership are to merge in move that aims to boost the sub-region’s economic growth.

Leaders of the Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Partnership and Marketing Cheshire say the link-up will help the area achieve its a goal of doubling GVA to £50bn over the next 25 years.

The move can be seen as a natural progression since Marketing Cheshire has been working with the LEP for more than 12 months to provide marketing and PR services to highlight Cheshire and Warrington’s credentials as a place to live, work and invest.

Christine Gaskell, chair of Cheshire and Warrington LEP, said: “Cheshire and Warrington is one of the most successful and fastest growing economies in the UK, with significant and ambitious plans for economic growth over the next 25 years.

“Bringing together the two organisations gives us a fantastic opportunity to deliver stronger support to drive the growth of the Cheshire and Warrington economy and raise its profile as a great place to live, work and invest, and strengthening our work with the tourism sector to showcase the best of what the area has to offer.”

Angie Robinson, interim chair of Marketing Cheshire, added: “We have developed significantly over the last five years, moving from a largely public sector funded organisation to a strong and thriving private sector led business, working with public and private companies across the sub-region to promote its leading visitor offer.
“The merger is a positive step which will enable us to build further on the work we do to support our tourism clients but also give us an exciting opportunity to really demonstrate the assets and opportunities of Cheshire and Warrington’s economy to a wider audience.”

Cheshire and Warrington LEP chief executive Philip Cox will take on a new role as chief executive of 871 Growth, the parent company set up to oversee the work of both organisations.

Marketing Cheshire will become a sister company of the LEP and will continue to be led by chief executive Katrina Michel and will continue to based at its offices in Chester.

Michel will also take on a wider strategic marketing role to raise the profile of Cheshire and Warrington as a prime visitor and investment location.