Professional Liverpool nothing but a ‘luncheon club’ says ex-chief

THE former chief executive of lobby group Professional Liverpool has launched an outspoken attack on the organisation, saying it will have no impact as a “part time, pro-bono gentlemen’s luncheon club run as a hobby”.

Mark Chadwick was made redundant from the group, which represents the interests of professional services firms in the city, after it lost 80% of its budget as a result of cuts at the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Although pared back the 80-member body has continued to operate and has just produced a strategy document but in a statement to the Press Mr Chadwick said this was, “not really a strategy, it’s more a statement of very limited intent.” He lamented a “wasted year” and said future opportunities will be limited.

Professional Liverpool insisted it had a “clear strategy and a strong and vibrant programme” to support members, pointing out its No Canne Do property lunch attracted 400 people. Former Liverpool Vision chief Jim Gill was appointed to the board in January but it does not have a full-time figurehead.

Mr Chadwick said: “PL had an outstanding first quarter last year but the loss of NWDA funding hit the business hard and it simply failed to react. Given that they are a membership organisation set up for the benefit of all members the response since has been disappointingly opaque.

“I think the members are entitled to ask what has been done and why positive options to maintain a full time operation with genuinely strategic intent were rejected. A part time, pro-bono gentlemen’s luncheon club run as a hobby is unlikely to find space in the market; it’s been a wasted year.”

Mr Chadwick stressed that he still has some “good friends” at the organisation and “admires the professional work of a number of my former colleagues who are still there.”

He added: “The financial and professional services sector underpins the entire local economy it’s therefore absolutely essential that it is properly organised and has a clear and professional strategy aligned with the wider efforts of all strategic partners across the City Region so that businesses can maximise their opportunities and the economy can recover and grow.”

In a statement Professional Liverpool said: “Professional Liverpool is now in advanced discussions with Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool vision, exploring ways in which collaboration can assist and strengthen both bodies, whilst retaining separate identities.

“The main professional bodies which were among Professional Liverpool’s founding members have also re-affirmed their support and there is an encouraging level of interest from potential new members.”

It added: “We are pleased to say that reports of the demise of Professional Liverpool are greatly exaggerated and, having resolved our funding issues, we go from strength to strength.”