Professionals’ champions forge exclusive link to boost region

The two bodies championing professional services across the region have forged links with the aim of working together to benefit Liverpool and Manchester, and their combined 760-strong membership.

Professional Liverpool and pro-manchester represent hundreds across the legal, financial and property sectors in both cities.

They are now working closer together to improve their offer to the professional community, and to fight the region’s corner on the wider Northern Powerhouse platform.

With a 33-year history pro-manchester is the senior partner compared with Liverpool’s 15-year track record, but they both feel now is the time to work closer together.

The opportunity came when Sam Booth took over from John Ashcroft as pro-manchester chief executive last September.

Both organisation leaders said they have drawn inspiration from the close working relationship between the two regional metro mayors, Andy Burnham for Greater Manchester, and Steve Rotheram for the Liverpool City Region.

Speaking exclusively to TheBusinessDesk.com, Professional Liverpool chief executive, John Hall, said: “When Sam took over I said to her, we have Andy and Steve working together, isn’t it about time pro-manchester and Liverpool did the same?, and within a nanosecond Sam came back and said, ‘I was going to call you’.”

Sam Booth said: “Steve and Andy’s relationship has strengthened links betweeen the two cities and communities.”

John Hall added: “We took our lead from them. They are working together and collaborating together.”

He said previously there was probably a reluctance to reach out because Liverpool, in the past, has tended to nurse an inferiority complex, but it is now starting to believe in itself again: “Liverpool has been looking over its shoulder at Manchester because it has been doing so well. But Liverpool is also a great city. It has taken a longer time than it should have done to realise the inherent value of the Liverpool City Region, but, thankfully that is changing now.”

Sam said: “We have a completely open door – pro-manchester is like Liverpool. It’s about collaboration and working together, and why would we not talk to our friends in Liverpool?

“There’s nothing wrong with a bit of healthy rivalry, but we are economic development agencies and it is about trying to boost the economies in both regions.”

They said the two cities boast an impressive community of bankers, lawyers and accountants who have common interests and aims.

Sam said: “Everyone said, ‘what can we do to support this collaborative work?’

“Our chair, Jenn Hazelhurst, is head of EY’s Liverpool office, so it was quite natural. And, one of her big themes this year is the power of collaboration.”

The first official event attended by the two organisations was on July 16, when pro-manchester held a transport seminar, followed by similar co-operative meetings.

Sam said: “Already we can see how it is starting to benefit both organisations, but also the businesses.

“At the moment it is very early stages, but we will use that as a springboard. We want to do something on a larger scale.”

She said Manchester inward investment agency, MIDAS, and both chambers of commerce are supportive of the new links which could lead to wider benefits: “Potentially, we won’t be just Liverpool and Manchester, we will look at the Northern Powerhouse agenda.”

John Hall said: “We should be able to strengthen our cause within the Northern Powerhouse.”

Sam added: “The plan is to build on where we have got to so far, and see how we can strengthen that.”

John Hall said: “If we can kick-start a mentality of co-operation, it is a no-brainer.”

And with plans now being discussed for a fourth international business festival to be held in Liverpool next year, they both see the attraction in supporting a business event with a truly global reach.

Sam Booth said: “Liverpool International Business Festival would be great to work together on.”