Liverpool City Region’s economic growth is on track, says Mayor Steve Rotheram

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram revealed the region is in a strong position to get back to pre-pandemic levels of growth.

The mayor said Liverpool City Region remained a vibrant place with the entire region and its six local authorities “pulling together” to help businesses “build back better.”

Speaking ahead of the launch of The Good Business Festival, which will take place next March, Mr Rotheram said: “As a region we’ve been pulling in the same direction and working together to get beyond survival and into recovery more quickly than many other areas across the country.

“And that’s because we have a plan to get back into growth.

“We were the fastest growing city region in the country pre-pandemic. We’ll get back to that very quickly and that’s because everybody’s in this together.”

He also pointed to a diversification of the economy, so the region was not heavily reliant on one sector.

“We’re looking into green technologies and the green industrial revolution, and we’ve played a huge role in HyNet, the innovative low carbon and hydrogen energy project for the North West, which has the capacity to create thousands of jobs.

“We are decarbonising glass production and transforming the world glass industry which will also create highly skilled jobs.

“It’s an exciting time for the region and we want to see growth happen as quickly as we can possibly make it happen without losing the essence of what the Liverpool City Region needs.”

The Good Business Festival will bring together major brands and inspiring leaders from business, media, music and academia for three days of events running from 22 – 24 March 2022.

Since a digital version of the event took place in October 2020, The Good Business Festival has attracted global prominence for its blend of arts, culture and business focused on helping businesses future-proof themselves by adapting to new market realities and changing consumer and employee expectations.

Next year’s in-person event will cover a range of topics, including housing, ethical consumerism, sustainable transport and ethical investment, as well as a focus on the young trailblazers who are designing sustainable systems for the future.

The showcase events will take place in Sefton, St Helens, Halton, Wirral, Liverpool city centre and Knowsley.

Hosted across different quarters in the city centre, venues for next year’s events include Oh Me Oh My on Liverpool Waterfront, The Liverpool Guild of Students in the Knowledge Quarter, and CONTENT in the Baltic Triangle.

Major names taking part include Innocent, Arbonne, musician Louis VI, as well as Joe Illes from The Ellen MacArthur Foundation; Kelly Beaver from Ipsos Mori; Felicia Odamtten, Founder of The Black Economists Network; Jude Kelly CBE, CEO and Founder of The WOW Foundation; and Andrew Sandoz, CCO at Deloitte.

Joining them at the event to also share their insight will be a host of local businesses and speakers, including Joanne Holden, sustainability director at Peel L&P; Carl Beer, Chief Exec Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority; Dorcas Seb, multi-disciplinary artist; The Regenda Group, while Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram will also be speaking.

Mr Rotheram added: “Throughout the last few years, we’ve delivered an unprecedented package of support to protect and grow the local economy before, during and after COVID, and have launched projects like The Good Business Festival to reimagine, revitalise and reshape the way that we do business. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to be able to meet in person and have the festival we originally hoped for!”

Councillor Janette Williamson, Deputy Metro Mayor, said: “Consumer expectations are changing faster than ever before, creating opportunities for those who understand what’s happening in the marketplace and risks for anyone who does not.

“The Good Business Festival is an incredible opportunity for businesses of any size and in any sector to be inspired and see what can be achieved. We are very proud to take the festival and all that it offers around the city region and directly into every part of it.

“This is a world class programme and it’s on our doorstep, ready to excite, inspire and challenge received wisdoms.”