Liverpool Vision has published its Annual Review, detailing its successes and outlining its strategic ambitions to help continue the transformation of Liverpool.
The review highlights some of the major achievements of 2012/13 and includes an introduction from Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson and information on the forthcoming agenda from Liverpool Vision’s chief executive, Max Steinberg.
Between April 2012 and March 2013 Liverpool Vision, has, among other achievements:
• Created 615 jobs against a target of 531
• Generated 135 businesses against a target of 120
• Attracted £30m of investment
• Secured the biggest business event of its kind since 1951 – the International Festival for Business 2014
• Helped Liverpool In London membership win around £3m of new business
• Developed and launched the City Centre Strategic Investment Framework which will guide the next stage of the city centre’s transformation over the next 15 years
• Started development of a new marketing strategy for the city and City region under the new Marketing Liverpool team
Liverpool Vision’s on-going strategic ambitions are also addressed in the document:
• To have Liverpool recognised as a global capital of entrepreneurship and growth
• To ensure Liverpool is an international investment location
• To make Liverpool the number one visitor and culture destination in England, after London
• To ensure Liverpool city centre continues to thrive
• To help North Liverpool fulfil its potential
Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, said: “This is a clear message that as the Mayor’s economic development company we are doing our day-to-day work very effectively.
“We have managed this despite the very difficult economic environment and at a time when cites are under pressure to perform and lead the way. We achieved this by being very clear about our priorities, top of which is helping the private sector to create jobs and to attract investment.
“We know that there is still much to be done to improve the quality of Liverpool’s physical and business environment, to help emerging high value sectors realise their potential, to promote innovation and competitiveness and support business in creating jobs and wealth, as well as to continue the progress being made in the North and South of the city.
“Accordingly our success has given us the confidence to aim for even more ambitious targets for the next three years. We have already made a good start with early indications in quarter one showing we have attracted £15m of investment and helped to create more than 500 jobs.
“We will build on this in the year ahead. Our business growth and start up programme will gain further momentum; our international team will make further progress in helping Liverpool companies access new markets and attract inward investment; Marketing Liverpool will begin to deliver place marketing for the City region, working with staff seconded from the Local Enterprise Partnership; and our delivery of the strategic frameworks for the city centre and North Liverpool will gather pace.”
The new targets approved by Mayor Anderson for Liverpool Vision from 2013-16 are:
• Help create 5,400 jobs
• Help create 540 businesses
• Attract £500m of investment in the city
Mayor Anderson said: “It has been another very good year for Liverpool Vision and in another year of further challenging economic conditions the organisation has proved again its worth to the city it serves.
“Year-on-year Liverpool Vision delivers for Liverpool and the last has been no different – from the big projects to on-the-ground support for businesses in the city.
“As Liverpool’s business-facing organisation, Vision is also trusted and respected by the private sector which knows they are working hard to help create a dynamic and innovative economy. This trust and its reputation for delivery are crucial if it is to help Liverpool to continue to grow and prosper in the future.
“It is though no time to rest on laurels and I have set Liverpool Vision tough new challenges to deliver increased numbers of jobs, businesses and investment, while continuing to promote the city as a world class business and visitor destination.
“I have every confidence it will succeed, because as an organisation Vision always moves forward from a position of strength. While it continues to work hard on its core business functions, plans are already in place for the future, most notably the International Festival for Business in 2014.
“I am sure that next summer the country and the world will enjoy and benefit from a wonderful festival which will both support all indigenous business, large and small and encourage others to start businesses while at the same time promote the city and the City Region as an important business and cultural destination.”
