Launched in 2009, Baltic Creative CIC helped spearhead the rebirth of the Baltic Triangle district in Liverpool and now has its first-ever chief executive. Tony McDonough reports
Baltic Creative CIC has appointed commercial property professional Lynn Haime as its new chief executive.
She fills the gap left by Mark Lawler who departed as managing director earlier this year. Lynne offers 28 years as a commercial property professional. Among her previous roles she was partner and head of the Liverpool office at Matthews & Goodman.
When it was announced that Mark Lawler would leave the community interest company after 12 years, it was seen as the end of an area. Mark played a pivotal role in one of the most remarkable regeneration projects in the UK.
In the early years of the 21st century, the Baltic Triangle, located just south of the city centre, was a deserted wasteland of old docklands warehouses. Today it is a thriving district of creative and digital businesses as well as bars, restaurants and homes.
Along with Elevator Studios, Baltic Creative CIC kick-started the regeneration of the district which now teems with life. Baltic Creative offers 118,000 sq ft of commercial space and is home to 170 businesses employing around 600 people.
Lynne, who also spent eight years as asset manager at MediaCityUK in Salford, will oversee the management and development of Baltic Creative. As well as continuing to expand in Liverpool, it is also the preferred operator of the £1.5m Enterprise Arcade planned for Southport.
She said: ““I’m really excited to join the team at Baltic Creative. We have some great projects and partnerships underway that will help us expand to the next level and stay at the forefront of cutting-edge creative spaces.
“I look forward to supporting and evolving Baltic Creative’s community with the board and management team.”
Baltic Creative CIC describes itself as “part incubator, part developer, part innovator. It claims to offer a flexible approach to contractual relationships that start-ups – especially creative ones – need.
Dr Fiona Armstrong-Gibbs, chair of the Baltic Creative board, added: “We are delighted to welcome Lynn to Baltic Creative. Her passion for people and enthusiasm for Baltic’s potential give us confidence that she will deliver the board’s strategic vision.
“Lynn joins a great team who, through their work, create places and spaces that bring people together and boost confidence in our sector. It’s an exciting time for us as we focus on our purpose to enrich our tenants, sector and the wider region.”