A new entity called Growth Platform’ is the manifestation of the ‘one front door’ policy first suggested by Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram last year. Tony McDonough reports
A new ‘growth company’ intended to provide a single port of call for global investors looking to invest in the Liverpool city region is launched today.
Called ‘Growth Platform’ the new entity is the manifestation of the ‘one front door’ policy first suggested by Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram in October last year.
A joint venture between the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, headed by Mr Rotheram, and the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Growth Platform will aim to create jobs, build business, attract investment and help young people.
It will co-ordinate, manage and promote a wide range of business support, growth, investment, skills initiatives and sector development services across the city region to make life easier for businesses seeking to start, invest and grow here.
It seeks to address a common compliant by the private over the last few years that there has been too many different agencies and bodies in the city region and not offering a clear message to potential investors.
Mr Rotheram said: “Together with the LEP we have ambitious plans for inclusive growth in the city region and our focus is on making these happen by working in partnership.
“This company will be vital to the delivery of this growth and I would encourage organisations from across the city region to get actively involved and work with us through the Growth Platform to help deliver our city region’s remarkable economic potential.”
Growth Platform activity will include:
- A coordinated investment service into the city region to promote its assets and capabilities, and manage and deliver international trade and investment campaigns in partnership with business, education and the six local authorities and the Combined Authority.
- A raft of sector initiatives to support, strengthen and promote city region key sector specialisms and expertise and further grow our outstanding visitor economy.
- An enhanced Local Growth Hub service for local businesses to get the support they need to survive and scale up.
- Programmes with schools, colleges and universities to help improve the transition between education and employment in the City Region to retain and enhance our talent base.
Asif Hamid, chair of the LEP, added: “Many organisations told us that the business growth and investment landscape in the city region was cluttered and confusing and what they wanted was a clearer, simpler model that makes sense of this landscape.
“In establishing Growth Platform as a joint venture between the LEP and the Combined Authority we have done just that. We now have an organisation that is properly fit-for-purpose to co-ordinate, manage and support the business growth and investment.”