Liverpool-based lobbying and membership organisation operates in Lancashire, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and London and will add Warrington & Cheshire and Glasgow in 2018. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool-based business lobbying and membership organisation Downtown in Business has broken through the £1m turnover barrier for the first time.

And Downtown, which also operates in Lancashire, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and has an office in London, is set to expand to Warrington & Cheshire and Glasgow in 2018.

Chief executive Frank McKenna said: “It has been a really positive 12 months for Downtown as we have expanded our team, increased sales, and made progress in our preparation for launching in two new locations in 2018.

“With events such as the Transport Summit in the summer, more than 200 events, including eight gala awards dinners across the country, and contributions from key decision-makers, and leading entrepreneurs from across the UK, Downtown has demonstrated its ability to influence, inform, and connect.”

During the year, the company appointed Robyn van Jaarsveldt as social media & communications brand manager, Matt Barnsley as head of business support in Birmingham, Sharen de Costa as head of finance, Teleri Davies as head of events (Liverpool), and Anthony Camm, as head of business support in Lancashire.

And Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist-turned entrepreneur Diane Modahl will take up her position as the chair of Downtown Manchester in January.

The Downtown events programme for 2018 will include a major conference on the eve of the International Business Festival in Liverpool, a Northern Powerhouse Business Summit, and a Midlands Engine conference in Birmingham.

Included among a host of speakers already confirmed for Downtown events next year are Nisha Katona, Scott Fletcher, Joanne Roney, Andy Burnham, Rachel Clacher, Andy Street, Mark Mills, Rachel Reeves MP, Sir Richard Leese, Ruth Tuner, Steve Rotheram, Deborah Cadman and former Saatchi & Saatchi boss Kevin Roberts.