On Tuesday, September 15th founding members of the Liverpool Commonwealth Association joined together at Crawford House, Upper Warwick Street, for the inauguration of the new Association.

After its official launch in March at the Liverpool Parish Church, the Association’s Steering Group was tasked with developing a constitution to reflect the main aim of furthering links between diaspora communities of the Commonwealth to enhance two way trade, cultural and educational links and any other links designed to enhance the role of the Commonwealth and the Liverpool City Regions. The Association also has the wider aim of having Liverpool declared as a Commonwealth City.

Tuesday’s General Meeting adopted the draft constitution after lengthy discussions with the founding members and then proceeded to elect its first executive officers.

Cabinet Member for Business and former Lord Mayor Councillor Gary Millar was elected as Chair, with widely respected community activist Chief Angus Chukwuemeka elected as Vice Chair.

Cllr Millar said:

“It is a huge honour to receive the unanimous support of Commonwealth community elders, founding members and supporting organisations like Liverpool John Moores University.

“I would like to use our home based links within this newly formed association to reach out to our trading and cultural partners and friends. I believe there must be big business out there in the 53 member countries. It’s a potential 2.2 billion friends and customers all ready to hear why Liverpool and the North West is such an amazing place.

“I would like to thank the Steering Group for their hard work in getting us to this stage and I look forward to working with all Commonwealth members across the North West and the UK.

“Thanks also to Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside Dame Lorna Muirhead for agreeing to become our Honorary President.”

A message from the Queen welcoming the creation of the Association was read out by Dame Lorna Muirhead at the official launch event in March.

Chief Chukwuemeka said:

“I am extremely proud that we have officially legalised this initiative with the adoption of our constitution so that we can proceed to develop the Association and its work plan. We celebrate our shared Commonwealth heritage and I am pleased to see so many members of our local community come and support the General Meeting.”