A new growth company for Liverpool City Region called Growth Platform has been established to co-ordinate business support, growth and investment across the City Region to make life easier for businesses seeking to start up, invest and grow.
The formation of Growth Platform has been spearheaded by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The company will work in partnership with local authorities, businesses, universities and colleges and the third sector.
Asif Hamid, chair of the LEP says: “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 priorities our City Region needs – delivering with and through those organisations that are best able to add value to business in our region and make a difference to our economy.”
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor for Liverpool City Region said: “As City Region Mayor and on behalf of the Combined Authority, I am delighted to endorse the establishment of Growth Platform as our City Region’s Growth Company.
“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.”
Staff from the LEP will be based in the new company and a company board has been established with both public and private sector expertise.
The LEP, through its board and sub-boards, will continue its role providing insight and expertise from the private sector to help develop strategy and policy for the city region’s economy.