WELCOME TO THE AUTUMN EDITION OF WELL CONNECTED, THE

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF LIVERPOOL CHAMBER.

I write this column in the immediate aftermath of the Labour Party conference, which took place in our city over four days at the end of September. The start of a new government term of office has certainly yielded a flurry of activity, initiatives, energy but also uncertainty, with many business members talking to us about the uncertainty of not knowing the potential policy levers that will be pulled over the coming weeks.

The Chamber has been particularly active, working with the British Chambers of Commerce, the Bank of England, Combined and Local Authorities in the Liverpool City Region to ensure that the voice of business is heard as government tried to get a handle on economic, skills and trade policies (amongst others).

We are pleased to have been awarded the status of employer representative body for the Local Skills Improvement Plan in the city region. This role picks up the project previously delivered by St Helens Chamber and allows us to reconnect and reform the skills infrastructure in the city region with employers at the forefront of the priority. The coming six months will see us work with our members and businesses more generally, to further understand their labour gaps and future need.

We have also commenced work with the Liverpool City Council to support the delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Funded business support service for Liverpool businesses and residents. We are pleased to be working on an important project such as this, designed to help stimulate economic growth and improvement within our city.

We are also less than a month away – at time of writing –from our Innovation in Business Awards 2024. Applications have come in from nearly a hundred businesses, the calibre of which is excellent.

Paul Cherpeau Chief Executive

We are also less than a month away – at time of writing – from our Innovation in Business Awards 2024. Applications have come in from nearly a hundred businesses, the calibre of which, I am told, is excellent. I look forward to welcoming more than 400 people to St George’s Hall for another memorable evening as we celebrate the more innovative businesses in the city region.

Innovation has fuelled Liverpool’s growth over the past two centuries and we continue to host some of the most exciting and dynamic companies in the region. Our collective aim to stimulate and celebrate innovation is embedded throughout this edition of the magazine.

I am delighted to welcome two new members of the Chamber leadership team. Christine Vaudrey and Samantha Barker will be leading our senior engagement and policy activity over the coming months. We are delighted to welcome them to the Chamber and know the benefit to our members will be considerable.

Finally, we look forward to the ever quickening approach of our 175th anniversary year in 2025. We have a programme of excellent events, projects and policy engagement planned and look forward to building an exciting year ahead for our member businesses to enjoy with us.

Enjoy the read!