DQ 2018 // QUARTER 2

W W W.D0WNTOWNINBUSINESS.COM . . .

. . .

QUARTER TWO

THE BUSINESS CLUB WITH INFLUENCE

APRIL 18 MAY 18 JUNE 18 1

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

CON T E N T ...

...

CONTENT PAGE - APRIL 18 - IN THE NEWS

4

- DOWNTOWN HIGHLIGHTS

6

- STREET EXPECTS PRE-SUMMER SKILLS DEAL

8

- LEADERS BREAKFAST WITH ANDY STREET

10

- CITIES. INNOVATION & THE NORTHERN POWER HOUSE WITH SIR RICHARD LEESE AND MAYOR JOE ANDERSON

11

- MAY 18 - IN THE NEWS

12

- DOWNTOWN HIGHLIGHTS

14

- WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN FIFTEEN YEARS IN BUSINESS

16

- LIGHTWORKS WITH LAURENCE LLEWELYN-BOWEN AND

BY INVITATION ONLY WITH THE BANK OF ENGLAND - DOWNTOWN ANNIVERSARY LUNCH

18 19

- JUNE 18 - IN THE NEWS

20

- DOWNTOWN HIGHLIGHTS

22

- LIVERPOOL OUTPACING MANCHESTER GROWTH?

24

- INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FESTIVAL 2018

26

- LANCASHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2018

27

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DQ 2

3

A P RI L 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

...

IN THE NEWS Home

Secretary

Amber

Rudd

Analytica,

with

allegations

of

resigned over the Windrush scandal

mis-use of data through the social

and was replaced by West Midlands

media platform, the allegation that

MP Sajid Javid. The Labour Party

this had been used to influence the

was embroiled in rows over anti-

Brexit and American Presidential

Semitism within the organisation.

vote. Donald Trump’s latest scandal involved a woman by the name of

Facebook and its founder Mark

Stormy Daniels (you just could not

Zuckerberg were under scrutiny

make this stuff up).

for its involvement with Cambridge

Amber Rudd

...

...

4

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

D o n a l d Tr u m p

A PRIL 1 8 ...

St ormy Daniels

M ar k Z u c ker berg

...

...

DQ 2

5

A P RI L 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

F ra n k McKe n n a, J oa n n e Ron ey an d S ir R ich ard leese

...

F ra n k Mcke n n a an d A n dy S tre e t

DOWNTOWN HIGHLIGHTS

...

...

6

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

A PRIL 1 8 ...

Mayor J oe A n de rs on , Fran k M cKe n n a an d Sir Richard Leese

In Manchester, Downtown in

and transport were among the

with the Chief Executive of

Business hosted an exclusive

key topics discussed.

the Festival, Max Steinberg,

post-MIPIM

lunch

with

outlining

the

the

exciting

leader and the Chief Executive

Sir Richard was back in action

programme for the biggest

of Manchester City Council.

in Liverpool later in the month,

business UK event of 2018.

Sir Richard Leese and Joanne

joining Liverpool Mayor Joe

Roney reflected on the south

Anderson for a session on

of France property festival and

‘Devolution,

talked about the continued

the

economic

Over 100 people packed into

growth

and

regeneration of the city.

Innovation,

Northern

and

Powerhouse.

the Everyman to listen to the thoughts of the two Northwest leaders, their optimism for the

West Midlands Mayor Andy

future, and their support for

Street joined us in Birmingham

greater collaboration between

to discuss his first year in

the cities going forward.

office

with

Frank

McKenna

and 60 of the city’s business

The

leaders at the Hyatt Hotel. The

Festival was the focus of a

International

Commonwealth Games, skills

Lancashire

Leaders

Business Lunch,

...

...

DQ 2

7

A P RI L 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

...

BLOG OF THE MONTH STREET EXPECTS PRE-SUMMER SKILLS DEAL KEVIN JOHNSON

...

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8

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

A PRIL 1 8 ...

Fresh from his return from the Gold

and have structures in place to

apprenticeship starts for levels 2

The

Coast, Australia, West Midlands

take on more powers. Mr Street

and 3. However, the Mayor was

the

Mayor

Midlands Growth

Engine

Company

and have

said he was working closely with

pleased to see the increase in

commissioned KPMG to report

audience of Downtown in Business

other

Degree

on the issue, including advice

Birmingham members that he’s

Burnham in Greater Manchester.

Andy

Street

told

an

Mayors

including

Andy

places.

on Mr

hopeful that a Skills Deal will be

Apprenticeship

Street

told

the

Leaders

struck with Government before

However,

that

Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency

the summer Parliamentary recess.

devolution has not started in any

Hotel that he is hopeful a Skills Deal

he

admitted

and

the

necessary

resources

for

international

structures successful promotion.

real sense. Government is still

with Government will be concluded

The Mayor said that the ‘Housing

founder

hanging onto powers, with only

ahead of the summer break. The

First’ pilot for homelessness and

Frank McKenna for his highlight

individual funding deals rather

details are being hammered out

rough sleeping – announced in the

almost

the

than a ‘single pot’ arrangement.

with Number 10 and the new

last Budget – would kick off shortly.

Street

The fundamental rules of the

Education

Mr Street said he was disappointed

Birmingham

game – governed by Westminster

Hinds. He was also able to highlight

that

winning the right to stage the

and Whitehall – had not changed.

the latest job creation figures,

Birmingham City Centre and other

with

Solihull

key centres of the “seven Boroughs”

districts.

was not yet being shared with

Asked

by

Downtown

12

months

into

brand new role, Mayor said

it

was

Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Mayor Street said there was a

the

Secretary,

Birmingham best

and

performing

Damian

the

economic

success

of

other parts of the region. We

Having arrived back in the city

really good transport plan and the

just 24 hours before, following a

recent Housing Deal was a good

Mr Street’s recent foreign trips

can expect to see more focus on

series of meetings ‘down under’

first step, made possible by the way

have served to underline his belief

the “inclusive economic growth”

with Games organisers, business

local leaders had worked together.

that international promotion of the

agenda in the coming months.

and

political

leaders

and

region is in need of a significant

the

official handover, Mr Street was

But

keen to underline opportunities

areas

from

regional

the

‘friendly

games’.

the

third

that

policy

boost. The High Commissioner

Mr

improve

in Australia told him the West

everything had gone well, including

performance

Midlands was virtually invisible.

his attempt to secure a Mayoral

leg

of

should

economic

that

not

Careful not to criticise the West

Combined Authority budget. He has

his

Midlands Growth Company under

admitted in an interview with the

Winning the bid had taken some expressed

reflected

Precept in the West Midlands

continues to exercise the Mayor.

Street

Street

“brinkmanship” according to Street,

Mr

but he was confident it would

continuing

about

Neil Rami, Mr Street said the

Local Government Chronicle today

galvanise the region, help to bring

skills, in particular the flagship

fundamental structures are not

to having “a few little run-ins” with

forward infrastructure investment

Apprenticeship Scheme which he

there and that the region had tried

Labour members on the WMCA.

and provide an opportunity to

described as “going backwards.”

to support trade, investment and

concern

show the region to the world.

Mr Street said that the first year of

New

Mayors for Combined Authorities

scheme

had

potential

seen

them

secure

more

investment, prove they can deliver

arrangements are

for

the

discouraging

participants,

with

a

quarterly reduction of 25% in

tourism “on the cheap.” It was a

There were days when he thought

structural issue for Government,

he had gone completely mad, Mr

notably

Department

Street told Downtown members,

Trade.

but he found the job to be a great

for

the International

privilege and hugely satisfying.

...

...

DQ 2

9

A P RI L 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

VIDEO OF THE MONTH ...

Leaders Breakfast with Andy Street

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street told an audience of Downtown in Business

Birmingham

members

that he’s hopeful that a skills deal will be struck with Government before the summer Parliamentary recess. ...

...

10

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

A PRIL 1 8 ...

EVENT OF THE MONTH ...

Cities, Innovation & The Northern Power House with Sir Richard Leese and Mayor Joe Anderson

The Mayor of Liverpool and the

Joe Anderson and Sir Richard Leese

Leader of Manchester City Council

discussed devolution, the Northern

shared the stage at the Everyman

Powerhouse agenda, skills, and

Theatre at a special breakfast

football stadia at an event that

forum hosted by Downtown in

attracted over 100 business leaders

Business.

from across the city region.

...

...

DQ 2

11

M AY 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

...

IN THE NEWS

It was local election time, and

It was also Royal Wedding time,

although all the major parties

as Prince Harry married Meghan

claimed victory, the reality was

Markle.

probably best described as a ‘scoredraw’. Labour gained 79 Councillors

It

but ended up with no change to the

the football season, with Real

was

the

business

end

of

number of councils they controlled.

Madrid defeating Liverpool in the Champions League Final; and Pep

The Tories avoided the collapse in

Guardiola winning his first Premier

support usually associated with

League

governments that have been in

Manchester City, with a record total

power for eight years and did

of 100 points.

Championship

with

particularly well in the Midlands.

The Liberal Democrats gained 4 councils but failed to get a strong enough ‘bounce’ to claim a genuine comeback. ...

...

12

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

MAY 1 8 ...

...

...

DQ 2

13

M AY 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

...

DOWNTOWN HIGHLIGHTS

F ra nk Mc ken n a a n d J im Ha n cock ...

...

14

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

MAY 1 8 ...

F ra n k Mc ken n a a n d Me tro mayor S teve Roth e ram

F ra n k Mc ken n a , J o h n You n g a n d L awre n ce L l ewe l yn Bowen

Downtown in Business celebrated

talked

its fifteenth anniversary in style

business journey, which started in

with a special gala lunch at the

a back bedroom and progressed

splendid

to a multi-million- pound global

DoubleTree

Hilton

about

her

The

fascinating

Hotel in Liverpool. 150 invited

company.

guests enjoyed an afternoon of

Executive

entertainment and reminiscing, as

Council,

Downtown boss reflected on some

visited the Midlands to talk on

of the organisations achievements

how the Northern Powerhouse

over the past decade and a half.

and

of Sir

former Manchester

Howard

Midlands

Chief City

Bernstein,

Engine

could

collaborate – and help to reLiverpool City Region Metro Mayor

balance

the

UK

economy.

Steve Rotheram celebrated his first anniversary in the job, addressing

In Lancashire, DIB hosted a tour

an exclusive breakfast event of

of

Downtown

where

where celebrity designer Lawrence

the skills agenda, transport, and

Llewelyn Bowen acted as our tour

investment were the main topics of

guide.

members,

the

Blackpool

Illuminations,

discussion. Birmingham members enjoyed two exceptional ‘Leaders

The Bank of England Northwest

Lunch’ events.

Agent, John Young, gave his expert assessment of the economy at a

Entrepreneur and the co-founder

dinner with Lancashire business

of Moneypenny, Rachel Clacher,

leaders at the superb Villa Hotel.

...

...

DQ 2

15

M AY 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

...

BLOG OF THE MONTH WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN FIFTHTEEN YEARS IN BUSINESS FRANK MCKENNA CHIEF EXECUTIVE DOWNTOWN IN BUSINESS ...

...

16

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

MAY 1 8 ...

Last week we had a fantastic

with what motivates me on a

even if at some point they made a

times to say ‘no’ to someone who

celebration

personal level. If you are running or

really positive contribution to the

is offering you money for your

working in a business that fail to hit

business.

product, but I tell you now I wish I

of

Downtown’s

fifteenth year in business.

had followed my gut instinct with at

your ‘motivation’ buttons, then get Apart from enjoying a fabulous

out as soon as you can.

party at the amazing DoubleTree by

Persevering with people who are

least a dozen companies over the

not right for the business, or who

past fifteen years who have been

Hilton Hotel, with some of the key

Next, the money. It is something

have simply stopped adding value

more hassle than they were worth.

individuals who have contributed

that I only really started to pay any

to what you do, is a mistake for

Short term gain for long-term pain

to the Downtown journey since

real attention to once we got our

you, for them – and often the rest

is not the way to maintain the most

2003, it was also, inevitably, a time

first significant investment into

of your team as well.

important aspect of running your

of reflection too.

the company eighteen months

own business – enjoying it.

ago. I hate finance, and so tended

Fourth, and back to the money. It

As you would expect, over a decade

to ignore it unless we were in a

has probably never been easier

Thanks

and a half I have learned a few

position where I couldn’t!

to raise investment if you have

contributed to Downtown’s fifteen

to

everyone

who

has

ambitions to grow. As I mentioned

years. Here’s to the next fifteen. I’m

thought I’d use this week’s blog as

Having the right financial planning,

earlier, Downtown only reached

sure there are even more lessons

an opportunity to share some of

support, and processes in place

out for investment in 2016. I wish

to come for me.

those with you.

is something that, if I was starting

I’d have explored the possibility

lessons about business, and I just

out again tomorrow, I would make

earlier, because I think we’d have

First up, if you don’t enjoy what

the absolute priority. We’re getting

been able to grow the brand across

you do in your business, then it’s

there now – but it took me nearly

the UK even quicker. If you are

the wrong business for you. Even

fourteen years to do so.

looking to expand, don’t hesitate to use other people’s cash to do so –

through the toughest and most challenging times, there has never

Thirdly, people. Every business will

equally, know exactly what you are

been a moment when I haven’t

say that getting the right talent in

raising the money for as well.

loved what we do at Downtown.

is essential and is one of the most

Meeting and working with great

difficult things to do – and they are

Finally, and back to people. Building

people, hosting events, and making

absolutely right. However, equally

the

a difference are the key elements of

important is having the ability to

Developing the right customer base

what we do, and that fits perfectly

move people on at the right time,

is essential. I know it is difficult at

right

team

is

important.

...

...

DQ 2

17

M AY 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

VIDEO OF THE MONTH ...

Lightworks with Laurence Llewelyn -Bowen and By invitation only with the Bank of England Downtown

in

Business

hosted

two special events, sponsored by

Illuminations team and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Blackpool Illuminations.

The day drew to a close with an Downtown

exclusive dinner with John Young

members were given an exclusive

of the Bank of England at The Villa,

tour around the illuminations after

Wrea Green.

At

the

first

event,

a Q&A session with the Blackpool

...

...

18

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

MAY 1 8 ...

EVENT OF THE MONTH ...

Downtown Anniversary Lunch Downtown in Business celebrated its fifteenth anniversary at an exclusive party hosted by the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Liverpool.

...

...

DQ 2

19

JUNE 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

...

IN THE NEWS It was the start of a prolonged and

Her

unexpected heatwave for the UK,

announcements

cause

wasn’t

helped

with temperatures hitting 30C plus

companies, among them Airbus,

in many parts of the country.

BMW, and Jaguar Land Rover,

from

by

major

warned of the Brexit risks to jobs The Fifa Football World Cup kicked

and investment.

off in Russia, and England enjoyed a record victory with a 6-1 win

There were also signs of a high

against the mighty Panama (It’s

street/retail

Coming Home)!

with the House of Fraser giving

downturn

looming

notice that they were to close 31 There was a huge fallout between

stores. So, blue skies, but storms

the Remainers and Leavers in

ahead perhaps?

the Tory Party, as Theresa May attempted

to

pull

together

a

cohesive Brexit plan that would win the support of Parliament.

...

...

20

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

J UN E 1 8 ...

...

...

DQ 2

21

JUNE 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

DOWNTOWN HIGHLIGHTS ...

...

...

22

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

The

biggest

and

the

best

of

J UN E 1 8 ...

Downtown

in

Business’s

In Manchester a packed Leaders

Festival

Lunch heard the views of Sir

Lancashire’s business community

International

were celebrated at Downtown’s

conference

tenth annual Lancashire Business

enjoyed

Awards

whole range of speakers including

continuing

spectacular Stanley House Hotel.

property

entrepreneur

Tom

development within the city centre

The keynote speaker John Irving,

Bloxham,

digital

entrepreneur

and the importance of transport

CEO of headline sponsor Liverpool

Scott Fletcher, Greater Manchester

investment, particularly in HS2 and

John

a

Metro Mayor Andy Burnham, West

Crossrail North.

fascinating contribution on the

Midlands Metro Mayor Andy Street,

evening,

and Lord Michael Heseltine.

gala

Lennon

dinner

Airport,

discussing

at

made

his

the

career

Business in

Liverpool.

contributions

They

from

a

Howard Bernstein on a whole range of issues, including the

The

regeneration

Director

Powerhouse

journey (including his time as the

the

Northern

Partnership

Murison

United Football Club) and the

street was the focus of discussion

Leader of Trafford Council Sean

future plans for one of the UKs

at an exclusive Power Panel event

Anstee led a Manchester Power

fastest growing regional airports.

in Liverpool in association with the

Panel event on the crucial topic

Big winners on the night included

Business

District,

of skills & education. In Leeds a

Daniel Fisher of Tienda Digital

where the future of the retail

powerful group of business leaders

(Chief Executives Award) and John

sector was on the agenda, with

were treated to a wonderful dinner

Chesworth from law firm Harrison

contributions from M&S, Boodles

at Fazenda, where the city council’s

Drury (Business Personality of the

and LFC, alongside voices from

Chief

Year).

the

offered his views on devolution,

Over

150

at

people

attended

city’s

Improvement

independent

sector.

the

Henri

The challenges facing the high

Director

and

of

and

Newcastle

Finance

the city’s digital economy.

Executive

Conservative

Tom

Riordan

transport, regeneration, Brexit, and

CE O o f L iver p o o l J oh n L e n n on A irpor t, J oh n I rv in g an d Frank McKenna

D a n iel F is h er a n d F ran k M cke n n a

Alex Neary and John C heswor t h

...

...

DQ 2

23

JUNE 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

...

BLOG OF THE MONTH LIVERPOOL OUTPACING MANCHESTER GROWTH? JIM HANCOCK

...

...

24

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

J UN E 1 8 ...

After my last two blogs on the

generous in the post Brexit era

the North West. These include

Greater

is a question for another day.

finishing the M60 smart motorway

Manchester

economy

progress on the Mersey Barrage.

connections

Rotheram has less power than

the conurbation’s growth; it is

Responsibility

strategic

between the M67 at Hyde and

Andy Burnham who includes NHS

time to look at the surprising

economic growth in the Liverpool

the MI at Sheffield, to better links

spending in his portfolio as well as

claim

is

City Region rests on the shoulders

to Fleetwood and the Rimrose

police and fire. The complication for

neighbour.

of Mayor Steve Rotheram. A former

Valley project to upgrade links

Rotheram is that his region includes

bricklayer he helped Joe Anderson

between the Port of Liverpool

Halton which is under Cheshire for

In the run-up to the International

win the city for Labour in 2010

and

police and fire. Consequently, when

Festival of Business, I am looking

before reluctantly becoming an MP.

at the economic prospects of our

He told a recent Downtown event

The mayors probably back these

and

three city areas, including Preston

that he thought the parliamentary

schemes but have little power over

for

which I will review next week.

procedure

Erskine

what they see as unaccountable

she will have to be replaced as Halton has a different PCC.

project,

which took a bullish view of

that

outpacing

Merseyside its

for

book

called

improving

the

motorway

network.

Jane Kennedy stands down as Police

May, was a girl! Despite having little

national agencies. The mayors claim

City Metric, a New Statesman

enthusiasm for the old-fashioned

the North will always suffer from

magazine urban website, claims

procedures

that over the last twenty years

did

Liverpool has grown faster than

Hillsborough

Crime the

Commissioner(PCC)

Liverpool

City

Region,

he

the Treasury’s Benefit Cost Ratio

Tensions between Joe Anderson,

the

formula which favours the South

the city mayor, and Rotheram

campaign

East because of its huge commuter

at

any other city apart from London,

and became parliamentary aide

population and high land values.

easing, allowing the hope that

Edinburgh and Cardiff. The reasons

to Jeremy Corbyn despite voting

for this range from the fact that it

for Andy Burnham for leader.

of

parliament

remarkable

work

justice

on

started from a low base, benefitted

both

to

be

Manchester

and

City

can

growth, the Liverpool City Region

prosper. But what about Preston?

It seems the HA is aware of the

suffers from low skills. Rotheram

growing complaints of the mayors.

says he’d like to get his hands

opened the 42 acres of Liverpool

Tim

on

One shopping. In addition, the

Director for Highways England,

subregion has seen an influx of

recently claimed his organisation

students, land is affordable, and it

was conducting more consultation

Future economic targets for the

has received over £2bn in European

than ever before on eight major

Mayor include bringing the Spanish

aid. Whether Whitehall will be as

road improvement schemes across

train builder Talgo to St Helens, and

Delivery

Greater

£1.28bn

that

lies

Liverpool

seem

the

2008, built the Echo Arena and

Regional

region,

Even with the good news on

from the legacy of Capital of Culture

Gamon,

the

Region

unspent

in the apprenticeship levy pot.

...

...

DQ 2

25

JUNE 1 8 ...

THE BUSINESS C LUB WITH INFLUE N CE ...

VIDEO OF THE MONTH ...

International Business Festival 2018

As

part

of

the

International

Business Festival 2018 Downtown hosted

a

entitled

‘Devolution,

and

the

special

conference

Business

Innovation Effect’.

...

...

26

DQ 2

T H E B U S I N E S S C L U B W I T H I NFL U E NCE ...

J UN E 1 8 ...

EVENT OF THE MONTH ...

Lancashire Business Awards 2018

Downtown in Business celebrat-

cashire Business Awards spon-

ed the very best of the Red Rose

sored by Liverpool John Lennon

County at the 10th annual Lan-

Airport on Thursday 21 June 2018.

...

...

DQ 2

27

. . .