315째 THE RDA MAGAZINE FEB 2010 ISSUE 20
Open for business Cumbria looks to the future
TVDragonfiresup youngentrepreneurs NWDA grant helps drive growth at GM Vauxhall
Chief Executive’s Message / NWDA / 315º Magazine
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A positive beginning, but...
The region has begun 2010 with the positive news that the worst effects of the downturn are behind us, according to the predictions of the latest Regional Economic Forecasting Panel report,which suggests that the region is poised for modest rates of economic growth this year. This is extremely encouraging news, however, we recognise that growth will be slow and challenging to sustain. The trading
environment will continue to be tough and therefore our support for businesses remains vital. We will continue to make it our key priority in the year ahead. There will be no easy quick fixes. 2009 was a challenging year for the region and the strategic leadership of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has played a key role, particularly in response to the Cumbria floods, which significantly affected many businesses and communities. Working with local partners, we quickly put in place an investment and support package and have worked hard to spread the message that Cumbria is open for business.You can read more about the flood recovery effort on page 18. While our response to current economic conditions is crucial, we have not lost sight of the region’s long term goals and 2009 was an important year for the development of the Northwest’s integrated regional strategy
(RS2010). Working in partnership with 4NW, the NWDA has prepared the first draft of the strategy,which is currently undergoing regionwide consultation. Find out more on page 04. Although early signs are that the outlook is slowly improving, the economic climate will continue to create challenges for the Northwest in the year ahead and we must maintain the provision of relevant, timely support to ensure the region is in the strongest possible position. The region’s strength in partnership working has always been its strongest asset, and I am confident that we can continue to build on this as we work towards achieving our shared vision for the region. Steven Broomhead Chief executive Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA)
Contents Special Focus 04 New strategy for region’s future growth
News 06 A round-up of the region’s leading stories
The Big Idea 08 Peter Jones
Business
Picasso is part of the Tate Liverpool Major Exhibition Programme which is just one of several major attractions supported by the European Regional Development Fund in England’s Northwest. ERDF funding also supports: The People’s History Museum; the new Museum of Liverpool; Liverpool Biennial 2010 Festival and the redevelopment of the Museum of Science and Industry.
The Big Idea: The tall guy. Peter Jones’ National Enterprise Academy is training a new generation of entrepreneurs. Page 08
Knowledge economy. A raft of initiatives is helping to grow the potential of the region’s science base. Page 10
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Science at heart of Northwest potential Stars shine on Merseyside Manufacturers make most of assistance Green light for eco-innovation
In Pictures 16 Tourists flock to Liverpool
People 18 21 22 23 24
ERDF – making a real difference to people and businesses in the Northwest
Cumbria on road to recovery Bringing enterprise into the classroom Rural communities receive funding boost In the news: Cammell Laird College growth plans given go ahead
Places 26 MediaCityUK in pole position for London 2012 28 Baltic sees benefit of investment 29 JESSICA sizes up urban developments Rapid recovery. Three months after the floods, Cumbria is looking forward to getting back to normal. Page18
Urban growth. Some of the region’s most deprived areas will benefit from a new European investment programme. Page 29
Regulars 30 People in the region 31 Events and contacts
Cover photography by Craig Easton/Driftwood
315° Editor: Gareth Chadwick / gareth.chadwick@wordsworks.co.uk / 0161 637 9224. NWDA: Sarah Moston / Sarah.Moston@nwda.co.uk / 01925 400 552
315º Magazine / NWDA / Special Report
Special Report / NWDA / 315º Magazine
Sharing the vision
04/05
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Neil Cumberlidge, NWDA director of strategy and planning, a leading leaders’ group, approved the draft Part One – the ‘high-level’ strategy – prior to it being sent out to 3,500 stakeholders in January 2010 for player in drawing up the document, says all four strands are interlinked: their views and comments. “No single one is greater than the others and success will depend on Assisted by a 50-strong advisory group drawn from the public, achieving all four, although this has to happen within the context of a low carbon economy and the need to adjust to climate change.” private and voluntary sectors, the two organisations are producing the strategy on behalf of the region and are aiming The strategy is radically different from previous to submit a fuller revised version to an examinationframeworks in that it combines economic, in-public in late 2010. “It is much more“ The RS2010 blueprint provides a route map for the environmental and social planning in one integrated global in outlook Northwest to deliver a real lift in competitiveness by document that will guide regional decision-making and focuses building on world-class assets, such as the nuclear for the next two decades. industry, the biomedical, digital and creative and “It brings together all the elements of how we live on things where our lives and has been a hugely challenging advanced manufacturing sectors and the region’s we can be exercise,” observes Nokes.“It is much more global sporting, cultural and natural and built heritage competitive on a in outlook and focuses on things where we can be pedigree. “ world stage.” competitive on a world stage.” It proposes a number of priority action areas to build He cites the nuclear industry as an outstanding example. Uniquely in the UK, the region houses all a prosperous future that is sustainable and fair. stages of the nuclear cycle, from fuel manufacture in Preston, They range from more support for eco-innovation, developing Carlisle, Chester and Lancaster as heritage cities, and promoting MediaCityUK enrichment at Capenhurst, generation at Heysham, reprocessing and decommissioning at Sellafield and research in Manchester. as a world-class hub for digital and creative technologies,to improving transport and digital connectivity and tackling ill health and inequality. The region’s major players are having an input into the strategy, including the NWDA, 4NW, Government Office for North West, the These are grouped around four strategic goals: Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Environment Agency, • Capitalise on the opportunities of moving to a low carbon economy Natural England and the NHS.The business community and voluntary, and address climate change community and faith sector also have an enhanced role in developing • Build on the Northwest’s sources of international competitiveness the strategy’s priorities. and regional distinctiveness Councillor Sir Richard Leese, chairman of 4NW, said:“We have a • Release the potential of the region’s people and tackle poverty strong tradition of working in partnership in the Northwest and we are • Ensure the right housing and infrastructure for sustainable growth confident that the new strategy will build on this.”
Unparalleled consultation
The new regional strategy for the Northwest promises to be the most sustainable and inclusive yet, as Trevor Bates reports.
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housands of young people are being encouraged to come forward with ideas to improve the prosperity and quality of life in the Northwest as part of a fresh approach to regional strategy-making. Feedback from youth events will be used to define some of the priorities being drawn up by the strategy writers to deliver a more productive, environmentally sustainable, healthy and equitable region over the next 20 years. An advisory group putting together the new integrated regional strategy (RS2010) has already engaged young people through the Youth Parliament and a groundbreaking ‘Young Citizens Say’ survey
carried out by the Institute of Citizenship among 5,000 14-19 year olds. A further 18 workshops in schools and youth groups across the region were held in December 2009. The plan is to present the RS2010 blueprint to 2,000 young people at an event in February 2010. “An important aim of the new strategy is to create a region that will attract and retain young people. Many of them will be tomorrow’s leaders and we have tried especially hard to engage young people in the consultation process,” explains Simon Nokes, the NWDA’s executive director, policy and planning, who chairs the RS advisory group. In December 2009, the boards of the NWDA and 4NW, the regional
RS2010 is being subjected to a very wide spectrum of comment through a comprehensive consultation process, before being sent to central government for approval. Early consultation in 2008-09 helped to define12 outcomes the region wished to achieve. The second stage is road-testing with stakeholders the draft Part One, which incorporates these values in one overarching vision for the region. This is an informal consultation process that will be carried out over eight weeks (January 4 to February 26). Feedback will be used to develop a revised Part One, together with a draft Part Two which will set out detailed policies and actions.
Regional Strategy – Part 1 – High level strategic framework Together forms Single Regional Strategy
Regional Strategy – Part 2 – Detailed supporting policies
Tested via Examination in Public process
Implementation Framework (Actions implementing Regional Strategy)
These documents will be sent out for 12 weeks of statutory consultation in the summer, along with an action plan. The two main components will then be subjected to public scrutiny in autumn 2010. Members of the public can have their say by logging on to the consultation website: http://consult.nwregionalstrategy.com
Weblinks: www.nwda.co.uk / www.4nw.org.uk / consult.nwregionalstrategy.com
315º Magazine / NWDA / News
News / NWDA / 315º Magazine
News
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Unilever invests at Daresbury Multi-national consumer products company Unilever is investing in a new research and development function at the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus in Cheshire. The Anglo-Dutch manufacturer of personal care and food products, including global brands like Dove, Vaseline and Timotei, is to use the computational science expertise of Daresbury Laboratory to research and develop new products. Its existing research and development team, at Port Sunlight on Wirral, will also use Daresbury’s super-computing expertise to develop innovative software tools to predict how different ingredients react together. If successful, the company said the new tools will help to use more sustainable manufacturing methods.
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Kendal College wins £1m grant Kendal College has been awarded a £1 million grant to build a new facility and expand its curriculum. The purchase of adjacent brownfield land, known as ‘Wildman Street’, will enable the college to develop its digital and creative curriculum, while increasing the provision for further and higher education in the area. The plans are part of a wider regeneration process at the north end of the town, including a new ‘campus’ embracing the college, Kendal Museum, the 14th Century Castle Dairy and the Allan Building.
The first phase of the development at the college includes a multi-purpose space for students studying performing arts, dance and music, facilities for sound, lighting and recording with workshops, changing facilities, toilets and reception. It follows the college’s award-winning development on its main site, which was completed in November 2008 and now provides world-class facilities in vocational training and education. See Licence to learn, page 24
See Science of success, page10
Jobs boost Northwest success in 2018 World Cup bid for 390 Manchester and Liverpool have both been chosen as host cities for England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup. In Liverpool, Anfield was chosen as a match venue for the tournament, while in Manchester both Old Trafford and the City of Manchester stadium were deemed suitable stadia. If England is selected to host the event, both cities are in line for an economic windfall worth tens of millions of pounds. FIFA will choose later this year where the 2018 World Cup will be staged.
New £1.9m centre open for business A new £1.9 million business centre in west Cumbria has officially opened its doors. Maryport Business Centre houses six studios and 24 industrial units and is expected to create between 45 and 90 jobs in the town. The early December opening was deliberately timed as a signal that Cumbria was open for business following November’s floods. Forth Engineering is one of the first businesses to take space at the centre.
It has extended its operations and will run its nuclear research and development wing from the new unit. One of the building’s features is the large button-style art around it, created by artist Paul Scott. The large circular buttons have pictures inside depicting Maryport’s leading technology. See Fighting the floods, page 18
companies Over 390 Northwest firms have benefited from the Access to Finance scheme run by Business Link Northwest, creating nearly 1,750 new jobs, according to the latest figures. Around £43 million has been awarded to business in the last nine months. As well as creating new jobs, the money has helped to safeguard more than 5,000 existing roles and provided much needed funds for investment in new equipment, premises and product development. Access to Finance is free advice and support to help businesses and entrepreneurs understand the options available for accessing the finance required for business start-up, development and expansion. Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said the scheme will help maintain economic success in the region: “This freeto-use service provides vital advice and support to help businesses and entrepreneurs understand the options available for accessing the finance required for business start-up, development and expansion.”
Northwest poised for economy rise The Northwest is poised for growth in 2010, according to the latest predictions by the Regional Economic Forecasting Panel (REFP). In its latest short-term forecast, the independent panel says that although the recession was as deep as it expected, the region is well-placed for modest growth over the next three years. It forecasts growth of just under two per cent for the region’s manufacturing sector, coupled with further growth in the energy industry and a return to stability in financial and business services. The panel’s report highlights signs that the recession has eased – GDP fell by threequarters of a per cent quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter of 2009 and by just under half a per cent in quarter three, a slower rate of decline of that in the first quarter of the year. Household expenditure continued to fall, but for the first time in this recession the pace of decline slowed in the second quarter of 2009. Andrew McLaughlin, chair of the REFP, said: “The Northwest economy has responded to a course of policy steroids and is on the cusp of growth. The challenge for 2010 is to sustain this momentum as the support from low interest rates and high public spending wane.” The Regional Economic Forecasting Panel was set up in 2003. It consists of 13 senior representatives of business, academia and the public sector in the Northwest.
Wind turbine plans for university
City in music industry coup A major international music conference has announced it is moving from London to Liverpool. Musexpo Europe has committed itself to the city for at least three years. Its first visit will be in May, as part of the Liverpool Sound City music festival and conference. The event is set to bring hundreds of delegates to Liverpool and showcase the city’s thriving music industry. Previous Musexpo events have attracted some of the biggest names in the music industry, from record label bosses to upcoming stars.
Sat Bisla, Musexpo’s Los Angeles-based president, said the recent investment in Liverpool’s infrastructure, including its new hotels, made it an ideal location for the event. “We were approached by people in Germany and Scandinavia about taking Musexpo to their countries. But because of our relationship with Liverpool Sound City, and having spent more time in Liverpool recently, I saw the potential of bringing it here.”
See Sea change for Baltic, page 28
Lancaster University has a received a £5 million grant to reduce carbon emissions. The funding will be used to install two 2.1MW turbines on the university’s Hazelrigg campus to the east of the M6 motorway. If installed, they would be able to produce enough electricity to meet the requirements of all students who live on campus. The grant is from a Higher Education Funding Council for England initiative to transform the way universities use energy. Lancaster University comprises eight undergraduate colleges and one post graduate, which together house more than 7,000 students. . See Sheer power, page 14
315º Magazine / NWDA / The Big Idea
The Big Idea / NWDA / 315º Magazine
08/09 He says that entrepreneurship is not a genetic characteristic; something we are either born with or we’re not. He firmly believes that entrepreneurs can be taught and that the NEA is the institution to do it. He points to his own early beginnings in business as evidence of the crucial role that successful business people – and exposure to the real world of business – can play, and how success is often as much about attitude as it is about how many qualifications you have.
Few know as much about business as Peter Jones. But the TV Dragon, worth an estimated £158m, is putting his reputation on the line with his latest venture: a specialist college in Manchester to train the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. He tells all to Gareth Chadwick.
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nlocking the potential of Britain’s young entrepreneurs is essential to the future success of our economy. And there’s no better time to face this challenge than during a recession.” Peter Jones, business tycoon and rapier-tongued stalwart of TV series Dragon’s Den, is outlining the rationale behind the National Enterprise Academy (NEA). The NEA, Jones’ own brainchild, is the UK’s first educational institution dedicated solely to enterprise and entrepreneurship. With Manchester’s One Central Park in Moston as one of only two sites nationwide (the other is in Buckinghamshire), it aims to pioneer a new way of teaching by swapping textbooks for real-life business challenges, with a high level of practical input from entrepreneurs, as well as tutors. Launched in September 2009, the NEA will enrol nearly 18,000 16-19 year olds in its first five years, giving students the skills and confidence to become enterprising employees or entrepreneurs in their own right. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has invested up to £9million in the venture, matched by employers.“I’ve always been extremely passionate about improving the entrepreneurial capabilities of the UK,” says Jones.“And like any entrepreneur who spots a gap in the market, I moved to fill it, with a school for ‘business tycoons’.”
“When I was 12, I had an inspirational English teacher at my school. He had a top-of-the-range Porsche and all the trappings of success. I was intrigued to find out how he did it. It turned out he ran a successful tennis academy during the holidays – so I became his assistant. I saw first-hand what it The two new qualifications offered by the NEA have took to create and run a successful business. That “Manchester’s One a strong focus on practical skills. The first, a level 2 was the real spark for me.I then set up my own tennis Central Park in BTEC Diploma in Understanding Enterprise and academy and then later a computer company while Entrepreneurship, and the second, a level 3 BTEC still at school. By the time I was 19, I had bought my Moston is one of Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, have first house and was on the road to success,” he says. only two NEA been developed in partnership with Edexcel, the It wasn’t a road without the odd pot-hole, though. sites nationwide.” UK’s largest qualifications awarding body. By the time he was 28 he’d made and lost a millionCreating a nation of entrepreneurs is undoubtedly a pound fortune and had to move back in with his worthy aim, but critics argue it is just one more in a parents. He didn’t make the same mistakes again, long list of well-meaning government educational however. The next business he set up, a mobile phone initiatives, launched in a blaze of glory, but which soon splutter on the distribution business, is now the biggest of its kind in the UK and one of flames of failure. It’s a criticism Jones has heard before – and that he the world’s leading telecommunication companies, with a turnover of is quick to dismiss. £150 million. “It’s never been done before. It’s not just the qualifications that are new, the style and delivery of the course is unique. It’s about ‘learning by doing’. It’s not just teachers in a classroom, there’s a high level of he NEA opened its doors after a successful six-month pilot programme in 2009, where 28 students were recruited input from entrepreneurs and business people. Entrepreneurs are not onto an intensive course to develop the UK’s first ever born, they are made,and the NEA can help us to make more of them.” qualifications in entrepreneurship. The results of the pilot are outstanding: several students have already established their own businesses, some are continuing in education, and some have been recruited by high-profile businesses (although he won’t say who). With company failures at resolutely high levels, bank lending at an all In a nutshell... time low and the UK economy performing worse than many of its
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Pete’s Dragons
competitors, it might seem an odd time to be trying to encourage people to go into business. But Jones, all 6ft 7ins of him, is a glasshalf-full kind of man. “The need for entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial talent – the ability to work entrepreneurially within an existing business – is not a new phenomenon, but the need has almost certainly been intensified by the recession. Businesses need people who can seize opportunities, people who can challenge existing practices and entrenched ways of doing things. That’s what the NEA is all about; giving people the knowledge and the confidence to think differently about how they do business and what ‘doing business’ really means,” he explains.
Name: Peter Jones
Age: 44
Where were you born: Berkshire Where do you live: Buckinghamshire What car do you drive: Maybach What was your first ever job? After completing the Lawn Tennis Association’s coaching exams, I set up my own tennis coaching school. This allowed me to combine the two subjects I loved the most: sport and economics What has been your proudest achievement? Establishing the National Enterprise Academy What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? There’s no such thing as failure, only feedback What is the best thing about being successful? Being in a position where I can use my success to inspire the next generation of young people
Weblinks: www.thenea.org
315º Magazine / NWDA / Business
Science of success
Business / NWDA / 315º Magazine
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11 Professor Lin Li is director of the laser processing research centre at the University of Manchester: “NWDA support has created an exciting opportunity for the Northwest Laser Engineering Consortium to capitalise on years of basic research. The funding for this new project will make it easier for businesses to benefit from what we’re doing.” Another key investment making a tangible difference to the region “NWDA support has“ is the NWDA’s £5 million injection created an exciting into a groundbreaking project opportunity for the to support the Northwest’s biohealth sector and the public’s Laser Engineering health. The project, Northwest Consortium to e-Health, will use cutting-edge capitalise on years technology to develop new ”of basic research.” healthcare models through analysing anonymised health records. It brings together e-Lab technology developed at the University of Manchester with innovations in community-wide healthcare records led by Salford Primary Care Trust and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. Northwest e-Health will enable NHS professionals and researchers to gain new insights into how individual treatments or whole services are working. The NWDA’s science and innovation director, George Baxter, says that projects like these exemplify the collaborative approach essential to the continuing success of the region’s science sector. “We have such riches in our universities and hospitals, and tremendous potential for growth in our region’s innovative businesses. If we can bring them together, then we can create commercial as well as scientific success.”
When it comes to tapping into the business potential of the movies, Liverpool has its name in lights, writes Sarah Addyman.
“Our goal is to promote collaboration in the broadest sense,” says Conti-Ramsden.“As we engage with companies, we are building networks, creating partnerships and, in the longer term, encouraging investment in the region’s R&D. Our post-doc researchers in the universities, each one with a focus on industrial commercialisation projects, can respond quickly to industry needs.” The KCMC is only one of several NWDA initiatives that are strengthening the links between universities and business in the region. The Northwest Laser Engineering Consortium (NWLEC) is a collaboration between the universities of Liverpool and Manchester. It was set up in 2005 as a focus for research into laser technology, with teams in both universities developing new laser applications in micro and nano-technology. Now, an additional investment in knowledge exchange announced last summer is enabling those results to be explained, applied and assessed in an industrial context.
Weblinks: www.daresburysic.co.uk / www.materialschemistry.org / www.nwlec.org.uk / www.nweh.org.uk
“Outstanding” Daresbury Campus The NWDA has invested over £67 million in the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (DSIC) in recent years – confidence that was vindicated recently when Daresbury was named the UK’s Outstanding Science Park by the UK Science Park Association in its prestigious annual awards. Construction of the latest building, Vanguard House, has just begun alongside the Daresbury Innovation Centre. It will provide almost 36,000 square feet of new accommodation, ranging from office and meeting space to workshops and laboratories.This new state-of-theart ‘grow-on’ building will provide a natural next step for companies already on Campus as their business grows and develops, as well as attracting high-tech businesses from further afield. “Vanguard House will provide a further magnet for high-tech businesses looking to draw on our unique combination of scientific and business expertise,” says Colin Whitehouse, a director of Daresbury SIC.
Liverpool is fast becoming a hotspot for Hollywood, thanks to the success of the pioneering Liverpool Film Office. When it was first established in 1989, the Liverpool Film Office, which is funded by the NWDA through Northwest Vision and Media, had high hopes for Merseyside as a film location spot. But nobody could have predicted that 20 years later, the film industry would be bringing in around £14 million a year for the city region. In August 2009 alone, 106 filming days were shot in the city, the busiest month on record. Last year’s successes included hosting a 200-strong Warner Bros film unit for the upcoming Harry Potter film, ‘The Deathly Hallows’, which is scheduled for release at the end of 2010. The team booked 1,000 bed nights, which supported local hotels during the quiet mid-autumn period.The crew were persuaded to film in the Queensway Tunnel – the road tunnel under the River Mersey – after shooting a sequence in Liverpool’s docks for the previous Harry Potter film, ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’. Another major blockbuster filmed in the city was the recently released Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law, when some of Liverpool’s historic streets stood in for Victorian London. And it’s not just blockbusters which are making a hit in Liverpool. Critically acclaimed independent film ‘Nowhere Boy’– about the early years of John Lennon – is filmed in some of the city’s older streets, with the crew spending around £1.5 million during their stay. ∆
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hether a great leap for mankind or one step along a difficult journey, the success of modern science is as much about collaboration and knowledge exchange as experiments in a laboratory. “If we can get the right people talking,” explains DrJohn Conti-Ramsden of the Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (KCMC),“it enables universities and industry to collaborate more effectively, sharing ideas and knowledge.” With a base in the chemicals heartland of Runcorn, the KCMC has a dedicated team of more than ten researchers spread over three of the region’s universities – Bolton, Manchester and Liverpool – as well as Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (see panel). Some of the larger ongoing KCMC projects include work on electronic materials with semi-conductor company SAFC Hitech,high performance polymers with plastics and polymer company Victrex, and diverse new materials for applications in energy storage and harvesting, fire retardant systems and formulated products for personal care.
Photography by Craig Easton/Driftwood
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The Northwest has an illustrious scientific tradition and recent investments are helping to maximise the commercial benefits of the latest discoveries, writes Sally Seed.
Liverpool’s starring role
Weblinks: www.visionandmedia.co.uk
315º Magazine / NWDA / Business
Business / NWDA / 315º Magazine
Motoring forward
12/13
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The manufacturing sector has deep roots in the Northwest and, thanks to a range of support initiatives, it is thriving once again, as Mark Hillsdon discovers.
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shared services, commodity groups and enterprise, with the aim of helping companies in the aerospace supply chain compete more effectively. ASCE2 builds on the work of the ASCE1 programme. Launched in 2006, ASCE1 was the first coordinated approach to supplier development in the UK’s aerospace sector. Over 30 of the most strategically important suppliers in the Northwest were involved in ASCE1, with each company mentored by a representative from Airbus, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce or Aircelle. In total over 300 jobs have been created or safeguarded, and over 2000 days of training delivered. Photography by Craig Easton/Driftwood
The Northwest’s manufacturing sector is the biggest of any English region with around 18,000 companies employing in excess of 400,000 people. And it remains a major driver for improving GVA too, contributing £20.3 billion to the regional economy. This importance is shown in a new ten year Northwest Manufacturing Strategy and Action Plan launched last autumn. The plan sets out the support necessary to help organisations survive the recession and seize new opportunities as economic conditions improve. One of its key actions is to ensure continued support for small and
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medium-sized manufacturing businesses. This support is driven by The region’s automotive sector is also showing signs of recovery. The £3.86 million Automotive Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain the highly effective MAS Northwest, with £20 million of new funding from the NWDA and the Northwest ERDF programme. (AMSC), which is part funded by the NWDA, has so far helped to improve MAS was first launched in 2002 and is delivered in the region by the competitiveness of over 110 automotive companies. The Manufacturing Institute (TMI). By enhancing supply chain At the Blackburn site of bus and coach builders Optare, AMSC helped performance and improving innovation, the service has already to remodel the production process, with operators contributing ideas about how to improve working methods and processes. The result was helped to create or safeguard 8,790 jobs, train 6,500 people and save a halving of bus build times, improved delivery £739 million for Northwest manufacturers. times and an overall reduction in operational costs. Peter Hammond is managing director of Auto Marine “The NWDA also“ Cables and first signed up to MAS four years ago. The NWDA also played an integral role in securing “Working with MAS is an incredibly progressive the future of car production at GM in Ellesmere played an integral Port, with an £8.7 million training grant designed to curve,” he explains.“One of the key factors is that they role in securing the help the plant maintain its position as a world class don’t just do things with you, or for you, they teach future of car manufacturing facility. you how to do it yourselves. That means you can then production at GM take these skills into other areas and continue the The grant, which has been invested in the plant’s in Ellesmere Port, good work without them.” five-year Workforce Development Programme, will with an £8.7m Auto Marine Cables manufactures low voltage cables ensure training goes beyond the basics necessary for Vauxhall’s operations, and position the plant and for the automotive and marine industries,and employs “training grant.” its employees at the very forefront of world-class 55 people at its Worsley factory in Greater Manchester. capability. Significantly, the NWDA award also “People talk about salvation when it comes to MAS, supports the future of the facility following its successful bid to secure but we’re quite a solid business,” continues Hammond.“We needed the next generation Astra. them to move forward and make the business more competitive and “Manufacturing is holding its own,” says David Sales, manufacturing stronger in every way – and MAS has contributed significantly to us sector development manager at the NWDA.“Its importance has doing this.” increased as a result of issues in the financial and professional services erospace is another key priority, with two in every five sector, and there are now some really positive opportunities, where aerospace jobs in the UK located in the Northwest. The sector companies could have quite a bright future if they can adapt their skills has an annual turnover close to £7 billion, or a third of the base to meet these industries’ needs.” total UK aerospace turnover, making it the most significant region in the country. This sector too has received a timely boost with the launch of the £7.1 million Northwest Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence Programme 2 (ASCE). The programme is designed to equip the sector with the skills and innovative edge that it needs to maintain its position in the global Enhancing efficiency market. ASCE2 is being designed and delivered by the North West “Mega benefits – we’ve learnt rucks of stuff!” says Steven Aerospace Alliance (NWAA), with joint funding from the NWDA and Schofield of his company’s involvement with the Manufacturing Northwest ERDF programme. Advisory Service (MAS). The programme focuses on five priorities – skills provision, innovation,
e’ve got a fit, healthy and productive manufacturing sector that, generally speaking, has weathered the storm quite well,” explains Chris Rowlands, head of manufacturing at the NWDA. “People have been accessing support from the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) and Business Link. But they’ve also been looking beyond the recession and that’s where we are hoping to support more businesses, with new technologies and more support through MAS.”
Runcorn-based Electron Technical Solutions, paints a range of plastic components for the automotive industry, with blue chip clients including Land Rover, Bentley and Toyota. Managing director Schofield first began working with MAS four years ago, and since then he believes it has helped to instil a truly world class ethos at the company. “We’ve got two robot production lines that paint automatically. They were the key areas where we wanted improvements.” MAS helped to introduce a system that keeps downtime to a minimum, ensures maintenance is always planned, and avoids any drop-off due to poor quality. The plant is now working at maximum capacity, and Electron has increased its overall effectiveness from 75% to 90%. “The work that we’ve done in previous years is now paying off and we’re operating efficiently through these difficult times,” adds Schofield.
Left: The GM Vauxhall plant at Ellesmere Port is set to maintain its position as a world class manufacturing facility.
Weblinks: www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk / www.aerospace.co.uk
315º Magazine / NWDA / Business
Business / NWDA / 315º Magazine
Sheer power
“It’s about providing support for projects and market development,” explains Atherton.“We are offering tangible, hands-on help to get ideas off the ground and ensure the region enjoys the economic opportunities that they will undoubtedly bring.”
This potential is borne out by the decision to make the Northwest a low carbon economic area for nuclear (LCEA). Part of the UK’s low carbon industrial strategy, the LCEA will be led by the NWDA as a way of bringing together knowledge, skills and investment within the sector, and delivering benefits for the whole economy.
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he region is also leading the way in areas such as solid state lighting, which use light emitting diodes rather than electrical filaments, while the unique nature of the Northwest coast means the region remains at the forefront of developments in tidal power. “There is a huge amount of expertise in the region’s universities around tidal power, and some of this technology will soon be commercialised, which will produce another export opportunity for the region,” says Atherton.
The LCEA package includes an £8 million upgrade of the research laboratories at the University of Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute. Working in partnership with Sheffield University, the institute will play a significant role supporting the nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in South Yorkshire and provide research facilities to help supply chain companies compete in the civil nuclear sector. The Agency will also lead the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) for nuclear at a national level,offering support and advice to both regional development agencies (RDAs) and manufacturers across the UK. As the lead RDA for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the NWDA is playing a key role in other national strategies to hit carbon targets that demand 34 per cent less emissions by 2020 and
Cumbria’s Energy Coast is at the heart of the Northwest’s low carbon energy ambitions.
Remote-controlled ‘photo-copters’ reduce the need for manned flights.
Photography by Craig Easton/Driftwood
With a wealth of carbonbusting ideas, from nuclear power to unmanned helicopters, the Northwest leads the way in the pursuit of a low carbon economy. Mark Hillsdon finds out more.
80 per cent less by 2050 nationally. These include the Northern Way initiative to investigate new solutions for carbon capture and storage. At the opposite end of the spectrum to nuclear energy is “The region has long“ the growing number of SMEs that are also set to make an been a pioneer of impact on a low carbon future. nuclear energy, Among them is Small UAV supporting around Enterprises run by Greg Colley 300 companies with a at the Daresbury Innovation combined turnover Centre. The business operates a high-tech remote controlled of approximately helicopter which can be used to “£3bn a year.” replace energy-intensive manned flights to carry out aerial photography in a huge range of situations, from farming and archaeology to safety checks on wind turbines and cooling towers. The business has been supported by Eco-Innovation, a programme based at Lancaster University and delivered by C-Tech Innovation. The initiative has received £2.3 million from the NWDA and Northwest ERDF programme, and is designed to identify opportunities for innovation that will help cut the environmental impact of businesses. The Northwest is one of just a few regions in the UK to have a dedicated Climate Change Action Plan and supporting the adoption of low carbon products and services is a key part of it, explains Mark Atherton, the NWDA’s director of energy and environment. As part of the plan, the Agency is backing a new £2.3 million Low Carbon Market Development programme. Run by Envirolink Northwest, the three year initiative is designed to boost the region’s market for renewable energy. The money will target renewable energy companies developing technologies that have substantial opportunities in the region, in particular onshore and offshore wind, micro-generation and energy from waste.
Elsewhere the Joule Centre is helping to maximise commercial opportunities developed by the region’s universities, while the Energy Innovation Centre at Capenhurst is collaborating with smaller businesses and innovators to create an environment where their ideas can flourish. A mixture of innovation and expertise, along with the physical geography of the Northwest, means the region is now making great strides towards a low carbon future, says Atherton. But he also believes that it’s crucial the region continues to play a bigger role in the battle against climate change. “It’s not just about cutting our own carbon emissions, but also about providing the goods and services that can help other countries and other parts of the UK to do the same,” he says. ∆
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series of announcements at the end of 2009 confirmed the Northwest’s role at the forefront of the fight against global warming. Perhaps the highest profile was confirmation of the government’s plans for a new generation of nuclear power stations. The region has long been a pioneer of nuclear energy, supporting around 300 companies with a combined turnover of approximately £3 billion a year and a workforce of over 25,000 people. Last November’s draft nuclear national policy statement highlighted four potential regional sites for new build nuclear power stations – Braystones, Sellafield and Kirksanton along Britain’s Energy Coast in Cumbria, and Heysham in Lancashire. “The potential for economic growth as a result of new nuclear is considerable,” says Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA. “The development of power stations in the Northwest will further the region’s existing premier nuclear infrastructure which already accommodates 50 per cent of the UK’s civil nuclear workforce and the main centres for nuclear research.”
14/15
The Econoclean System “The beauty of our system is that it works without the use of water or power – it’s carbon neutral,” says Kevin Betts, inventor of a revolutionary dry wheel cleaning system, Econoclean. The innovative kit uses a ‘shaker bar’ system to clean wheels that have become caked in mud and is typical of a host of breakthroughs that are set to play a major role in a low carbon future. With stringent legislation now in place about contaminating public highways the system is helping companies comply with the law. Before leaving building sites, landfill tips and quarries, HGVs are simply directed to drive over a strip of metal bars. The weight of the wagon on the bars makes the tyres distort, creating a squeezing action which causes up to 98 per cent of mud and other contaminates to drop out of the tread. Now, with the help of Eco-Innovation, Betts is modifying the equipment, with even narrower bars to ensure the wheels don’t simply pick the mud up again as they drive over it. “We’re also looking at fixing the shaker bars at slightly different heights which might add some undulation and improve the cleaning process even further,” he adds.
Weblinks: www.dalton.manchester.ac.uk / www.joulecentre.org / www.energyinnovationcentre.com
315º Magazine / NWDA / In Pictures
In Pictures / NWDA / 315º Magazine
In pictures:
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iverpool has a new tourism strategy designed to propel it into the top 20 of Europe’s most visited short-break locations and the top five UK conference destinations. The Liverpool City Region Visitor Economy Strategy to 2020, published by The Mersey Partnership, forecasts up to 37,000 people could be employed in Liverpool’s visitor economy by 2020, 14,000 more
16/17 than the current figure, with the amount spent by visitors topping £2 billion a year. It is a bold ambition, but as any of the growing number of visitors to the city will confirm, Liverpool’s diverse range of cultural sites, social facilities and visitor attractions, is already bringing in the visitors in their millions.
Opposite page: Museum of Liverpool Situated on the UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront, the Museum of Liverpool’s landmark building is due to open to the public in Spring 2011, supported by an NWDA investment of £32.7m. Top: Liverpool Waterfront Liverpool’s waterfront boasts the largest group of Grade 1 listed buildings in the UK. As well as housing jewels such as Tate Liverpool, it is home to visitor experiences as diverse as Shiverpool Ghost Tours and BugWorld Experience. Middle left: Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre The new Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre opened its doors in 2008 and has hosted major events like the MTV Europe Music Awards and the Liberal Democrats’ conference.
Liverpool’s tourism jewels
Museum of Liverpool photography by Craig Easton/Driftwood
Middle right: Liverpool ONE As well as revitalising an integral area of Liverpool city centre, the £1bn Liverpool ONE retail and leisure development elegantly re-connects the city centre with the docks. Bottom left: Liverpool-Leeds canal The redevelopment of the Liverpool-Leeds canal takes narrowboat passengers into the heart of the city. Bottom right: Tate Liverpool Since opening in 1988, Tate Liverpool has established a national reputation as one of the region’s biggest cultural attractions.
Weblinks: www.visitliverpool.com / www.merseyside.org.uk
315º Magazine / NWDA / People
People / NWDA / 315º Magazine
Fighting the floods
18/19
Left: Lindsay’s butchers in Cockermouth getting back to business.
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Three months after the devastating floods, Cumbria is open for business and receiving visitors with open arms, with help from a substantial package of support from the NWDA, writes Gareth Chadwick.
Photography by Craig Easton/Driftwood
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ovember’s unstoppable deluge affected some of Cumbria’s Tourism is a major revenue-earner for Cumbria, accounting for around most important towns, including Cockermouth, Workington, £1billion of the county’s £5 billion income. It was also a sector hit hard Keswick and Ulverston. But thanks to a stirring combination by the floods, from infrastructure damage to the negative perceptions of indomitable Cumbrian spirit, help and assistance from of the county as a result of the images shown on television screens across the UK, and speedy, effective financial support from the NWDA and in newspapers all over the UK and abroad. and national government, the county is back on its In a survey by Cumbria Tourism, 72 per cent of feet and looking forward to business as usual in 2010. tourist-related businesses said they were affected Key to the county’s fightback is a £1 million support either directly or indirectly by the floods, and the “The NWDA has“ package for small businesses affected by the flooding, loss through cancellations or closure was estimated been incredibly which was launched immediately by the NWDA. at around £2.5 million by early December, a figure supportive to help One of the core elements of the support is the Flood which is expected to have risen significantly in the Recovery Grant Scheme, which provides grants of weeks since. When combined with the cost of repairs us get the up to £10,000 to help small to medium-sized to property and infrastructure, the true loss to message out that enterprises (up to 250 employees) clean-up and Cumbria’s tourism businesses is around £15.4 million, Cumbria is open recover, including paying for advice and assistance and this doesn’t include an estimated £8 million “for business.” from flood recovery experts, engineers or builders; bill for damage to footpaths, bridges and other new marketing strategies or database development; infrastructure within the Lake District National Park. interest payments on existing loans;or staff training for new equipment. The additional NWDA funds were granted to Cumbria Tourism in The first grant payment was made on11th December, just 14 days after early December to support a national marketing campaign, including the scheme was launched. Suzanne Caldwell of Cumbria Chamber a visitor helpline,online updates on websites,Twitter and Facebook, of Commerce, which is managing the scheme, says: “We’ve been able e-newsletters,a comprehensive public relations drive and a Christmas to build on our experience of previous crisis grants, such as foot campaign designed to push the Christmas breaks message. At the and mouth disease and the Carlisle floods in 2005, and get it up and same time,the NWDA launched its own national advertising campaign running extremely quickly.” to encourage visitors to return to Cumbria and spread the message that it was business as usual. One of the businesses to apply for a flood recovery grant is Jackson The chief executive of Cumbria Tourism, Ian Stephens says: “The Fairs Kitchens in Cockermouth, which only moved into a doubleNWDA has been incredibly supportive from the earliest opportunity to fronted showroom in the town’s Market Place in 2008. Market Place is help us get the message out that Cumbria is open for business.” situated at the higher end of Main Street, where November’s floods Continues overleaf were at their worst. Even so, the shop, part of which was also used as a storeroom, was inundated with four to five feet of flood water. “We lost absolutely everything – kitchen units, appliances, fridge freezers. Cast iron range cookers were tossed around like driftwood. In monetary terms, it’s tens of thousands of pounds,” says Dorothy Fairs, co-director of Jackson Fairs. She heard about the Flood Recovery Grants through Glyn Griffiths, a local adviser at Business Link Northwest, who got in touch with local businesses to tell them about the payments. “He rang up initially and then came round to our house to discuss the scheme with us and guide us through the paperwork. He explained how it worked and what we had to do to apply. It was very straightforward,” says Fairs, who will use her grant for recovery costs such as bank loan interest, marketing costs to help get the business back up and running, and staff training, as well as other general clean-up costs. The Flood Recovery Grant Scheme was supplemented by a £100,000 NWDA-funded marketing push to ensure that the ‘open for business’ message was communicated effectively.
Weblinks: www.nwda.co.uk / www.businesslinknw.co.uk / www.businesslink.gov.uk/rdpe
315º Magazine / NWDA / People
People / NWDA / 315º Magazine
Business of education
20/21
Jonty’s relocation‘lifeline’
The NWDA’s £2.5m investment in a network of enterprise hubs is actually an investment in the economic future of the Northwest, writes Sarah Addyman.
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The funding enabled Mitchells Auction Company to convert the units in one of its furniture storage warehouses. The company had already set up 12 units in the Tithehouse, a former job centre. The units were snapped up by displaced businesses, and the Tithehouse itself was quickly renamed ‘Main Street at Mitchells.’ Such was the take-up, it was clear that more units were needed,so Mitchells approached “We were very“ the NWDA for support, and proposals were quickly approved. impressed with the “We were very impressed with speed of the the speed of the NWDA response NWDA response and how quickly it all came and how quickly together,” says John Rockcliffe, it all came head of land agency at Mitchells. Within ten days, the units were ”together.” built and the first businesses in. RTSN Huddart Pet Supplies was one of the first to move into the newly monikered ‘Mitchells Retail Market’. Its shop on Main Street had been inundated by almost five feet of floodwater.Co-owner Ralf Huddart says they lost 80 per cent of the stock. Sales assistant Margaret Burns even had to be rescued by boat from an upstairs window. The business has now taken two units in Mitchells Retail Market. Huddart, who runs the shop with wife Trish, says: “As soon as we heard about the new temporary units, we were straight over. It was hard work to get everything up and running again, but it has been a real lifeline.”
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Cockermouth is not the only place that is starting to buzz again. The open for business message is clearly getting through. Julie Darroch, public relations manager for Cumbria Tourism, says: “We are cautiously optimistic for 2010. Bookings are picking up and enquiries are coming in from all over the world.” Cumbria is also expecting to reap the rewards of weekly exposure on prime time television. A new 12-part ITV1 documentary series on the Lake District, called The Lakes, is airing throughout January, February and March. Filmed over the ‘staycation’ summer of 2009, the series follows the fortunes of a number of local characters during the busy summer months. “It’s wonderfully fortuitous timing,” says Darroch,“a perfect reminder of the breathtaking scenery, friendly people and myriad attractions which make Cumbria such a special place.”
Photography by Craig Easton/Driftwood
nder the scheme, farmers can apply for grants of up to £6,800 to move debris from their land and repair structures. The funding is being managed by the NWDA through Cumbria County Council and local action groups. It hasn’t all been about financial support, though. One of the most visible successes of the NWDA’s flood recovery package is the £100,000 invested in 14 temporary units in Cockermouth for the relocation of local businesses.
Jonty Chippendale, owner of The Toy Shop in Cockermouth and chairman of the town’s chamber of trade, saw the shop he has run for 17 years battered almost beyond recognition by the floodwaters. “As the waters rose, we were expecting perhaps a foot or two of flooding, so we cleared the lower shelves and put some sand bags across the door,” says Chippendale. But the sandbags may as well have been tea bags when five feet of water roared through the shop. Even the toys that were not submerged were ruined by damp and humidity as the water subsided. Chippendale lost around £40,000 of stock on the ground floor. But within days, he had salvaged what he could from the upper floor and relocated to one of the new temporary units. “For any retail business it is very important that you maintain your relationship with your customers. The temporary units enable local shops to do that. It’s a lifeline.”
Response timeline November 18-20 – 372 mm of rain in 36 hours causes serious flooding in five of Cumbria’s six districts. Over 2,200 properties were inundated. 20 – Business Link opens a 24-hour weekend hotline for businesses. 23 – Business Link mid-week working hours extended to 8am –10pm. 23 – Business advisers begin visiting affected businesses. 24 – NWDA announces £1million support package. 25 – E-guide issued to ensure people are aware of available support. December 02 – NWDA announces £100,000 investment in temporary trading units. 04 – NWDA launches national ‘Cumbria open for business’ advertising campaign. 11 – First flood recovery grant payments made. 13 – First tenants move into temporary units. 16 – RDPE launches £500,000 grant scheme for farmers.
Weblinks: www.nwda.co.uk / www.businesslinknw.co.uk / www.businesslink.gov.uk/rdpe
Students will be encouraged to embrace the idea of starting their own businesses.
A whole generation of students will have the Joy Addinsell, project manager, and CEO of opportunity to learn about business and Enterprise Adviser Service Northwest, says: enterprise thanks to a £2.5 million investment “The good work has already begun. We’re from the NWDA. working with a local entrepreneur in The funding is to develop 13 further education Blackburn to set up an engineering enterprise hubs in colleges throughout challenge linked with the university campus the region to promote enterprise in their at the college, whereas Furness College is in own college and through partner schools, the early stages of setting up a radio station introducing students to the idea of with local schoolchildren.” entrepreneurial spirit and The next stage in the the challenges of starting process is to recruit more your own business. schools to work with. But it “The hubs also aim to“ Jayne Worthington, NWDA is not just the target 15,000 skills strategy manager, school pupils who are set encourage 480 adults believes this work is vital in to benefit; the hubs also to undertake workprotecting the future of the aim to encourage 480 based training, by Northwest economy: “If we adults to undertake taking the enterprise don’t grow our economy, enterprise-based training message out into we will fall behind globally. and learning, by taking the ”the community.” It’s accepted that enterprise message out significant areas of the into the community. growth our economy Says Addinsell: “The needs will come from enterprise hubs are about SMEs, so we need a workforce that will developing a culture of enterprise through embrace the ideas of enterprise and joined-up working, for example, where innovation – enabling people to start up their parents of children starting primary school own businesses or work creatively within get the support they need to consider flexible their employment.” ways of working, such as becoming selfThe strategic project work – which included employed.” recruiting the colleges and hub coordinators Although the hubs project is set to run for three – has now been done and all 13 hubs are set years, the work they do aims to instil a long up and working with their communities, term ‘enterprising’ attitude for those involved, supported by a team of enterprise advisors. laying firm foundations for future career
opportunities and personal development. “It’s not about us being helicoptered in for three years and then disappearing over the horizon again. We think the colleges will continue with this agenda because it will be embedded within their own agendas, and woven into everything they do,” Addinsell added. ∆
A further £500,000 to help farmers to clean up their land was made available in December through the Rural Development Programme for England.
Where are the enterprise hubs? Blackburn College Furness College Kendal College Liverpool City College Preston College Salford College Southport College Tameside College The Manchester College Warrington Collegiate West Cheshire College Wigan College Wirral Metropolitan College
Weblinks: www.enterpriseuk.org
315º Magazine / NWDA / People
InBusiness the news / NWDA / 315º Magazine
Caringfor the countryside
22/23
In the news...
Name: Cammell Laird
The £374m Rural Development Programme is a welcome boost for the Northwest’s rural communities.One year after its initial launch, Sally Seed finds out how it is progressing.
Who are they? Cammell Laird Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders Limited is one of the oldest operational shipyards in the UK. Founded in Birkenhead in 1824 by William Laird, the company joined forces with Sheffield metals company Johnson Cammell & Co in 1903, becoming Cammell Laird. Over the last 185 years, the shipyard has launched more than 1,350 ships. During World War II alone, it produced nearly 200 vessels both commercial and military, including HMS Rodney, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Ark Royal.
Funding is available for a wide variety of activities from support for farmers who are looking to diversify away from pure agriculture, to new
In Lancashire there are three LAGs for different parts of the “The project will“ county (North,Pennine and train 20 people Lancashire West), all working to develop with the Lancashire Economic environmental Partnership. Interest in Lancashire’s £4.5 million funding management pot has been high since the plans for their initiative was launched back in “businesses.” September and the Development Officers have received over 220 enquiries. Stephen Brown, head of economic regeneration at Lancashire Economic Partnership, says: “We have had a fantastic response to the initial launch. The grants available to rural businesses of all kinds will fuel growth, support our communities and will mean our extensive rural assets continue to help drive Lancashire’s economy.”
Investing in energy The Kentmere Hydro Trust is a charitable company run by local residents. Established in 2009, the Trust is developing plans for a new hydroelectric generating plant in the Kentmere Valley of South Lakeland. Helyn Connerr, one of the trustees, takes up the story: “We obtained funding for the initial feasibility studies, which supplemented the contributions of professional expertise from our trustees. The studies were really positive and showed that the plant really could work, which obviously gave us lots of encouragement.” However, there was still a missing link, as she explains: “With an engineering project of this scale, we couldn’t just leap to the construction phase,” says Helyn. “We needed to assess and specify precisely what, where and how the build would proceed – phase two of the project. But we didn’t have enough money to pay for the specification. There was a danger that everything would grind to halt.” It was then that Helyn heard about RDPE and got in touch with Adrian Banford. “The big advantage of RDPE,” explains Helyn, “is flexibility. We’ve been able to apply for support for an essential but invisible stage of our project – the professional advice that will give us our legal structure for the future, our financial systems and all the mechanical, electrical and civil engineering work to turn our initial designs into full construction drawings.”
In 2005, Northwestern Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders Limited (NSL) bought the Birkenhead shipyard,led by managing director John Syvret, himself a former Cammell Laird apprentice. In 2008, NSL resurrected the Cammell Laird name on Merseyside, but the Gibraltar yard continued to use it, too. Now, to avoid confusion, the Birkenhead firm has assumed sole ownership of the Cammell Laird name and trademark,while the Gibraltar shipyard will be known as Gibdock. What we say: Welcome back to one of Merseyside’s most famous names. ∆
In Cheshire, David Boyce leads a partnership LAG for the Northern Marches area, combining parts of rural Cheshire with northern Shropshire.“We were awarded the contract in September and we are already in touch with a number of potential projects,” he says. “Applications are beginning to take shape and our first project has already been approved.”
or growing rural businesses that have potential to expand and create new jobs. The aim is to create lasting benefits for rural communities, as well as for the businesses that they support. That first project to be approved in Cheshire is a rural environmental management project, a joint venture between Walford and North Shropshire and Reaseheath colleges. It will run in the first half of 2010, training 20 people to develop environmental management plans for their businesses.
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he Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is investing £374 million in the Northwest over the next four years. Around £75 million of this is being invested through the NWDA, in conjunction with regional partners and, at the community level, local action groups (LAGs). The remaining £299 million is being delivered by Natural England and the Forestry Commission. Adrian Banford leads the Fells and Dales LAG, working with Cumbria County Council to invest the funds across Cumbria.“It is still early days but there is a huge amount of interest from potential projects,” he says.“Our objective is to focus the money where it will have the best longer-term impact.” A LAG is made up of volunteers from the public, private and voluntary sectors. Each LAG develops a local development strategy and is responsible for allocating funds to projects in its locality. Small businesses, farmers, landowners, organisations or community groups can then apply for funding for up to 50 per cent of a project’s value.
Why are they in the news? In December 2009, Cammell Laird in Birkenhead reclaimed the exclusive rights to the famous Cammell Laird brand. The original company went into receivership in 2001, and the famous name went with it. Except, that is, for the Cammell Laird (Gibraltar) shipyard, once part of the same group, but now an independent company.
With its funding application approved, the Trust is tendering in preparation for the start of phase two activities. “We aim to be generating electricity in the valley by 2013,” says Helyn, “and making charitable donations from our profits the following year.”
Weblinks: www.nwda.co.uk/rdpe
Weblinks: www.clbh.co.uk
315º Magazine / NWDA / People
People / NWDA / 315º Magazine
24/25
At Ellesmere Port, all existing accommodation other than the vocational centre and nursery will be demolished and replaced with a new 180,000 square foot building. “The new campus will make a real difference to the achievements and opportunities of young people, ensuring that the area can respond to the demand for a high quality and flexible skill base,” says Mogel.
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urness College was awarded the next largest slice (see panel), followed by Manchester College, whose £28 million grant will allow it to start work on a new campus in Wythenshawe. Wythenshawe is one of Manchester’s most deprived areas, and the college’s principal, Peter Tavernor, believes the new campus will transform the lives of many people living in this area. “It is fantastic that we have received the go ahead to get started on this much needed project. It will help improve training and development opportunities for local people and assist in the regeneration of the wider Wythenshawe area,” he says.
Five Northwest colleges were among only 14 in the country to be approved for the latest round of the government’s further education funding programme. Lynda Searby hears about their plans.
The £27m awarded to St Helens College will help create a modern development that reflects the local glass industry.
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institutions to be awarded funding in the latest round of the programme, announced on 1st September 2009. These were: Furness College, Manchester College, St Helens College, West Cheshire College and Skelmersdale and Ormskirk College. Over 180 colleges nationally submitted applications.“In the Northwest, 13 colleges applied for funding so we were very successful in that of these, five were chosen. Very few parts of the country are getting this sort of investment,” says Lis Smith, director of skills with the NWDA. The LSC says it selected projects that will have the greatest impact for learners, employers and communities. In reaching its decision it considered various factors, including the education and skills impact of the proposed project, its contribution to local economic and regeneration priorities and the condition of the campus.
The £27 million awarded to St Helens College will be spent on replacing tired, unsuitable buildings with a modern development that reflects the local glass industry. The project includes the construction of a landmark building, which it is hoped will attract students and assist the college in engaging further with the local community, with its flexible and functional space and external seating, sculpture and performance area. At Skelmersdale and Ormskirk College, being awarded LSC funding means building work on a £42.8 million campus in Skelmersdale can commence. The new facility will give students realistic working environments for hair and beauty, catering and hospitality and sports, as well as a brand new theatre. The NWDA has also provided funding for further education provision in the region. For example, the Agency has pledged £1 million to Cumbria’s Kendal College to create a space for students studying performing arts, dance and music and facilities for sound, lighting and recording.
Building for Barrow’s future Students who embark on sports related courses at Furness College can generally expect to come out with good results, but they can also expect to spend a lot of time travelling to different leisure centres in the area. That is because, despite being strong in sports studies, Furness College doesn’t have any practical sports facilities. Thanks to a £41 million transformation project, this looks set to change.
Licence to learn ach year around 3.3 million people attend courses provided by the 376 further education colleges in England. Yet despite their obvious value in delivering vocational learning, further education colleges have historically been underfunded compared with universities and schools, a situation which earned the sector the nickname ‘Cinderella’. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. In the past decade just under £2 billion has been invested in the renewal and refurbishment of further education establishments –700 projects at nearly 330 colleges across England have been funded by the LSC managed FE (Further Education) Capital building programme. Although there have been considerable issues with the current round of LSC Capital Investment, five Northwest colleges were among 14
“The NWDA has pledged £1m to Cumbria’s Kendal College to create a space for students studying performing arts, dance and music.”
The first phase of the 100,000 square foot campus will include a construction training facility and a sustainable construction visitor centre. The addition of a four storey sixth form block and further vocational facilities will follow in 2011.
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Of the five Northwest colleges, West Cheshire College was given the largest chunk – £73 million. It is using the money to rationalise its buildings into two campuses in Chester and Ellesmere Port. At present, the college has four sites: Handbridge and Greenbank in Chester, Capenhurst and Ellesmere Port. The first phase of the plan is to demolish the Handbridge site to allow the construction of a 72,100 square foot new build. College principal Sara Mogel says in Chester the vision is to provide a technologies campus, housing science, technologies, engineering and maths. “It will provide enhanced facilities and career routes for pupils, as well as meeting the needs of business for leadership, management and technical training.”
The old metal-clad workshops erected in the 1980s to house the college’s construction department are to be demolished and replaced by an iconic four-storey building. This will house all the college’s curriculum areas, including construction, engineering, plumbing, fabrication, pipe welding, catering and hair and beauty. The second phase of the project is revamping the Learning Resource Centre, creating a multi-use games area, a gym and sports classrooms, as well as music technology, multimedia, graphics, creative arts and health and social care learning areas. “It’s really important that we are able to provide training in the area because it’s impossible for many people to go anywhere else to learn – the nearest college is an hour away in Kendal,” explains college principal Anne Attwood. “Also, unlike cities, which have lots of different education providers, we’re the main provider in Barrow and as such, we’re at the core of the town’s regeneration. Students at Furness College are to benefit from a new four-storey building – part of a £41m improvement plan.
“Engineering and construction are both big curriculum areas so updating our environment and resources in these areas will help us to support local industries and their supply chains.”
Weblinks: www.lsc.gov.uk
315º Magazine / NWDA / Places
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“The BBC is making a massive investment in the Northwest. “MediaCityUK will” MediaCityUK will be a fantastic, be a fantastic, state-of-the-art digital centre. state-of-the-art It will be the main digital digital centre. A huge processing centre for our web streaming, our interactive amount of content systems, our ‘red button’ from London 2012 operation, so a huge amount of will be coming content from London 2012 will ”through Salford.” be coming through Salford.” In a speech at the International Broadcasting Conference in Amsterdam in September, Mosey, formerly the corporation’s director of sport, stressed the digital message, speaking of the Games as the ‘flagship event of the fully-digital era’ and ‘a showcase for the digital universe.’
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ack on home soil, he’s just as enthusiastic, and believes companies in the region have a vital role to play. “Manchester had a fantastic success with the Commonwealth Games, and the experience gained is still a major factor in the city’s sporting legacy,” he says. He continues: “The real opportunity for London 2012 is around digital Britain. At the Beijing Olympics, only two per cent of viewers watched some of it on mobile technology. In London, we are going to make almost all our services available on mobile, so people can watch the 100 metres on their phone and then text it with moving pictures to their friends. So if you’re a mobile operator, a digital content provider or a mobile software company, or any of those kind of things, there are big opportunities there.”
With just two years to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, Gareth Chadwick spoke to Roger Mosey, BBC director of London 2012, about the opportunities for the region.
Above: MediaCityUK will be an international media hub when completed in 2011.
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n the words of the then Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, the UK has entered a ‘golden decade of sport’, with the country hosting a series of major sporting events over the next ten years, not least the biggest of them all, the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Businesses in the Northwest are no strangers to supplying major sporting spectacles. The hosting of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester saw 250 businesses secure contracts worth £22 million. This has helped the region develop a wealth of businesses with experience of supplying products and services to major events, including the Athens 2004 Olympics, the FIFA World Cup 2006 (and 2010) and the Beijing 2008 Olympics. With BBC Sport’s impending move to MediaCityUK in 2011, Roger Mosey, BBC director of London 2012, says the Northwest is ideally placed to capitalise on the opportunities of London 2012, not least in the creative and media sector, where the BBC is increasingly focusing on technology and digital innovation as integral elements of the broadcasting mix.
Left: Mosey sees “big opportunities” for Northwest firms.
Having such a major digital hub as MediaCityUK on the doorstep is clearly an advantage for creative and media companies in the Northwest. The sector employs 320,000 people, with more than 31,000 companies generating almost £16 billion a year. The incredible growth of the sector has also been hugely impressive – increasing at twice the rate of the wider UK economy since the mid-1990s. Mosey recognises the strength and depth of the region’s creative and media expertise. But he also sounds a note of caution, in that proximity in itself doesn’t necessarily mean it will be easier to win work from those BBC departments heading to Salford. “Does the fact we are in Salford mean we are more likely to use a graphics company based down the road in Liverpool or Manchester? Honestly, I don’t know. Clearly, we have to be open and transparent in who we do business with. We are seeing companies from all over the UK, indeed the world. Although the good news is that we are also seeing a lot of very strong Northwest companies with things like cutting-edge software or digital 3D imaging expertise,” he says. ∆
Sporting chance
Places / NWDA / 315º Magazine
MediaCityUK welcomes small businesses Small media businesses and emerging creative talent are to benefit from a specialist business incubator at MediaCityUK. The Media Enterprise Centre (MEC), to be located in the south tower of the MediaCityUK studio block, will cover 53,500 square feet across six floors. Individuals and businesses will be able to utilise a range of resources, including flexible office space; specialist training facilities; advice from agencies such as Business Link and Northwest Vision and Media; and access to the NorthernNet super-fast digital media network. The MEC will house an international hub for research into digital media markets and technologies, an industry-led ‘hothouse’ for the development of new digital content and prototypes, and a facility for community groups to learn new skills and create media content.
More information and funding for the projects based within the MEC is expected to be announced during 2010.This includes details of the £3.5 million award from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills for a joint centre of excellence for computer games, with the University of Abertay in Dundee. The centre will offer prototype funding to firms to stimulate the development of new titles and support the growth of companies and jobs across the UK. Phase 1of MediaCityUK is due for completion in 2011 and it is expected that the MEC will be operational from summer of the same year. It is being funded by the NWDA, ERDF in the Northwest and Salford Council, and developed in partnership with Peel Media and Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company.
Weblinks: www.nwbeinspired.com / www.london2012.com / www.mediacityuk.co.uk
315º Magazine / NWDA / Places
Places / NWDA / 315º Magazine
Some of the region’s most deprived areas are set to benefit from a multi-million pound boost to urban investment over the next five years, writes Sarah Addyman.
The emerging creative quarter around Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle has been boosted by the announcement of a £5.2 million investment from the NWDA and Northwest ERDF. The investment will fund a dedicated business hub for the area’s fast growing digital and creative sector, overseen by a new community interest company, Baltic Creative. Baltic Creative, set up by economic development company Liverpool Vision and Merseyside ACME, a creative industries development organisation, will acquire and manage property assets in the area, promoting it as the centre for the creative sector in the city. Each property will be converted on a phased basis to provide offices and studio spaces suitable for creative and digital businesses. Erika Rushton, chair of Baltic Creative, says: “We are part of a network of partners dedicated to enhancing the dynamism and vibrancy of this area. Without the Baltic Triangle there is a hole in the city. The development will link the Albert Dock to the heart of the city centre.” The Baltic Triangle is part of the historic hinterland of Liverpool docks, bordered by Ropewalks, Liverpool One and Kings Waterfront. The new development aims to support more than 60 businesses, upgrade 30,000 square feet of floorspace and, once completed and at full capacity, contribute £1 million to the Liverpool economy every year. “It’s vital that creatives are in the heart of the city and not left on the edge. These plans for the Baltic Triangle will help support and increase the vibrancy by attracting new companies, new ideas and new connections, so that the digital and creative sector can prosper,” says Jenny Douglas, head of city centre at Liverpool Vision. The investment builds on the cluster of creative activity already in the area, which includes Novas Contemporary Urban Centre, A Foundation, The Picket music venue (see panel) and Liverpool Biennial – which moved to the area deliberately to assist in its growth.
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Paul Smith, executive director of Liverpool Biennial, says: “The NWDA investment is going to facilitate further growth and development. The rest is up to us.”
Photography by Mark McNulty.
A long overlooked area by Liverpool docks is becoming a haven for creative businesses. Gareth Chadwick finds out more.
On the Picket line The Picket – a music venue and one of the Baltic Triangle’s existing tenants – is 100 per cent behind the investment being ploughed into the area. The live music club moved from its Hardman Street home in 2006 after the People’s Centre where it was based closed. It was another Baltic Triangle tenant, exhibition and art space provider the A Foundation, which recommended the area to The Picket’s venue director Philip Hayes. Says Hayes: “The way the area has grown is embryonic. We’re just at the beginning, with numerous seeds of activity. The investment in the area will help to develop those seeds further. It should also help to put us on the map, as well as leading to physical improvements such as better signposting and bus services.”
Financing the future of urban development Urban development projects are set to benefit from a £100 million Northwest Urban Investment Fund (NWUIF) announced by the NWDA. The fund, which will be managed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), comprises £50 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the Northwest and the equivalent of £50 million from the NWDA. It will provide loans and investments to kick-start stalled sustainable development projects – proving an extra fillip for the Northwest’s GVA and creating or safeguarding thousands of jobs. Examples of projects to benefit from the NWUIF – which is part of the European Commission’s JESSICA initiative (see panel) – include the development of employment sites, the creation of new commercial floor space, the reclamation of derelict/contaminated land, and provision of site servicing and infrastructure. The target areas for the NWUIF cover five urban regeneration company areas, three regional economic strategy priority areas, and 32 strategic sites.
The fund – which must be fully invested by the end of 2015 – is to be managed by the EIB in the form of a region-wide holding fund. The holding fund,which was established at the end of 2009, will invest in urban development funds (UDFs), responsible for investing in projects in their target areas. For their part, the UDFs will be established through a competitive tender process managed by the EIB and project investments can begin once this process is complete. Emily Smith, strategic initiatives manager at the NWDA, says: “The launch in December was a success and the urban development fund procurement process is on schedule to start in March 2010. This initiative is a great opportunity for the region to put a mechanism in place that will ensure we can prolong the benefit of the ERDF Programme.” “Once the urban development funds have been established, we aim to see NWUIF investment being channelled into new commercial development schemes early in 2011,” adds Smith. ∆
Sea change for Baltic
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What is JESSICA? JESSICA stands for the Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas initiative. It was set up by the European Commission in conjunction with the EIB to promote sustainable investment, growth and jobs in Europe’s urban areas.
Where does the Northwest Urban Investment Fund cover? • Five urban regeneration company areas: Blackpool, Central Salford, East Manchester, Liverpool City Centre and West Cumbria and Furness • Three regional economic strategy priority areas: Barrow, Halton and Knowsley • 32 strategic sites, including Birkenhead Docklands, Manchester Central Park, Daresbury, Liverpool Science Park and Preston Central Business District
Weblinks: www.nwda.co.uk / www.erdfnw.co.uk
315º Magazine / NWDA / The Last Word
The Last Word / NWDA / 315º Magazine
The last word
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Phil Woolas: 60 second interview If he lost his seat tomorrow, you would find Phil Woolas at the top of Pendle Hill. Name: Phil Woolas Age: 49
People on the move
If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be? I would have 10 more staff to help the four I have.
Calendar
31
9-11 February
11 February
11 February
Skills Northwest
Property Week North West Conference & Awards
Nuclear Skills Awards
Aimed at 14-19 year olds, Skills Northwest is the biggest skills and careers event in the region. Bolton Arena
What is the most important lesson you have learnt during your career? Be good to people on the way up.
Awards for the top property players, plus the annual conference, including guest speakers Sir Howard Bernstein and Warren Bradley. Manchester Central
The second UK Nuclear Skills Awards dinner, celebrating both the industry’s continued success and outstanding individual achievement. The Palace Hotel, Manchester
Job title: MP and minister for the Northwest (also borders and immigration minister and treasury minister).
What car do you drive? Audi.
12 February
23 February
2 – 3 March
What football team do you support? Manchester United.
Climate Change Conference
RS2010 Consultation Event
What did you want to be when you were younger? A professor of philosophy.
Where is your favourite holiday destination? La Vendée, France.
What did it say on your school reports? I was a bit of a boffin.
Where is your favourite destination in the Northwest? The White Hart at Lydgate.
This event will launch the Northwest’s revised Climate Change Action Plan for 2010-2012. Midland Hotel, Manchester
Consultation event for Part 1 of the Regional Strategy 2010, the blueprint for sustainable growth in the Northwest. Manchester Central
Soccerex European Forum, Manchester
What was your first ever job? A petrol pump attendant in Burnley.
Where is your favourite restaurant in the Northwest? Sam’s Chop House.
What is the hardest thing about your job? The relentless pressure.
If you lost your job tomorrow, what would you do? Climb Pendle Hill.
11 March
11-13 March
12 March
Ethnic Minority Business Forum Northwest Awards
The Big Bang Fair
BIBAs Lancashire
Recognising and rewarding outstanding achievements made by black and ethnic minority entrepreneurs and businesses. Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
Featuring the National Science & Engineering Competition, the Big Bang Fair celebrates the successes of young people in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Manchester Central
The Be Inspired Business Awards showcase the significant successes and achievements of the Lancashire business community. Globe Theatre, Blackpool
17 March
14-18 April
25 May
Forum of Private Businesses Northwest Roadshow
European Badminton Championships
National Young Directors’ Conference
A mix of engaging speakers and focused workshops all based around the theme of growing your business out of the recession. City of Manchester Stadium
Badminton England plays host to the 2010 European Badminton Championships in Manchester. MEN Arena, Manchester
Hosted by the Institute of Directors, the conference brings together young directors from across the UK.The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
intellectual property business, UMIP. Dr O’Kane previously announced that will step down from Renovo, where she is chief scientific officer, in February 2010. Her advisory role at UMIP will focus on improving its spin-out and licensing activities and encouraging entrepreneurship.
Liverpool’s success as European Capital of Culture. McRae previously worked with Scottish Enterprise.
Bringing together the leading decision makers in the European football industry for two days of intensive networking and business. Manchester Central
For further information visit www.nwda.co.uk/events
University of Liverpool appoints new chancellor Professor Sir David King, former chief scientific adviser to the Government, has been appointed chancellor of the University of Liverpool. Currently director of the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment at Oxford University, Sir David spent 14 years as a professor of physical chemistry in Liverpool between 1974 and 1988.
Cumbria council chief appointed Jill Stannard has been appointed permanent chief executive of Cumbria County Council, where she has been acting chief executive since February 2009. The job is recognised as the leading public sector post in the county in terms of shaping policy, building Cumbria’s reputation and ensuring partner organisations work together in the interests of residents.
O’Kane ready to inspire entrepreneurs Dr Sharon O’Kane, co-founder of Renovo Group, has been appointed ‘entrepreneur in residence’ at Manchester University’s
New tourism boss in Liverpool Liverpool City Council has appointed Alison McRae as director of Destination Liverpool. She will be charged with overseeing the city’s £1.3 billion visitor economy and building on
Pro Manchester names new CEO The former head of wallpaper firm Coloroll, John Ashcroft, has been appointed as the new CEO of professional services marketing group Pro Manchester. Ashcroft replaces former chief executive Daniel Mouwad, who now works for UK Trade & Investment in Dubai. Two new members for Liverpool SuperPort Committee Frank Robotham, the former group marketing director for Peel Ports, has been appointed chairman of The Mersey Partnership’s Liverpool SuperPort Committee. His deputy has been named as Peter Nears, the strategic planning director for Peel Holdings. The roles are both voluntary and will run for an initial term of 12 months.
Getting in touch
Ian Haythornthwaite Executive director Resources Tel: 01925 400 116 Ian.Haythornthwaite@nwda.co.uk
Simon Nokes Executive director Policy and planning Tel: 01925 400 277 Simon.Nokes@nwda.co.uk
Steven Broomhead Chief executive Tel: 01925 400 133 Steven.Broomhead@nwda.co.uk
Peter Mearns Executive director Marketing and communications Tel: 01925 400 212 Peter.Mearns@nwda.co.uk
Mark Hughes Executive director Economic development Tel: 01925 400 531 Mark.Hughes@nwda.co.uk
Nick Brooks-Sykes Director Tourism Tel: 01925 400 472 Nick.Brooks-Sykes@nwda.co.uk
Diane Summers Executive director Corporate and employment services Tel: 01925 400 300 Diane.Summers@nwda.co.uk
At the NWDA we value your views and feedback. Key contacts:
Weblinks: www.nwda.co.uk / www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com
Design: Glorious Creative / www.gloriouscreative.co.uk
resource efficiency ad 315:Layout 1
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We can help If you’re looking to improve and grow your business, making better use of your resources is crucial. Each year businesses lose at least 2% of profit through inefficient management of energy, water and waste. We offer a range of support to help the region’s businesses respond to the opportunities presented by climate change and the move towards a low carbon economy, including: Embedding Resource Efficiency - free advice to save your business money through reducing use of raw materials, consumables, energy and water.
Installing Renewable Energy Technology - specialist advice and support to your business with the installation of renewable energy technology.
Grant for Improving Resource Efficiency - financial support for capital investment projects which reduce C02 emissions.
Help with waste and recycling - access to networks and workshops that put you in touch with waste companies and suppliers of recycled products and services.
Helping you Eco-Innovate - specialist support to help your business exploit the market for sustainable, low carbon products and services.
Specialist support for construction businesses - expert help to secure contracts with demanding sustainability requirements.
To access our support visit: businesslink.gov.uk/northwest or call 0845 00 66 888