The chair of the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, Robert Hough, has said that the City Region should approach the next 12 months with confidence in order to take maximum advantage of the growing economy.
Addressing Members at the LEP’s ‘Review of the Year’ event, held at Dale Street’s Aloft Hotel on Thursday 10 December, Hough outlined the successes of 2015 and gave his analysis of what 2016 holds for business.
Mr Hough gave an upbeat assessment of the region’s economic prospects and said the LEP would play a critical role in driving economic growth. Recent ONS figures, he said, show a net gain of 44,000 new private sector jobs in the City Region since 2010, a greater growth rate than all peer city regions.
Talking about the New Year, He said: “We will see the start of the implementation of the Devolution Agreement signed recently and the Government’s concept of a Northern Powerhouse gain momentum – never in 25 years have I seen such a strong desire for the whole of the North to work together for its individual and common benefits – enabling our City Region and the rest of the North to create one functioning economic area and a pan-Northern labour market.
“So concentrating on improving the scale and impact of the North collectively is vital – to increase connectivity, which in turn, will drive labour and skills mobility, and by deepening our sectoral expertise by collaboration – particularly around areas where the City Region plays such an important role like the Port and Logistics, Health and BioScience and Energy.
“We have another vibrant and successful Festival for Business planned for 2016 – cementing our reputation as the place in the UK to hold trade and business festivals and providing an opportunity to promote what is brilliant about Britain’s goods and services and particularly those within the North of England.”
He concluded his address with a rallying call to business saying: “My message to you here today is be confident, the City Region is going places and you and your businesses are crucial to building the next stage of our economic progress.
“It means jobs and prosperity and security for people here over future decades.
“Throughout all this, the Local Enterprise Partnership will play an absolutely vital role. We will continue to represent the private sector as well as help create a strong alliance between all other partners as the City Region establishes itself as an area of significant economic importance nationally and internationally.”