20 apply for Liverpool plc job

Aug 22 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

THE chief executive for Liverpool’s new “super quango” should be appointed by the end of next month, it was revealed last night.

The deadline for applications for the new body, provisionally called Liverpool plc, was last week.

Under fire council leader Warren Bradley last night said about 20 people had applied, and a long list is now being drawn up before short listing and interviews for the post that will carry a £150,000 salary, plus performance bonuses. It is hoped that chief executive will take up the post in January next year before the quango starts to operate in April.

The chief executive is expected to be at the edge of helping to make Liverpool world-class. Cllr Bradley said: “It’s a crucial job for the future of the city, so I would expect some very good applicants.

“Hopefully we will be appointing someone by the end of September, so that with three months notice they can be in post by January.”

Cllr Bradley is currently under pressure from Labour rivals to step down for his handling of the Mathew Street Festival fiasco. He said that a long list would be drawn up before short-listing and interviews.

Liverpool plc will eventually take over the functions of the city’s existing “big three” economic agencies, Liverpool Vision, Business Liverpool, and Liverpool Land Development Company.

It will concentrate on four “pillars” of development – quality of place, skilled workforce, investment and enterprise.

It is hoped the new organisation will stream-line investment into the city.

A criticism that has been levelled was that the array of quangos dedicated to promoting Liverpool was too confusing, hindering progress.

TONY McDONOUGH – BUSINESSWEEK: PAGE 8