CITY-BASED lobby group Professional Liverpool (PL) has launched its latest incarnation as it looks to establish itself as an independent, privately-funded voice of the sector.
It ends months of uncertainty about its future after the Northwest Development Agency cut its £200,000-a-year grant, which resulted in the departure of chief executive Mark Chadwick.
PL has appointed former Liverpool Vision chief executive Jim Gill to its board, although it has no plans to have a full-time figurehead, and has begun a partnership with the University of Liverpool.
That will see PL help to develop talent in the region through collaboration with the University on the management development programme, LEAD.
But it is the short-term boon of having an 80-strong paid membership, which it aims to increase to more than 100 in the next year, which has secured the organisation’s future – although PL declined to say how much had been committed.
Stephen Burrows, chairman of PL, said: “Self-sufficiency from membership fees has always been the long term objective for PL and we are confident that we have a strong and stable platform from which to continue to grow and expand.
“We count some of the city’s largest professional firms and notable individuals among our members.
“The fact that these organisations are putting their money towards the continued growth and success of the city region’s professional services offering is a tangible marker of the belief in the sustainability and long-term goals of PL.
“The appointment of Jim Gill is a real coup and we are set to gain a great deal of insight and strategic direction through his involvement.”
PL was founded in 2001 but Mr Chadwick became the organisation’s first chief executive when he started work in April, 2008.It extended its remit to include attracting inward investment and promoting the city’s offering nationally and internationally.
Although PL will still look to raise the profile of the financial and professional services sector in the Liverpool city region, its ambitions have been scaled back.
Its immediate plans include “driving involvement” in the Liverpool city region’s Local Enterprise Partnership, the publication in February of the Commercial Office Market Review and the “No Cannes Do” lunch coinciding with MIPIM – a networking opportunity for those not attending the property exhibition in the French resort.
PL’s nine-strong board will be presenting detailed plans to its members next month.
The University tie-up will see PL identify 25 candidates within its membership and offer a 20-week programme in conjunction with the University’s Management School to help develop their skills.
Mr Burrows said: “The partnership with the University and continually expanding membership base all continue to boost the overall offering to the professional community in the city.”
