CITY-BASED lobby group Professional Liverpool (PL) was last night forced to rebuff claims from its former chief executive that they had presided over “a wasted year for Liverpool’s professional firms”.

The criticism came from Mark Chadwick, who left the organisation last August after the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) pulled its funding, which accounted for 80% of the group’s income.

Mr Chadwick said: “PL had an outstanding first quarter last year, but the loss of NWDA funding hit the business hard and it simply failed to react.

“Given that they are a membership organisation set up for the benefit of all members, the response since has been disappointingly opaque.

“I think the members are entitled to ask what has been done and why positive options to maintain a full-time operation with genuinely strategic intent were rejected.

“A part time, pro-bono gentlemen’s luncheon club run as a hobby is unlikely to find space in the market – it’s been a wasted year.”

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.

The loss of NWDA funding has seen PL scale back its ambitions, although the group will still look to raise the profile of the financial and professional services sector.

PL pointed to the success of its MIPIM-related No Cannes Do lunch earlier this month, which attracted 400 people, and an Access to Finance conference it hosted yesterday.

“Professional Liverpool has a clear strategy and a strong and vibrant programme in place to support members,” said a spokesperson for the group.

“The loss of funding presented a significant challenge to which the board has reacted and responded with a new focus to ensure the group’s survival and growth.

“Actions such as the appointment of former Liverpool Vision chief executive Jim Gill, and the strengthening of ties with the University of Liverpool, are a testament to this.

“In addition, Professional Liverpool is now in advanced discussions with Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, exploring ways in which collaboration can assist and strengthen both bodies, while retaining separate identities.

“The main professional bodies which were among Professional Liverpool’s founding members have also re-affirmed their support, and there is an encouraging level of interest from potential new members.”

Last month, Mr Steinberg backed the organisation, saying: “Professional services in this city are central to the region’s future, and it is essential that it is represented and promoted by dedicated bodies like Professional Liverpool.”