Search is on for chief of new ‘super quango’

Jul 11 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

THE SEARCH has been launched to find a chief executive for the new ‘super quango’ that will promote Liverpool’s economic growth.

The top job at the new body, provisionally called Liverpool plc, will be paid a £150,000 salary, plus performance bonuses.

City leaders last night said the ideal candidate would be someone of national or international repute and ability.

A transitional board has already been appointed to oversee the setting-up of the new body and a chairman will be appointed next week.

Business and town hall execu-tives said the chief executive would be at the edge of helping to make Liverpool world-class – and as such it was vital the right person was found.

The job advert describes the post as an “outstanding opportunity to be part of a team that will shape the future of Liverpool, and secure a prosperous and successful legacy for generations to come”.

The closing date for applications is August 15, and the new quango is expected to start work in April 2008.

A website set up to promote the role states: “Despite the potential, a sustainable and prosperous future is by no means secured.

“Nothing less than an economic step-change will put Liverpool firmly on the international stage as a famous and successful city.”

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 – qual- ity of place, skilled workforce, investment and enterprise.

Liverpool leader, CLLr Warren Bradley said: “It needs to be somebody both good at development and inward investment.

“I don’t think the salary is excessive if you look at the responsibility they are going to have pushing Liverpool forward. We have looked around the world and £150,000 is about right. I think we will have some superb candidates.”

Frank McKenna, chairman of Downtown Liverpool in Business, said the candidate needed to ensure the outskirts of the city like Dingle and ToxTeth exper- ienced the ripple effect of the wealth being created in the city.

davidbartlett@dailypost.co.uk