MERSEYSIDE'S main inward investment and tourism agency will have its board halved to try to improve the region’s performance.
The Mersey Partnership (TMP) board will shrink from 16 to eight, in a move reminiscent of the Culture Company streamlining just months before 2008.
The shake-up also includes five key panels and task forces – to be led by the private sector – to spearhead the region’s recovery from the recession.
TMP chairman Rod Holmes hinted the changes could even mean he or chief executive Lorraine Rogers could end up being replaced.
“The new board will decide if we are fit for purpose, if we have the right chairman, if we have the right chief executive, for example,” he said.
The changes were outlined to TMP members and invited guests at Knowsley Hall yesterday.
It came just days after Liverpool Council appeared to undermine the organisation by deciding to appoint its own tourism guru. The meeting had been dubbed as a “make or break” meeting for the long- term future of TMP.
Frank McKenna, of Downtown Liverpool in Business, said TMP had “gone some way” to answering its critics.
“Ultimately it will be about delivery. If they can deliver what they have said it will be good news.”
