Law Society Magazine
John Hall, Chief Executive of Professional Liverpool outlines the role and aims of the organisation...
Professional Liverpool (PL) was established 10 years ago under the aegis and with the support of The Bank of England. Its principal aim is to promote professional excellence in Liverpool and the surrounding region, thus maintaining and enhancing the image of the professional community as a whole, and Liverpool’s reputation as a financial centre. PL also aims to enhance opportunities for its members to develop networks and to assist in the economic development of Merseyside and the North West.
For approximately seven years, PL was funded by members’ subscriptions and various events. NWDA then offered funding. But after one year, this was withdrawn by virtue of NWDA no longer being supported by central government, PL experienced financial difficulties but the Board steered PL through these difficult times and oversaw changes which now mean that PL is on a stable financial footing and is well placed to contribute to the continuing regeneration of the City and member firms There are approximately 7000 professional firms in the Liverpool City Region, employing 70,000 people. The importance of the sector cannot be overstated. It is one of the cornerstones of the city region’s economy.
To achieve our aims we:-
GROW the sector through the support offered to members
PROMOTE professional excellence in Liverpool, thus promoting Liverpool as a business centre
ATTRACT new expertise and business into the city.
We do this by:-
COLLABORATION – hosting networking events, forming strategic partnerships and alliances with other organisations whose aim is similarly to promote Liverpool, and creating special interest groups to address specific issues and progress initiatives
REPRESENTATION - making our voice heard with Local Government, relevant public bodies and lobbying groups
PROFILE - ensuring that PL is the voice of the sector and a key influencer of opinion and strategy wherever appropriate.
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS - putting together a keynote speaker programme for members, providing
access to a wide range of expertise and assisting with the Liverpool University placement programme.
Our events programme addresses important local, national and global economic and business issues and also provides other more social networking opportunities. Recent events have been a dinner with Jon Moulton, renowned venture capitalist and an address by Gervais Williams, a very successful fund manager.
Future events include:-
The visit of the Lord Mayor of London (we are putting together a wide ranging programme which will involve PL members). This follows the highly successful visit which we organised for last year’s Lord Mayor.
A joint event with Merseyside Special Investment Fund to explain management buy outs and buy ins and to discuss funding options
Dinner with Liverpool University MBA students to assist in their understanding of business life
Promotion of the Well Being Charter in conjunction with the National Health Trust
The Cannes Do lunch in March which is now one of the highlights of the Liverpool business calendar attracting in excess of 400 attendees.
Involvement in the Global Entrepreneurship Congress with Liverpool Vision by mentoring and advising in the Great Enterprise Challenge for schools in Liverpool. This will be the precursor to a legacy programme ensuring
continuing commitment to future entrepreneurship in the city.
Hosting a performance of Beethoven’s 5th symphony by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra on May 2nd providing an opportunity to network and to meet conductor Vasily Petrenko.
Golf Day in June – details to be announced in due course.
Sponsorship of Ladies Day at the International Liverpool Tennis Tournament on June 22nd.
We will be hosting at least one major dinner and a number of breakfast and lunchtime events addressing topics of interest to members.
Membership has been increased by 50% over the last few months and goes from strength to strength. Recent new members include Bibby Financial Services, Bermans, Ove Arup, Curtins, Forster Dean, Santander, Charles Stanley, Cheviots, Boodles, and NHS Trust.
Discussions are taking place with a set of barrister’s chambers, hopefully the first but not the last set to join.
All sectors are represented. Our events cater for all businesses from sole practitioners to the multi nationals. At our recent AGM, we established a new category of Corporate membership to involve companies who support and rely on the Liverpool professional and financial sector. This will open up new networking opportunities for members. We are well aware that firms have their own networking events, but PL sits above member firms and increases the opportunities for mutual business.
Annual subscription is based on the number of people employed in the Liverpool City region office starting at £250 between 2 and 10, going up on a sliding scale to £1950 for firms who employ over 250 people. If you are not a member, you should join to enjoy the benefits. We will be extremely surprised and disappointed if within the first year of membership you have not, as an absolute minimum, increased your business to cover your subscription cost.
If you are interested please contact Marjorie Barrow on 0151 224 1855 or email marjoriebarrow@professionaliverpool.com
I will be happy to meet you to clarify any matters you wish to raise.
John Hall
Chief Executive