Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has appointed Maggie O’ Carroll, the Founder and CEO of the leading social enterprise organisation, The Women’s Organisation, as co-chair of the Liverpool City Region Cultural Partnership (LCRCP).

Maggie has been chosen to sit alongside Professor Phil Redmond to represent the city region’s cultural and creative sectors in exciting new role.

The Cultural Partnership is the lead body representing the city region’s cultural and creative sectors and aims to develop a joined-up vision and strategy for art, culture and creativity across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.

Established in 2017 the partnership has overseen the development and delivery of the LCR Culture and Creativity Strategy, which was adopted by the Mayoral Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in March 2018 to work alongside its wider economic and social priorities.

Current membership includes representation from creative and cultural organisations, the media, Universities and local authorities, alongside representation from the Liverpool Arts and Regeneration Consortium (LARC).

Members lead on the development of a strategic framework for culture, overseeing the ongoing development of the LCR Culture and Creativity Strategy and communicating and engaging with those they represent within the sector.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:

“Our region is the UK’s cultural capital and I know that the Cultural Partnership will be in safe hands with Maggie’s appointment. Her energy, experience and vision will help to take it from strength-to-strength.

We are the only area in the country with powers over culture and I’m determined to make sure our communities feel the benefits. That is why we are investing in transformative projects like the Shakespeare Playhouse in Prescot, the Eureka Science Museum on the Wirral, it’s why we set aside 1% of our budget every year for culture, and it’s why I established the Borough of Culture programme to showcase the distinctive cultural offerings in each of our districts.

We’ve already made great strides and I’m excited to see where Maggie and Phil take things.”

Maggie O’Carroll, CEO of The Women’s Organisation, said:

“Whether it’s our museums, art galleries, theatres or our music, the Liverpool City Region has a rich and widely diverse cultural offering, which informs much of our identity today.

“Indeed, it is in large part thanks to our culture and creative arts which makes the Liverpool City Region such an incredibly vibrant and exciting place to live, work and do business, not to mention putting us on a national and international stage as a growing visitor economy. It’s so important that we recognise and invest in our culture and creativity if we are to continue to thrive as a local economy.

“What’s more, as communities it is so important that we all have opportunity to access and enjoy this shared history. Here at The Women’s Organisation, much of our work over the last two decades has been dedicated to making sure women have the opportunity and means to take a more active role in society and their local communities.

We know that creative social interventions are paramount in inclusively engaging local people, strengthening communities and in creating positive outcomes in wellbeing, health and education.

“I’m delighted to be able to play a part in continuing the development of our cultural strategy and ensuring that this identity is built upon and secured for years to come.”

Professor Phil Redmond, Co-Chair of the partnership, said:

“It is great news that Maggie O’Carroll as agreed to join the LCP as Deputy Chair. Following the recent success of both the LCP Cultural Awards and the ongoing Borough of Culture programme, the LCP is ready to develop and deliver a stronger, more co-ordinated cultural strategy across the region. I have no doubt that Maggie’s demonstrable expertise, enthusiasm and energy will help drive that vision forward and look very much to working with her.”