A new growth company for Liverpool City Region has been established to help create jobs, build business, attract investment and help our young people.

Named Growth Platform, the company will co-ordinate, manage and promote a wide range of business support, growth, investment, skills initiatives and sector development services across the City Region to make life easier for businesses seeking to start, invest and grow here.

The formation of Growth Platform has been spearheaded by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The company will work in partnership with local authorities, businesses, universities and colleges and the third sector.

On the establishment of Growth Platform, Asif Hamid MBE, Chair of the LEP says: “Many organisations told us that the business growth and investment landscape in the City Region was cluttered and confusing and what they wanted was a clearer, simpler model that makes sense of this landscape. In establishing Growth Platform as a joint venture between the LEP and the Combined Authority we have done just that. We now have an organisation that is properly fit-for-purpose to co-ordinate, manage and support the business growth and investment priorities our City Region needs – delivering with and through those organisations that are best able to add value to business in our region and make a difference to our economy.”

Welcoming the new company, Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor for Liverpool City Region said: “As City Region Mayor and on behalf of the Combined Authority, I am delighted to endorse the establishment of Growth Platform as our City Region’s Growth Company. Together with the LEP we have ambitious plans for inclusive growth in the city region and our focus is on making these happen by working in partnership.

“This company will be vital to the delivery of this growth and I would encourage organisations from across the City Region to get actively involved and work with us through the Growth Platform to help deliver our City Region’s remarkable economic potential.”

Growth Platform activity includes:

• a coordinated investment service into the City Region to promote the City Region’s assets and capabilities, and manage and deliver international trade and investment campaigns in partnership with business, education and colleagues in our Local Authorities and the Combined Authority;
• a raft of sector initiatives to support, strengthen and promote city region key sector specialisms and expertise and further grow our outstanding visitor economy;
• an enhanced Local Growth Hub service for local businesses to get the support they need to survive and scale up
• programmes with schools, colleges and universities to help improve the transition between education and employment in the City Region to retain and enhance our talent base.

Amanda Follit, MD TH_NK Live said: “This is a really positive step for the City Region. As we all know Liverpool City Region is naturally collaborative – Growth Platform will not only enhance our fantastic collaborative spirit but will help businesses and people connect across the region to work together, to share insights and to help inform and inspire our community for the good of our economy as a whole.”

Staff from the LEP will be based in the new company and a company board has been established with both public and private sector expertise.

The LEP, through its board and sub-boards, will continue its role providing insight and expertise from the private sector to help develop strategy and policy for the city region’s economy.