Head of Liverpool Embassy Interview
Chris Heyes is Head of the Liverpool Embassy in London. Below he gives us an update on the embassy’s progress, his role and his hopes for its future.
How is the Liverpool Embassy going?
“It’s going really well and we are so busy down here. To date we have had 60 business meetings with more than 300 people through the door, which considering it is invitation only is a lot.
“The team is busy talking to businesses about expansion opportunities within Liverpool or even moving part of their business to Liverpool as a more cost effective place to work. We all know that having a headquarters in London is important to many businesses but there are parts they can easily move to reduce the total cost.
“We are also talking to investors about opportunities within large development schemes that Liverpool Vision is involved in, such as Liverpool Waters and Central Village and we are also trying to change the perceptions of some people in London. Simple things like getting people to understand we are only two hours away on the train and dispelling outdated stereotypes. We then aim to facilitate visits to Liverpool, where we all know the city sells itself.”
What has your role at the Liverpool Embassy involved?
“My role is to create a network in London and meet with as many influential people as I can, it`s very different from my role as Technical and Operations Manager at World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.
“Here I am more the face of Liverpool which is a worry when you have a face like mine. I also have to manage the embassy staff, the enquiries that we receive and the 15 events that we need to deliver. All in all it’s a very busy but very interesting week and no two days are the same.”
What have been the Challenges so far?
“The major challenge was ensuring that the Liverpool Embassy opened in time! I came on board this project in early December 2010. Firstly I researched suitable premises, kitted out our chosen location, installed all the IT, AV and sound systems and arranged a schedule for staff, so there were a lot of late nights and early mornings
“Now that the embassy is open the challenge is different. Now it`s about managing the events and getting the right people through the door. This involves a lot of pro-active drive and knowledge transfer. In other words, I speak to a variety of people to discover suitable contacts and how I can get to speak to them.”
What has the response been like from potential investors / Liverpool businesses involved?
“With investors it’s often a slow process, no-one just hands over a few million pounds on the first meeting. The biggest win we can have for Liverpool is having Liverpool on “the list”. If we are one of the options then we have a chance. In the past Liverpool may not have been an option but I think that is now changing.
“Liverpool businesses are also really enthusiastic about the embassy. The embassy feels like a small piece of Liverpool right in the heart of the financial capital of the world. I can sense their pride when they suggest to them that they could meet their clients in the Liverpool Embassy rather than in a hotel or at their offices.
“What has also surprised me has been the number of ‘Scousers’ we have down here in London and in true Liverpool style they want to be part of it and open up their contacts for me, which is great.”
What have been your highlights to date?
“The first is my first ever radio appearance which went out live on Radio Merseyside. The second was meeting the Korean ambassador at a recent event in the embassy and the third was telling my colleague Roz Lloyd that Gok Wan lives in our apartments were she decided to go into a big flamboyant impression of him when he was stood behind her. The word ‘beetroot’ springs to mind”.
What are your hopes for the Liverpool Embassy’s future?
“I really hope that the initiative can continue into the future. We are starting to make good progress telling people about Liverpool and its offer. It is a great sell and we no longer need to be thinking about grants to attract businesses and developers. There is money to be made in Liverpool which should be the lure for everyone. I also hope that we can attract new developers, businesses and investors to come to Liverpool and see for themselves what a fantastic city for business Liverpool is.”
For more information on the Liverpool Embassy visit: www.liverpoolinlondon.com
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The Capital, 39 Old Hall Street, Liverpool
L3 9PP
Telephone: +44(0)151 600 2900
Email:
info@liverpoolvision.co.uk