Liverpool woos 250 top investors at London conference
Political and business chiefs addressed up to 250 potential investors in Liverpool at a special summit at the top of London’s iconic Gherkin building.
Council leader Joe Anderson, Liverpool Vision boss Max Steinberg and senior directors from Peel Holdings attended the Liverpool In London conference, with a view to enticing key movers and shakers in the business world to look at investment opportunities.
The event was organised and hosted by major national building firm Balfour Beatty, which has worked on a number of major projects in Liverpool, including the Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre and Liverpool One.
Vision chief executive Mr Steinberg spoke about how the Super Port plan and low-carbon industry would boost the city’s economic growth, as well as opportunities opening up in financial services, pharmaceuticals, the motor industry and the “knowledge economy” centred around the city’s universities and science parks.
A 45-minute presentation was given by the Liverpool team, delivered jointly by Cllr Anderson, Mr Steinberg and council regeneration director Nick Kavanagh.
Peel Holdings’ Ian Pollitt talked about opportunities growing from the Liverpool Waters development.
Cllr Anderson said the event had given the Liverpool delegation the chance to network with hedge fund managers and investment bankers.
He said a number of them had planned visits to Liverpool to look at opportunities on the back of the event.
Cllr Anderson added: “There is genuine interest in Liverpool from all quarters.
“We were there to show that despite the recession and other challenges we face, Liverpool is open for business and is a prime area for investment opportunities.
“The reception was very strong and people say they admire the way Liverpool is positive about itself, its future and what it can offer those who seize the opportunity to do business with us.”
The event was supported by staff from Liverpool’s London Embassy, which opened in January.
Cllr Anderson said it was intended to keep the embassy presence alive in London, and that businesses in the capital had offered space for the Liverpool staff to work from.
Cllr Anderson added: “I think the bottom line is, although the private sector has benefited from the embassy, you cannot keep saying to them ‘keep paying for it’.
“It’s very easy for me to say this to try to justify it, but if you talk to the businesses which used it, they will tell you it has been a success.”
[Image: Joe Anderson, Max Steinberg and others at the Gherkin, London, for an investment drive]
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