Connected - Liverpool Chamber of Commerce

Page created by Bryan Elliott
 
CONTINUE READING
Connected - Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
Well
Connected
                                     January 2020

               Official Magazine for Liverpool Chamber

                                 INSIDE...
                                  • Business Growth
                                    Opportunities in a Low
                                    Carbon Economy
                                  • The impact of genomics
                                    on the future of
                                    Healthcare
                                  • How IT, tech and
                                    software solutions can
                                    reduce the carbon
                                    footprint of your
                                    business

                 Going Green
                       Sue Weir CEO, of Liverpool
                      based health insurer, on the
                      benefits of green initiatives.

Liverpool                                       Connect
                                                Support
Chamber                                         Thrive.
Connected - Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
WELCOME & CONTENTS

                                                                                                Welcome to 2020 a new decade, and for us,
                                                                                                170 years since the Chamber opened its doors.
                                                                                                In the wake of the General              attracting, developing and           This edition of Well Connected
                                                                                                Election result, there has been         retaining outstanding talent         gives insights into some of the
                                                                                                much negativity expressed about         both externally and from within      outstanding contributions made
                                                                                                the prospects for Liverpool which,      the region.                          by businesses in our City Region,
                                                                                                whilst understandable, must give                                             with a particular focus upon the
       WANT TO                        ARE YOU                      FREQUENTLY                   way to a determination from             We must continue to make the         low carbon economy.
                                                                                                us all to take ownership of our
    IMPROVE YOUR                    MISSING NEW                    IN MEETINGS                  economic destiny.
                                                                                                                                        economic case for a connected
                                                                                                                                        city region that has a transport     Established in 1850 to represent
      CUSTOMER                        BUSINESS                      OR ON THE                   My overriding hope for 2020
                                                                                                                                        and digital infrastructure that      the commercial interests of
                                                                                                                                        boosts productivity.                 the businesses of Liverpool
       SERVICE?                      ENQUIRIES?                      PHONE?                     therefore is that we move away
                                                                                                from the paralysis of the last two
                                                                                                                                                                             and to meet and act for a
                                                                                                                                        We need to maximise                  common good, 2020 is our 170th
                                                                                                years to stimulate our business
                                                                                                                                        our existing competitive             anniversary and we are looking
                                                                                                community allowing them to
                                                                                                thrive and grow, delivering real        advantages of sport, culture         forward to an exciting year
                                                                                                sustainable economic growth which       and visitor economy to               ahead. Despite the ongoing
                                                                                                benefits all sections of our society.   stimulate the creation and           challenges, there is still cause
       Think about your customer service for a moment.                                                                                  growth of new businesses. All of
                                                                                                                                        which reinforces our status as a
                                                                                                                                                                             for guarded optimism, and
                                                                                                                                                                             our ultimate aims remain the
                                                                                                We need to inspire the next
 Are you offering the best possible experience for anyone that                                  generation of talent through a          globally-networked city region,      same – working in partnership
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Regards
                                                                                                new social partnership between          famous for the quality and           to support our members to grow
                      rings your business?                                                      businesses and education,               quantity of its trade.               and succeed.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Paul Cherpeau
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        CEO

Do you suffer from…
• Annoying phone calls whilst trying to work?                                                                                                Find Inside
                                                                                                  Page 16
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Page 28
• Phone call interruptions during meetings?                                                       Responsible
                                                                                                   Business
                                                                                                                                             4-5      Economy                  31-32        Health & Wellbeing                                    Low Carbon
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               New life for old
                                                                                                   Business Growth                           7        Skills                   35           International
• Missed business leads from unanswered calls?                                                     Opportunities in
                                                                                                     a Low Carbon                            8        Membership               38-39        Ask the Expert
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              vehicles with
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              clever retro fit
                                                                                                         Economy                                                                                                                              technology
                                                                                                                                                      Update
                                                                                                                                                                               40           Skills
                                                                                                                                             9        New Members
                                                                                                                                                                               41           Equality & Diversity
                                                                                                                                             11       Voice of Business
                                                                                                                                                                               42-43        Growth
                                                                                                                                             14-15    Environment
                     Give your customers your undivided attention. They                                                                      16-18    Responsible
                                                                                                                                                                               44-45        Members News
                                                                                                                                                      Business                 46-47        Chamber Events
                     want to speak to real people and don’t have time for                              Page 31
                                                                                                         Health &                            19-21    Digital                  48           Annual Dinner
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Page 45
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Members News
                     automation or voicemail.                                                            Wellbeing
                                                                                                        The impact of                        22       Members News                          Review
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               How IT, tech and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               software solutions
                                                                                                         genomics on                                                                                                                           can reduce the
                                                                                                         the future of                       24       Regeneration             49           Staff Directory                                    carbon footprint of
                                                                                                          Healthcare                                                                                                                           your business
                                                                                                                                             26-30    Cover Feature            50           5 Minutes with...
                     Be the business your callers want to ring because
                     they’re greeted with friendly people each time!
                                                                                                Enquiries                                            Published                                                Disclaimer
                                                                                                Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce              January 2020 © Benham Publishing                         Well Connected is mailed without charge to
                                                                                                Number One Old Hall Street,                          Media No. 1715                                           all Chamber members and distributed at all
                                                                                                Liverpool L3 9HG                                     Editorial Content Manager                                Chamber events. All correspondence should be
                                                                                                t: 0151 227 1234                                     Annette McGarry                                          addressed to the Editorat Liverpool & Sefton
                         Call today on 0333 323 1007                                            e: membership@liverpoolchamber.org.uk                e: editorial@liverpoolchamber.org.uk                     Chambers of Commerce. Views expressed in
                                                                                                                                                                                                              publication are not necessarily those of Liverpool
            Book a call back – www.ffb.co.uk/book-a-call-back                                   w: www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk                       Advertising and Features
                                                                                                                                                     Karen Hall
                                                                                                                                                                                                              & Sefton Chambers of Commerce. Reprinting in
                                                                                                                                                                                                              whole or part is forbidden except by permission
                                                                                                Publisher
                      Drop us an email hello@ffb.co.uk                                          Benham Publishing Limited,
                                                                                                                                                     Tel: 0151 236 4141
                                                                                                                                                     e: karen@benhampublishing.com
                                                                                                                                                                                                              of the Editor. © 2020. Whilst every effort is made
                                                                                                                                                                                                              to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material
                                                                                                Aintree Building, Aintree Way,
                                                                                                                                                     Advertising Sales                                        published in this journal, Benham Publishing
                                                                                                Aintree Business Park,                               Catherine McCarthy                                       and its agents can accept no responsibility for
                                                                                                Liverpool L9 5AQ                                     e: catherine@benhampublishing.com
• Chamber approved and member for 5+ years - 1 million calls answered - ISO 9001 Accredited •   t: 0151 236 4141
                                                                                                                                                                                                              the veracity of claims made by contributions
                                                                                                                                                     Studio                                                   in advertising or editorial content. Benham
       • All calls recorded for quality assurance - No charge for unwanted sales calls •        e: admin@benhampublishing.com                        Peter Wilkinson                                          Publishing cannot be held responsible for any
                                                                                                w: www.benhampublishing.com                          e: peter@benhampublishing.com                            inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.
              • Unique feedback function – 100% 5* Google & Facebook Reviews •
                                                                                                 Liverpool                                        @LpoolChamber               @LiverpoolChamber                               Liverpool Chamber                      3
                                                                                                 Chamber
Connected - Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
ISSN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ISSN2398-4406
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       2398-4406              BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
                       BCC    ECONOMICS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ISSN  2398-4406

                   BCC BCC  ECONOMICS
                              ECONOMICS
                  BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              LOOKING
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              BRITISH CHAMBERS          AHEAD OF COMMERCE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ECONOMY

  LOOKING AHEAD                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               LOOKING                   AHEAD
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              The survey of over 6,400 firms, employing more than 800,000 people, points to continued stagnation amid rising
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              business costs and a slowing global economy. The balance of firms reporting improved cash flow – a key indicator
    BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE                                                                                                                                                                                                                              of the health of businesses – remains very weak across both manufacturing and service sectors. Indicators for
    BRITISH
BRITISH         CHAMBERS
          CHAMBERS
                of over 6,400OF  OF   COMMERCE
                                  COMMERCE                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The survey of over 6,400  firms, employing more  than 800,000   people,  points todownward
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     continuedtrends.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    stagnation amid rising
  QUARTERLY                     ECONOMIC
                                      economy. The balance ofSURVEY
     The survey               firms, employing more than 800,000 people, points to continued stagnation amid rising

  QUARTERLY                     ECONOMIC                     SURVEY              Q4
                                                                manufacturing andQ4
                                                                                      cash2019
                                                                                  service 2019
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              improvements   across investment   and business confidence also show continuing

QUARTERLY
  of the health of businessesECONOMIC                      SURVEY                Q4       2019
  business costs and a slowing global                        firms reporting improved      flow – a key indicator                                                                                                                                              business costs and a slowing global economy. The balance of firms reporting improved cash flow – a key indicator
                              – remains  very weak across both                            sectors. Indicators for                                                                                                                                              of the health of businesses – remains very weak across both manufacturing and service sectors. Indicators for
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Firms facing downward
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               improvements across investment and business confidence also show continuing          pressures to raise prices due to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   trends.
       improvements
       The               across
            British Chambers  of investment
                                 Commerce’s and     business
                                               Quarterly      confidence
                                                          Economic  Survey also
                                                                             – nowshow
                                                                                     in itscontinuing
                                                                                            thirtieth year downward
                                                                                                             – is the UK’strends.
                                                                                                                              largest private
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       the following factors:
       The British
       sector       Chambers
               survey of of   of Commerce’s
                         business  sentiment   Quarterly
                                              and         Economic
                                                  a leading         Survey
                                                            indicator  of UK –GDP
                                                                               nowgrowth.
                                                                                     in its thirtieth  year – is Q4
                                                                                              The results          the UK’s reveal
                                                                                                                              largestthat
                                                                                                                                       private
                                                                                                       year –foris the2019                  the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     0%                                                         0%
The British Chambers        Commerce’s    Quarterly   Economic   Survey    – now   in its thirtieth                    UK’s largest      private                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Manufacturing Sector
       sector
       UK      surveyended
          economy     of business
                            2019   sentiment
                                  in          and
                                     stagnation   a leading
                                                amid        indicator
                                                      continued        of UK GDP
                                                                uncertainty,  risinggrowth.
                                                                                      businessThe   results
                                                                                                 costs   and  for
                                                                                                               a  Q4 2019
                                                                                                                 slowing     reveal
                                                                                                                           global     that the
                                                                                                                                    economy.                                                                                                                                                              -25%                  +25%                                 -25%                 +25%

sector UK
       survey   of business  sentiment   and  a leading  indicator of  UK   GDP   growth.
          economy ended 2019 in stagnation amid continued uncertainty, rising business
                                                                                             The   results
                                                                                                 costs   and
                                                                                                              for  Q4  2019
                                                                                                               a slowing
                                                                                                                               reveal
                                                                                                                           global
                                                                                                                                        that
                                                                                                                                    economy.
                                                                                                                                              the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Firms facing pressures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Service Sector
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 to raise prices due to
                                                                                              Firms  facing pressures to raise prices due to                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               72%
UK economy ended 2019 in stagnation        amid   continued   uncertainty,  rising  business    costs
                                                                                              the        and
                                                                                                  following    a slowing
                                                                                                             factors:       global    economy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            the following factors:

 “
                                  0%                                0%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                0%                                                         0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               -50%                                        +50%           -50%                                       +50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Manufacturing Sector                                                                                                                                                                                                                Manufacturing Sector
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 59%

““
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 +25%                                                      +25%
                The results indicate        that the UK economy limped               through the final quarter of 2019. The fourth quarter was
                                 -25%                                          -25%    +25%                                                             +25%                                                                                                                                               -25%                                                       -25%

                                                                                                                                                       Service Sector                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Service Sector
                The   results   indicate    that the  UK  economy
                characterised by a broad-based slowdown in the dominant  limped      through the     final quarter
                                                                                                services    sector of   2019.
                                                                                                                     with      The indicators
                                                                                                                           all key  fourth
                                                                                                                                        72% quarter  was in the
                                                                                                                                                weakening
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  +35%                                                       +29%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             72%                            46%
          The results  indicate
                characterised
                quarter,-50%         that
                                    by  a  the  UK  economy
                                          broad-based     slowdown
                            amid sluggish household expenditure
                                                             +50%
                                                                  limped
                                                                       -50%
                                                                           in  through
                                                                              the           the
                                                                                     dominant    final
                                                                                                services quarter
                                                                               and crippling cost pressures.sector
                                                                                                             +50%
                                                                                                                    of 2019.
                                                                                                                     with  all The
                                                                                                                               key  fourth  quarter
                                                                                                                                   indicators         was
                                                                                                                                                weakening    in the                                                                                                                             -50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             -75%                                           +50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             +75%          -50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        -75%                                          +50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       +75%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   59%
          characterised
                quarter, by amida broad-based        slowdown
                                    sluggish household              in the dominant
                                                            expenditure        and crippling  services     sector with all key indicators weakening in the59%
                                                                                                 cost pressures.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   33%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Prices
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             28% 29%                              28%
                Despite
          quarter,          some improvements,
                   amid sluggish                       indicators in the
                                        household expenditure              andmanufacturing
                                                                                  crippling costsector       remain very weak by historic standards,
                                                                                                       pressures.
                                                                 +35%                                                             +29%                                                                                                                                                                       +35%                                                         +29%
                                                                                                                                                                  46%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        46%
                Despite
                and   withsome      improvements,
                              indicators   for domesticindicators
                                                           and exportin the    manufacturing
                                                                             orders     continuingsector     remainthe
                                                                                                       to contract,    very weak by outlook
                                                                                                                          near-term    historic standards,
                                                                                                                                                for the sector                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              19%

                and
          Despite     with
                remains -75% indicators for domestic and+75%
                   some improvements,            indicators
                            challenging. A faltering      serviceexport
                                                               in the
                                                                    sector,
                                                                     -75%    orders
                                                                           manufacturingcontinuing
                                                                                 together with  sector to contract,
                                                                                                   listlessremain
                                                                                                               +75%  the  near-term
                                                                                                                     very weak
                                                                                                            manufacturing
                                                                                                                                        “
                                                                                                                                       outlook
                                                                                                                                   by historic
                                                                                                                                        ““
                                                                                                                                activity,       for the sector
                                                                                                                                             33% standards,
                                                                                                                                          points to a downbeat
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 -100%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              -75%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ...of manufacturers expect their prices
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        +100%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 +75%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            -100%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         -75%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           ...of service firms expect their prices
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  +100%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           +75%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  33%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Prices
                     Prices

                remains     challenging.     A faltering  service   sector,      together    with to
                                                                                                   listless manufacturing  28% activity,
                                                                                                                                29%       points for
                                                                                                                                                 to athe
                                                                                                                                                      downbeat
                                                                                                                                                         28%                                                                                                                                     to increase, unchanged from Q3 2019                       to increase, up from +28% in Q3 2019                               28% 29%                             28%
          and with  indicators
                out-turn     for UK for  domestic
                                       GDP   growth   and  export
                                                      in the fourth    orders
                                                                         quarter    continuing
                                                                                      of 2019.          contract,   the near-term      outlook            sector                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Pay        Raw materials Financial costs      Other
                out-turn
          remains            for UK A
                   challenging.        GDP   growthservice
                                         faltering    in the fourth
                                                              sector,quartertogether  of 2019.
                                                                                          with listless manufacturing activity, points to 19%        a downbeat                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             settlements                     19%             overheads

                Suren   Thiru    Head     of expect
                                             Economics,   pricesBritish
                                                                      ...ofChambers       of Commerce
                                              -100%                                            +100%              -100%                                            +100%                                                                                                                          -100%                                  +100%              -100%                                  +100%

          out-turn for UK...ofGDP  growth
                               manufacturers  in the   fourth
                                                    their        quarter     of 2019.
                                                                           service firms expect their prices                                                                                                                                                                                     ...of manufacturers expect their prices                    ...of service firms expect their prices                          Balance of firms increasing investment in training
                Suren Thiru      Head
                          to increase,    of Economics,
                                       unchanged from Q3 2019British       Chambers
                                                                      to increase, up fromof Commerce
                                                                                           +28%  in Q3 2019
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  to increase, unchanged from Q3 2019                                         0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            to increase, up from  +28% in Q3 2019                 40%
                                                                                                                                                                                              Pay        Raw materials Financial costs       Other                                                                                                                                                                               Pay       Raw materials Financial costs       Other

                     AT
                     AT A
                        A GLANCE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          -25%                 +25%                                  -25%                 +25%
          Suren Thiru Head of Economics, British Chambers of Commerce                                                                                                                     settlements                                      overheads                                                                                                                                                                         settlements                                     overheads

                          GLANCE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  30%
                                                                                                                                             Positive balance (+) = growth | Negative balance (-) = contraction
                                                                                                                                                                       Balance
                                                                                                                                             Positive balance (+) = growth     of firms increasing
                                                                                                                                                                           | Negative              investment
                                                                                                                                                                                         balance (-)          in training
                                                                                                                                                                                                      = contraction                                                                                                                                                                                                           Balance of firms increasing investment in training
                                                                       0%                                                               0%                                                                                                                                                                            0%                                                        0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  20%

    AT A GLANCE
                                                                                                                                                                                40%                                                                                                            -50%                                       +50%            -50%                                      +50%           40%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Investment
                                                          -25%                        +25%                                -25%                          +25%                                                                                                                                               -25%                 +25%                                  -25%                 +25%

                                                                  0%                                                              0%
                                                                                                                                                            = growth
                                                                                                                                       Positive balance (+) UK
                                                                                                                                                            30%        | Negative
                                                                                                                                                               GDP growth            balance
                                                                                                                                                                          vs. QES balance of firms    = contraction
                                                                                                                                                                                                 (-)reporting                                                                                                                                                                                                      10%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    30%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  +11%                                                       +11%
                            Sales

                                                                  0%                                                              0%          +25%
                                                                                                                                                                    60%                  improved
                                                                                                                                                                               UK GDP growth vs. QESdomestic
                                                                                                                                                                                                     balance sales
                                                                                                                                                                                                             of firms reporting            2.0%
                                                   -25%                        +25%                                -25%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   0%
                           Sales

                                            -50%                                                 +50%            -50%                                               60%
                                                                                                                                                                    +50%       20%2008
                                                                                                                                                                                         improved domestic sales                           2.0%                                                 -50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             -75%                                          +50%            -50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        -75%                                         +50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      +75%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   20%
                                                                               +25%                                -25%                       +25%                                                                        EU ref           1.5%                                                                                             +75%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Investment
                                                   -25%
                    Investment

                                                                                                                                                                    40%           recession
                                                                                                                                                                                  2008                              EU refreporting1.5%
                                                           0%                                                               0%                                      40%       UK10%
                                                                                                                                                                                 GDP    growth vs. QES balance of firms
                                                                                                                                                                                  recession                                        1.0%                                                                                                                                                                           -10%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    10%
 Domestic Sales

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             +11%
                                                                                                                                                                                            improved domestic sales
                                                                                                                              +11%                                                                                                                                                                                +11%
                                                                                                        -50%                                                   60%                                                                    2.0%
                                                                  +11%
                                      -50%                                               +50%                                                           +50%
                                    -25%                               +25%                               -25%                          +25%                        20%                                                            1.0%
                                       -50%                                              +50%           -50%                                            +50%                                                                               0.5%                                                                                                                                                                   -20%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     0%
                                                                                                                                                                    20%          0%
                                                                                                                                                                                 2008                                                                                                            -100%                                  +100%               -100%                                 +100%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            EU ref            1.5%                                                                                                       -75%                                                             QES %
                   Domestic

                                        -75%                                                                   -75%                                                    +75%                                                                0.5%                                               -75%                                              +75%                                                       +75%
                                                                                                     +75%
                                                                                                                                                               40%0%                                                                                                                                ...of manufacturers increased                                  ...of service firms increased
                                                                 +4%                                                        +11%
                                                                                                                                                                                 recession                                                 0.0%                                                                                                                                                                         Balance
                  Domestic

                                                                                                                                                                               -10%                                                                                                               investment in training in Q4 2019,                               investment in training in Q4                   -30%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   -10%
                                                                 +4%                                                        +11%
                                                                                                                                                                     0%                                                                       1.0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           0.0%
                       -50%         -75%                                        +50%           -50% -75%
                                                                                              +75%                                                   +50% +75%                                                                             -0.5%                                                        up from +8% in Q3 2019                                   2019, down from +13% in Q3 2019                      2007      2009      2011      2013        2015      2017     2019
                                                                                                                                                               20%
                                                                                                                                                                -20%
                                    -75%                                                      +75% -75%                                                     +75%                                                                               0.5%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           -0.5%                                                                                                                                                                   -20%        Manufacturing Sector QES         Service Sector QES
                                                                                               +100%              -100%                                         +100%          -20%                                                                                                               -100%                                  +100%               -100%                                 +100%
                                               -100%                                                                                                             -20%                                                                      -1.0%
                                                                                                                                                                         QES %                                                                                                                                                                                      ...of service firms increased                          QES %
                                                  ...of manufacturers increased                                        ...of service firms increased 0%                                                                                                                                                 ...of manufacturers increased
                                                 +4%                                                                    +11%
                                                                                                                                                         -40%                                                              -1.0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               0.0%
                                              investment in training in Q4+100% 2019,                    -100%         investment in training+100%in Q4 -40% QES -30% Balance                                     GDP % -1.5%                                                                         investment in training in Q4 2019,                            investment in training in Q4                  -30% Balance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Balance of firms reporting improved cash flow
                                        -100%                                                                                                                      %                                                                                                                                                 0%                                                          0%
                    -75%                -100% ...of manufacturers
                                                      up from +8% in reported
                                                                       Q3 2019
                                                                           +75%   -75%
                                                                              +100%                       -100% ...of service
                                                                                                                    2019,  downfirms
                                                                                                                                  fromreported
                                                                                                                                         +13% in+100%
                                                                                                                                                  Q3
                                                                                                                                                  +75% 2019    Balance
                                                                                                                                                                       2007     2009       2011     2013      2015GDP
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Growth  (ONS)%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         2017  -0.5%2019
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           -1.5%                                                                            up from +8% in Q3 2019                                2019, down from +13% in Q3 2019                 30% 2007     2009      2011      2013  2015      2017     2019
                                                                                                                                                         -60%  QES %                                                       -2.0%
                                        increased       domestic sales in Q4 2019,                       increased     domestic    sales in Q4 2019, -20% 2007                 Manufacturing Sector QES       Service Sector  QES                                                                                                                                                                                             Manufacturing Sector QES   Service Sector QES
                                              ...of manufacturers    reported                                   ...of service  firms  reported                                                             Growth  (ONS)                                                                                  -25%                 +25%                                  -25%                 +25%
                                                                                                                                                         -60% Balance2009      2011     2013     2015    2017      2019    -2.0%
                                                    up  from 0% in Q3 2019
                                        increased domestic sales in Q4 2019,                                    down domestic
                                                                                                         increased      from +15%sales
                                                                                                                                    in Q3in 2019
                                                                                                                                            Q4 2019,                                                                           -1.0%                                                                                                                                                                              20%
                                                                                                                                                               GDP Growth
                                                                                                                                                             2007     2009     Service Sector
                                                                                                                                                                               2011     2013 QES2015 Manufacturing
                                                                                                                                                                                                         2017       QES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2019
                                                    up from 0% in Q3 2019                                       down from +15% in Q3 2019              -40%
                                                                                                                                                               GDP Growth Balance
                                                                                                                                                                               Service of firms
                                                                                                                                                                                       Sector   reporting
                                                                                                                                                                                              QES         improved
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Manufacturing QEScash flow                                                                                                                                                                                               Balance of firms reporting improved cash flow
                         -100%                                         0%     +100%              -100%                          0%   +100%
                                                                                                                                                      QES %30%                                           GDP % -1.5%                                                                           -50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          -50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                0%                                 10%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    30%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +50%                                                      +50%
                             ...of manufacturers reported                                              ...of service-25%
                                                                                                                      firms reported       +25% -60% Balance
                                                                                                                                                             Balance of firms reporting improved export
                                                                                                                                                                                                  Growthsales
                                                                                                                                                                                                         (ONS)                                                                                                                  +25%                                                      +25%
                                           -25%                +25%                                                                                                                                            -2.0%                                                                                       -25%                                                       -25%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  FlowFlow
                                                  0%                                                                      0%                       50%
                         increased domestic sales in Q4 2019,                                   increased domestic sales in Q4 2019,                2007
                                                                                                                                                             Balance of firms reporting improved export sales
                                                                                                                                                           20%
                                                                                                                                                             2009     2011      2013     2015   2017     2019                                                                                                                                                                                                      0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   20%
                                                  0%                                                                      0%                                         50%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  +1%                                                        +2%
                                 up from 0% in Q3 2019
                                       -25%               +25%
                                                                                                        down from +15% in Q3 2019
                                                                                                                  -25%                        +25%
                                                                                                                                                                    40%GDP Growth              Service Sector QES      Manufacturing QES
                                                   -25%                        +25%                                -25%                       +25%
                                                                                                                                                                    40%    10%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    -10%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    10%
                                                                                                                 -50%                                                                                                                                                                           -50%                                                       -50%
                          Sales

                                            -50%                                                 +50%                                                                30%
                                                                                                                                                                    +50%                                                                                                                     -75%                                          +50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            +75%        -75%                                         +50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      +75%
                         Sales

                                                                                                                                                                     30%        Balance of firms reporting improved export sales
                   Cash Flow

                                      -50%                                               +50%           -50%                                            +50%         20%         0%                                                                                                                                                                                                                               -20%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     0%
                                                           0%                                                               0%                                 50%
                                                                  +1%                                                         +2%                                                                                                                                                                                 +1%                                                        +2%
                                      -50%                                               +50%           -50%                                            +50%     20%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Confidence CashCash
                                                                                                                                                                     10%
                                    -25%                               +25%                              -25%                           +25%                                    -10%                                                                                                                                                                                                                              -30%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    -10%

                                                                 +4%                                                        +5%
                                                                                                                                                               40%
                                                                                                                                                                 10%                                                                                                                             -100%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              -75%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        +100%               -100%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         -75%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  +100%
                                        -75%                                                         +75%   -75%                                                      +75%
                                                                                                                                                                      0%                                                                                                                           ...of manufacturers reported                 +75%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   ...of service firms reported
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +75%           QES %

                                                                 +4%                                                        +5%                                                                                                                                                                  improved cash flow in Q4 2019, up                                                                                 -20% Balance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  -40%
 Export Sales

                                    -75%                                                      +75%    -75%                                                  +75%30%0%          -20%                                                                                                                                                                              improved cash flow in Q4 2019,
                   Export

                                                                                                                                                                    -10%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               2007     2009      2011      2013        2015      2017     2019
                                    -75%                                                      +75%    -75%                                                  +75%                                                                                                                                         from -7% in Q3 2019                                       down from +5% in Q3 2019
                  Export

                       -50%                                                     +50%          -50%                                                   +50%        -10%
                                                                                                                                                               20%
                                                                                                                                                                -20%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Manufacturing Sector QES         Service Sector QES
                                                                                                                                                                               -30%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                -30%
                                              -100%                                           +100%               -100%                                        +100%                                                                                                                              -100%                                  +100%               -100%                                 +100%
                                                  ...of manufacturers reported                                                                           10%        -20%QES %                                                                                                                       ...of manufacturers reported                                                                                         QES %
                                        -100%                                    +100%                   -100%         ...of service firms reported
                                                                                                                                                 +100%    -30%                                                                                                                                                                                                      ...of service firms reported
                                                                                                                                                                QES %

                                                   +4%                                                                    +5%
                                             improved      cash flowreported
                                                                        in Q4 2019,                                                                              -40%   Balance                                                                                                                   improved cash flow   in Q4 2019, up                                                                              -40% Balance
                                              ...of manufacturers                +100%up                              service firms
                                                                                                                ...ofimproved    cashreported
                                                                                                                                        flow in Q4   2019,0%
                                                                                                                                                          -30% Balance                                                                                                                                                                                            improved cash0%flow in Q4 2019,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       2007 UK GDP
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2009growth2011and QES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2013balance  of firms confident
                                        -100%                                                            -100%                                   +100%                                                                                                                                                            0%
                                                                                                                                                          -40% QES  % 2007      2009        2011      2013      2015      2017    2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2015      2017     2019
                                           improved     from -7%
                                                         export
                                              ...of manufacturers  in Q3
                                                                sales      2019
                                                                       in Q4 2019,
                                                                      reported                               improved     export
                                                                                                                ...of service
                                                                                                                       down       sales
                                                                                                                               firms
                                                                                                                               from     in Q4
                                                                                                                                      +5%      2019,
                                                                                                                                            in Q3
                                                                                                                                      reported    2019                                                                                                                                                    from -7% in Q3 2019                                       down from +5% in Q3 2019                                            theirSector
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               turnover
                    -75%                                                      +75% -75%                                                            +75%       2007
                                                                                                                                                          -40% Balance 2009       2011      2013
                                                                                                                                                                                Manufacturing  Sector 2015
                                                                                                                                                                                                      QES      2017      2019 QES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                Service Sector                                                                            -25%                 +25%                                  -25%                 +25%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  80%          Manufacturing        QES will increase
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Service Sector QES   2.0%
                                                  up from
                                           improved         +3%sales
                                                         export  in Q3in2019
                                                                          Q4 2019,                              down from
                                                                                                             improved          +6%
                                                                                                                          export    in Q3
                                                                                                                                  sales    2019
                                                                                                                                        in Q4  2019,    -10%           Manufacturing Sector QES      Service Sector
                                                                                                                                                              2007     2009       2011      2013      2015     2017QES 2019
                                                  up from +3% in Q3 2019                                        down from +6% in Q3 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          60%                                                                  1.5%
                                                                                                                                                               -20%    Manufacturing Sector QES      Service Sector QES
                                                                       0%                                                              0%                                         UKfirms
                                                                                                                                                                          Balance of   GDPreporting
                                                                                                                                                                                            growth and   QES balance
                                                                                                                                                                                                     improved  export of  firms confident
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        orders                                                                -50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          -50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                0%                           40%        UK GDP growth and QES balance of firms confident     1.0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          +50%                                                       +50%
                         -100%                                    0%          +100%             -100%                             0%            +100%          -30%
                                                                                                                                                                  50%QES80%                    their improved
                                                                                                                                                                                                      turnover will increase            2.0%                                                                                                                                                                  80%                  their turnover will increase               2.0%
                                                       -25%                           +25%                                -25%                          +25%             %Balance of firms reporting           export   orders                                                                             -25%                 +25%                                   -25%                  +25%
                             ...of manufacturers  reported
                                                    0%                                              ...of service firms0%reported+25%                             50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             20%                                                             0.5%
                                                                                                                                                                  40%Balance
                                                             +25%                                          -25%
                                        -25%                                                                                                                   -40%
                          Orders

                           improved export   sales in Q4 2019,                                   improved-25%export sales in Q4 2019,                                    60%                                                                          1.5%                                                                                                                                                    60%                                                             1.5%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  +27%                                                       +32%
                                                                                                                                 +25%
                                        -25%                 +25%                                                                                                 2007       2009      2011      2013                2015      2017     2019                                                                                                                                                                  0%                                                             0.0%
                   ExportOrders

                                                                                                                                                                40%
                                 up from +3% in Q3 2019                                             down from +6% in Q3 2019                                    30%

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Confidence
                   Confidence

                                                                                                                                                                         40%Manufacturing Sector QES                 Service Sector QES               1.0%                                                                                                                                                    40%                                                             1.0%
                                         -50%                                                    +50%            -50%                                           +50%                                                                                                                            -50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             -75%                                          +50%            -50%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        -75%                                          +50%
                                                                                                                                                                30%                                                                                                                                                                         +75%                                                       +75% -20%                                                             -0.5%
                                      -50%                                                              -50%                                            +50%
                                                                                         +50%                                                                   20%
                                                                                                        -50%
                                                                                                                                                                         20%                                                                          0.5%                                                                                                                                                    20%                                                             0.5%
                                      -50%                                               +50%                                                           +50%    20%
                                                                                                                                                                 10%     Balance of firms reporting               improved export orders                                                                                                                                                                    -40%                                                             -1.0%

                                                                 +27%                                                             +32%                                    0%                                                                          0.0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  +27%                                                       +32%                              0%                                                             0.0%
                                                                                                                             0%

                                                                                                                                 0%
                                                           0%                                                                                                 50%
                                                                 -3%
                                                                                                                                                                 10%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        -60% QES %
                                                                                                                                                                  0%                                                                                                                                                                    +100%                                                                                                                       GDP % -1.5%

                                                                                                                                 0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 -100%                                                      -100%                                 +100%

                                                                 -3%
                                                                                                                                        +25%
                                    -25%-75%                           +25%                        +75% -25%                                                                                                                                                                                  -75%                                                       -75%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  ...of manufacturers are confident             +75%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ...of service firms are confident       +75% -20%                                                             -0.5%
 Export Orders

                                                                                                           -75%                                                    +75% -20%                                                                          -0.5%                                                                                                                                                                                                  Growth  (ONS)
                                    -75%                                                      +75% -75%                                                   +75%40% 0%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Balance
                                                                                                                                                                -10%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        -80%                                                             -2.0%
                                    -75%                                                      +75%    -75%                                                +75%                                                                                                                                   turnover will increase in the next 12                      turnover will increase in the next 12               2007      2009  2011     2013     2015     2017      2019
                                                                                                                                                              30%
                                                                                                                                                                -10%    -40%                                                                          -1.0%                                                                                                                                                  -40%                                                             -1.0%
                  Export

                                                                                                                                                               -20%                                                                                                                               months, up from +25% in Q3 2019                             months, up from +30% in Q3 2019                     GDP Growth    Service Sector QES      Manufacturing QES
                       -50%                                                                  -50%                                                    +50%
                                                                                +50%                                                                             -20%
                                                                                                                                                               20%
                                                                                                                                                                 -60% QES %                                                   GDP %                   -1.5%                                      -100%                                   +100%                                                     +100%     -60%  QES %                                              GDP  %  -1.5%
                                            -100%
                                        -100%                                          +100% +100%       -100% -100%                            +100%     -30% +100%                                                                                                                                                                                          -100%
                                                    manufacturersreported
                                              ...of manufacturers
                                              ...of                  are confident                                 ...of service firms are confident -30% QES % Balance
                                                                                                         -100% ...of service firms reported +100%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Growth (ONS)                                                                ...of manufacturers are confident                              ...of service firms are confident                Balance                                    Growth (ONS)
                                        -100%                                 +100%                                                                     10%      -80%
                                                                                                                                                                Balance
                                                                                                                                                          -40% QES                                                                                    -2.0%                                                                                                                                                  -80%                                                             -2.0%
                                             turnover
                                           improved     will increase
                                                      export         ininQ4
                                                                          the
                                                              ordersreported
                                              ...of manufacturers             next 12
                                                                            2019,                                turnover
                                                                                                         increased          will increase
                                                                                                                       exportfirms
                                                                                                               ...of service   orders      in the
                                                                                                                                       in Q4 2019,
                                                                                                                                     reported       next 12         %2007      2009        2011     2013     2015    2017      2019                                                               turnover will increase in the next 12                       turnover will increase in the next 12              2007      2009  2011     2013     2015     2017      2019

                    -75%
                                                   -3%
                                              months,   up
                                                 unchanged
                                           improved         from
                                                      exportfrom  +25%   in
                                                                   Q3in2019
                                                              orders        Q3
                                                                         Q4 2019,
                                                 unchanged from Q3 2019+75% -75%
                                                                                 2019                             months,
                                                                                                                down
                                                                                                         increased        0%
                                                                                                                        fromup
                                                                                                                       export+1%from
                                                                                                                               orders  +30%
                                                                                                                                   in Q3
                                                                                                                 down from +1% in Q3 2019
                                                                                                                                          Q4 in
                                                                                                                                       in2019    Q3 2019
                                                                                                                                              2019,       -40%2007
                                                                                                                                                         0%
                                                                                                                                                       +75%
                                                                                                                                                                Balance 2009
                                                                                                                                                              2007
                                                                                                                                                                         GDP Growth
                                                                                                                                                                                   2011
                                                                                                                                                                        Manufacturing
                                                                                                                                                                        2009
                                                                                                                                                                                              2013
                                                                                                                                                                                           Service
                                                                                                                                                                                   2011Sector QES
                                                                                                                                                                                              2013
                                                                                                                                                                                                       2015
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Sector
                                                                                                                                                                                                                2017
                                                                                                                                                                                                          QES Sector
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Service
                                                                                                                                                                                                       2015
                                                                                                                                                                                       Manufacturing Sector QES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         2019
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Manufacturing QES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                2017QES 2019
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Service Sector QES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   months, up from +25% in Q3 2019                           months, up from +30% in Q3 2019                               GDP Growth      Service Sector QES      Manufacturing QES

                                                                                                                                                               -10%

                                                                                                                                                               -20%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     www.britishchambers.org.uk | @britishchambers
                                                                                                                                                               -30%
     4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        5
                         -100%                                                +100%             -100%                                           +100%
                                                                                                                                                                     QES %
                              ...of manufacturers reported                                          ...of service firms reported
                                                                                                                                                               -40% Balance
                           improved export orders in Q4 2019,                                   increased export orders in Q4 2019,
                                                                                                     down from +1% in Q3 2019                                                www.britishchambers.org.uk
                                                                                                                                                                     www.britishchambers.org.uk
                                                                                                                                                                   2007     2009       2011      2013 2015        | @britishchambers
                                                                                                                                                                                                        | @britishchambers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                2017     2019                                                                                                                                                                                             www.britishchambers.org.uk | @britishchambers
                                 unchanged from Q3 2019
                                                                                                                                                                     www.britishchambers.org.uk
                                                                                                                                                                            Manufacturing Sector QES    | @britishchambers
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Service Sector QES
Connected - Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
SKILLS

                                                                                                                                                                              Businesses reach
                                  CORPORATE DINNERS | TEAM BUILDING DAYS
                                                                                                                                                                              Give an Hour campaign target
               PRIVATE HIRE | PRODUCT LAUNCHES | CORPORATE GOLF DAYS

                                      This is showing how much you care,                                                                                                     A campaign to encourage                        Company, highlights that in as little as one     recently went to Belvedere Academy for a
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            hour, organisations can help to transform        career event. She said: ‘It was great to meet
                                                                                                                                                                             local businesses to                            a young person’s future by bringing to           the future generations of businesswomen
                                                                                                                                                                             influence the future                           life different career opportunities and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            providing insight about the skills pupils need
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             and listen to their aspirations! Hopefully by
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             sharing my own story of the journey into
                                                                                                                                                                             of young people has                            to be work-ready and successful.                 the world of commercial property I can
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             encourage and inspire others to follow suit
                                                                                                                                                                             smashed its initial                            Gill Walsh, Senior Enterprise Co-ordinator       into what is a varied and rewarding industry.’
                                                                                                                                                                             target. Launched in the                        at Growth Platform, said: “We had an initial
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            target of 100 employers or employees             The Give an Hour campaign emphasises
                                                                                                                                                                             summer, the ‘Give an                           signing up to the initiative, this has been      the importance of tapping into the career
                                                                                                                                                                             Hour’ campaign calls for                       well exceeded, and is now close to 150 and       opportunities, skills and knowledge of business.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            counting. The reaction from the business         Activities can include interview practice,
                                                                                                                                                                             employers to offer an                          community has been really encouraging            mentoring, or speaking at career events.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            and their enthusiasm for helping and
                                                                                                                                                                             hour of their time to help                     passing on invaluable knowledge has              Employers of all shapes and sizes are
     Contact us today on 0151 428 7490
     events@allertonmanorgolfclub.com
                                                                                                                                  /AllertonManor     AllertonManorGolfClub
                                                                                                                                                                             school and college pupils                      been incredible. We are now sharing              encouraged to visit www.giveanhour.co.uk
                                                                                                                                 Allerton Manor Golf Club,                                                                  school careers activities regularly with all     to find out more and register to support a
     www.allertonmanorgolfclub.com                                                                                       Allerton Road, Liverpool, L18 3JT                   prepare for the changing                       our volunteers and still looking for more        school or college in their area.
                                                                                                                                                                             world of work.                                 businesses to sign up.”

                                                                                                                                                                             The initiative, run jointly by Growth          Lynn Haime, Partner at Commercial
                                                                                                                                                                             Platform – Liverpool City Region Growth        Property Consultancy – Matthews &

    LOOKING
     LOOKINGTO
             TOSTART
               STARTOR
                     ORPROGRESS
                       PROGRESS
                                                                                                                                                                             Company and The Careers and Enterprise         Goodman, signed up to the scheme and

    YOUR
     YOURCAREER
          CAREERIN
                 INHR?
                   HR?                                                                                                                                                        PC Support Group one
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Phil Bird, managing director with The PC
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Support Group said: “We are delighted
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             to have received this award for the
    Develop
      Developasas
                a practitioner
                  a practitionerwith
                                  with
                                     our
                                       our
                                         range
                                            rangeofof
                                                    flexible,
                                                       flexible,
                                                              CIPD
                                                                 CIPD
                                                                    approved
                                                                      approved  courses
                                                                                   coursesthat
                                                                                            that
                                                                                               lead
                                                                                                  lead toto
                                                                                                          a recognised
                                                                                                            a recognised
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             second year running which shows that our

                                                                                                                                                                              of the best-run IT
    professional
      professional
                 qualification.
                   qualification.
                                Part
                                  Part
                                     time
                                       timeteaching
                                              teaching options
                                                          optionsmake
                                                                  makeit easier
                                                                         it easier
                                                                                totostudy
                                                                                      studywhilst
                                                                                             whilstin in
                                                                                                       employment
                                                                                                         employment and
                                                                                                                      and
                                                                                                                        our
                                                                                                                          our
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             business practices are amongst the best
    networking
      networkingopportunities
                  opportunities enable
                                  enable
                                       youyoutoto
                                                get
                                                  getconnected.
                                                        connected.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             in the IT sector.”

    PROGRAMMES
     PROGRAMMESAVAILABLE
                AVAILABLEININ2020
                              2020                                                                      OPEN
                                                                                                         OPENEVENINGS
                                                                                                              EVENINGS                                                                                                                                                       Phil continues: “We work hard to provide a

                                                                                                                                                                              companies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             world class IT support service, working with
    CPD
      CPD in in
              Human
                HumanResource
                        Resource Management
                                   Management  (1 (1
                                                  year,
                                                     year,
                                                        part
                                                           part
                                                             time)
                                                                time)                                  Meet
                                                                                                          Meet
                                                                                                             thethe
                                                                                                                 team team
                                                                                                                         andand
                                                                                                                              discuss
                                                                                                                                 discuss
                                                                                                                                       youryour
                                                                                                                                             requirements
                                                                                                                                                requirements  at at                                                                                                          our clients to help them grow their business
    (Level
      (Level
           5 Associate
              5 Associate
                       Intermediate
                          Intermediate
                                    standards)
                                       standards)                                                      oneone
                                                                                                           of our
                                                                                                               of our
                                                                                                                   openopenevenings.
                                                                                                                              evenings.
                                                                                                                                      Each
                                                                                                                                         Eachoneone
                                                                                                                                                 is located
                                                                                                                                                     is located
                                                                                                                                                              in in
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             by using the right technology for them
                                                                                                           Redmonds
                                                                                                       thethe Redmonds     Building,
                                                                                                                             Building,
                                                                                                                                     Brownlow
                                                                                                                                        Brownlow  Hill,Hill,
                                                                                                                                                        L3 L35UG,
                                                                                                                                                                5UG,
                                                                                                       4.00pm
                                                                                                          4.00pmuntiluntil
                                                                                                                       7.00pm
                                                                                                                           7.00pm                                                                                                                                            and we truly believe we have the best staff
    BABAHuman
           HumanResource
                  Resource   Management
                               Management  (3 (3
                                              years,
                                                 years,
                                                     fullfull
                                                          time)
                                                              time)                                                                                                                                                                                                          delivering the highest IT expertise.”
    (Level
      (Level
           5 Associate
             5 Associate
                       Intermediate
                          Intermediate
                                    standards)
                                       standards)                                                      DATES:
                                                                                                         DATES:                                                              Local IT & telephony provider and Chamber member,
                                                                                                       Wednesday 18th
                                                                                                         Wednesday  18th
                                                                                                                      March
                                                                                                                         March
                                                                                                                            2020
                                                                                                                               2020
                                                                                                                                                                             The PC Support Group has been announced as a                                                    The PC Support Group provides fully
    MA MAHuman
            Human  Resource
                     Resource Management
                                Management    (1-2
                                                 (1-2
                                                    years
                                                      years
                                                          depending
                                                             depending onon
                                                                          route.
                                                                             route.
                                                                                 FullFull
                                                                                      time,
                                                                                          time,
                                                                                             part
                                                                                                part   Wednesday 20th
                                                                                                         Wednesday  20th
                                                                                                                      MayMay
                                                                                                                          2020
                                                                                                                             2020                                                                                                                                            managed IT & telephony support to SMEs
    time
       time
          and
            and
              toptop
                   upup
                      programme
                        programmeavailable
                                    available
                                           forfor
                                                those
                                                   those
                                                       with
                                                         with
                                                            a level
                                                               a level
                                                                    7 CIPD
                                                                       7 CIPD
                                                                            qualification)
                                                                               qualification)          Wednesday 17th
                                                                                                         Wednesday  17th
                                                                                                                      June
                                                                                                                         June
                                                                                                                           2020
                                                                                                                              2020                                           winner of the “50 Best Managed IT Companies in the                                              across the North West. Their focus is to
    (Level
       (Level
            7 Advanced
              7 Advanced standards)
                            standards)
                                                                                                       Wednesday 2nd2nd
                                                                                                         Wednesday   September
                                                                                                                        September
                                                                                                                               2020
                                                                                                                                  2020                                       UK 2019” awards.                                                                                protect and enable their clients achieve
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             their business goals through exceptional

                                                     LIVERPOOL
                                                       LIVERPOOL                                                                                                             The awards, held last night in London,
                                                                                                                                                                             are organised by the global news media
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            For SMEs looking to outsource their IT
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            support, these awards provide assurance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             service and IT expertise.

                                                     BUSINESS
                                                       BUSINESS                         FIND
                                                                                          FIND
                                                                                             OUT
                                                                                               OUT
                                                                                                 MORE
                                                                                                   MORE
                                                                                                      ABOUT
                                                                                                        ABOUT
                                                                                                            OUR
                                                                                                              OUR
                                                                                                                COURSES
                                                                                                                  COURSES
                                                                                                                        AND
                                                                                                                          AND
                                                                                                                            EVENTS:
                                                                                                                              EVENTS:                                        eChannelNews and highlight the best-           that they are working with a well-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             For more information about the services

                                                     SCHOOL
                                                       SCHOOL                           ljmu.ac.uk/LBS
                                                                                          ljmu.ac.uk/LBS                                                                     managed businesses in the UK IT sector in      managed business,which employs the               they offer visit www.pcsupportgroup.com or
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             contact the sales team on 03300 886 116.
                                                                                                                                                                             terms of their performance and capabilities.   best staff.

6                                                                                                                                                                            Liverpool                                                                                                                                      7
                                                                                                                                                                             Chamber
Connected - Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
MEMBERS UPDATE                                                                                                                                                                                                                     NEW MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Latest news from the membership team
                          Happy New Year to all of our members. After a busy and eventful 2019, we are ready to embark
                          on a productive 2020 including celebrations for the Chamber’s 170th anniversary year.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Connect
                                                                                                                                                      Welcome
                          Patrons and Strategic Partners         2019 highlights                           the Randox Grand National takes
                          The first half of 2019 saw a very      Highlights over the last few months       place on the 2nd April, the opening
                          strong increase in Strategic Partner
                          membership and as 2020 begins,
                                                                 included attendance at the Turkish
                                                                 Airlines World Club Conference,
                                                                                                           day of the festival. With tables
                                                                                                           seating up to ten people set in the                                                                                  Support
                          we encourage engagement with
                          members keen to experience
                                                                 which was held in Istanbul from
                                                                 the 7-9th October. The event was
                                                                                                           luxurious Silver Birch Suite, this is a
                                                                                                           great opportunity to entertain key
                                                                                                           clients or reward staff. Tickets are
                                                                                                                                                      to our new Chamber Members                                                Thrive.
                          higher levels of member support        outstanding and it was great to see
                          and networking opportunities that      the new airport in Istanbul, which        selling fast and we again anticipate
                                                                                                           another sell-out of this popular
                          Strategic Partnership offers.          is now fully operational. In addition
                                                                                                           event. Please contact any of the
                                                                 to the conference, the Chamber
                                                                                                           team to book your space.
                          The network now boasts over 40         exhibited at the Merseyside Business
                          businesses and with the relaunch
                          of the 1850 Club this year, we will
                                                                 Expo for the first time, a great
                                                                 opportunity to meet with many of
                                                                                                           Silver Birch Suite at Aintree              Strategic                        MSC Express Ltd.
                                                                                                                                                                                       0151 538 3600
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Cancer Research UK
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     0151 244 5595

Lee Stanley
                          have regular opportunities for
                          this group to meet and showcase
                                                                 our existing members and overall, a
                                                                 good networking platform. A good
                                                                                                                                                      Partners                         mscexpress.co.uk              cancerresearchuk.org
Head of Business          their products and services to         news story from the day was an
                          other members. The 1850 Club is        introduction to the Hi-Impact media                                                  Hi-impact Media                  UK Remy Hair Extensions Ltd
Development                                                                                                                                                                                                          Ideal Modular Homes
                          an excellent platform in which to      team resulting in their production of                                                0151 638 6283                    07545 249169
                          develop high-level links as well as    our annual dinner corporate video                                                                                                                   0151 352 8368
                                                                                                                                                      media.hi-impact.co.uk            prestigehairextensions.com
                          create new business opportunities.     and who are now Strategic Partners                                                                                                                  idealmodularhomes.co.uk
                          Please get in touch directly to        of the Chamber. More information          Throughout 2020, we will continue
                          discuss your individual business       on Hi-Impact can be found on              to promote all of the events and
                                                                                                                                                                                       Search Consultancy
                                                                                                                                                      Safety Support Consultants
                          requirements.                          page 19 of this edition. We have also     initiatives, which proved so successful                                     0151 229 5555                 Revive Property Services
                                                                 welcomed on-board Safety Support          in 2019. Our regional Hub Days             0151 954 0888                    searchconsultancy.co.uk       0151 933 1075
                          Annual Dinner at LFC                   Management Group as Strategic             will be a key part of our member           safetysupportconsultants.co.uk
                          During the last quarter, our annual    Partners – a vibrant business who         event schedule, encouraging                                                                               reviveproperties.co.uk
                          dinner and awards event was held       have already been involved in some        membership engagement across                                                Claire House
                          at the iconic Liverpool Football       very high profile projects in our city.   four geographical areas. Our                                                0151 334 4626
                          Club - a sell-out event with over
                          420 in attendance plus amazing         New Faces
                                                                                                           very successful WellConnected
                                                                                                           networking events will take place          Membership Plus                  claire-house.org.uk
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Ceva Freights (UK) LTD
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     0330 5877486
                          hospitality provided by LFC and        All our hard work and planning for        on the first Friday of every month
                                                                                                           and we would encourage you to              Matthews & Goodman                                             cevalogistics.com
                          their staff. Our key-note speaker      our 170th Year has seen us add two                                                                                    David Burgess Magician
                          for the evening was Karen Blackett                                               attend when possible. If you would
                                                                 new faces to the membership team;                                                    0151 236 4552                    dbmagician.co.uk
                                                                                                           like to find out about how you or your
                          OBE, WPP UK country manager            Nathan Taylor and Megan Shannon
                                                                                                           company could make better use of           matthews-goodman.co.uk           07530 340909                  Trinity Logistics Limited
                          and chairwoman of MediaCom UK          will be responsible for effectively
    Rich Smith            & Ireland, who spoke to us about       managing our admin here at the
                                                                                                           Chamber membership, please don’t                                                                          0151 515 6208
    Business Engagement                                                                                    hesitate to contact us.
                          embracing diversity and inclusion      Chamber to ensure that member
                                                                                                                                                      Vigo IT Solutions                Oleo Solutions Ltd            trinitylogistics.co.uk
    Manager               within business and how it is more     enquiries are dealt with professionally   We are really looking forward to                                            0151 236 3191
                          than a choice, but a necessity. Read   and in a timely manner. Welcome to        travelling around our great city and       0151 909 7160
                          more on diversity in the workplace     the team! Following our rebrand late      region and working alongside all of our
                                                                                                                                                                                       oleosolutions.com             Underwater Vision ROV
                                                                                                                                                      vigoitsolutions.com
                          on page 41 in this edition.            last year we will also be relaunching     members throughout what we hope
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Specialists LTD
                                                                 our membership packages in this           to be a successful 2020 for all of us.                                      Prosperity Law
                          Thanks also to our headline            quarter, which will see a refresh plus                                                                                                              0151 426 1868
                                                                                                                                                                                       0151 958 1687
                          sponsors of the event; Turkish
                          Airlines along with our award
                                                                 some new benefits for all existing and
                                                                 any new members interested in joining.
                                                                                                           Have a great 2020 everyone and
                                                                                                           thank you all for your continued           Membership                       prosperitylawliverpool.com    underwatervision.co.uk
                          sponsors. The evening was a huge                                                 support in 2019.
                          success with some very worthy          Events in 2020                                                                       Leon Guarding & FM Limited       PINS                          Pearl Site Services Ltd
                          winners, including Nationwide          As some of you will know our new            Michael Davison LFC Hulya Curtis and
                                                                                                             Daiva Calnaryte Lee Stanley Liverpool,   07723 355793                     0151 370 0000                 07930 352015
                          Management Services headed             Events Manager, Anthea Thomas               Turkish Airlines conference in Istabul
                          up by James Battle, who were           has now been in post for several                                                     leonguarding.co.uk               pinsbowling.co.uk             pearlsiteservices.com
                          double award winners on the night      months. Her commercial experience
                          scooping responsible employer          has enabled us to refocus on our
                          and the prestigious local hero         events delivery for 2020 and we will
                          award. Well done again to all our      again be hosting many events (see
                          award winners and nominees.            page 46) in 2020. Our annual event,
8                                                                                                                                                     Liverpool                                                                                      9
                                                                                                                                                      Chamber
Connected - Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
We’re the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               VOICE OF BUSINESS

                                                                                                                                                                                                   A tumultuous 2019 ended with a December election
                                                                                                                                                                                                   and decisive majority for the Conservative party with

 bridging loan                                                                                                                                                                                     a commitment to “get Brexit done” by 31 January.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Here at the Chamber we are feeling cautiously          Through our Responsible Business Forum

 experts.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   optimistic about 2020. We will continue to support     we will continue to promote and support
                                                                                                                                                                                                   members, campaigning on their behalf and               responsible business opportunities as
                                                                                                                                                                                                   working with local politicians, government ministers   well as constructively engaging with the
                                                                                                                                                                                                   and other partners to deliver real investment in our
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          development of local policies around low
                                                                                                                                                                                                   transport infrastructure and skills base as well as
                                                                                                                                                                                                   supporting businesses as we move towards Brexit.       carbon and fair employment.

 Have a client who needs funds fast? Think of us.
 For decades, we’ve provided more than 59,000* personal                                                                                                                                            “Towards a Green Future in the Liverpool City Region”
 and commercial bridging loans worth £5.9bn*. No matter                                                                                                                                            The Liverpool city region held its first               also be conducting a national business
 how complex the case, we’ll work fast, apply a flexible,                                                                                                                                          Environmental Summit in November which both            survey looking at key issues impacting on
                                                                                                                                                                                                   celebrated the achievements of partners to             business, focussing on how we can achieve
 common-sense approach, putting you                                                                                                                                                                improve the natural environment as well as looking     a net zero carbon economy. We will also be
 and your clients first.                                                                                                                                                                           forward to the next decade. Liverpool Chamber          working with members and local partners to
                                                                                                                                                                                                   were delighted to be one of the key partners           highlight activities which support sustainable
                                                                                                                                                                                                   supporting the Year of the Environment 2019.           economic growth, whilst ensuring that
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          action is taken to mitigate any potential
                                                                                                                                                                                                   As the focus on climate change, low carbon             negative impact on business.

                                                                                                                                                        Voice
                                                                                                                                                                                                   and the environment more generally
                                                                                                                                                                                                   intensifies, the Chamber will be looking               We would welcome input from members
                                                                                                                                                                                                   at a range of related opportunities and                from across a range of sectors and you

                                                                                                                                                        of Business
                                                                                                                                                                                                   challenges facing our members in 2020.                 can let us have your views via
                                                                                                                                                                                                   The British Chambers of Commerce will                  policy@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

                                                                                                                                                                                                   “Game-changing initiatives” for the North
 Using short-term lending to secure that can’t-miss opportunity                                                                                         Providing a true, trusted
                                                                                                                                                        and authentic voice                        As the debate around HS2 and the                       in particular is a key element in realising
 Planning is everything in business. But every now and then, an              particularly specialise in bridging loans – a great option if you can                                                 Government’s commitment to the Northern                those aspirations, with schemes like HS2
 opportunity you hadn’t planned for comes out of the blue and                pay it back in the short-term – and use experienced underwriters,
                                                                                                                                                        for our members.                           Powerhouse rumbles on, the Chamber has                 and Northern Powerhouse Rail transforming
                                                                                                                                                                                                   continued to argue for for further devolution to       connectivity between economic centres,
 it’s just too good to miss. But how do you move fast on a great             not tick boxes, to make a common-sense decision.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   help bring forward “game-changing initiatives”         cities, towns and communities.
 opportunity if you don’t have the cash ready?                                                                                                                                                     for the North. In a series of recent articles,
                                                                             Kirsty Rogers, Together’s Regional Development Director
 Specialist lender Together has spent the last four decades helping          for Liverpool, Cheshire & North Wales, works with business                                                            our CEO Paul Cherpeau, has argued that the             This is an issue on which we would very
 businesses grow and thrive, with commercial loans and short-                professionals to connect them – and their clients – to finance at                                                     businesses we represent want to operate in a
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          much welcome a member perspective so
                                                                                                                                                                                                   highly competitive economy with access to
 term finance designed for the pace of modern commerce. They                 various points of the business lifecycle, as she explains:                                                                                                                   please let us have your views via
                                                                                                                                                                                                   the best talent, transport access and trade
                                                                                                                                                                                                   potential. Improved transport infrastructure           policy@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

 At start-up                                        In a cashflow crisis                                To grow your business                                                                      Policy Roundtables
“ Cash flow can be challenging when you’re         “ When you’re waiting on a customer to             “ If you’re converting a building, you can find                                              Breakfast with Karen Blackett OBE: We                  Lunch with the Bank of England: the
  just starting out, so short-term finance           pay their bill and you’ve got a big outlay         yourself in funding limbo because it’s part-                                               were delighted to be joined by Karen Blackett          Chamber arranged a private lunch
  could help you get out of the planning             on the horizon – like your tax bill – it can       way between residential and commercial,                                                    OBE for a breakfast meeting on 15 November,            for invited guests to meet the Bank of
  phase and up-and-running quicker.                  be incredibly stressful. Or perhaps you’ve         and if there’s a spanner in the works you                                                  following her excellent presentation at                England’s Monetary Policy Committee
  Bridging loans can help with stock,                landed a big order and need cash to buy            could run out of working cash. Short-term                                                  the Chamber’s Annual Dinner and Awards                 Member, Dr Gertjan Vlieghe on 4 December.
  infrastructure costs and general trading                                                                                                                                                         the night before. We were joined by senior
                                                     raw materials or pay extra staff to get the        finance can help fund one-off costs and                                                                                                           The lunch was particularly timely with the
  costs until the cash starts rolling in. And                                                                                                                                                      representatives from both the public and
                                                     job done. If you know the money’s coming           gaps between current and future value,                                                                                                            discussion focussing on Brexit readiness,
                                                                                                                                                                                                   private sectors including Metro Mayor Steve
  because you can borrow over 12 months –            and just need cash to plug the gap, a              and can be repaid when all that hard work                                                                                                         investment challenges, risk management
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Rotheram, for an insightful and thought
  and in some instances can choose to make           bridging loan could be the answer.”                pays off.”                                                                                 provoking round table discussion on the                and the business lending culture within the
  no monthly payments at all – it could be                                                                                                              If you would like to find out more         importance of diversity in business.                   banking sector.
  the ideal option to give you some financial
  breathing space in those tricky early days.”                                                                                                          about the policy work of the Chamber,
                                                                                                                                                        including the BCC quarterly economic
                                                                                                                                                                                                   LCR Homelessness Business Charter
                                                                                                                                                        survey (QES), please contact
                                                                                                                                                                                                   A UK first of its kind, the Liverpool City Region      The aim is to have 200 businesses signed up to
 Got big plans for your business?                                                                                                                       Michelle Cameron, Senior Policy and
                                                                                                                                                        Communications Advisor
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Homelessness Business Charter has been                 the charter with a designated homelessness
                                                                                                                                                                                                   created with the Community Foundation                  charter champion from each by the end of
 Give Kirsty a call on 0333 920 1494 or email kirsty.rogers@togethermoney.com                                                                                                                      for Merseyside (CFLM) and Liverpool Parish             2020. We are delighted to support the Charter
                                                                                                                                                        michelle.cameron@liverpoolchamber.org.uk   Church to help people out of homelessness.             and will be promoting more widely in 2020.
 Any property used as security, including your home, may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on
 your mortgage or any other debt secured on it. *Includes unregulated and regulated bridging loan applications over 34 years.                             Liverpool                                                                                                                                     11
                                                                                                                                                          Chamber
Connected - Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
SP Energy Networks CHARGE
project accelerates the deployment
of public EV charging infrastructure
Geoff Murphy, Lead Engineer on SP Energy Networks’ CHARGE Project, talks about the
delivery of a step-change in the roll-out of electric vehicle public charging infrastructure

                                                                                                                                                                 Bringing energy and transport planning
                                                                                                                                                                 together to optimise public EV
                                                                                                                                                                 infrastructure is the aim of CHARGE

As we prepare for the network of the future,
SP Energy Networks is playing a significant
                                                  we are leading on innovative thinking and
                                                  developments that will support those sorts of
                                                                                                        authorities, and in particular their urban
                                                                                                        planning teams, know where to put them?
                                                                                                                                                            Through our project partner Smarter Grid
                                                                                                                                                            Solutions (SGS), we are also undertaking a
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  “The platform will              informed by the trials undertaken in CHARGE.

role in the decarbonisation of transport, and     shifts - particularly at the local authority level.                                                       large scale trial and evaluation of a range of           bring together               We believe that “ConnectMore” will become a
is leading on innovative approaches that will                                                           For the first time in the UK the CHARGE project     smart charging solutions. We believe these                                            vital tool for a wide range of users looking to
support local authorities and beyond to better    Our globally innovative CHARGE project delves         will bring together the expertise from transport    solutions play a crucial role in releasing               transport and                invest in public charging infrastructure, not
                                                  into the world of electric vehicles, which have       and electrical network planning. Our project        additional network capacity for EVs without the                                       least of all local authorities. It will enable them
serve their communities.
                                                  been on the market for some time now and              partner PTV will build a full transport model of    immediate need for network reinforcement.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  network models to               to quickly assess the options for connection
As a society, a low carbon future is now the      are becoming increasingly popular, but which          the SP Manweb Licence Area that will be utilised    The ability to control chargers enables them to      allow users to assess            and select the most appropriate locations
common goal. Not only are the health benefits     still have perceived barriers to entry. One of        to simulate the uptake and movement of EVs          mitigate network risks whilst minimising the                                          based on the cost of connection and likely
very clear, we’ll also see a sustainable future   the biggest concerns consumers have when              out to 2050. Through doing so it will highlight     disruption encountered by customers.                 the likely utilisation           utilisation. CHARGE will inevitably become a
for businesses, vital infrastructure, and the     considering switching to an EV is the availability    locations of high demand for public charging                                                                                              key enabler for local authorities, community
economy as a whole, becoming real tangible        of charging facilities. Will they be in the right     and the most appropriate type of charger            All of our endeavours will culminate in the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  of chargers at any              groups, workplaces and retail and leisure
advantages along the way.                         places and readily available to ensure the            based on the dwell time and travel distance of      delivery of a ground-breaking self-service            given location, the             businesses planning their EV infrastructure
                                                  journey in an EV is just as hassle free as it would   the EVs. This same data will inform where we        tool for the connection of public charging                                            needs.
Amongst all of this, it’s crucial for local       be in the petrol or diesel alternative?               will need to reinforce the electricity network in   infrastructure. The “ConnectMore” platform,            available network
authorities to be equipped with the tools                                                               anticipation of increased demand from EVs.          delivered by EA Technology, will bring                                                Through achievements like those the CHARGE
and resources to allow them to achieve their      Whilst it is expected the majority of EV charging                                                         together the transport and network models               capacity and an               project will reach, we can deliver a better
own carbon reduction targets, as we are then      will take place at home or in the work place,         Since the project commenced, we have been
                                                                                                        working closely with local authorities such
                                                                                                                                                            to allow users to assess the likely utilisation of    indicative cost for             future, quicker for our customers and provide
stronger together than the sum of our parts.      there will still be a need for on-street and                                                              chargers at any given location, the available                                         local authorities with the means to successfully
                                                  public charge points. These may be required           as Liverpool City Council, Cheshire West and        network capacity and an indicative cost for               connection.”                support the communities they serve.
At the forefront of these low carbon efforts      by those who do not have a driveway – e.g.            Chester, and the Welsh Government. This             connection. Where the network capacity is
is the electrification of heat and transport,     those who live in flats, apartments or terraced       engagement has been to identify their plans         constrained, “ConnectMore” will present the
particularly as the wider government drives       houses. Charging facilities are likely to also be     and aspirations for the roll-out of public          user with a range of smart charging solutions                      Interested in knowing more on SP Energy Networks CHARGE project?
net zero targets and encourage or incentivise     required at public destinations such as leisure       charging infrastructure and to seek their           and provide indicative costs and an overview                       Visit www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/charge.aspx or get in
the uptake of the alternative options that        and shopping centres, tourist attractions, or         participation in cutting edge trials within         of the level of constraint that the solution                       touch via innovate@spenergynetworks.co.uk
are now available. At SP Energy Networks,         filling station forecourts. But how will local        CHARGE.                                             might introduce – all of which will be
Connected - Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
ENVIRONMENT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  ENVIRONMENT

                                                                                                                                                  Protect Your Business
                                                                                                                                                  from Rising Energy Costs
                                                                          Clarke Energy
                                                                            Look to Low                                                           Businesses face a variety of costs to enable them to
                                                                                                                                                  deliver their products and services, and with energy
                                                                                                                                                  prices on the rise, utility bills can have a big impact on a
                                                                          Carbon Future                                                           business’s finances.
                                                                                                                                                  Optimise Your Utility Spend                         your business is wasting money by identifying

                                                                               with New
                                                                                                                                                  As one of the UK’s leading energy                   reasons for high energy consumption, which
                                                                                                                                                  consultancies, Inspired Energy plc currently        can be investigated and rectified – leading
                           Unity                                                                                                                  help over 15,000 clients manage their               to immediate savings.
                           Togetherness                                                                                                           utilities, using our extensive knowledge of the

                                                                             Technology
                                                                                                                                                  sector to optimise the value of every pound         For large business, or those with multiple
                           Equal                                                                                                                  spent. Here are some ideas on how to future-
                                                                                                                                                                                                      sites, profile alerts can automatically detect
                                                                                                                                                                                                      unusual patterns of energy consumption.
                           Multiply                                                                                                               proof your business against mounting costs.
                                                                                                                                                                                                      For example, should electricity consumption
                           Proliferate                                                                                                            BUY IT WELL                                         be particularly high in the evening when
                                                                                                                                                                                                      your business is closed, profile alerts would
                           Connect                                                                                                                Energy prices fluctuate daily and can
                                                                                                                                                                                                      automatically identify this and notify an
                                                                                                                                                  be affected by a whole host of factors,
                                                                                                                                                  including demand, weather conditions                appropriate person, so that overspend can
 With the UK government setting the                engines. These engines are now hydrogen        power are steadily increasing. In the short     and even political factors. This can make it        be avoided.
 ambitious target of becoming net zero             ready, which can be used as a fuel to          term, gas engines still have a key role to      hard to stay within budget, meaning that
 carbon by 2050, Clarke Energy are already         generate electricity, heat and cooling.        play by providing reserve power when the        energy procurement becomes a stressful
                                                                                                                                                                                                      MAKE YOUR OWN
 looking to the future with new technologies       A number of Jenbacher engines are              wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining.                                                        On-site generation is becoming a popular
                                                                                                                                                  and time-consuming process. This can be
 which can support the decarbonisation of          operating on currently up to 70% hydrogen.     Clarke Energy offer a range of rapid                                                                option for businesses looking to protect
                                                                                                                                                  a significant burden for SMEs, who might
                                                                                                  response gas-fuelled power stations, which                                                          themselves from rising utility costs, while
 the power network. Two ways to decarbonise        INNIO plans to demonstrate by 2021                                                             not have the resources or time available to
                                                                                                                                                                                                      supporting a low-carbon future. Making
 the gas grid that have been suggested             that their engines can run on up to 100%       are ideally, suited to peaking reserve, power   dedicate to procurement.
                                                                                                                                                                                                      your own energy has many advantages but
 are changing the composition of gas in            hydrogen and ethanol. Some of Clarke           and grid support applications. Peaking
                                                                                                                                                  Choosing to a consultant led approach can           is very much dependent on your business
 the network to hydrogen and biomethane,           Energy’s furnace gas installations in South    stations can also be fuelled by either
                                                                                                                                                  relieve this burden. Inspired work with all major   premises. We can help by carrying out a site
 referred to as ‘green gas’. Hydrogen is a         Africa are already currently operating with    biogas or biomethane, providing a wholly
                                                                                                                                                  UK suppliers to give you access to a choice of      suitability assessment and advising on which
 zero-carbon emission energy source and the        a hydrogen blend.                              renewable balancing technology.
                                                                                                                                                  supply contracts suitable for your requirements.    technology is the best fit for your business.
 Liverpool city region has recently announced
                                                   Clarke Energy can also offer biogas                                                            We are independent of all suppliers, meaning
 they are targeting a 100% hydrogen gas grid                                                                                                                                                          DO IT RIGHT
                                                   upgrading to biomethane as a substitute                                                        we work in your best interests to secure the
 by 2035. Clarke Energy plan to help meet                                                                                                                                                             Another way of achieving significant cost-
                                                                                                                                                  right contract for your business.
 these new targets by adding new products          technology to a gas engine, this                                                                                                                   savings is to use a bill validation service.
 and services to their offering to include these   concentrated biogas is close to 100%              “Clarke Energy is                            USE IT BETTER                                       Up to 20% of utility bills are thought to        For advice on managing your
 green gases as fuel.                              methane. Rather than using an engine to                                                                                                            be incorrect, with non-commodity costs           energy costs, get in touch with
                                                   convert biogas into electricity and heat,
                                                                                                     a multi-national                             Making sure your organisation is operating
                                                                                                                                                                                                      being the area where most inaccuracies
                                                                                                                                                  efficiently is key to lowering costs.                                                                Inspired Energy plc.
 Clarke Energy is a multi-national specialist      instead the carbon dioxide is removed from        specialist in renewable                      Something as simple as switching to energy          occur. As well as making sure that your
 in renewable and flexible power generation        the biogas, and the gas either injected into                                                   efficient lighting can have a huge impact           bills are correct going forward, historical
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Call 01772 689 250,
 systems. After recently completing                the gas grid, or used as a vehicle fuel.
                                                                                                     and flexible power                           on your bottom line, with LED lights using up       invoices can be investigated, meaning you
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       email partnerships@inspiredenergy.co.uk
 acquisitions in Romania and Greece and                                                              generation systems”                          to 90% less energy than traditional lighting.       could be in line for a hefty refund. If any
                                                                                                                                                                                                      billing errors are discovered, our recovery
 the US, Clarke Energy now operates in 27          The move toward being a zero-carbon                                                                                                                                                                 or visit www.inspired-referral.co.uk
 countries globally as the distributor and         economy means intermittent renewable                                                           Other measures include a comprehensive              team will manage any refunds or rebates,
 service provider for INNIO Jenbacher gas          energy sources including wind and solar                                                        site audit. This will highlight exactly where       ensuring they are recovered quickly.

14                                                                                                                                                 Liverpool                                                                                                                                  15
                                                                                                                                                   Chamber
Connected - Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

                                                                                                                                                   Clean, green and good for                                                                                    Engineering with the world’s second largest
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                concentration of offshore wind farms. The
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                private sector has invested £4.3 billion in

                                                                                                                                                   business – how the Liverpool City
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                offshore wind here in the last five years.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Article 2 – can we put in a box or something to distinguish it
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                We are working to harness the power of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Electric Vehicles
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 River Mersey     – providing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               through        the solution
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        the Mersey         for your business
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Tidal Power
                                                                                                                                                   Region is leading on clean growth                                                                             Project,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                On  the 5th which
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 and enough
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                electric
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   could
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            November,     createplayed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Liverpool
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         vehiclesrenewable
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   thousands
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              electricity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  were displayed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          host toofanjobs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           to power
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  to the public,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       EV Roadshow
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 with aaspecial sem
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                managers    from local businesses.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 million homes.
                                                                                                                                                   In the Liverpool City Region we want to            Environment Summit where we committed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                There is expected to be a rapid take up of EV vehicles in the co
                                                                                                                                                   become the greenest city region in the             half a million pounds to support community-                 We’re
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                has madeat athe  centre oftothe
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              commitment         HyNet
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              phasing  outNorth
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           conventional petrol and
                                                                                                                                                   country, creating the opportunity for clean        driven projects to tackle climate change, in              Incentives  are currently
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  West project            in place
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  – a major        to promote charging at home, o
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               hydrogen
                                                                                                                                                   and inclusive growth that benefits everyone        addition to our £10m Green Investment Fund,               premises1. Some incentives may only be available to March of t
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  energy and carbon capture, usage and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                time to consider options.
                                                                                                                                                   who lives and works here.                          for renewable energy projects, which is the               storage project, and we are leading the
                                                                                                                                                                                                      start of a Green ‘New Deal’ for our region.               EV
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 wayVehicles are hydrogen
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      on using   just one aspect  of green transport policies bein
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             for transport,
                                                                                                                                                   That’s why we’re leading the way in                                                                          region and local councils. Liverpool Council presented seminar
                                                                                                                                                                                                      We also announced a Climate Emergency                     the development of a draft clean air policy.trains
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 manufacturing     hydrogen-powered
                                                                                                                                                   developing new energy technologies that put

 Business Growth Opportunities
                                                                                                                                                                                                      in 2019. We were one of the first Combined                and with hydrogen-powered buses set to be
                                                                                                                                                   us at the heart of positive action to combat                                                                 The  event wasinsponsored
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 introduced       2020. by SP Energy Networks. As the oper
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Authorities to adopt a target of net zero                 grid, SP Energy Networks are keen to understand the impact th
                                                                                                                                                   climate change and why we encourage
                                                                                                                                                                                                      carbon by 2040 and we have convened                       their network, which is expected to be significant if uptake by co
                                                                                                                                                   businesses to be part of the sustainability                                                                   Seven-out-of-ten
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                current                 of ourVisitors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         industry projections. buses are   already
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       learnt about Project Charge
                                                                                                                                                                                                      a Climate Partnership of local public and

 in a Low Carbon Economy
                                                                                                                                                   revolution. Clean growth is central to our local                                                             project,  which aims
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 low emission    whileto our
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         accelerate the wide-scale
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             £460 million          adoption of ele
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           investment
                                                                                                                                                                                                      private sector organisations and published                Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, North Shropshire and North W
                                                                                                                                                   industrial strategy, which will be published                                                                 in brand new trains for the Merseyrail network
                                                                                                                                                                                                      an Air Quality action plan.
                                                                                                                                                   early this year.                                                                                              will bring
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Vehicles  onthe  most
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              show     sophisticated,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   included             lower-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            the very latest ultra-low emission ca
                                                                                                                                                                                                      We are serious about climate action, and it is only       LDV   EV80 &
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 emission      EV30,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            fleet     BMW
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  in the   i8, i3 and 530e, MINI Countryman PH
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         country.
                                                                                                                                                   Last year, the Combined Authority marked                                                                     eGolf, Renault Zoe, Nissan LEAF, Lexus NX300h, KIA e-Niro, H
                                                                                                                                                                                                      by working closely with partners in businesses and        Jaguar i-Pace.
 The one consistent                              management. The reality however is that           the right skills is an ongoing challenge for    the city region’s first Year of the Environment    all our communities that we can deliver.                  Clean, green growth is vital for the
                                                 there are opportunities for businesses across     businesses in the sector and addressing         – 12 months of policy planning and practical                                                                  planet,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                This eventgood   for business
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            was supported    by –
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                the Department of Business Ene
 message throughout                              a range of sectors, creating significant          the skills gap in this area remains a           projects aimed at tackling the climate crisis.     The Liverpool City Region is a designated                 and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 andGrowth  Platform
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      here in         – the Liverpool
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               the Liverpool    City City Region Growth Compa
                                                 economic benefits.                                priority for both employers and local                                                                                                                        Great Britain and was delivered by GreenFleet.
 the recent UK Election                                                                            partners if we are to maximise the city
                                                                                                                                                   This culminated in the Liverpool City Region       Centre for Offshore Renewable                             Region we’re leading the way.

 Campaign was the need                           Companies can build their competitive             region’s potential.
                                                 advantage at an early stage and benefit
 to urgently tackle climate                      from the increased economic productivity          The Government needs to work closely
                                                 associated with circular business models as       with the private sector if it is to meet its
 change with business
 leaders, as well as other
                                                 well as preparing themselves for the transition
                                                 to a low-carbon economy.
                                                                                                   target, recognising both the constructive
                                                                                                   and economic contribution the sector can        Electric Vehicles – providing
                                                                                                   make as well as some of the challenges it
 organisations, highlighting
 the need to turn political
                                                 Consumer pressure is also a significant driver
                                                 for change, particularly with increased
                                                                                                   faces as it adapts and transforms. Above
                                                                                                   all it needs to provide clarity around the
                                                                                                                                                   the solution for your business?
                                                 brand awareness. Businesses can use               direction of travel as the need to take
 pledges into practical                          their marketing strategies to influence           action becomes ever more urgent.
                                                 consumer behaviour, adapting their brand to
 action if the UK is to achieve                  promote behavioural change and reduced            Closer to home, Liverpool City Council
                                                                                                                                                   On the 5th November, Liverpool played              EV Vehicles are just one aspect of green                   across Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, North
 net zero emissions by 2050.                     consumption through new innovative and            continue to develop their Clean Air Plan and
                                                                                                                                                   host to an EV Roadshow at which the latest         transport policies being developed by the city             Shropshire and North Wales.
                                                 creative business models. Ambitious action        will begin engagement with local businesses                                                                                                              1
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                https://www.goultralow.com/about-us/
                                                                                                                                                   electric vehicles were displayed to the            region and local councils. Liverpool Council
                                                 also has the potential to create millions of      over the next few months. If you would like                                                                                                                   Vehicles on show included the very latest
 We should not ignore the progress already                                                                                                         public, with a special seminar event for fleet     presented seminar attendees with update on
                                                 new low-carbon jobs worldwide.                    to contact them to discuss the plans or how                                                                                                                   ultra-low emission cars and vans including
 being made by businesses of all sizes and                                                                                                         managers from local businesses.                    the development of a draft clean air policy.
                                                                                                   you can be involved, please email: Liverpool.                                                                                                                 the LDV EV80 & EV30, BMW i8, i3 and 530e,
 across all sectors, including Liverpool         In the Liverpool City Region the low              CleanAirPlan@liverpool.gov.uk
                                                                                                                                                   There is expected to be a rapid take up of EV      The event was sponsored by SP Energy                       MINI Countryman PHEV, Audi e-Tron, VW
 Chamber members, as you will see from           carbon sector is estimated to contribute
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Networks. As the operator of the local                     eGolf, Renault Zoe, Nissan LEAF, Lexus
 some of the excellent and innovative            over £2bn to the local economy                    Whether directly involved in the low carbon     vehicles in the coming decade. Government
                                                                                                                                                                                                      power grid, SP Energy Networks are keen to                 NX300h, KIA e-Niro, Hyundia KONA Electric,
 examples in this edition of Well Connected,     employing over 22,000 people in                   sector or simply acting as a responsible        has made a commitment to phasing out
                                                                                                                                                                                                      understand the impact that charging will                   Jaguar i-Pace.
 as well as some highlights from the Liverpool   1,400 companies, with employment                  employer, every business can benefit from       conventional petrol and diesel vehicles by
                                                                                                                                                                                                      have on their network, which is expected to
 City Region Combined Authority - below.         opportunities in the sector growing.              the range of opportunities offered within the   2040. Incentives are currently in place to                                                                    This event was supported by the Department
                                                                                                                                                                                                      be significant if uptake by consumers does
                                                 Jobs range from high level scientific             city region. During 2020, Liverpool Chamber     promote charging at home, on-street and at                                                                    of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and
 The “low carbon economy” can be an                                                                                                                                                                   meet current industry projections. Visitors
                                                 innovation and engineering through to             will be focussing on the low carbon             business premises . Some incentives may only                                                                  Growth Platform – the Liverpool City Region
 abstract concept for many businesses, and                                                                                                                                                            learnt about Project Charge, a trailblazing
                                                 the application of traditional craft and          economy, working with partners, to see how      be available to March of this year, so now is a                                                               Growth Company, as a showcase of Green
 seen primarily as the prerogative of those                                                                                                                                                           £8.5m project, which aims to accelerate
                                                 technical skills as well as those centred         best we can support our members to realise      good time to consider options.                                                                                Great Britain and was delivered by GreenFleet.
 focused on energy and environmental                                                                                                                                                                  the wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles
                                                 on consultancy. Recruiting people with            those benefits.

16                                                                                                                                                 Liverpool                                                                                                                                                          17
                                                                                                                                                   Chamber
Connected - Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
You can also read