LIB DEMS MUST CHOOSE THEIR LEADER WITH CARE
Like it or not, it is people, or personalities, who make a difference, make things happen and make cities great. Liverpool has slowly but surely been building a team of characters who, individually, can boast impressive track records, and together, can take the capital of culture to the next level.

Last week, the appointment of Rod Holmes as Chairman of The Mersey Partnership, added value to that strong team. The man that has patiently and charmingly delivered the biggest city centre development we have ever saw, will be working alongside Chief Executive Lorraine Rogers, who has spent her first eight months in her role sorting the organisation internally, crucially winning the financial backing of Merseyside’s local authorities and with Rod’s help, is now ready to drive forward an ambitious plan to promote the city region nationally and internationally to tourists and investors alike.

The new Liverpool Vision has been able to secure the services of that wily old fox Jim Gill, at least until December, but hopefully beyond, and his Chairman is a man with as good a CV as you are likely to see in Mike Parker. Parker, who has kindly agreed to be the keynote speaker at DLIB’s Business Oscars event in July, is the Chief Executive of BNFL, and held the same post at America’s Dow Chemical group. The fact that he was born in Waterloo, and that he is doing the Vision job for nothing, is an absolute bonus!

After the desperate trials and tribulations that were endured at the Culture Company under the stewardship of lord only knows who between the years 2004-07, the formidable trio of NWDA Chairman Bryan Gray, media mogul Phil Redmond and the lesser known, but crucial ingredient to this successful cocktail of characters, Bernice Law, have brought an air of confidence and professionalism to the agency, that certainly wasn’t perceived by those outside beforehand.

And at city hall, Head of Regeneration John Kelly is winning friends and influencing people in the private sector at a rate of knots with his pragmatic approach, and accessibility. It has been interesting to hear, post-Mipim, positive noises from several North West developers and investors, on the back of informal meetings they enjoyed with Kelly, and City Council Chief Executive Colin Hilton, who seems to be comfortable with his deliberately adopted low profile, which has been compared favourably in the corridors of power with that of his predecessor.

The city X1 is completed by the Leader of the city council, and his right hand man. At present, that is the affable Warren Bradley, and arguably the most politically savvi personality among our councillors, Mike Story.

However, discontent among the ranks of a Liberal Democrat group that was only able to cling to power at city hall through a rather shabby deal with an Independent Councillor on the very night of last weeks local election, is threatening team changes here. Bradley is facing a serious challenge to his leadership from two experienced colleagues, Richard Kemp and Paul Clein. The result will be known late Monday night, but early indications suggest that the contest is too close to call.

From the business sector’s point of view, this decision matters, and we can only hope the Liberal Democrats select their new captain with care. It would be a shame if Team Liverpool was de-stabilised by the appointment of a championship manager, when a Champions League winner is required!