315°

THE RDA MAGAZINE FEB 2010 ISSUE 20

Open for businessCumbria looks to the future

TVDragonfiresupyoungentrepreneursNWDAgranthelpsdrivegrowthatGMVauxhall

Chief Executive’s Message / NWDA / 315º Magazine

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315° Editor:Gareth Chadwick /gareth.chadwick@wordsworks.co.uk / 0161637 9224. NWDA: Sarah Moston / Sarah.Moston@nwda.co.uk / 01925 400 552

A positive beginning,but...environment will continue to be tough andtherefore our support for businesses remainsvital. We will continue to make it our keypriority in the year ahead. There will be noeasy quick fixes. 2009 was a challenging year for the regionand the strategic leadership of the NorthwestRegional Development Agency (NWDA) hasplayed a key role, particularly in response to the Cumbria floods, which significantlyaffected many businesses and communities.Working with local partners,we quickly put inplace an investment and support packageand have worked hard to spread the messagethat Cumbria is open for business.You canread more about the flood recovery effort onpage18.While our response to current economicconditions is crucial, we have not lost sight ofthe region’s long term goals and 2009 was an important year for the development of theNorthwest’s integrated regional strategy

(RS2010). Working in partnership with 4NW,the NWDA has prepared the first draft of thestrategy,which is currently undergoing region-wide consultation.Find out more on page 04.Although early signs are that the outlook isslowly improving, the economic climate willcontinue to create challenges for theNorthwest in the year ahead and we mustmaintain the provision of relevant, timelysupport to ensure the region is in the strongestpossible position.The region’s strength inpartnership working has always been itsstrongest asset,and I am confident that we cancontinue to build on this as we work towardsachieving our shared vision for the region.

Steven BroomheadChief executiveNorthwest Regional Development Agency(NWDA)

Contents

The Big Idea: The tall guy.Peter Jones’National Enterprise Academy is training a newgeneration of entrepreneurs. Page 08

Rapid recovery. Three months after the floods,Cumbria is looking forward to getting back tonormal. Page18

Knowledge economy. A raft of initiatives ishelping to grow the potential of the region’sscience base. Page 10

Urban growth. Some of the region’s mostdeprived areas will benefit from a newEuropean investment programme. Page 29

Special Focus04 New strategy for region’s future growth

News06 A round-up of the region’s leading stories

The Big Idea08 Peter Jones

Business10 Science at heart of Northwest potential11 Stars shine on Merseyside12 Manufacturers make most of assistance14 Green light for eco-innovation

In Pictures16 Tourists flock to Liverpool

People18 Cumbria on road to recovery21 Bringing enterprise into the classroom22 Rural communities receive funding boost23 In the news: Cammell Laird24 College growth plans given go ahead

Places26 MediaCityUK in pole position for

London 201228 Baltic sees benefit of investment29 JESSICA sizes up urban developments

Regulars30 People in the region31 Events and contacts

The region has begun 2010 with the positivenews that the worst effects of the downturnare behind us,according to the predictionsof the latest Regional Economic ForecastingPanelreport,whichsuggeststhat theregionis poised formodest rates of economicgrowth this year.This is extremely encouraging news,however, we recognise that growth will beslow and challenging to sustain. The trading

Cover photography by Craig Easton/Driftwood

Picasso is part of the Tate Liverpool Major Exhibition Programme which is just one of several major attractions supported by the European Regional Development Fundin England’s Northwest. ERDF funding also supports: The People’s History Museum;the new Museum of Liverpool; Liverpool Biennial 2010 Festival and the redevelopmentof the Museum of Science and Industry.

ERDF – making a real difference to people andbusinesses in the Northwest

315º Magazine / NWDA / Special Report Special Report / NWDA / 315º Magazine

04/05

housands of young people are being encouraged to come forward with ideas to improve the prosperity and quality of life in the Northwest as part of a fresh approach to regional strategy-making.

Feedback from youth events will be used to define some of the prioritiesbeing drawn up by the strategy writers to deliver a more productive,environmentally sustainable, healthy and equitable region over thenext 20 years.An advisory group putting together the new integrated regionalstrategy (RS2010) has already engaged young people through theYouth Parliament and a groundbreaking ‘Young Citizens Say’ survey

carried out by the Institute of Citizenship among 5,000 14-19 year olds.A further 18 workshops in schools and youth groups across the regionwere held in December 2009.The plan is to present the RS2010 blueprint to 2,000 young people at anevent in February 2010. “An important aim of the new strategy is to create a region that willattract and retain young people. Many of them will be tomorrow’sleaders and we have tried especially hard to engage young people inthe consultation process,”explains Simon Nokes, the NWDA’s executivedirector, policy and planning, who chairs the RS advisory group.In December 2009, the boards of the NWDA and 4NW, the regional

leaders’group, approved the draft Part One – the ‘high-level’strategy –prior to it being sent out to 3,500 stakeholders in January 2010 fortheir views and comments. Assisted by a 50-strong advisory group drawn from the public,private and voluntary sectors, the two organisations are producingthe strategy on behalf of the region and are aimingto submit a fuller revised version to an examination-in-public in late 2010.The RS2010 blueprint provides a route map for theNorthwest to deliver a real lift in competitiveness bybuilding on world-class assets, such as the nuclearindustry, the biomedical,digital and creative andadvanced manufacturing sectors and the region’ssporting, cultural and natural and built heritagepedigree.

It proposes a number of priority action areas to builda prosperous future that is sustainable and fair.They range from more support for eco-innovation,developing Carlisle,Chester and Lancaster as heritage cities, and promoting MediaCityUKas a world-class hub for digital and creative technologies,to improvingtransport and digital connectivity and tackling ill health and inequality.

These are grouped around four strategic goals:• Capitalise on the opportunities of moving to a low carbon economy

and address climate change• Build on the Northwest’s sources of international competitiveness

and regional distinctiveness• Release the potential of the region’s people and tackle poverty• Ensure the right housing and infrastructure for sustainable growth

Neil Cumberlidge,NWDA director of strategy and planning,a leadingplayer in drawing up the document,says all four strands are interlinked:“No single one is greater than the others and success will depend onachieving all four, although this has to happen within the context of alow carbon economy and the need to adjust to climate change.”

The strategy is radically different from previousframeworks in that it combines economic,environmental and social planning in one integrateddocument that will guide regional decision-makingfor the next two decades. “It brings together all the elements of how we liveour lives and has been a hugely challengingexercise,”observes Nokes.“It is much more globalin outlook and focuses on things where we can becompetitive on a world stage.”He cites the nuclear industry as an outstandingexample. Uniquely in the UK, the region houses all

stages of the nuclear cycle, from fuel manufacture in Preston,enrichment at Capenhurst, generation at Heysham, reprocessingand decommissioning at Sellafield and research in Manchester.The region’s major players are having an input into the strategy,including the NWDA, 4NW, Government Office for North West, theHomes and Communities Agency (HCA), Environment Agency,Natural England and the NHS.The business community and voluntary,community and faith sector also have an enhanced role in developingthe strategy’s priorities.Councillor Sir Richard Leese, chairman of 4NW, said:“We have astrong tradition of working in partnership in the Northwest and we areconfident that the new strategy will build on this.”

Sharing the vision

The new regional strategy for the Northwestpromises to be the most sustainable andinclusive yet, asTrevor Bates reports.

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Weblinks: www.nwda.co.uk / www.4nw.org.uk / consult.nwregionalstrategy.com

Unparalleled consultation

RS2010 is being subjected to a very wide spectrum ofcomment through a comprehensive consultation process,before being sent to central government for approval.

Early consultation in 2008-09 helped to define12 outcomes theregion wished to achieve.The second stage is road-testingwith stakeholders the draft Part One,which incorporatesthese values in one overarching vision for the region.

This is an informal consultation process that will be carriedout over eight weeks (January 4 to February 26). Feedbackwill be used to develop a revised Part One, together with adraft Part Two which will set out detailed policies and actions.

These documents will be sent out for 12 weeks of statutoryconsultation in the summer, along with an action plan.The two main components will then be subjected to publicscrutiny in autumn 2010.

Members of the public can have their say by logging on to theconsultation website: http://consult.nwregionalstrategy.com

“It is much more“global in outlook and focuses

on things where we can be

competitive on a “world stage.”

TogetherformsSingle

RegionalStrategy

Tested viaExaminationin Publicprocess

Regional Strategy– Part 1 –

High level strategic framework

Regional Strategy– Part 2 –

Detailed supporting policies

Implementation Framework(Actions implementing

Regional Strategy)

315º Magazine / NWDA / News News / NWDA / 315º Magazine

0706News

New£1.9mcentreopenforbusiness

Manchester and Liverpool have both beenchosen as host cities for England’s bid to hostthe 2018 World Cup. In Liverpool, Anfield waschosen as a match venue for the tournament,while in Manchester both Old Trafford and the City of Manchester stadium were deemedsuitable stadia.If England is selected to host the event, bothcities are in line for an economic windfallworth tens of millions of pounds. FIFA willchoose later this year where the 2018 WorldCup will be staged.

Northwestsuccessin2018 WorldCupbid

Unilever invests at Daresbury

A new £1.9 million business centre in westCumbria has officially opened its doors.Maryport Business Centre houses six studiosand 24 industrial units and is expected tocreate between 45 and 90 jobs in the town.The early December opening was deliberatelytimed as a signal that Cumbria was open for business following November’s floods.Forth Engineering is one of the firstbusinesses to take space at the centre.

Multi-national consumerproducts companyUnilever is investing in a new research anddevelopment function at the DaresburyScience and Innovation Campus in Cheshire.The Anglo-Dutch manufacturer of personalcare and food products, including globalbrands like Dove, Vaseline and Timotei, is touse the computational science expertise ofDaresbury Laboratory to research anddevelop new products.Its existing research and development team,at Port Sunlight on Wirral, will also useDaresbury’s super-computing expertise todevelop innovative software tools to predicthow different ingredients react together. If successful, the company said the newtools will help to use more sustainablemanufacturing methods.

It has extended its operations and will run itsnuclear research and development wingfrom the new unit. One of the building’s features is the largebutton-style art around it, created by artistPaul Scott.The large circular buttons havepictures inside depicting Maryport’s leadingtechnology.

Jobs boostfor 390companiesOver 390 Northwest firms have benefitedfrom the Access to Finance scheme run byBusiness Link Northwest, creating nearly1,750new jobs,according to the latest figures.Around £43 million has been awarded tobusiness in the last nine months. As well ascreating new jobs, the money has helped tosafeguard more than 5,000 existing roles andprovided much needed funds for investmentin new equipment, premises and productdevelopment.Access to Finance is free advice and supportto help businesses and entrepreneursunderstand the options available for accessingthe finance required for business start-up,development and expansion. Steven Broomhead, chief executive of theNWDA, said the scheme will help maintaineconomic success in the region: “This free-to-use service provides vital advice andsupport to help businesses and entrepreneursunderstand the options available for accessingthe finance required for business start-up,development and expansion.”

See Science of success, page10

See Fighting the floods, page 18

A major international music conference has announced it is moving from London toLiverpool.Musexpo Europe has committed itself to thecity for at least three years. Its first visit willbe in May, as part of the Liverpool Sound Citymusic festival and conference. The event is set to bring hundreds ofdelegates to Liverpool and showcase thecity’s thriving music industry. PreviousMusexpo events have attracted some of thebiggest names in the music industry, fromrecord label bosses to upcoming stars.

City in music industry coup

Wind turbine plansfor university

KendalCollegewins£1mgrant

Sat Bisla, Musexpo’s Los Angeles-basedpresident, said the recent investment inLiverpool’s infrastructure, including its newhotels, made it an ideal location for the event.“We were approached by people in Germanyand Scandinavia about taking Musexpo to their countries. But because of ourrelationship with Liverpool Sound City, andhaving spent more time in Liverpool recently,I saw the potential of bringing it here.”

Kendal College has been awarded a £1million grant to build a new facility andexpand its curriculum.The purchase of adjacent brownfield land,known as ‘Wildman Street’, will enable thecollege to develop its digital and creativecurriculum, while increasing the provisionfor further and higher education in the area. The plans are part of a wider regenerationprocess at the north end of the town,including a new ‘campus’ embracing thecollege, Kendal Museum, the 14th CenturyCastle Dairy and the Allan Building.

The first phase of the development at thecollege includes a multi-purpose space forstudents studying performing arts, danceand music, facilities for sound, lighting andrecording with workshops, changingfacilities, toilets and reception. It follows the college’s award-winningdevelopment on its main site, which wascompleted in November 2008 and nowprovides world-class facilities in vocationaltraining and education.

Northwest poisedfor economy riseThe Northwest is poised for growth in 2010,according to the latest predictions by theRegional Economic Forecasting Panel(REFP).In its latest short-term forecast, theindependent panel says that although therecession was as deep as it expected, theregion is well-placed for modest growth overthe next three years.It forecasts growth of just under two per centfor the region’s manufacturing sector,coupled with further growth in the energyindustry and a return to stability in financialand business services.The panel’s report highlights signs that therecession has eased – GDP fell by three-quarters of a per cent quarter-on-quarter inthe second quarter of 2009 and by just underhalf a per cent in quarter three, a slower rateof decline of that in the first quarter of the year.Household expenditure continued to fall, butfor the first time in this recession the pace ofdecline slowed in the second quarter of 2009.Andrew McLaughlin, chair of the REFP, said:“The Northwest economy has responded toa course of policy steroids and is on the cuspof growth.The challenge for 2010 is to sustainthis momentum as the support from lowinterest rates and high public spending wane.”The Regional Economic Forecasting Panelwas set up in 2003. It consists of 13 seniorrepresentatives of business, academia andthe public sector in the Northwest.

Lancaster University has a received a £5milliongrant to reducecarbonemissions.The funding will be used to install two 2.1MWturbines on the university’s Hazelriggcampus to the east of the M6 motorway. If installed, they would be able to produceenough electricity to meet the requirementsof all students who live on campus. The grant is from a Higher EducationFunding Council for England initiative totransform the way universities use energy. Lancaster University comprises eightundergraduate colleges and one postgraduate, which together house more than7,000 students..

See Licence to learn, page 24

See Sea change for Baltic, page 28 See Sheer power, page 14

He says that entrepreneurship is not a genetic characteristic; something we are either born with or we’re not. He firmly believesthat entrepreneurs can be taught and that the NEA is the institutionto do it. He points to his own early beginnings in business as evidenceof the crucial role that successful business people – and exposure tothe real world of business – can play, and how success is often asmuch about attitude as it is about how many qualifications you have.

“When I was12, I had an inspirational English teacher at my school. Hehad a top-of-the-range Porsche and all the trappings of success. I wasintrigued to find out how he did it. It turned out he rana successful tennis academy during the holidays –so I became his assistant. I saw first-hand what ittook to create and run a successful business. Thatwas the real spark for me.I then set up my own tennisacademy and then later a computer company whilestill at school. By the time I was 19, I had bought myfirst house and was on the road to success,” he says.It wasn’t a road without the odd pot-hole, though.By the time he was 28 he’d made and lost a million-pound fortune and had to move back in with hisparents. He didn’t make the same mistakes again,however.The next business he set up,a mobile phonedistribution business, is now the biggest of its kind in the UK and one ofthe world’s leading telecommunication companies, with a turnover of£150 million.

he NEA opened its doors after a successful six-month pilotprogramme in 2009, where 28 students were recruited onto an intensive course to develop the UK’s first everqualifications in entrepreneurship. The results of the pilot are

outstanding: several students have already established their ownbusinesses, some are continuing in education, and some have beenrecruited by high-profile businesses (although he won’t say who).With company failures at resolutely high levels, bank lending at an alltime low and the UK economy performing worse than many of its

315º Magazine / NWDA / The Big Idea The Big Idea / NWDA / 315º Magazine

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Weblinks: www.thenea.org

nlocking the potential of Britain’s young entrepreneurs is essential to the future success of our economy. And there’s no better time to face this challenge than during a recession.”

Peter Jones, business tycoon and rapier-tongued stalwart of TV seriesDragon’s Den, is outlining the rationale behind the National EnterpriseAcademy (NEA). The NEA, Jones’ own brainchild, is the UK’s firsteducational institution dedicated solely to enterprise andentrepreneurship. With Manchester’s One Central Park in Moston asone of only two sites nationwide (the other is in Buckinghamshire), it aims to pioneer a new way of teaching by swapping textbooks forreal-life business challenges, with a high level of practical input fromentrepreneurs, as well as tutors.Launched in September 2009, the NEA will enrol nearly18,000 16-19year olds in its first five years,giving students the skills and confidenceto become enterprising employees or entrepreneurs in their ownright.The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has investedup to £9million in the venture,matched by employers.“I’ve always beenextremely passionate about improving the entrepreneurial capabilitiesof the UK,” says Jones.“And like any entrepreneur who spots a gap inthe market, I moved to fill it, with a school for ‘business tycoons’.”

Few know as much about businessas PeterJones. But the TV Dragon,worth an estimated £158m, isputting his reputation on the linewith his latest venture: a specialistcollege in Manchester to trainthe entrepreneurs of tomorrow.He tells all to Gareth Chadwick.

Pete’s Dragons“U

In a nutshell...Name: Peter Jones Age: 44

Where were you born: Berkshire

Where do you live: Buckinghamshire

What car do you drive: Maybach

What was your first ever job?After completing the Lawn Tennis Association’scoaching exams, I set up my own tennis coachingschool. This allowed me to combine the two subjects I loved the most: sport and economics

What has been your proudest achievement? Establishing the National Enterprise Academy

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? There’s no such thing as failure, only feedback

What is the best thing about being successful? Being in a position where I can use my success toinspire the next generation of young people

competitors, it might seem an odd time to be trying to encouragepeople to go into business. But Jones, all 6ft 7ins of him, is a glass-half-full kind of man.“The need for entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial talent – the abilityto work entrepreneurially within an existing business – is not a newphenomenon, but the need has almost certainly been intensified bythe recession. Businesses need people who can seize opportunities,people who can challenge existing practices and entrenched ways ofdoing things. That’s what the NEA is all about; giving people theknowledge and the confidence to think differently about how they do

business and what ‘doing business’ really means,”he explains.

The two new qualifications offered by the NEA have a strong focus on practical skills. The first, a level 2BTEC Diploma in Understanding Enterprise andEntrepreneurship, and the second, a level 3 BTECDiploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, havebeen developed in partnership with Edexcel, theUK’s largest qualifications awarding body. Creating a nation of entrepreneurs is undoubtedly aworthy aim, but critics argue it is just one more in along list of well-meaning government educational

initiatives, launched in a blaze of glory, but which soon splutter on theflames of failure. It’s a criticism Jones has heard before – and that heis quick to dismiss.“It’s never been done before. It’s not just the qualifications that arenew, the style and delivery of the course is unique. It’s about ‘learningby doing’. It’s not just teachers in a classroom, there’s a high level ofinput from entrepreneurs and business people. Entrepreneurs are notborn, they are made,and the NEA can help us to make more of them.” ∆T

“Manchester’s OneCentral Park inMoston is one ofonly two NEA

sites nationwide.”

hether a great leap for mankind or one step along adifficult journey, the success of modern science is asmuch about collaboration and knowledge exchangeas experiments in a laboratory.

“If we can get the right people talking,”explains DrJohn Conti-Ramsdenof the Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (KCMC),“it enablesuniversities and industry to collaborate more effectively, sharingideas and knowledge.”With a base in the chemicals heartland of Runcorn, the KCMC has adedicated team of more than ten researchers spread over three of theregion’s universities – Bolton, Manchester and Liverpool – as well asDaresbury Science and Innovation Campus (see panel).Some of the larger ongoing KCMC projects include work on electronicmaterialswithsemi-conductorcompanySAFCHitech,highperformancepolymers with plastics and polymer company Victrex,and diversenew materials for applications in energy storage and harvesting, fireretardant systems and formulated products for personal care.

“Our goal is to promote collaboration in the broadest sense,”saysConti-Ramsden.“As we engage with companies, we are buildingnetworks,creating partnerships and, in the longer term,encouraginginvestment in the region’s R&D.Our post-doc researchers in theuniversities, each one with a focus on industrial commercialisationprojects, can respond quickly to industry needs.”The KCMC is only one of several NWDA initiatives that are strengtheningthe links between universities and business in the region.

The Northwest Laser Engineering Consortium (NWLEC) is acollaboration between the universities of Liverpool and Manchester.It was set up in 2005 as a focus for research into laser technology,with teams in both universities developing new laser applications inmicro and nano-technology.Now, an additional investment in knowledge exchange announcedlast summer is enabling those results to be explained, applied andassessed in an industrial context.

Professor Lin Li is director of the laser processing research centre atthe University of Manchester: “NWDA support has created an excitingopportunity for the Northwest Laser Engineering Consortium tocapitalise on years of basic research. The funding for this new projectwill make it easier for businesses to benefit from what we’re doing.”

Another key investment making atangible difference to the regionis the NWDA’s £5 million injectioninto a groundbreaking projectto support the Northwest’sbiohealth sector and the public’shealth. The project, Northweste-Health, will use cutting-edgetechnology to develop newhealthcare models throughanalysing anonymised healthrecords.

It brings together e-Lab technology developed at the University ofManchester with innovations in community-wide healthcare records ledby Salford Primary Care Trust and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.Northwest e-Health will enable NHS professionals and researchersto gain new insights into how individual treatments or whole servicesare working. The NWDA’s science and innovation director, George Baxter, says thatprojects like these exemplify the collaborative approach essential tothe continuing success of the region’s science sector. “We have such riches in our universities and hospitals, and tremendouspotential for growth in our region’s innovative businesses. If we canbring them together, then we can create commercial as well asscientific success.”

315º Magazine / NWDA / Business Business / NWDA / 315º Magazine

1110Science of success

The Northwest has an illustrious scientifictradition and recentinvestments are helpingto maximise thecommercial benefits ofthe latest discoveries,writes Sally Seed.

Weblinks: www.daresburysic.co.uk / www.materialschemistry.org / www.nwlec.org.uk / www.nweh.org.uk Weblinks: www.visionandmedia.co.uk

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“Outstanding” Daresbury Campus

TheNWDAhas invested over £67million in theDaresburyScienceand Innovation Campus (DSIC) in recent years–confidence thatwas vindicated recently when Daresbury was named the UK’sOutstanding Science Park by the UK Science Park Association inits prestigious annual awards.

Construction of the latest building,Vanguard House,has just begunalongside the Daresbury Innovation Centre. It will provide almost36,000 square feet of newaccommodation, ranging fromoffice andmeetingspacetoworkshopsandlaboratories.Thisnewstate-of-the-art ‘grow-on’buildingwill provideanaturalnext step for companiesalready on Campus as their business grows and develops, as wellas attracting high-tech businesses from further afield.

“Vanguard House will provide a further magnet for high-techbusinesses looking to draw on our unique combination ofscientific and business expertise,”says Colin Whitehouse, adirector of Daresbury SIC.

Liverpool is fast becoming a hotspot for Hollywood, thanks to thesuccess of the pioneering Liverpool Film Office.When it was first established in 1989, the Liverpool Film Office, whichis funded by the NWDA through Northwest Vision and Media, hadhigh hopes for Merseyside as a film location spot. But nobody couldhave predicted that 20 years later, the film industry would be bringingin around £14 million a year for the city region. In August 2009 alone,106 filming days were shot in the city, the busiest month on record.

Last year’s successes included hosting a 200-strong Warner Brosfilm unit for the upcoming Harry Potter film, ‘The Deathly Hallows’,which is scheduled for release at the end of 2010. The team booked1,000 bed nights, which supported local hotels during the quietmid-autumnperiod.Thecrewwerepersuadedto film in theQueenswayTunnel – the road tunnel under the River Mersey–after shooting asequence in Liverpool’s docks for the previous Harry Potter film,‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’.Another major blockbuster filmed in the city was the recently releasedSherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law, whensome of Liverpool’s historic streets stood in for Victorian London.

And it’s not just blockbusters which are making a hit in Liverpool.Critically acclaimed independent film ‘Nowhere Boy’– about the earlyyears of John Lennon – is filmed in some of the city’s older streets,with the crew spending around £1.5 million during their stay.

Liverpool’sstarring role

When it comes to tapping into thebusinesspotential of themovies, Liverpool hasitsname in lights,writesSarahAddyman.

“NWDAsupport has“createdanexcitingopportunity for theLaser EngineeringConsortium to

capitalise on years ”of basic research.”

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e’ve got a fit, healthy and productive manufacturing sectorthat, generally speaking, has weathered the storm quitewell,”explains Chris Rowlands, head of manufacturing atthe NWDA.“People have been accessing support from

the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) and Business Link. Butthey’ve also been looking beyond the recession and that’s where weare hoping to support more businesses, with new technologies andmore support through MAS.”

The Northwest’s manufacturing sector is the biggest of any Englishregion with around 18,000 companies employing in excess of 400,000people. And it remains a major driver for improving GVA too,contributing £20.3 billion to the regional economy.This importance is shown in a new ten year Northwest ManufacturingStrategy and Action Plan launched last autumn. The plan sets outthe support necessary to help organisations survive the recession andseize new opportunities as economic conditions improve.One of its key actions is to ensure continued support for small and

medium-sized manufacturing businesses. This support is driven bythe highly effective MAS Northwest, with £20 million of new fundingfrom the NWDA and the Northwest ERDF programme.MAS was first launched in 2002 and is delivered in the region byThe Manufacturing Institute (TMI). By enhancing supply chainperformance and improving innovation, the service has alreadyhelped to create or safeguard 8,790 jobs, train 6,500 people and save£739 million for Northwest manufacturers.Peter Hammond is managing director of Auto MarineCables and first signed up to MAS four years ago.“Working with MAS is an incredibly progressivecurve,” he explains.“One of the key factors is that theydon’t just do things with you, or for you, they teachyou how to do it yourselves.That means you can thentake these skills into other areas and continue thegood work without them.”Auto Marine Cables manufactures low voltage cablesfortheautomotiveandmarine industries,andemploys55 people at its Worsley factory in Greater Manchester.“People talk about salvation when it comes to MAS,but we’re quite a solid business,”continues Hammond.“We neededthem to move forward and make the business more competitive andstronger in every way – and MAS has contributed significantly to usdoing this.”

erospace is another key priority, with two in every fiveaerospace jobs in the UK located in the Northwest.The sectorhas an annual turnover close to £7 billion, or a third of thetotal UK aerospace turnover, making it the most significant

region in the country. This sector too has received a timely boost withthe launch of the £7.1 million Northwest Aerospace Supply ChainExcellence Programme 2 (ASCE).The programme is designed to equip the sector with the skills andinnovative edge that it needs to maintain its position in the globalmarket. ASCE2 is being designed and delivered by the North WestAerospace Alliance (NWAA), with joint funding from the NWDA andNorthwest ERDF programme.The programme focuses on five priorities – skills provision, innovation,shared services, commodity groups and enterprise, with the aim of helping companies in the aerospace supply chain compete moreeffectively.ASCE2 builds on the work of the ASCE1programme.Launched in 2006,ASCE1 was the first coordinated approach to supplier development inthe UK’s aerospace sector.Over 30 of the most strategically important suppliers in theNorthwest were involved in ASCE1, with each company mentored bya representative from Airbus, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce or Aircelle.In total over 300 jobs have been created or safeguarded, and over 2000days of training delivered.

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Motoring forward

Weblinks: www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk / www.aerospace.co.uk

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The region’s automotive sector is also showing signs of recovery. The£3.86 million Automotive Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain(AMSC),which is part funded by the NWDA,has so far helped to improvethe competitiveness of over110 automotive companies.At the Blackburn site of bus and coach builders Optare, AMSC helpedto remodel the production process, with operators contributing ideasabout how to improve working methods and processes.The result was

a halving of bus build times, improved deliverytimes and an overall reduction in operational costs. The NWDA also played an integral role in securingthe future of car production at GM in EllesmerePort, with an £8.7 million training grant designed tohelp the plant maintain its position as a world classmanufacturing facility. The grant, which has been invested in the plant’sfive-year Workforce Development Programme, willensure training goes beyond the basics necessaryfor Vauxhall’s operations, and position the plant andits employees at the very forefront of world-classcapability. Significantly, the NWDA award also

supports the future of the facility following its successful bid to securethe next generation Astra.“Manufacturing is holding its own,” says David Sales, manufacturingsector development manager at the NWDA.“Its importance hasincreased as a result of issues in the financial and professional servicessector, and there are now some really positive opportunities, wherecompanies could have quite a bright future if they can adapt their skillsbase to meet these industries’ needs.”

Enhancing efficiency

“Mega benefits – we’ve learnt rucks of stuff!”says StevenSchofield of his company’s involvement with the ManufacturingAdvisory Service (MAS).

Runcorn-based Electron Technical Solutions, paints a range ofplastic components for the automotive industry, with blue chipclients including Land Rover, Bentley and Toyota.

Managing director Schofield first began working with MAS fouryears ago, and since then he believes it has helped to instil a truly world class ethos at the company.

“We’ve got two robot production lines that paint automatically.They were the key areas where we wanted improvements.”

MAS helped to introduce a system that keeps downtime to aminimum,ensuresmaintenance is always planned,and avoidsany drop-off due topoorquality. Theplant is nowworkingatmaximumcapacity, and Electron has increased its overalleffectiveness from 75% to 90%.

“The work that we’ve done in previous years is now paying off and we’re operating efficiently through these difficult times,” adds Schofield.

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“The NWDA also“played an integral role in securing the

future of carproduction at GMinEllesmerePort,with an£8.7m“training grant.”

“W

Left: The GM Vauxhall plant at Ellesmere Port is set to maintain its position as a world class manufacturing facility.

The manufacturing sector has deep rootsin the Northwest and, thanks to a rangeof support initiatives, it is thriving onceagain, asMark Hillsdon discovers.

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315º Magazine / NWDA / Business Business / NWDA / 315º Magazine

14/15

series of announcements at the end of 2009 confirmed theNorthwest’s role at the forefront of the fight against globalwarming. Perhaps the highest profile was confirmation ofthe government’s plans for a new generation of nuclear

power stations. The region has long been a pioneer of nuclear energy, supportingaround 300 companies with a combined turnover of approximately£3 billion a year and a workforce of over 25,000 people.Last November’s draft nuclear national policy statement highlightedfour potential regional sites for new build nuclear power stations –Braystones, Sellafield and Kirksanton along Britain’s Energy Coast inCumbria, and Heysham in Lancashire.“The potential for economic growth as a result of new nuclear isconsiderable,” says Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA.“The development of power stations in the Northwest will further theregion’s existing premier nuclear infrastructure which alreadyaccommodates 50 per cent of the UK’s civil nuclear workforce andthe main centres for nuclear research.”

This potential is borne out by the decision to make the Northwest alow carbon economic area for nuclear (LCEA). Part of the UK’s lowcarbon industrial strategy, the LCEA will be led by the NWDA as a wayof bringing together knowledge, skills and investment within thesector, and delivering benefits for the whole economy.

The LCEA package includes an £8 million upgrade of the researchlaboratories at the University of Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute.Working in partnership with Sheffield University, the institute will playa significant role supporting the nuclear Advanced ManufacturingResearch Centre in South Yorkshire and provide research facilities to help supply chain companies compete in the civil nuclear sector. The Agency will also lead the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) fornuclear at a national level,offering support and advice to both regionaldevelopment agencies (RDAs) and manufacturers across the UK.As the lead RDA for the Department of Energy and Climate Change,the NWDA is playing a key role in other national strategies to hitcarbon targets that demand 34 per cent less emissions by 2020 and

80 per cent less by 2050 nationally. These include the Northern Wayinitiative to investigate new solutions for carbon capture and storage.

At the opposite end of thespectrum to nuclear energy isthe growing number of SMEsthat are also set to make animpact on a low carbon future. Among them is Small UAVEnterprises run by Greg Colleyat the Daresbury InnovationCentre. The business operatesa high-tech remote controlledhelicopter which can be used toreplace energy-intensivemanned flights to carry out

aerial photography in a huge range of situations, from farming andarchaeology to safety checks on wind turbines and cooling towers.The business has been supported by Eco-Innovation, a programmebased at Lancaster University and delivered by C-Tech Innovation.Theinitiative has received £2.3 million from the NWDA and Northwest ERDFprogramme, and is designed to identify opportunities for innovationthat will help cut the environmental impact of businesses.The Northwest is one of just a few regions in the UK to have a dedicatedClimate Change Action Plan and supporting the adoption of lowcarbon products and services is a key part of it, explains Mark Atherton,the NWDA’s director of energy and environment.

As part of the plan,the Agency is backing a new £2.3 million Low CarbonMarket Development programme. Run by Envirolink Northwest, the three year initiative is designed to boost the region’s market forrenewable energy.The money will target renewable energy companiesdeveloping technologies that have substantial opportunities in theregion, in particular onshore and offshore wind, micro-generation andenergy from waste.

“It’s about providing support for projects and market development,”explains Atherton.“We are offering tangible,hands-on help to get ideasoff the ground and ensure the region enjoys the economic opportunitiesthat they will undoubtedly bring.”

he region is also leading the way in areas such as solid statelighting, which use light emitting diodes rather than electricalfilaments, while the unique nature of the Northwest coastmeans the region remains at the forefront of developments

in tidal power.“There is a huge amount of expertise in the region’s universities aroundtidal power, and some of this technology will soon be commercialised,which will produce another export opportunity for the region,” saysAtherton.

Elsewhere the Joule Centre is helping to maximise commercialopportunities developed by the region’s universities, while the EnergyInnovation Centre at Capenhurst is collaborating with smallerbusinesses and innovators to create an environment where their ideascan flourish.A mixture of innovation and expertise, along with the physicalgeography of the Northwest, means the region is now making greatstrides towards a low carbon future, says Atherton. But he alsobelieves that it’s crucial the region continues to play a bigger role inthe battle against climate change.“It’s not just about cutting our own carbon emissions, but also aboutproviding the goods and services that can help other countries andother parts of the UK to do the same,” he says.

Sheer power

With awealth of carbon-busting ideas, fromnuclear power tounmanned helicopters,the Northwest leads theway in thepursuit ofa low carbon economy.MarkHillsdon findsoutmore.

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Weblinks: www.dalton.manchester.ac.uk / www.joulecentre.org / www.energyinnovationcentre.com

The Econoclean System

“The beauty of our system is that it works without the use of wateror power – it’s carbon neutral,” says Kevin Betts, inventor of arevolutionary dry wheel cleaning system, Econoclean.

The innovative kit uses a ‘shaker bar’ system to clean wheels thathave become caked in mud and is typical of a host of break-throughs that are set to play a major role in a low carbon future.

With stringent legislation now in place about contaminating publichighways the system is helping companies comply with the law.

Before leaving building sites, landfill tips and quarries, HGVs aresimply directed to drive over a strip of metal bars. The weight ofthe wagon on the bars makes the tyres distort, creating asqueezing action which causes up to 98 per cent of mud and othercontaminates to drop out of the tread.

Now, with the help of Eco-Innovation, Betts is modifying theequipment, with even narrower bars to ensure the wheels don’tsimply pick the mud up again as they drive over it.

“We’re also looking at fixing the shaker bars at slightly differentheights which might add some undulation and improve thecleaning process even further,” he adds.

A

“The region has long“been a pioneer ofnuclear energy,

supporting around 300 companies with acombined turnover of approximately “£3bn a year.”

Remote-controlled ‘photo-copters’ reduce the need for manned flights.

Cumbria’s Energy Coast is at the heart of the Northwest’s low carbon energy ambitions.

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315º Magazine / NWDA / In Pictures In Pictures / NWDA / 315º Magazine

16/17

Weblinks: www.visitliverpool.com / www.merseyside.org.uk

iverpool has a new tourism strategy designed to propel it intothe top 20 of Europe’s most visited short-break locations andthe top five UK conference destinations.The Liverpool City Region Visitor Economy Strategy to 2020,

published by The Mersey Partnership, forecasts up to 37,000 peoplecould be employed in Liverpool’s visitor economy by 2020,14,000 more

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Liverpool’s tourism jewels

In pictures:

Middle right:Liverpool ONE As well as revitalisingan integral area ofLiverpool city centre,the £1bn Liverpool ONEretail and leisuredevelopment elegantlyre-connects the citycentre with the docks.

Top: Liverpool WaterfrontLiverpool’s waterfrontboasts the largestgroup of Grade 1 listedbuildings in the UK. Aswell as housing jewelssuch as Tate Liverpool,it is home to visitorexperiences as diverseas Shiverpool GhostTours and BugWorldExperience.

Middle left:Liverpool Arena andConvention CentreThe new LiverpoolArena and ConventionCentre opened itsdoors in 2008 and hashosted major eventslike the MTV EuropeMusic Awards and theLiberal Democrats’conference.

Bottom left:Liverpool-Leeds canalThe redevelopment ofthe Liverpool-Leedscanal takes narrowboatpassengers into theheart of the city.

Bottom right:Tate Liverpool Since opening in 1988,Tate Liverpool hasestablished a nationalreputation as one ofthe region’s biggestcultural attractions.

Opposite page:Museum of LiverpoolSituated on theUNESCO WorldHeritage Waterfront,the Museum ofLiverpool’s landmarkbuilding is due to opento the public in Spring2011, supported by an NWDA investmentof £32.7m.

L than the current figure,with the amount spent by visitors topping £2 billion a year.It is a bold ambition, but as any of the growing number of visitors tothe city will confirm, Liverpool’s diverse range of cultural sites, socialfacilities and visitor attractions, is already bringing in the visitorsin their millions.

315º Magazine / NWDA / People People / NWDA / 315º Magazine

Weblinks: www.nwda.co.uk / www.businesslinknw.co.uk / www.businesslink.gov.uk/rdpe

ovember’s unstoppable deluge affected some of Cumbria’smost important towns, including Cockermouth,Workington,Keswick and Ulverston. But thanks to a stirring combinationof indomitable Cumbrian spirit, help and assistance from

across the UK, and speedy, effective financial support from the NWDAand national government, the county is back on itsfeet and looking forward to business as usual in 2010.Key to the county’s fightback is a £1 million supportpackage for small businesses affected by the flooding,which was launched immediately by the NWDA. One of the core elements of the support is the FloodRecovery Grant Scheme, which provides grants ofup to £10,000 to help small to medium-sizedenterprises (up to 250 employees) clean-up andrecover, including paying for advice and assistancefrom flood recovery experts, engineers or builders;new marketing strategies or database development;interest payments on existing loans;or staff trainingfor new equipment.The first grant payment was made on11th December, just14 days afterthe scheme was launched. Suzanne Caldwell of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, which is managing the scheme, says: “We’ve been ableto build on our experience of previous crisis grants, such as footand mouth disease and the Carlisle floods in 2005, and get it up andrunning extremely quickly.”

One of the businesses to apply for a flood recovery grant is JacksonFairs Kitchens in Cockermouth, which only moved into a double-fronted showroom in the town’s Market Place in 2008. Market Place issituated at the higher end of Main Street, where November’s floodswere at their worst. Even so, the shop, part of which was also used asa storeroom, was inundated with four to five feet of flood water.“We lost absolutely everything – kitchen units, appliances, fridgefreezers. Cast iron range cookers were tossed around like driftwood.In monetary terms, it’s tens of thousands of pounds,” says DorothyFairs, co-director of Jackson Fairs.She heard about the Flood Recovery Grants through Glyn Griffiths, alocal adviser at Business Link Northwest, who got in touch with localbusinesses to tell them about the payments. “He rang up initially and then came round to our house to discuss thescheme with us and guide us through the paperwork.He explained howit worked and what we had to do to apply. It was very straightforward,”says Fairs, who will use her grant for recovery costs such as bankloan interest,marketing costs to help get the business back up andrunning, and staff training, as well as other general clean-up costs.The Flood Recovery Grant Scheme was supplemented by a £100,000NWDA-funded marketing push to ensure that the ‘open for business’message was communicated effectively.

Tourism is a major revenue-earner for Cumbria, accounting for around£1billion of the county’s £5 billion income. It was also a sector hit hardby the floods, from infrastructure damage to the negative perceptionsof the county as a result of the images shown on television screensand in newspapers all over the UK and abroad.

In a survey by Cumbria Tourism, 72 per cent oftourist-related businesses said they were affectedeither directly or indirectly by the floods, and theloss through cancellations or closure was estimatedat around £2.5 million by early December, a figurewhich is expected to have risen significantly in theweeks since.When combined with the cost of repairsto property and infrastructure, the true loss toCumbria’s tourism businesses is around £15.4 million,and this doesn’t include an estimated £8 millionbill for damage to footpaths, bridges and otherinfrastructure within the Lake District National Park.

The additional NWDA funds were granted to Cumbria Tourism inearly December to support a national marketing campaign, includinga visitor helpline,online updates on websites,Twitter and Facebook,e-newsletters,a comprehensive public relations drive and a Christmascampaign designed to push the Christmas breaks message.At thesame time,the NWDA launched its own national advertising campaignto encourage visitors to return to Cumbria and spread the messagethat it was business as usual.The chief executive of Cumbria Tourism, Ian Stephens says: “TheNWDA has been incredibly supportive from the earliest opportunity tohelp us get the message out that Cumbria is open for business.”

Three months after the devastatingfloods,Cumbria is open for businessand receiving visitors with open arms,with help from a substantial packageof support from the NWDA,writesGareth Chadwick.

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Left: Lindsay’s butchers in Cockermouthgetting back to business.

“The NWDA has“been incredibly

supportive to helpus get the

message out thatCumbria is open“for business.”

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Fighting the floods

Continues overleaf

18/19

Three months after the devastatingfloods,Cumbria is open for businessand receiving visitors with open arms,with help from a substantial packageof support from the NWDA,writesGareth Chadwick.

A whole generation of students will have theopportunity to learn about business andenterprise thanks to a £2.5 million investmentfrom the NWDA.The funding is to develop13 further educationenterprise hubs in colleges throughoutthe region to promote enterprise in theirown college and through partner schools,introducing students to the idea ofentrepreneurial spirit andthe challenges of startingyour own business.Jayne Worthington, NWDAskills strategy manager,believes this work is vital inprotecting the future of theNorthwest economy: “If wedon’t grow our economy,we will fall behind globally.It’s accepted thatsignificant areas of thegrowth our economyneeds will come fromSMEs, so we need a workforce that willembrace the ideas of enterprise andinnovation – enabling people to start up theirown businesses or work creatively withintheir employment.”The strategic project work – which includedrecruiting the colleges and hub coordinators– has now been done and all 13 hubs are setup and working with their communities,supported by a team of enterprise advisors.

People / NWDA / 315º Magazine

Business of educationThe NWDA’s £2.5minvestment in a networkof enterprise hubs isactually an investmentin the economic futureof the Northwest, writesSarah Addyman.

315º Magazine / NWDA / People

20/21

Response timeline November18-20 – 372 mm of rain in 36 hours causes serious flooding in five of

Cumbria’s six districts. Over 2,200 properties were inundated.20 – Business Link opens a 24-hour weekend hotline for businesses.23 – Business Link mid-week working hours extended to 8am –10pm.23 – Business advisers begin visiting affected businesses.24 – NWDA announces £1million support package.25 – E-guide issued to ensure people are aware of available support.

December02 – NWDA announces £100,000 investment in temporary trading units.04 – NWDA launches national ‘Cumbria open for business’

advertising campaign.11 – First flood recovery grant payments made.13 – First tenants move into temporary units.16 – RDPE launches £500,000 grant scheme for farmers.

A further £500,000 to help farmers to clean up their land was madeavailable in December through the Rural Development Programmefor England.

nder the scheme, farmers can apply for grants of up to £6,800to move debris from their land and repair structures.Thefunding is being managed by the NWDA through CumbriaCounty Council and local action groups.

It hasn’t all been about financial support, though.One of the mostvisible successes of the NWDA’s flood recovery package is the £100,000invested in 14 temporary units in Cockermouth for the relocation oflocal businesses.

The funding enabled Mitchells Auction Company to convert the unitsin one of its furniture storage warehouses. The company had alreadyset up 12 units in the Tithehouse, a former job centre. The units weresnapped up by displaced businesses, and the Tithehouse itself wasquickly renamed ‘Main Street at Mitchells.’

Such was the take-up, it wasclear that more units wereneeded,so Mitchells approachedthe NWDA for support, andproposals were quickly approved.“We were very impressed withthe speed of the NWDA responseand how quickly it all cametogether,”says John Rockcliffe,head of land agency at Mitchells.Within ten days, the units werebuilt and the first businesses in.RTSN Huddart Pet Supplies wasone of the first to move into the

newly monikered ‘Mitchells Retail Market’. Its shop on Main Street hadbeen inundated by almost five feet of floodwater.Co-owner Ralf Huddartsays they lost 80 per cent of the stock. Sales assistant MargaretBurns even had to be rescued by boat from an upstairs window. Thebusiness has now taken two units in Mitchells Retail Market. Huddart, who runs the shop with wife Trish, says: “As soon as we heardabout the new temporary units, we were straight over. It was hard workto get everything up and running again,but it has been a real lifeline.”

Cockermouth is not the only place that is starting to buzz again. Theopen for business message is clearly getting through. Julie Darroch,public relations manager for Cumbria Tourism,says:“We are cautiouslyoptimistic for 2010. Bookings are picking up and enquiries are comingin from all over the world.”Cumbria is also expecting to reap the rewards of weekly exposure onprime time television. A new12-part ITV1documentary series on theLake District, called The Lakes, is airing throughout January, Februaryand March. Filmed over the ‘staycation’ summer of 2009, the seriesfollows the fortunes of a number of local characters during the busysummer months.“It’s wonderfully fortuitous timing,” says Darroch,“a perfect reminderof the breathtaking scenery, friendly people and myriad attractionswhich make Cumbria such a special place.”

Wherearetheenterprisehubs?Blackburn CollegeFurness CollegeKendal CollegeLiverpool City CollegePreston CollegeSalford CollegeSouthport CollegeTameside CollegeThe Manchester CollegeWarrington CollegiateWest Cheshire CollegeWigan CollegeWirral Metropolitan College

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Weblinks: www.nwda.co.uk / www.businesslinknw.co.uk / www.businesslink.gov.uk/rdpe Weblinks: www.enterpriseuk.org

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“We were very“impressed with the

speed of the NWDA response and how quickly

it all came ”together.”

Joy Addinsell, project manager, and CEO ofEnterprise Adviser Service Northwest, says:“The good work has already begun. We’reworking with a local entrepreneur inBlackburn to set up an engineeringchallenge linked with the university campusat the college, whereas Furness College is inthe early stages of setting up a radio stationwith local schoolchildren.”

The next stage in theprocess is to recruit moreschools to work with. But itis not just the target 15,000school pupils who are setto benefit; the hubs alsoaim to encourage 480adults to undertakeenterprise-based trainingand learning, by taking theenterprise message outinto the community.Says Addinsell: “Theenterprise hubs are about

developing a culture of enterprise throughjoined-up working, for example, whereparents of children starting primary schoolget the support they need to consider flexibleways of working, such as becoming self-employed.”Although the hubs project is set to run for threeyears, the work they do aims to instil a longterm ‘enterprising’attitude for those involved,laying firm foundations for future career

opportunities and personal development. “It’s not about us being helicoptered in forthree years and then disappearing over the horizon again. We think the colleges willcontinue with this agenda because it will be embedded within their own agendas,and woven into everything they do,”Addinselladded. ∆

“Thehubsalsoaimto“encourage480adultsto undertake work-based training,by

taking the enterprisemessage out into ”the community.”

Students will be encouraged to embrace the idea of starting their own businesses.

Jonty Chippendale, owner of The Toy Shop in Cockermouth and chairman of the town’s chamber of trade, saw the shop hehas run for 17 years battered almost beyond recognition by the floodwaters.

“As the waters rose, we were expecting perhaps a foot or two of flooding, so we cleared the lower shelves and put some sandbags across the door,”says Chippendale.

But the sandbags may as well have been tea bags when fivefeet of water roared through the shop. Even the toys that werenot submerged were ruined by damp and humidity as the water subsided.

Chippendale lost around £40,000 of stock on the ground floor.But within days, he had salvaged what he could from the upperfloor and relocated to one of the new temporary units.

“For any retail business it is very important that you maintainyour relationship with your customers. The temporary unitsenable local shops to do that. It’s a lifeline.”

UJonty’s relocation‘lifeline’

he Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) isinvesting £374 million in the Northwest over the next four years.Around £75 million of this is being invested through the NWDA,in conjunction with regional partners and, at the community

level, local action groups (LAGs).The remaining £299 million is beingdelivered by Natural England and the Forestry Commission. Adrian Banford leads the Fells and Dales LAG,working with CumbriaCounty Council to invest the funds across Cumbria.“It is still earlydays but there is a huge amount of interest from potential projects,”he says.“Our objective is to focus the money where it will have the bestlonger-term impact.”A LAG is made up of volunteers from the public, private and voluntarysectors. Each LAG develops a local development strategy and isresponsible for allocating funds to projects in its locality. Smallbusinesses, farmers, landowners, organisations or community groupscan then apply for funding for up to 50 per cent of a project’s value.

In Cheshire, David Boyce leads a partnership LAG for the NorthernMarches area, combining parts of rural Cheshire with northernShropshire.“We were awarded the contract in September and we arealready in touch with a number of potential projects,”he says.“Applications are beginning to take shape and our first project hasalready been approved.”

Funding is available for a wide variety of activities from support forfarmers who are looking to diversify away from pure agriculture, to new

or growing rural businesses that have potential to expand and createnew jobs. The aim is to create lasting benefits for rural communities,as well as for the businesses that they support.That first project to be approved in Cheshire is a rural environmentalmanagement project, a joint venture between Walford and NorthShropshire and Reaseheath colleges. It will run in the first half of 2010,training 20 people to develop environmental management plans fortheir businesses.

In Lancashire there are threeLAGs for different parts of thecounty (North,Pennine andLancashire West), all workingwith the Lancashire EconomicPartnership. Interest inLancashire’s £4.5 million fundingpot has been high since theinitiative was launched back inSeptember and the DevelopmentOfficers have received over 220 enquiries. Stephen Brown, head of economic regeneration at LancashireEconomic Partnership,says:“We have had a fantastic response to theinitial launch.The grants available to rural businesses of all kinds willfuel growth, support our communities and will mean our extensiverural assets continue to help drive Lancashire’s economy.”

315º Magazine / NWDA / People

The£374mRuralDevelopmentProgramme is a welcomeboost for the Northwest’s ruralcommunities.Oneyearafterits initial launch,SallySeedfindsouthowit isprogressing.

Business / NWDA / 315º Magazine

Weblinks:www.nwda.co.uk/rdpe

22/23Caringfor thecountryside

In the news / NWDA / 315º Magazine

Weblinks: www.clbh.co.uk

Name: Cammell Laird

Who are they?Cammell Laird Shiprepairers & ShipbuildersLimited is one of the oldest operationalshipyards in the UK.Founded in Birkenhead in1824 by William Laird, the company joinedforces with Sheffield metals companyJohnson Cammell & Co in 1903, becomingCammell Laird.

Over the last 185 years, the shipyard haslaunched more than 1,350 ships. DuringWorld War II alone, it produced nearly 200vessels both commercial and military,including HMS Rodney, HMS Prince of Walesand HMS Ark Royal.

Why are they in the news?In December 2009, Cammell Laird inBirkenhead reclaimed the exclusive rights tothe famous Cammell Laird brand. The original company went into receivershipin 2001, and the famous name went with it.Except, that is, for the Cammell Laird(Gibraltar) shipyard, once part of the samegroup, but now an independent company.

In 2005, Northwestern Shiprepairers &Shipbuilders Limited (NSL) bought theBirkenhead shipyard,led by managing directorJohn Syvret, himself a former CammellLaird apprentice. In 2008, NSL resurrectedthe Cammell Laird name on Merseyside, butthe Gibraltar yard continued to use it, too.

Now, to avoid confusion, the Birkenhead firmhas assumed sole ownership of the CammellLaird name and trademark,while the Gibraltarshipyard will be known as Gibdock.

What we say: Welcome back to one of Merseyside’s mostfamous names.

Inthenews...

∆

Investing in energy The Kentmere Hydro Trust is a charitable company run by local residents. Establishedin 2009, the Trust is developing plans for a new hydroelectric generating plant in theKentmere Valley of South Lakeland.

Helyn Connerr, one of the trustees, takes up the story: “We obtained funding for theinitial feasibility studies, which supplemented the contributions of professionalexpertise from our trustees.The studies were really positive and showed that theplant really could work, which obviously gave us lots of encouragement.”

However, there was still a missing link, as she explains: “With an engineering projectof this scale, we couldn’t just leap to the construction phase,” says Helyn.“We neededto assess and specify precisely what, where and how the build would proceed – phasetwo of the project. But we didn’t have enough money to pay for the specification.There was a danger that everything would grind to halt.”

It was then that Helyn heard about RDPE and got in touch with Adrian Banford.

“The big advantage of RDPE,” explains Helyn, “is flexibility. We’ve been able to applyfor support for an essential but invisible stage of our project – the professional advicethat will give us our legal structure for the future, our financial systems and all themechanical, electrical and civil engineering work to turn our initial designs into fullconstruction drawings.”

With its funding application approved, the Trust is tendering in preparation for thestart of phase two activities. “We aim to be generating electricity in the valley by 2013,”says Helyn,“and making charitable donations from our profits the following year.”

T“The project will“train 20 people to develop

environmentalmanagement plans for their“businesses.”

∆

315º Magazine / NWDA / People People / NWDA / 315º Magazine

24/25

ach year around 3.3 million people attend courses provided bythe 376 further education colleges in England.Yet despite their obvious value in delivering vocational learning,further education colleges have historically been underfunded

compared with universities and schools, a situation which earned thesector the nickname ‘Cinderella’. Thankfully, this is no longer the case. In the past decade just under £2 billion has been invested in the renewal and refurbishment of furthereducation establishments –700 projects at nearly 330 colleges acrossEngland have been funded by the LSC managed FE (Further Education)Capital building programme.Although there have been considerable issues with the current roundof LSC Capital Investment, five Northwest colleges were among 14

institutions to be awarded funding in the latest round of the programme,announced on 1st September 2009. These were: Furness College,Manchester College, St Helens College,West Cheshire College andSkelmersdale and Ormskirk College.Over180 colleges nationally submitted applications.“In the Northwest,13 colleges applied for funding so we were very successful in that ofthese, five were chosen. Very few parts of the country are getting thissort of investment,” says Lis Smith, director of skills with the NWDA.The LSC says it selected projects that will have the greatest impactfor learners, employers and communities. In reaching its decision itconsidered various factors, including the education and skills impactof the proposed project, its contribution to local economic andregeneration priorities and the condition of the campus.

Of the five Northwest colleges, West Cheshire College was given thelargest chunk – £73 million. It is using the money to rationalise itsbuildings into two campuses in Chester and Ellesmere Port.At present, the college has four sites: Handbridge and Greenbank inChester, Capenhurst and Ellesmere Port.The first phase of the plan is to demolish the Handbridge site to allowthe construction of a 72,100 square foot new build. College principalSara Mogel says in Chester the vision is to provide a technologiescampus, housing science, technologies, engineering and maths. “It will provide enhanced facilities and career routes for pupils, as wellas meeting the needs of business for leadership, management andtechnical training.”

At Ellesmere Port, all existing accommodation other than thevocational centre and nursery will be demolished and replaced witha new 180,000 square foot building.“The new campus will make a real difference to the achievementsand opportunities of young people,ensuring that the area can respondto the demand for a high quality and flexible skill base,”says Mogel.

urness College was awarded the next largest slice (see panel),followed by Manchester College, whose £28 million grant willallow it to start work on a new campus in Wythenshawe.Wythenshawe is one of Manchester’s most deprived areas,

and the college’s principal, Peter Tavernor, believes the new campuswill transform the lives of many people living in this area. “It is fantastic that we have received the go ahead to get started on thismuch needed project. It will help improve training and developmentopportunities for local people and assist in the regeneration of thewider Wythenshawe area,” he says.

The first phase of the 100,000square foot campus will includea construction training facilityand a sustainable constructionvisitor centre. The addition of afour storey sixth form block andfurther vocational facilities willfollow in 2011.

The £27 million awarded toSt Helens College will be spent on replacing tired, unsuitablebuildings with a modern

development that reflects the local glass industry.The project includesthe construction of a landmark building, which it is hoped will attractstudents and assist the college in engaging further with the localcommunity, with its flexible and functional space and external seating,sculpture and performance area.

At Skelmersdale and Ormskirk College, being awarded LSC fundingmeans building work on a £42.8 million campus in Skelmersdale cancommence. The new facility will give students realistic workingenvironments for hair and beauty, catering and hospitality and sports,as well as a brand new theatre.

The NWDA has also provided funding for further education provisionin the region. For example, the Agency has pledged £1million toCumbria’s Kendal College to create a space for students studyingperforming arts, dance and music and facilities for sound, lightingand recording.

Licence to learn

Five Northwest colleges were among only14 in thecountry to be approved for the latest round of thegovernment’s further education funding programme.Lynda Searby hears about their plans.

Weblinks: www.lsc.gov.uk

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The £27m awarded to St HelensCollege will help create a moderndevelopment that reflects the localglass industry.

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Building for Barrow’s futureStudents who embark on sports related courses at Furness College can generallyexpect to come out with good results, but they can also expect to spend a lot of timetravelling to different leisure centres in the area.

That is because, despite being strong in sports studies, Furness College doesn’t haveany practical sports facilities.Thanks to a £41million transformation project, this looksset to change.

The old metal-clad workshops erected in the1980s to house the college’s constructiondepartment are to be demolished and replaced by an iconic four-storey building.

This will house all the college’s curriculum areas, including construction, engineering,plumbing, fabrication, pipe welding, catering and hair and beauty.The second phase of the project is revamping the Learning Resource Centre,creating a multi-use gamesarea, a gym and sports classrooms, as well as music technology, multimedia,graphics, creative arts and health and social care learning areas.

It’s really important that we are able to provide training in the area because it’simpossible for many people to go anywhere else to learn – the nearest college is anhour away in Kendal,”explains college principal Anne Attwood.“Also, unlike cities,which have lots of different education providers,we’re the main provider in Barrow andas such, we’re at the core of the town’s regeneration.

Engineering and construction are both big curriculum areas so updating ourenvironment and resources in these areas will help us to support local industries andtheir supply chains.”

“

“Students at Furness College are to benefitfrom a new four-storey building – part of a£41m improvement plan.

“The NWDA haspledged £1m toCumbria’s KendalCollege to create aspace for studentsstudying performingarts,dance and

music.”

26

n the words of the then Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, the UK hasentered a ‘golden decade of sport’, with the country hosting a seriesof major sporting events over the next ten years,not least the biggestof them all, the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Businesses in the Northwest are no strangers to supplying majorsporting spectacles. The hosting of the 2002 Commonwealth Gamesin Manchester saw 250 businesses secure contracts worth £22 million.This has helped the region develop a wealth of businesses withexperience of supplying products and services to major events,including the Athens 2004 Olympics, the FIFA World Cup 2006 (and2010) and the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

With BBC Sport’s impending move to MediaCityUK in 2011, RogerMosey, BBC director of London 2012, says the Northwest is ideallyplaced to capitalise on the opportunities of London 2012, not leastin the creative and media sector, where the BBC is increasinglyfocusing on technology and digital innovation as integral elementsof the broadcasting mix.

315º Magazine / NWDA / Places Places / NWDA / 315º Magazine

27Sporting chance

Weblinks: www.nwbeinspired.com / www.london2012.com / www.mediacityuk.co.uk

“The BBC is making a massiveinvestment in the Northwest.MediaCityUK will be a fantastic,state-of-the-art digital centre.It will be the main digitalprocessing centre for our webstreaming, our interactivesystems, our ‘red button’operation, so a huge amount ofcontent from London 2012 willbe coming through Salford.”In a speech at the InternationalBroadcasting Conference in

Amsterdam in September, Mosey, formerly the corporation’s directorof sport, stressed the digital message, speaking of the Games as the‘flagship event of the fully-digital era’ and ‘a showcase for the digitaluniverse.’

ack on home soil, he’s just as enthusiastic, and believescompanies in the region have a vital role to play. “Manchester had a fantastic success with the CommonwealthGames, and the experience gained is still a major factor in

the city’s sporting legacy,” he says.He continues: “The real opportunity for London 2012 is around digitalBritain. At the Beijing Olympics, only two per cent of viewers watchedsome of it on mobile technology. In London, we are going to makealmost all our services available on mobile, so people can watch the100 metres on their phone and then text it with moving pictures totheir friends. So if you’re a mobile operator, a digital content provideror a mobile software company, or any of those kind of things, thereare big opportunities there.”

With just two years to go until theLondon 2012 Olympic Games andParalympic Games,GarethChadwick spoke to Roger Mosey,BBCdirector of London2012,aboutthe opportunities for the region.

“MediaCityUK will”be a fantastic,state-of-the-art

digital centre.A hugeamount of contentfrom London 2012 will be coming

”through Salford.”

MediaCityUK welcomes small businesses

Small media businesses and emerging creative talent are to benefitfrom a specialist business incubator at MediaCityUK.

TheMediaEnterpriseCentre (MEC), to be located in the south towerof the MediaCityUK studio block,will cover 53,500 square feetacross six floors. Individuals and businesses will be able to utilisea range of resources, including flexible office space; specialisttraining facilities; advice from agencies such as Business Link andNorthwest Vision and Media; and access to the NorthernNetsuper-fast digital media network.

The MEC will house an international hub for research into digitalmedia markets and technologies, an industry-led ‘hothouse’ for thedevelopment of new digital content and prototypes, and a facilityfor community groups to learn new skills and create media content.

I

Having such a major digital hub as MediaCityUK on the doorstep isclearly an advantage for creative and media companies in theNorthwest. The sector employs 320,000 people, with more than31,000 companies generating almost £16 billion a year. The incrediblegrowth of the sector has also been hugely impressive – increasing attwice the rate of the wider UK economy since the mid-1990s.

Mosey recognises the strength and depth of the region’s creative andmedia expertise. But he also sounds a note of caution, in that proximityin itself doesn’t necessarily mean it will be easier to win work fromthose BBC departments heading to Salford.“Does the fact we are in Salford mean we are more likely to use agraphics company based down the road in Liverpool or Manchester?Honestly, I don’t know. Clearly, we have to be open and transparent in who we do business with. We are seeing companies from all overthe UK, indeed the world. Although the good news is that we are also seeing a lot of very strong Northwest companies with things likecutting-edge software or digital 3D imaging expertise,” he says.

B

More information and funding for the projects based within theMEC is expected to be announcedduring 2010.This includesdetailsof the £3.5 million award from the Department for Business,Innovation and Skills for a joint centre of excellence for computergames,with the University of Abertay in Dundee.The centre willoffer prototype funding to firms to stimulate the development of newtitles and support the growthof companies and jobs across theUK.

Phase1of MediaCityUK is due for completion in 2011and it isexpected that the MEC will be operational from summer of thesame year. It is being funded by the NWDA, ERDF in the Northwestand Salford Council, and developed in partnership with Peel Mediaand Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company.

Left: Mosey sees “big opportunities” forNorthwest firms.

Above: MediaCityUK will be an internationalmedia hub when completed in 2011.

∆

Urban development projects are set tobenefit from a £100 million Northwest UrbanInvestment Fund (NWUIF) announced by the NWDA. The fund, which will be managed by theEuropean Investment Bank (EIB), comprises£50 million from the European RegionalDevelopment Fund (ERDF) in the Northwestand the equivalent of £50 million from theNWDA. It will provide loans and investmentsto kick-start stalled sustainable developmentprojects – proving an extra fillip for theNorthwest’s GVA and creating or safeguardingthousands of jobs.

Examples of projects to benefit from theNWUIF – which is part of the EuropeanCommission’s JESSICA initiative (see panel)–include the development of employment sites,the creation of new commercial floor space,the reclamation of derelict/contaminatedland, and provision of site servicing andinfrastructure.The target areas for the NWUIF cover fiveurban regeneration company areas, threeregional economic strategy priority areas,and 32 strategic sites.

The fund – which must be fully invested bythe end of 2015 – is to be managed by the EIBin the form of a region-wide holding fund.The holding fund,which was established at theend of 2009, will invest in urban developmentfunds (UDFs), responsible for investing inprojects in their target areas.

For their part, the UDFs will be establishedthrough a competitive tender processmanaged by the EIB and project investmentscan begin once this process is complete.Emily Smith, strategic initiatives manager atthe NWDA, says: “The launch in Decemberwas a success and the urban developmentfund procurement process is on schedule tostart in March 2010.This initiative is a greatopportunity for the region to put a mechanismin place that will ensure we can prolong thebenefit of the ERDF Programme.”“Once the urban development funds havebeen established, we aim to see NWUIFinvestment being channelled into newcommercial development schemes early in2011,” adds Smith.

Places / NWDA / 315º Magazine

Financing the future ofurban development

Seachange for Baltic Some of the region’s mostdeprived areas are set tobenefit fromamulti-millionpound boost to urbaninvestment over the nextfive years,writes SarahAddyman.

Weblinks: www.nwda.co.uk / www.erdfnw.co.uk

What is JESSICA?JESSICA stands for the Joint EuropeanSupport for Sustainable Investment in City Areas initiative. It was set up by theEuropean Commission in conjunctionwith the EIB to promote sustainableinvestment, growth and jobs in Europe’surban areas.

Where does the Northwest UrbanInvestment Fund cover?• Five urban regeneration company

areas: Blackpool, Central Salford, East Manchester, Liverpool City Centre and West Cumbria and Furness

• Three regional economic strategypriority areas: Barrow, Halton andKnowsley

• 32 strategic sites, including BirkenheadDocklands,Manchester Central Park,Daresbury,Liverpool Science Park andPreston Central Business District

28/29

The emerging creative quarter around Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle hasbeen boosted by the announcement of a £5.2 million investment fromthe NWDA and Northwest ERDF. The investment will fund a dedicatedbusiness hub for the area’s fast growing digital and creative sector,overseen by a new community interest company, Baltic Creative. Baltic Creative, set up by economic development company LiverpoolVision and Merseyside ACME, a creative industries developmentorganisation, will acquire and manage property assets in the area,promoting it as the centre for the creative sector in the city. Eachproperty will be converted on a phased basis to provide offices andstudio spaces suitable for creative and digital businesses.Erika Rushton, chair of Baltic Creative, says: “We are part of a networkof partners dedicated to enhancing the dynamism and vibrancy ofthis area. Without the Baltic Triangle there is a hole in the city. Thedevelopment will link the Albert Dock to the heart of the city centre.”

The Baltic Triangle is part of the historic hinterland of Liverpool docks,bordered by Ropewalks, Liverpool One and Kings Waterfront. Thenew development aims to support more than 60 businesses, upgrade30,000 square feet of floorspace and, once completed and at fullcapacity, contribute £1 million to the Liverpool economy every year.“It’s vital that creatives are in the heart of the city and not left onthe edge. These plans for the Baltic Triangle will help support andincrease the vibrancy by attracting new companies, new ideas andnew connections, so that the digital and creative sector can prosper,”says Jenny Douglas, head of city centre at Liverpool Vision.The investment builds on the cluster of creative activity alreadyin the area, which includes Novas Contemporary Urban Centre, A Foundation, The Picket music venue (see panel) and LiverpoolBiennial – which moved to the area deliberately to assist in its growth.

Paul Smith, executive director of Liverpool Biennial, says: “The NWDAinvestment is going to facilitate further growth and development.The rest is up to us.”

315º Magazine / NWDA / Places

A long overlooked area by Liverpooldocks is becoming a haven for creativebusinesses.Gareth Chadwick finds out more.

∆

∆

On the Picket line

ThePicket–amusic venueandoneof theBaltic Triangle’s existingtenants – is100 per cent behind the investment being ploughedinto the area. The live music club moved from its Hardman Streethome in2006after thePeople’sCentrewhere itwasbasedclosed.

It was another Baltic Triangle tenant, exhibition and art spaceprovider the A Foundation, which recommended the area toThe Picket’s venue director Philip Hayes.Says Hayes: “The way the area has grown is embryonic.We’re justat the beginning, with numerous seeds of activity.The investmentin the area will help to develop those seeds further. It should also help to put us on themap, as well as leading to physicalimprovements such as better signposting and bus services.”

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The Last Word / NWDA / 315º Magazine

3130315º Magazine / NWDA / The Last Word

ThelastwordIf he lost his seat tomorrow,youwould find Phil Woolas atthe top of Pendle Hill.

Phil Woolas: 60 second interview

Name:Phil Woolas

Age: 49

Job title:MP and minister for the Northwest(also borders and immigration minister andtreasury minister).

What did you want to be when you wereyounger? A professor of philosophy.

What did it say on your school reports?I was a bit of a boffin.

What was your first ever job?A petrol pump attendant in Burnley.

What is the hardest thing about your job?The relentless pressure.

University of Liverpool appoints newchancellorProfessor Sir David King, former chiefscientific adviser to the Government,hasbeen appointed chancellor of the Universityof Liverpool.Currently director of the SmithSchool of Enterprise and Environment atOxford University, Sir David spent14 years asa professor of physical chemistry in Liverpoolbetween1974 and1988.

O’Kane ready to inspire entrepreneursDr Sharon O’Kane, co-founder of RenovoGroup, has been appointed ‘entrepreneur inresidence’at Manchester University’s

People on the move

intellectual property business, UMIP. Dr O’Kane previously announced that willstep down from Renovo, where she is chiefscientific officer, in February 2010. Heradvisory role at UMIP will focus on improvingits spin-out and licensing activities andencouraging entrepreneurship.

Cumbria council chief appointedJill Stannard has been appointed permanentchief executive of Cumbria County Council,where she has been acting chief executivesince February 2009. The job is recognised asthe leading public sector post in the countyin terms of shaping policy, building Cumbria’sreputation and ensuring partner organisationswork together in the interests of residents.

New tourism boss in LiverpoolLiverpool City Council has appointed AlisonMcRae as director of Destination Liverpool.She will be charged with overseeing the city’s£1.3 billion visitor economy and building on

Liverpool’s success as European Capitalof Culture. McRae previously worked withScottish Enterprise.

Pro Manchester names new CEOThe former head of wallpaper firm Coloroll,John Ashcroft,has been appointed as the newCEO of professional services marketing groupPro Manchester. Ashcroft replaces formerchief executive Daniel Mouwad, who nowworks for UK Trade & Investment in Dubai.

Two new members for Liverpool SuperPortCommitteeFrank Robotham,the former group marketingdirector for Peel Ports, has been appointedchairman of The Mersey Partnership’sLiverpool SuperPort Committee. His deputyhas been named as Peter Nears, thestrategic planning director for Peel Holdings.The roles are both voluntary and will run foran initial term of 12 months.

If you could change one thing about yourjob, what would it be? I would have 10 morestaff to help the four I have.

What is the most important lesson youhavelearnt during your career? Be good to people on the way up.

What car do you drive? Audi.

What football team do you support?Manchester United.

Where is your favourite holidaydestination? La Vendée, France.

Where is your favourite destination in theNorthwest? The White Hart at Lydgate.

Where is your favourite restaurant in theNorthwest? Sam’s Chop House.

If you lost your job tomorrow, what wouldyou do?Climb Pendle Hill.

For further information visitwww.nwda.co.uk/events

9-11February

Skills NorthwestAimed at 14-19 year olds, Skills Northwest is the biggest skills and careers event in theregion. Bolton Arena

Awards for the top property players,plus theannual conference, including guest speakersSir Howard Bernstein and Warren Bradley.Manchester Central

The second UK Nuclear Skills Awards dinner,celebrating both the industry’s continuedsuccess and outstanding individualachievement. The Palace Hotel, Manchester

11February

Property Week North WestConference & Awards

11February

Nuclear Skills Awards

12 February

Climate Change ConferenceThis event will launch the Northwest’srevised Climate Change Action Plan for2010-2012. Midland Hotel, Manchester

Consultation event for Part 1of the RegionalStrategy 2010, the blueprint for sustainablegrowth in the Northwest. Manchester Central

Bringing together the leading decisionmakers in the European football industry for two days of intensive networking andbusiness. Manchester Central

23February

RS2010 Consultation Event

2 – 3 March

Soccerex European Forum,Manchester

11March

Ethnic Minority BusinessForum Northwest AwardsRecognising and rewarding outstandingachievements made by black and ethnicminority entrepreneurs and businesses.Liverpool Anglican Cathedral

Featuring the National Science & EngineeringCompetition, the Big Bang Fair celebrates the successes of young people in science,technology, engineering or mathematics.Manchester Central

The Be Inspired Business Awards showcasethe significant successes and achievementsof the Lancashire business community.Globe Theatre, Blackpool

11-13 March

The Big Bang Fair

12 March

BIBAs Lancashire

Badminton England plays host to the 2010European Badminton Championships inManchester. MEN Arena, Manchester

Hosted by the Institute of Directors, theconference brings together young directorsfrom across the UK.The Lowry Hotel,Manchester

14-18 April

European BadmintonChampionships

25 May

National Young Directors’Conference

17 March

Forum of Private BusinessesNorthwest RoadshowA mix of engaging speakers and focusedworkshops all based around the theme ofgrowing your business out of the recession.City of Manchester Stadium

Calendar

Design:Glorious Creative / www.gloriouscreative.co.ukWeblinks: www.nwda.co.uk / www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com

Getting in touchAt the NWDA we value your views andfeedback. Key contacts:

Ian HaythornthwaiteExecutive directorResourcesTel: 01925 400 116Ian.Haythornthwaite@nwda.co.uk

Peter MearnsExecutive directorMarketing and communicationsTel: 01925 400 212Peter.Mearns@nwda.co.uk

Simon NokesExecutive directorPolicy and planningTel: 01925 400 277Simon.Nokes@nwda.co.uk

Mark HughesExecutive directorEconomic developmentTel: 01925 400 531Mark.Hughes@nwda.co.uk

Steven BroomheadChief executiveTel: 01925 400 133Steven.Broomhead@nwda.co.uk

Diane SummersExecutive directorCorporate and employmentservicesTel: 01925 400 300Diane.Summers@nwda.co.uk

Nick Brooks-SykesDirector TourismTel: 01925 400 472Nick.Brooks-Sykes@nwda.co.uk

If you’re looking to improve and grow your business, making better use of your resources is crucial. Eachyear businesses lose at least 2% of profit through inefficient management of energy, water and waste.

We offer a range of support to help the region’s businesses respond to the opportunities presented byclimate change and the move towards a low carbon economy, including:

To access our support visit:businesslink.gov.uk/northwestor call 0845 00 66 888

We can help

Embedding Resource Efficiency - free advice to save yourbusiness money through reducing use of raw materials,consumables, energy and water.

Grant for Improving Resource Efficiency - financialsupport for capital investment projects which reduce C02

emissions.

Helping you Eco-Innovate - specialist support to help yourbusiness exploit the market for sustainable, low carbonproducts and services.

Installing Renewable Energy Technology - specialistadvice and support to your business with the installation ofrenewable energy technology.

Help with waste and recycling - access to networks andworkshops that put you in touch with waste companiesand suppliers of recycled products and services.

Specialist support for construction businesses - experthelp to secure contracts with demanding sustainabilityrequirements.

resource efficiency ad 315:Layout 1 1/2/10 13:39 Page 1