26 September 2008
Delivering change for England’s Northwest
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) today (26th
September) highlighted its key successes over the past year and the
challenges ahead, at its annual conference and AGM at Liverpool’s
BT Convention Centre.
The conference, hosted by broadcaster Jim Hancock, provided an
opportunity to hear Chief Executive Steven Broomhead outline some
of the Agency’s key achievements over the last year, challenges for
the future and new ways of working following the Government’s
Sub-National Review.
Event host Jim Hancock also interviewed NWDA Chairman Bryan
Gray, who stands down as Chair of the Agency after 6 years at the
end of 2008, on key regional achievements during his
Chairmanship.
The NWDA achieved excellent results in 2007/08, exceeding all
targets set by Government. Working with partners, the Agency has
created and safeguarded over 17,000 jobs, created or attracted
almost 2,000 new businesses to the region, helped over 20,000
businesses to improve their performance, attracted £489 million of
investment to regenerate deprived areas and regenerated almost 300
hectares of brownfield land.
Guest speakers at the Agency’s event today included Phil Redmond
(Creative Director, Liverpool Culture Company), Christine Gaskill
(HR Director, Bentley Motors), Julia Cleverdon (Vice President,
Business in the Community) and John Smith (Principal, Burnley
College).
The keynote speech was provided by John Willman, Business Editor
and Associate Editor of the Financial Times. Born in Lancashire,
John Willman has won a number of awards for business coverage,
including Financial Journalist of the Year at the 2001 British
Press Awards. He was also named the winner in the banking category
at the 2002 Business Journalist of the Year awards.
Steven Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive, said:
“Today has provided an important opportunity to showcase the
work that the Agency has been involved with over the last twelve
months, and the real difference we and our partners are making,
both on the ground across the Northwest and nationally to champion
the interests of our region.
2007/08 has been another hugely successful year for the
Northwest, and the Agency’s strategic leadership has continued to
create significant added value to the regional economy. It is vital
that we build on this moving forward, whilst ensuring that the
region is in a strong position to tackle the challenging global
economic conditions ahead. Working in partnership, the NWDA will
continue to ensure that we are focused on delivering re al
transformational change for our economy.”
-ends-
For further information please contact Sarah Moston, Press
Officer on 01925 400552 or 07810 528 471 or Sarah.Moston@nwda.co.uk
For further information and to view all press releases visit us
at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life