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THE RDA MAGAZINE FEB 2006 ISSUE 08

KNOWLEDGEMILLRebirth of East Manchester enterprise

Agenda for changeDispellingmanufacturing myths

Saving the planetRegion plugs intolow carbon economy

Hey, big spenderCheshire targetsshopping tourists

THE THIRD DEGREE

Raksha Pattni

BUSINESS

Knowledge mill opens for business

Dispelling manufacturing myths

International trade

Science fund rewards bright ideas

Taking the lead on climate change

PEOPLE AND JOBS

BBC boost for media zone

New equality drive

Blueprint for a prosperous future

New Arena underway

SKILLS AND EDUCATION

University of Cumbria plan

INFRASTRUCTURE

Rail investment campaign on track

Airport rises to the challenge

QUALITY OF LIFE

Cheshire woos more visitors

Manchester debut as festival city

REGULARS

People in the region

Event highlights

Getting in touch31

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CONTENTS HIGHLIGHTS

OUR VISION:

‘A dynamic, sustainableinternational economy whichcompetes on the basis ofknowledge, advancedtechnology and an excellentquality of life for all.’

CONTACTS

Editor Trevor Batesemail@trevorbates.fsnet.co.uk

NWDAErica Boardmanemail: erica.boardman@nwda.co.uktel: 01925 400 217

visit www.nwda.co.uk &www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com

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KNOWLEDGE MILL OPENSFOR BUSINESSOne Central Park, a neweconomic anchor for North andEast Manchester, is beingdeveloped through a collaborativeventure joining togethereducation with science andenterprise.

TAKING THE LEADON CLIMATE CHANGEAction on climate change isgathering pace with majorplayers across the Northwestjoining forces to establish theNorthwest as a benchmark forcombating global warming.

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THE RDA MAGAZINE FEB 2006 ISSUE 08

BLUEPRINT FOR APROSPEROUS FUTUREThe new Regional EconomicStrategy is a crucial document forthe region and outlines majortransformational actions for theyears to come.

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Last month, the Northwest gained praisefrom the government as the first Englishregion to take action against global warmingwhen over 40 influential public and privatesector organisations signed up to theEngland’s Northwest Climate ChangeCharter. This is an important commitment inreducing energy consumption across theregion and we hope that many more regionalorganisations will sign up to the agreementduring 2006.

The Northwest needs to develop a clear,collective view of the direction we wantto go in terms of strategy and delivery on

the ground, including influencing, informing and guiding government policy onclimate change and energy. I am confidentthat, as a region, we can demonstrate real progress and become a champion forclimate change activity.

This is a view shared by the NorthwestRegional Development Agency. With theregion’s long history as a substantial energyuser and a source of technological andcommercial innovation, we are ensuring thatachieving sustainable development is at theheart of the emerging Regional EconomicStrategy (2006 – 2009).

The Agency is contributing to the responseto climate change in a variety of ways, bothin terms of reducing emissions and dealingwith the inevitable impacts of climate changeresulting from past emissions. We areleading on the development of a RegionalClimate Change Action Plan 2006-2009,which demonstrates the positive approachadopted to responding to climate change andhighlights the potential opportunities tobusiness. Alongside this, the implementationof the Northwest Energy Strategy focuses onthe promotion of energy efficiency andalternative sources.

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

ACTING ONCLIMATE CHANGEOver recent months, the issue of climate change has moved tothe forefront of the national and international agenda.Businesses and organisations are well aware of the impact thatclimate change could have on their operations and are making itan issue that is central to their decision-making processes.

Bryan Gray, February 2006

country, that gives us a big mandate tomobilise business resources. In Cumbria ourwork focuses on pertinent issues such asaffordable rural housing, support for markettowns, local sourcing and building thecapacity of the local community.

When the new Regional Economic Strategy(RES) is launched in spring (2006) will BITChave a major role in its delivery?

BITC has a very clear fit with the keyobjectives of the RES – business,regeneration, skills and skill shortages andquality of life. Our main role is to respond tothe needs of businesses and to identify howtheir operations impact on their keystakeholders. Our main vehicle foraddressing and targeting these issues will beResponsibility Northwest, a region-wideinitiative funded by the Northwest RegionalDevelopment Agency (NWDA) to develop andchampion the agenda of responsiblebusiness practices.

What do you see as the main priorities?We will be really focusing on the skills gaps

from the generic issues of literacy andnumeracy to those affecting particular sectors.In Manchester only 40% of pupils achieved fiveor more GCSE A* to C grades in 2003-04,compared to the average for England of 54%.This can contribute to low productivity and staffshortages for business which face the highcost of recruitment. The region’s engineeringsector has a huge skills gap which some of ourcompanies, like Scottish Power and UnitedUtilities, are pro-actively seeking to address.They are aiming to create a new generation ofyoung engineers through a programmecalled Grow Your Future Workforce, funded bythe NWDA.

How does BITC interface with key corporateplayers in the region?

We believe that to make a difference, tobring about change, requires partnerships –like-minded organisations working together.The NWDA is a member of BITC and wereceive tremendous support from them. We work closely with The Prince of Wales’Prince’s Trust and with his Seeing isBelieving Programme which invites businessleaders to see for themselves how businesscan play a role in tackling Britain’s mostpressing social issues. The BITC alsofounded the Northwest Business LeadershipTeam (NWBLT), which plays an influentialrole in the region’s development.

You have chosen ‘diversity’ as the subjectof your annual conference on March 30 –how can the BITC help business to approachthe issue?

Diversity is one of the top emerging issuesfor companies, some of whom are leading inthis area. Our aim at the conference will be

to raise awareness, demonstrate what it canmean to businesses and to share bestpractice. Companies need to look at thedemographic changes; the ageing populationwill increase over the next ten years and injust seven years only one third of the UKworkforce will be male and under 45. Itmakes sense for businesses to plan now.

Your early career involved work withethnic minority women in Leicester andlater racial equality issues in Preston.Where does BITC stand on addressing racialequality issues?

For us, the whole of the diversity agenda isimportant and race is just one key element.We offer a programme called Race forOpportunity which provides a benchmarkingtool to help companies to identify gaps intheir racial equality policies and to work withcompanies who are leading in this area toimplement best practice.

And what of the relatively small numberof women in key positions in the region– what can be done to increasetheir number?

I believe this is more of a national ratherthan a regional challenge which requires aconcerted effort at an organisational andinstitutional level to make a difference. Asthe traditional ‘nine to five’ jobs arechanging, and women now make up nearlyhalf the workforce – double the number 25years ago – there needs to be more flexible,family-friendly policies in the workplace toallow women to realise their business andleadership potential.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR)is also a major issue for BITC – inDecember you held an event asking “DoesCSR really matter?” Does it?

Of course it does, but different businessesinterpret it in different ways, even if they arebased in the same sector. We work withthem but we do not take a ‘one size fits all’approach. What is important to us is thatcompanies recognise their existing baselineposition on CSR and actively commit toimproving their impact on society.

What are you passionate about outsideyour career?

My family, especially my two sons who areseven and two. Because my husband isEnglish and I think it is important to bring upmy children to understand both our cultures,I speak Gujarati to my children at home.I also enjoy the normal activities of walking,gardening and cooking.

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THE THIRD DEGREE

“WE WILL BE REALLY FOCUSINGON THE SKILLS GAPS FROMTHE GENERIC ISSUES OFLITERACY AND NUMERACYTO THOSE AFFECTINGPARTICULAR SECTORS.”

RAKSHA PATTNIREGIONAL DIRECTOR,

BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY

RAKSHA PATTNI

For further information:email: ronee.gunn@bitc.org.uktel: 0161 233 7750www.bitc.org.uk

Raksha Pattni was appointed Regional Director of Business in the Community (BITC)in the Northwest in November (2005), seven years after joining the organisation asDevelopment Manager. Her first major project – persuading businesses to providesupport in one of the region’s deprived areas of Preston received a national BITCaward for excellence and was acknowledged as a national example of best practicein neighbourhood renewal by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Raksha cameto England with her family from Tanzania when she was 14 and settled in Leicester.

What is the role of BITC in the early 21stcentury, 24 years after it was founded in theNorthwest in 1982?

The early business leaders who startedBITC based the movement on philanthropicprinciples, but today the emphasis hasshifted. Companies now accept that there isa strong business case for adoptingresponsible practice which actually impactson their bottom line. BITC remains as abusiness catalyst for social change andinnovation, continuing to research, butalways from the companies’ starting point.

It also champions leadership and creativityand provides advice, guidance and examplesof best practice to help our members tackleemerging issues.

The Northwest is a hugely diverse region.How is BITC assisting different parts of theregion and the sectors within it?

What is striking about the region is thatalthough 80% of it is rural and only 20%urban, 60% of the Northwest’s populationlive in the urban areas. Our work has toreflect that. In the two major cities we havethe Greater Manchester and Liverpool Carespartnerships, channels though whichbusinesses can support some of the mostdeprived communities in the region.And as the Northwest has over 25% of themost deprived local authority areas in the

Education and training institutions have joinedwith scientists and enterprise practitioners ina novel collaborative venture that will providea new economic anchor for the old industrialheartland of North and East Manchester.

The opening of One Central Park brings allthe facets of business creation together in asingle 100,000 sq ft building that will draw onthe resources of local universities, a leadingFurther Education college, industry andincubation specialists.

Professor David Auckland, ManagingDirector of One Central Park Ltd, the companyset up to run the science, enterprise andlearning campus, describes the £18.5 million

centre as a “knowledge mill.” He hopes it willhave as profound an impact on the futureprosperity of East Manchester as the cottonmill had on Lancashire.

“We are bringing together knowledge andknowledgeable people and converting thatinteraction into new products, services andjobs, just as the cotton mill converted yarninto textiles.”

NEW THINKINGFunded by the Northwest Regional

Development Agency (NWDA), the EU,Manchester City Council, the Universities ofManchester and Salford and ManchesterCollege of Arts and Technology (MANCAT),

One Central Park brings fresh thinking to theconcept of community regeneration.

One of the first fruits of this new approachis Enterprise Direct, an FE version of thesuccessful Master of Enterprise programmepioneered by the Manchester ScienceEnterprise Centre (MSEC), launched byProfessor Auckland four years ago.

Open to anyone with a good idea, irrespectiveof educational attainment, the programmeaims to nurture an entrepreneurial culture inlocal communities by offering enterprise-minded individuals practical support – usuallyat night-school – to convert their ideas intosustainable businesses.

Auckland and his team were inundated withrequests to join the scheme and quickly filledthe 18 places on the first course. Some of thoseenrolled have a Higher Education (HE)background, others have no qualifications at all.

“We have to encourage people with ideas tostart up businesses and anchor economicactivity in this area over a long period, say25-50 years. Big companies come and go butif small ones become part of the communitythey’ll stay.”

The Enterprise Direct partnership betweenMANCAT and MSEC is just one of severalinteracting dimensions of enterprise withinOne Central Park, which forms the nucleus ofCentral Business Park, one of Europe’slargest business developments.

ENTERPRISE LADDERManchester Metropolitan University (MMU)

is partnering MANCAT in the creation of aNew Technology Institute (NTI) whilstManchester Science Park, ManchesterIncubation Ltd and MSEC are combining theirefforts to stimulate more business formation.

Auckland envisages a ladder of opportunitywith individuals dipping a toe in the enterprisewaters for 12-18 months within the confines ofan FE/HE establishment while holding on to aday-job, then progressing through to theformal incubation process and ultimately tolarger Science Park facilities.

There are two other strands to One CentralPark – a MANCAT Learning Centre for localpeople and a Research and Graduate Centre, acompletely new concept that will act as abridge between leading-edge academicresearch and commerce.

Tenants began moving into the building inlate 2005. MANCAT enrolled 340 part-time HEstudents in the first few weeks of the satellitecampus opening and expects to have 2,000students using the centre within two years.Degrees will be validated by the University ofManchester and MMU.

MANCAT Principal Peter Tavernor said theNTI would try to recreate the old Polytechnicapproach of skills-based vocational educationbased around part-time study with good

quality employment as the end result.“We have received wide support locally for

the re-introduction of technician training toEast Manchester,” he explained. “We hope itwill help to restore the self esteem that peoplehad when the area was a flourishing centre ofmanufacturing in the 1960s and 70s.”

Central Business Park has quickly captureda number of major investments including anew Fujitsu office complex and the £36 millionGateway transport interchange, which openedin November. Covering 36 ha (90 acres) thefirst phase will provide 131,039 sq m(1.41 million sq ft) of premium office space.

Steven Broomhead, the NWDA’s ChiefExecutive, described the opening of OneCentral Park as “very important to the region’sagenda of encouraging entrepreneurs andenterprising businesses.”

For further information:email: t.venosa@onecentralpark.co.uk tel: 0161 918 6900www.onecentralpark.co.uk

KNOWLEDGEMILL OPENSFOR BUSINESS

Fiona Mills, a specialist intransformational change and talentmanagement, has beenappointed as theNorthwest RegionalDevelopment Agency’snew Director of HR,Organisational Changeand Development.

Infolab21, the University of Lancaster’s£15 million centre of excellence in ICT,which has been part-funded by theNWDA, has beaten off competition fromthe BBC and others to win the BritishCouncil for Offices national prize as the“Best Corporate Workplace.”

Liberata, one of the UK’s leadingproviders of outsourced businessprocesses, is establishing a newbusiness centre inBarrow-in-Furnesswith the help of an£800.000 NWDA grant.The project will create200 jobs in the town.

India’s largest bank will cement tradeand financial ties with the Northwest byopening a base in Manchester in 2006,its first UK branch outside London. TheState Bank of India (SIB) joins over 60other banks in the city, including 20from overseas. The bank’s movereceived help and guidance on the movefrom the NWDA and MIDAS(Manchester’s Investment Agency).

Enterprise Plc has established a new£20 million business support centre inthe rejuvenated Matchworks in Liverpoolwith financial assistance from theNWDA. Since moving there the companyhas won two governmentcontracts work worth£840 million overseven years.Workforce recruitmentwill rise to 220 by theend of 2006.

More e-Government unit posts arebeing relocated to the Northwestby the Cabinet Office in response to theLyons Review. The transfer of 30 jobs toa shared service centre at Birchwood,Warrington is expected to deliver long-term efficiency savings.

NEWS

BUSINESS

CENTRAL PARK FACTFILE� PUBLIC SECTOR PARTNERS: The NWDA,

English Partnerships, Manchester CityCouncil and New East Manchester.

� PHASE 1: The NWDA has project managedand led the assembly and preparation of the38 hectares of Phase 1, representing a publicsector investment of over £20 million. Inaddition to the £11 million invested by theNWDA, funding has also been received fromthe European Regional Development Fund,English Partnerships and ManchesterCity Council.

� DEVELOPER: Ask: Akeler Developments Ltd,a 50-50 joint venture combiningregional insight with national andinternational expertise.

� SIZE: On completion Central Park will cover182 ha (450 acres) and offer up to 500,000sq m (5.38 million sq ft) of commercialfloor space.

� OCCUPIERS: Fujitsu Services, the European-centred IT services arm of the Fujitsu Group.Phased occupation of the three buildingsbegan in July and will build up to a 900-strong workforce.

� ONE CENTRAL PARK: A science, enterpriseand learning partnership project betweenMANCAT, the Universities of Manchester andSalford and MSEC.

� EMPLOYMENT TARGETS: 10,000 jobs createdover the next 10-15 years.

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“WE HAVE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLEWITH IDEAS TO START UPBUSINESSES AND ANCHORECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THISAREA OVER A LONG PERIOD,SAY 25-50 YEARS”

PROFESSOR DAVID AUCKLANDMANAGING DIRECTOR,

ONE CENTRALPARK LTD

Learning centre – a new approachto skills-based vocational education

Enterprise hothouse – contemporaryoffice spaces for nurturing new ideas

Business and educational leaders across theregion are being urged to communicate amore positive, fact-based image ofmanufacturing to avoid the sector talkingitself into a premature grave.

A campaign to project a more dynamic viewof the sector has got off to strong start with alaunch event at the House of Commons, hostedby the Northwest Regional Development Agency(NWDA) and The Manufacturing Institute.

The manufacturing industry is a majorwealth generator for the Northwest economywith 18,500 companies and a workforce ofhalf a million contributing £19 billion – nearly20% of all output – to the region’s Gross

Domestic Product (GDP). The campaign focuses on debunking the

negative and persistent mythologysurrounding manufacturing with a series offactual case studies that draw on theexperiences of successful companies andindividuals in the Northwest.

POPULAR MYTHS“Manufacturing has talked itself down for too

long,” Julie Madigan, the Institute’s ChiefExecutive, told the Westminster reception. “It’stime to explode some of the popular myths thathave built up around the sector and tocelebrate the massive contribution it continuesto make to the economy.”

In its booklet, “The Truth Behind the Myth”,the Institute confronts the idea that“manufacturing is not a creative industry” byquoting the example of Snowbone, aLancashire-based company, which gainedfinancial backing from the BBC Dragon’s Denprogramme to design and produce a BMX-typehandlebar attachment that clips on to anyconventional snowboard making it easy forbeginners to keep their balance.

Snowbone’s managing director PaddyRatcliffe and design director Nick Rawcliffeenlisted the help of the Manufacturing AdvisoryService in the Northwest (MAS NW) to turn theconcept to reality.

The Trafford Park-based Institute delivers

MAS through the Regional Centre forManufacturing Excellence in partnership withthe NWDA. In the past three years MAS hashelped Northwest manufacturers makeproductivity and skill improvements worth over£129 million by focusing on innovation and leanproduction techniques.

The snowboard technology went on show inNovember at the ‘SkillCity’ event atManchester’s G-MEX where the Institute,ChamberLink and Chemicals Northwest set up aManufacturing and Engineering Zone to giveyoung people practical experience of theinteresting jobs and training opportunitiesavailable in the industry.

Engaging with schoolchildren and teachers isan important tool in getting the message acrossthat manufacturing offers a wide range ofattractive well-paid career options. This thinkinghas led to the recent appointment of NicolaEagleton as the Institute’s education co-ordinator.

“Only around 300 out of almost 600 Northwestsecondary schools currently offers GCSE coursesin manufacturing and the average pupilperformance is low,” she explains.

Eagleton is now working with partnersto push education to the top of themanufacturing agenda.

For further information:email: stevec@manufacturinginstitute.co.uktel: Steve Corfield 0161 872 0393www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk

BUSINESS

DISPELLINGMANUFACTURING MYTHS

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“IT’S TIME TO EXPLODE SOME OFTHE POPULAR MYTHS THAT HAVEBUILT UP AROUND THE SECTORAND TO CELEBRATE THE MASSIVECONTRIBUTION IT CONTINUES TOMAKE TO THE ECONOMY.”

JULIE MADIGANCHIEF EXECUTIVE,

THE MANUFACTURINGINSTITUTE

Science in action – young visitors to SkillCitylearn about interesting jobs

Inspirational leader– former UN commander Bob Stewarthands on some career tips at SkillsCity

Enterprise champion– Chancellor Gordon Brown swaps ideaswith young people at the G-MEX event

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Trading places – Philip Berrill at work in China

� Firms can learn about the benefits of sellingoverseas during International Trade Week(March 6-10). The centrepiece of the week’sactivities, International Trade Day, takes placein the De Vere White’s Hotel at the ReebokStadium, Bolton, on Wednesday, March 8.

� The calendar of events covers the whole regionand includes a focus on trading with theAmericas (Greater Merseyside), the RussiaChallenge (Greater Manchester), opportunitiesin South Asia (Cheshire and Warrington) and aninteractive seminar on Central and EasternEurope (Cumbria and Lancashire).

His success in markets from LatinAmerica to Mongolia resonates stronglywith the efforts being made by UKTIto boost the Northwest’s export andeconomic performance.

Co-located with the Northwest RegionalDevelopment Agency (NWDA) in Warringtonto achieve maximum impact, the governmentorganisation uses six internationalTrade teams across the region to providea range of integrated support servicesfor companies engaged in overseastrade and foreign enterprises seeking tolocate in the UK.

ARTIST CREATES GLOBAL BUSINESS

INTERNATIONAL TRADE DAY BUCKING THE TREND

As the region prepares for InternationalTrade Week (March 6-10) small go-aheadNorthwest companies are being urged toemulate the success of artist and authorPhilip Berrill who has broken into overseasmarkets with his art book series on painting.

Since launching his professional career29 years ago Philip has written a number ofbooks, including “The Everyone’s Guide to..”series which has so far featured sketching,and oil, pastel and watercolour painting.

Three years ago he bought the right to hisbooks from his previous publisher and setabout publishing them himself. Eager tomake an impact overseas the intrepidSouthport artist approached UK Trade &Investment (UKTI) for assistance.

He received financial support toparticipate in the Beijing Book Fair held inSeptember 2003 and again in 2005. Thisallowed him to showcase his book tointernational buyers and research demandfor his books in the Chinese market.

SALES SUPPORTHis big success came in October 2005

when he signed a contract with a Chinesepublisher to translate and publish his booksinto Mandarin and market them across thewhole of China.

Philip, 59, has now sold well over 300,000copies of his books overseas and expects toreach one million within the next two tothree years. He is full of praise for the levelof support offered by UKTI staff during thetrade shows and the help he received fromKegang Wu at ChinaLink in Liverpool.

“There is a huge respect out there forBritish products and knowledge, especiallyeducational and technical, “ he says. “Myadvice to anyone who thinks they havesomething that is exportable is to talk to thesupport agencies. There is a lot of qualityadvice available and some financial support.”

An upbeat picture of the region’s exportperformance has emerged in recent weekswith a CBI survey revealing the Northwest tobe one of only three UK regions currentlyreporting an increase in overseas orders andmanufacturing output.

Clive Drinkwater, the region’s newlyappointed export director in succession toVicki Treadell, believes it is no coincidencethat these key indicators are bucking thenational trend.

“UK Trade & Investment has put extraeffort and resources into ensuring that

international tradehelps to driveregional economicsuccess and we willcontinue to do sothrough initiativeslike InternationalTrade Week.”

For further information:email: keithditchfield.ukti@nwda.co.uk tel: 01925 400190

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BUSINESS

SCIENCE FUND REWARDS BRIGHT IDEAS

SCHOOL STEPS UP FIGHTAGAINST MALARIAScientists at the Liverpool School of

Tropical Medicine are celebrating threemajor funding awards that will put therenowned institution in the forefront of theglobal struggle to defeat malaria and otherdeadly diseases.

In October the government announced an£18 million investment package to fund a newCentre for Tropical and Infectious Diseasesthat will double the size of the PembrokePlace building and help to create 640 highlyskilled new jobs within the region by 2015.

The Northwest Regional DevelopmentAgency (NWDA) and the Merseyside ObjectiveOne programme will each invest £9 million inthe new facility, due for completion in 2007. Itwill house laboratories and research space todevelop new medicines that could go to localbiomanufacturing companies forcommercial production and marketing.

Founded in 1898 by Liverpool ship-ownersthe School has pioneered much of the world’sresearch into tropical diseases and helped toproduce drugs to treat diseases like malaria,which kills 2000 African children every day.

The School will have even more resourcesat its disposal in the fight against malariafollowing news that it is to receive £29 millionfrom the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.Levered in by the £18 million fundingpackage, this further investment will lead afast-track international programme todevelop innovative mosquito control methods.

Professor Janet Hemingway, the School’sDirector, welcomed the Gates grant as“exciting” news for the School and Liverpool.She said that new insecticides were neededthat were effective, affordable and safe forhumans and the environment.

“This grant will enable us to make hugestrides in defeating the mosquito which is avery clever foe, constantly re-inventing itselfso as to become resistantto insecticides.”

ultimately be self-sustaining.The UK Centre for Tissue Regeneration,

which receives £1.45 million from the Fund,underlines the collaborative ethos behind thebids. Three universities, the NHS and fiveindustrial partners including AstraZeneca arecombining their resources to develop anumber of new medical treatments.

At the Centre, biomaterial engineers,molecular scientists and clinicians are workingon small calibre artificial arteries, skin repair

products, cartilage regeneration and nerverepair techniques.

NEW COMPANIESCentre Director Professor Cay Kielty is

optimistic that clinical trials of new skin andvascular grafts will begin in 18 months. Thearteries are made from new types of polymerscompatible with cell biology and will beapplicable not just for coronary patients but forsmokers with blocked leg arteries.

“We are leading the world in this area

because of our interdisciplinary approach,”says Professor. Kielty. “We have a proven trackrecord of being able to work well togetherand this is what you need to produce artificialblood vessels.”

She is hopeful the work of the Centre – anexpansion of the UK Centre for TissueEngineering, which is already hosted by theUniversity of Manchester - will lead to anumber of spin-off companies beingestablished in the Northwest.

The flagship Cockcroft Institute has passedtwo important milestones in establishing itselfas an international research and developmentcentre in accelerator science and technology.

Major new appointments include theconfirmation of Professor John Dainton, Headof the Particle Physics Group at the Universityof Liverpool, as the Institute’s first Directorand the appointment of Drs Roger Jones, RobAppleby and Rebecca Seviour as the first newsenior staff.

Work has also started on fitting out thepurpose-built facility on the Daresbury

International Science Park for occupation inSpring, allowing 100 scientists and engineersto begin tackling some of the challenges thatwill have to be solved if the next generation ofparticle accelerators is to be built.

The Institute will enhance the UK’sresearch efforts in the fundamentalscience of the structure of matter and theorigin of the Universe.

Dr. George Baxter, Head of Science andInnovation at the NWDA, believes the Institutewill put the UK “at the forefront ofopportunities to commercially exploit a market

in new accelerator science facilities worthbillions of pounds.”

The Agency is providing £11 million of theinitial £27 million investment in the projectalong with £6 million from the threeuniversities involved in the unique jointventure – Lancaster, Liverpool andManchester.

For further information:email: J.B. Dainton@dl.ac.uktel: 01925 603820www.lancs.ac.uk/cockcroft-institute

PROBING THE UNIVERSE PROJECT AWARDSNovel Laser Processes for Microtechnology(Lead institution: University of Liverpool)£2.49 millionNorthwest Composites Centre(University of Manchester) £2.10 millionThe National Centre for Zoonosis Research(University of Liverpool) £1.68 millionUK Centre for Tissue Regeneration(University of Manchester) £1.45 millionNorthwest Embryonic Stem Cell Centre(Central Manchester and ManchesterChildren’s University Hospitals NHS Trust)£1.45 million

Five Northwest university-industrypartnerships have secured awards from the£15 million Northwest Science Fund to speedup the transfer of scientific discoveries intoworld-class commercial products.

Research and development activity by thewinning consortia is expected to lead to newmaterials for aerospace and automobilecomponents, novel laser processes andbreakthrough medical therapies includingartificial arteries and nerve repair techniques.

Launched by the Northwest RegionalDevelopment Agency (NWDA) as part of itsinvestment in the region’s scienceinfrastructure, the Fund will help to create acluster of world-class centres of excellence inareas such as stem cell research andaccelerator science.

It targets support at the area between ‘blueskies’ research and company Research andDevelopment (R&D) where it is difficult toattract the traditional sources of funding. Thebidding process was managed by theNorthwest Science Council and generated over100 ideas. Collaborative teams had todemonstrate that their projects had thepotential to deliver strong commercial or socialbenefit for the region.

GOOD IDEAS“We are seeding these projects as an

investment in the Northwest economy,”explains Dr. George Baxter, the NWDA’s Headof Science and Innovation. “We had to turndown a lot of good ideas, some of which maywell be progressed through the Northern WayGrowth Fund.”

The winning consortia brings together theacademic expertise of Northwest universitieswith the market-driven R&D and commercialfocus of industry. The funding covers an initialthree-year period although Dr Baxter hopesthe projects will have a much longer life and

The award funding will be invested in a cleanlaboratory in the Core Technology Centre, one ofthe key facilities of the UK Centre for TissueEngineering. “This is critically important becauseit gives us the aseptic conditions and qualitycontrol necessary in the commercialisationprocess,” adds Professor Kielty.

MATCH FUNDINGAll five awards have attracted match

funding. The Northwest Composites Centreproject, which will focus its research effort oncreating new materials for use in theaerospace and automobile industries, willleverage in over ten times the Science Fund’s£2.10 million investment.

Here the partners are Manchester,Liverpool, Lancaster and Bolton universitieswho, collectively, will be providing £4.5 million,industry (£3.5 million) and the researchcouncils (£13.4 million).

Dr. Baxter says the whole bid process hashighlighted the region’s world-class strength inscientific collaboration. “The big message forthe future is that universities are prepared towork together with industry for the benefit ofthe Northwest economy.”

For further information:email: claire.claessen@nwda.co.uktel: 01925 400100

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BUSINESSAnother event will be held to report progresslater in the 2006.

The charter is the latest in a series offorward-looking projects and initiatives beingpursued within the Northwest as it seeks tostamp its distinctive mark on the climatechange agenda. Some like the creation of theNorthwest Energy Council are national ‘firsts’.

Climate Change campaigners grabbed thespotlight in November at the launch of the“Manchester is my Planet” initiative byunveiling of a scroll of 10,000 names of peoplewho have pledged to reduce their carbonemissions by 20% by 2010.

In a progress report to the summit onregional action, Steven Broomhead, NWDAChief Executive, described climate change a“make or break issue which presents anunprecedented series opportunities towork together.”

THREE YEAR TARGETSIn line with the government’s UK Sustainable

Development priorities, the Agency is workingwith key partners to develop a regional climatechange action plan that will draw together afragmented collection of policies, projects andprogrammes into a coherent framework.

It will set three-year targets for reductions incommercial and public energy use, reducedCO2 emissions from transport and increasedenergy production from renewable sources.

A lead player in action to mitigate and adaptto climate change, the NWDA has funded anumber of organisations and projects includingRenewables Northwest, Envirolink Northwest,ENWORKS and two academic centres ofexcellence, the Joule Centre and the DaltonNuclear Institute.

Business is facing challenges andopportunities on climate change, particularly inrelation to energy conservation. Industryaccounts for 22% of CO2 emissions from theregion, second only to emissions from homes.In 2000 the region poured 63 million tonnes ofCO2 pollutants into the atmosphere placing iton a par with Portugal.

PROACTIVE RESPONSEIncreased risk of flooding is one likely

scenario resulting from climate change.Research suggests the number of people inthe region at risk could rise from 200,000 in2,000 to up to 375,000 in the 2080s with flooddamage soaring from £125 million to between£150 million and £2.5 billion.

Mark Atherton, Head of Environment andSustainable Development at the NWDA, saysthe Northwest had adopted a proactiveresponse to climate change. “Our role is toencourage businesses to become moreresource efficient, saving them money as wellas reducing their environmental impact. Wealso need to predict the effects that ClimateChange may have on business sectors andassist them to avoid the risks and takeadvantage of the opportunities.”

For further information: email: e.glynn@snw.org.uk tel: Dr. Steven Glynn 0161 247 7800

Prime Minister Tony Blair demonstrated thatNorthwest businesses are among the mostpioneering users of renewable energy in thecountry when he switched on the Co-operativeInsurance Society’s £5.5 million Solar TowerProject, the largest of its kind in the UK.

When work is completed the 400ft servicetower of the CIS’s landmark building in thecentre of Manchester will be clad in 7,000photovoltaic panels generating enoughelectricity to make nine millions cups of tea ayear. The project has been supported by a£885,000 NWDA grant.

The CIS has since moved ahead with asecond renewables scheme by installingmicro wind turbines on the roof of its13-storey building across the city in PortlandStreet. Each of the 19 turbines will generate1KW of electricity and save around one tonneof carbon dioxide per annum.

Schools are also joining the green energybandwagon, the latest one being KingsmeadPrimary School in Northwich which hasbecome the first in the Northwest to be builtwith a biomass heating system.

“We want our students to learn from theenvironment, not just consume it,” explainshead teacher Catriona Stewart whose schoolnow uses less than a quarter of the energytypically consumed by a primary school.

There has been a surge in the number ofrenewable energy projects in the Northwest inthe last few years. Wind power schemesoperating or in the pipeline will deliver 94 MWof electricity for an investment of nearly£70 million.

Projects at the planning or appeal stageswould deliver another 193 MW while approvedoffshore schemes have a total capacity of270WM and a value of £300 million.

“OUR ROLE IS TO ENCOURAGEBUSINESSES TO BECOME MORERESOURCE EFFICIENT, SAVINGTHEM MONEY AS WELLAS REDUCING THEIRENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.”

MARK ATHERTONHEAD OF ENVIRONMENT

AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, NWDA

Localised action on climate change isgathering pace with dozens of majorcompanies and organisations joining forcesto power the Northwest, one of thenation’s biggest energy users, towards alow-carbon economy.

Businesses like the Manchester-basedCooperative Insurance Society (CIS), which hasinstalled solar panels and micro-windturbines on two of its key buildings,are helping to establish the Northwest as abenchmark region for combating the effects ofglobal warming.

The Northwest’s proactive stance on reducinggreenhouse gas emissions was praised byMinister for Climate Change and EnvironmentElliot Morley at a Climate Change Summit heldfittingly in the tropical surroundings of LiverpoolSefton Park’s restored Palm House.

Billed as “The Ultimate Challenge”, theJanuary summit provided the platform for thelaunch of the Northwest Climate ChangeCharter, a Sustainability Northwest (SNW)-inspired business initiative to encourage theprivate and public sectors to commit toreducing energy consumption and reliance onfossil fuels. The Northwest RegionalDevelopment Agency (NWDA) was oneof the first regional organisations to sign up tothe initiative.

LEADERSHIP ROLESustainable development champion Lord

Thomas of Macclesfield, who is spearheading thecharter campaign, told the summit audience thatclimate change was a here and now problem, nota remote issue for future generations.

“People look to the Northwest for leadershipand we should pick up the challenge and lead inthis new revolution,” he said.

Over 60 signatories, including Pilkington plc,Manchester City Council and Salford University,have pledged to reduce CO2 emissions,establish effective monitoring systems andmake it a tenet of internal decision-making.

SNW is hoping to achieve a target of 1000signatories including many small and mediumsize enterprises (SMEs) by the end of the year.

TAKING THE LEADON CLIMATE CHANGE

CLIMATE CHANGE FACTFILE� Annual mean temperature at Manchester

Airport has risen 0.4° between 1988and 1997

� Summer rainfall has decreased by 20% overthe last century

� Increase in high intensity rainfall sincethe 1960s

� Seasonal rainfall varying by as much as 15%from the average in the last 30 years

� Sea level rise at Liverpool of around 6cm inthe last 50 years and could rise by up to69cm by the end of the century

� Increased flooding in some of the region’srivers in the last few decades (seriousflooding in Carlisle in 2004)

Shining example – an artist’s impressionof the Solar Tower on completion

Environmental champion – Elliott Morleyat the Climate Change Summit

Good company – Tony Blair with NWDA ChairmanBryan Gray (left) and CFS Chief ExecutiveDavid Anderson at the Solar Tower switch-on.

GREEN ENERGY PIONEERS

A new Media Zone, anchored by a greatlyexpanded BBC broadcast centre andsupported by a co-located cluster ofindependent production companies andfacilities providers, is to be established inthe heart of Greater Manchester.

BBC Governors have already approved thetransfer of eight departments and 1,600 jobsto the Northwest in 2010 as part of itsradical new “Out of London” strategy, adecision that will have a major economicimpact on the region.

Site selection for the proposed Media Zonehas been narrowed down to two locations –Quays Point, Salford Quays, andManchester’s Central Spine which is locatedoff Whitworth Street between the viaduct andPrincess Parkway.

The Northwest Regional DevelopmentAgency (NWDA) and public sector partnershave pledged to support the move with aninvestment of £50 million in infrastructure,public realm and skills development.

HIGH VALUE JOBS“The BBC’s proposed expansion offers an

unrivalled opportunity to build a world-classmedia cluster within the region, one that willhave great implications for the economic,social and creative well-being of the wholeregion for decades to come,” commentedNWDA Chief Executive Steven Broomhead.

An economic analysis of the BBC’srelocation plans, commissioned by theAgency, has concluded that they will add£150 million per annum in Gross ValueAdded (GVA) to the regional economy andgenerate 3,500 high-value jobs.

The BBC has declared its intent to draw onthe large pool of creative talent that existsacross the whole of the North of England andthe NWDA is talking to other Northern Waypartners (Yorkshire Forward and OneNorthEast) about how they can take advantageof the opportunities created in the Media Zone.

It is expected there would be a strong

concentration of independent productioncompanies, and possibly other broadcasters,on the new digital campus. The BBC iskeen to involve the public in the newventure and is planning to develop an on-siteOpen Centre.

The Media Zone would also offer businesssupport and flexible space to incubate newmedia sector supply chain companies forBBC and ITV Granada who also have astrong production presence in Manchester.

For further information:email: martin.brooks@bbc.co.uktel: Martin Brooks 0161 244 3177

Award-winning regeneration specialistUrban Splash is the lead developer for theformer Littlewoods Pools headquarters inthe Edge Lane corridor. Plans for the‘ocean-liner’ art decostyle building includeapartments and ahotel, as well ascommercial andspeciality retail space.

Dr. Pauleen Lane, a Board member of theNorthwest Regional Development Agency,has been appointed asDeputy Chair to theBoard of EnglishPartnerships, thenational regenerationagency for England.

Padiham in Lancashire is set to receive£1 million from the NWDA under theMarket Town Initiative (MTI). Fundingsupport will focus on anew look for the townhall, a makeover ofPadiham Market andextensive public realmimprovements.

Prominent Northwest businessmanNeville Chamberlain, a Board member ofthe NWDA from 2001-04, has beenappointed Chairman of The Northern Way,a collaborative initiative between thethree Northern RDAs. He is a formerChief Executive and Deputy Chairmanof BNFL.

Businesses in Keswick have voted infavour of setting up a BusinessImprovement District (BID), the firstBritish rural town to do so. Over the nextfive years local enterprises will work withthe NWDA and otherpublic sector partnersto boost trade bymaking Keswick a morewelcoming, customerfriendly town.

Liverpool Vision has been granted outlineplanning permission for a newCommercial District in the heart ofLiverpool comprising1.5 million sq ft of highquality commercialoffice space, new publicspaces and associatedcar parking.

NEWS

PEOPLE AND JOBS

ON THE MOVE

BBC departments scheduled totransfer to Manchester includeChildren’s BBC (two digital channels),BBC Sport, Radio Five Live and FiveLive Extra, New Media, two educationalservices - Digital Curriculum andFormal Learning - and Research andDevelopment (R&D).

The Corporation plans to create a BBCResearch Institute, staffed by half theBBC’s R&D personnel (125 jobs), withinthe media village to concentrate on the‘blue skies’ research needed to drivepublic sector broadcasting into thedigital age. A small advance team willkick-start the transfer process in 2006.

14

BBC BOOSTFOR MEDIA ZONE

15

A new strategy action plan, to be launchedin April, will aim to widen opportunity forpeople who face discrimination or aresocially excluded. The three bodies makingup the new Equality Strategy Group will eachlead on a separate area of implementation.• The Northwest Regional Development

Agency (NWDA) is championing economicparticipation for all.

• The Government Office for the North West(GONW) is looking at ways of reducing hatecrime and violence.

• The remit of the North West RegionalAssembly (NWRA) is promotion of diversityas an economic asset.Vicki Austin, Social Inclusion Policy and

Development Manager at the NWDA, saysthe success and prosperity of the Northwestdepends on all its citizens having a stake inits future.

“The Northwest is one of the most diverseregions in the country, and we need toensure that mainstream activity, spendingand resource allocation help to createpositive opportunities for groups who mightface barriers accessing jobs, training orpublic services” she explains.

NEW RIGHTS BODYResearch commissioned by the NWDA

reveals that if women, disabled and BMEgroups were able to participate equally inthe labour market, in terms of participationand pay, the region could be functioning upto 25% more effectively.

The new drive for greater equalitycoincides with news that the Commissionfor Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) willbe establishing a headquarters operationin Manchester.

Due to launch in 2007 the CEHR will mergethe functions of the Equal OpportunitiesCommission, Disability Rights Commissionand the Commission for Racial Equality aswell as taking on responsibility for faith, ageand sexual orientation.

A strong CEHR presence in the regionshould boost the work of the region inpromoting economic participation for all,claims Austin. “The government intendsthat CEHR will become a focus for goodpractice and encourage employers tooperate in a more productive and effectiveway,” she says.

For further information:tel: Akhtar Zaman 01925 400265www.nwda.gov.uk/equality

NEW EQUALITY DRIVE

Equal partners – the Trafford Centre hasa business culture that values diversity.

Three major public sector organisationshave joined forces to promote the value ofdiversity in the Northwest and are seekingto turn the region into a national beacon ofequality good practice.

They hope to achieve this through theimplementation of the Equality and DiversityStrategy, which was launched by HomeOffice Minister Hazel Blears in January 2005.

The strategy has six key strands –supporting black and ethnic minority (BME)communities; promoting gender equality;ensuring equal access for disabledpeople; promoting the role of faithcommunities; reducing age discrimination;and combating homophobia.

� The equality strategy is already working withthe UK’s first Fair Employment Zone beingestablished at the Trafford Centre. Thescheme is designed to promote best practicein equality and diversity among the centre’s230 retailers and encourage employers todevelop a business culture that values andpromotes diversity, and a workforce thatbetter reflects the local community. Theproject has been developed by ACAS withfunding from the NWDA.

� A study commissioned by the NWDA hasfound that ethnic minority businesses in theNorthwest contribute up to £2.4 billion perannum to the region’s economy. Theyrepresent 6.3% of the total number ofcompanies but generate a high proportion ofprofits for the region at over 7%.

FAIR EMPLOYMENT ZONE

Ministers have been asked to endorse anew and more sharply focused RegionalEconomic Strategy (RES) that aims tocreate a step change in the Northwest’scompetitive performance during theperiod 2006-09.

It sets out a clear sustainable developmentroute to increased prosperity.

The RES defines stiff new targets for theregion over the next three years to narrow theoutput gap that exists between the Northwest

and the rest of England. These include thecreation of 150,000 new jobs, raising the newcompany formation rate to 21,000 a year andgetting 83,000 more people into the workforce.

Produced after a wide-ranging reviewprocess, which involved 90 consultation eventsover 12 months, the new blueprint will beofficially launched in March, subject togovernment endorsement.

Produced and owned by the region, itpaints a vision of the Northwest beingtransformed into “a dynamic sustainableinternational economy, which competes onthe basis of knowledge, advanced technologyand an excellent quality of life for all.”

The RES is regarded as being significantlydifferent from previous Regional EconomicStrategies. In his covering letter to theSecretary of State for the Department ofTrade and Industry, Alan Johnson, the NWDAChairman Bryan Gray, says “the RES makestough choices and is realistic, rather thancovering everyone’s wish lists and agendas.”

One of the noticeable changes is theintegration of an action plan identifying the leadpartners for each action to ensure delivery.

HOUSING FOCUSSimon Nokes, who has coordinated the

review process and production of the61-page document, believes it takes a “moreholistic” approach to economic regenerationand is a more logical piece of analysis.

“There is far more focus on housing,transport and communities than in previousstrategies. Housing is crucial to economicdevelopment and the RES recognises that.The vision is also very specific - it is not abland statement of intent.”

The RES has been framed to addressserious shortcomings in the economy.Regional output (GVA) per head is 12% lowerthan the England average resulting in a£13 billion output gap. Most of that (£10billion) is due to lower productivity (GVA peremployee) with the rest (£3 billion) due tofewer people working per head of population.

“There is no silver bullet to solve theregion’s problems. It will be a combination ofmany things that will make the difference, “explains Nokes. “The magic formula is thevision and the actions we have to implementto bring those aspirations to reality.”

Preparation of the RES has been led by theNWDA assisted by a regional advisory groupdrawn from the public, private andvoluntary/community sectors. This resulted ina “high quality” debate about the key priorities.

It is estimated that over the three-year RESperiod, the region will receive £167 billion in

The strategy reflects the strong economiclinkages with neighbouring regions in thecontext of the Northern Way Growth Strategy.

An official launch of the RES will take placein the House of Commons on March 27. Aregional event is also planned.

The new RES will also mean some changesto the structure of the NWDA to make sure thatthe Agency is best placed to deliver thetransformational agenda. The revised structurewill strengthen the organisation’s capacity to

lead on policy issues, improve project andprogramme delivery and enable the effectivedelivery of the priorities set out in the RES. Itwill also strengthen our relationships with sub-regional partners and ensure a consistentapproach across the region. More informationwill follow in the next edition of 315.

For further information:email: simon.nokes@nwda.co.uktel: 01925 400100www.nwda.co.uk/strategy

16 17

PEOPLE AND JOBS

“THE RES MAKES TOUGH CHOICESAND IS REALISTIC, RATHER THANCOVERING EVERYONE’S WISH LISTSAND AGENDAS.”

BRYAN GRAYCHAIRMAN, NWDA

BLUEPRINT FOR A PROSPEROUS FUTURE

RES TARGETS FACTFILE The RES sets out a number of stiffeconomic targets that need to beachieved by 2009 including:

� Achieving GVA growth above theEngland average

� Creating 150,000 net new jobs,80,000 of which should be in‘knowledge’ occupations

� Raising new business formation to21,000 a year

� Reducing the number of working agepeople with no qualifications by 80,000

� Increasing the number of people in theworkforce with graduate qualificationsby 120,000

� Boosting the regional workforceby 83,000

� Reducing the number of areas in the UK’sworst 5% deprived

� Reducing CO2 emissions per unit (£)of GVA

The RES sets out a series of longer-termambitions, including raising the regionalemployment rate to 80% by 2020, andachieving parity with the Englandaverage on new company formation.

ADVICE ON EFFECTIVEINVESTMENT Economic planners have given the governmentclear ground-breaking guidance on wherepublic investment earmarked for the Northwestshould be spent to be most effective.

They point out that to realise its fulleconomic and social development potentialthe region must address seriousweaknesses in the housing and labourmarkets and in public transport.

A new 30-page report submitted toministers on behalf of the region by theNorth West Regional Assembly and theNorthwest Regional Development Agency(NWDA) identifies key spending priorities toremove these barriers to success.

Building on its commitment to devolvemore decision-making to the regionsWhitehall has sought the views of Northweststakeholders on how some funding streams,known as the Regional Funding Allocations,should be spent.

After extensive collaborative working andconsultation, regional planners have drawnup specific advice for ministers, which iffollowed, could result in more people inwork, more affordable houses and a betterquality transport network.

And for the first time, the region has agreedits transport priorities, defining 25 new roadschemes, within an agreed budget, with afurther 4 contingency schemes.

Planners also argue that to be moreeffective a greater number of fundingstreams should be included in the RFAprocess in the future, particularly thoserelating to other aspects of economicdevelopment including rail infrastructureand franchise funding. Currently the RFAtotal of £764 million is less than two per centof total public expenditure in the region.

For further information: email: peter.white@nwda.co.uk orsteve.barwick@nwra.org.uktel: 01925 400100

The Regional Economic Strategy sets a clearvision of the Northwest as a dynamic,sustainable international economy, whichcompetes on the basis of knowledge,advanced technology and an excellent qualityof life for all where:

1 Productivity and enterprise levels arehigh, in a low carbon economy, driven byinnovation, leadership excellence andhigh skills.

2 Manchester and Liverpool are vibrantEuropean cities, and with Preston, are keydrivers of city-regional growth.

3 Growth opportunities around Crewe,Chester, Warrington, Lancaster andCarlisle are fully developed.

4 Key growth assets are fully utilised(priority sectors, the higher educationand science base, ports/airports,strategic regional sites, the naturalenvironment, especially the Lake District,and the rural economy).

5 The economies of East Lancashire,Blackpool, Barrow and West Cumbriaare regenerated.

6 Employment rates are high andconcentrations of low employmentare eliminated.

PATHWAYS TO DYNAMIC ECONOMY

Family fun day – Beeston Castle, Cheshire

Screen test – Students learn new age skillsat the Lancashire Digital Technology Centre

public resources with £45 billion firmly withinthe scope of influence of the updatedframework. During this timeframe the NWDAwill have a total budget of £1.3 billion toimplement the strategy.

PRIORITY ACTIONSThe RES makes it clear that the region is

reliant on three major drivers for closing theoutput gap – improving productivity andgrowing the market, growing the sizeand capability of the workforce, andcreating and maintaining conditions forsustainable growth.

Across these drivers it identifies 122 actionsfor achieving growth and of these 45 areclassed as priority or transformational actions.They cover five main areas – business, skillsand education, people and jobs, infrastructureand quality of life.

Significant changes were made to the RESas a result of the consultation process. Thevision was amended to be ‘more motivational,regionally specific and focused on thetransformational agenda.’ This has led toactions being tightened, made more specificand focused on sustaining success as well astackling need.

Spectacular changes to Liverpool’s historicskyline are on the way after constructionteams moved on to the Kings Waterfront siteto begin work on the Liverpool Arena andConvention Centre.

Funding partners expect the £146 millionlandmark project to be completed in time forit to play a pivotal role in the city’s EuropeanCapital of Culture celebrations in 2008.

At a launch ceremony on the 14.6 ha site in

October the scheme’s designers, WilkinsonEyre Architects, twice winners of the StirlingPrize, unveiled new images of the interior ofthe new complex.

The design incorporates the variousfunctional requirements as a single complexof two unified forms joined by a central glazed‘galleria’ forming a common circulation space.

The complex comprises a state-of-the-art9,500-seat arena and a 1,350-seat conference

construct the hotel, first phase residential and‘affordable’ housing components as part of theapproved masterplan.

The Arena will start life debt free, accordingto Sir David Henshaw, Chief Executive of theCity Council, who commented: “ We have puttogether a sound financial package whichprotects the interests of council taxpayers - aremarkable achievement that will sustain itslong-term financial viability.”

On completion the Arena will elevateLiverpool into the “premier league ofentertainment and leisure destinations”, saysBob Prattey, Chief Executive of the companycreated to manage the complex.

FLEXIBLE DESIGNThe events complex has been designed to

meet the requirements of a number of distinctmarkets from rock concerts, comedy showsand big sporting events to corporate andinternational conference bookings.

“There is a pent-up demand for thissort of facility. Merseyside has not had suchan architecturally and operationallysignificant venue to attract major internationalevents so it’s an exciting venture,” commentsPrattey, former Managing Director of the NECGroup venues in Birmingham.

Flexibility has been a key element in thedesign of the strikingly contemporary complex.The main auditorium of the Convention Centrefeatures two revolving sections capable offunctioning independently or as part of thelarger space.

Beneath the Convention Centre will be amulti-purpose hall of 3,600 sq metres, whichforms part of the centre’s overall exhibitioncapacity of 7000 sq metres.

Interest from potential users is described as“very encouraging” and detailed negotiationsare underway with over 70 organisations fromthe key target markets. “We are looking to bea preferred port of call for all the major UKconcert tours,” says Prattey .

It is intended to transfer the Summer Popsinto the Arena in the summer of 2008,

enabling the well-established event to grow inlarger and more contemporary surroundings.

Prattey expects the complex to becompleted early in 2008 in time for it to play astarring role in the Capital of Culturecelebrations. “It will be a stunning statementabout the city’s future as an internationalvisitor destination.”

18 19

Smooth passage – aninterior view of one of theArena entrance areas

PEOPLE AND JOBS

centre, a central piazza capable of staging outdoorevents and a 1,600 space multi-storey car park.

IMPORTANT MILESTONEViewed from the river, the composition of the

two sculpted forms, pivoted about the centralgalleria, resembles a pair of outstretched armsor ‘wings’, spanning Liverpool’s Anglican andRoman Catholic cathedrals.

Sir Joe Dwyer, Chairman of Liverpool Vision,the urban regeneration company, which iscoordinating the project, hailed the start ofconstruction as “an important milestone inthe city’s longstanding ambition to create avisitor destination of international qualityon the waterfront.”

The Arena and Convention Centre andinfrastructure works are supported by thelargest single investment - £50 million - fromthe EU’s Objective One programme and byEnglish Partnerships (£67 million), NorthwestRegional Development Agency (£15 million) andLiverpool City Council (£11 million).

The Arena is part of a larger ‘mixed use’scheme – Kings Waterfront. This has attractedlarge private sector investment from a numberof key developers who have been selected to

Big occasions – the Arena will host concerts,comedy shows and major sporting events

“IT WILL BE A STUNNINGSTATEMENT ABOUT THE CITY’SFUTURE AS AN INTERNATIONALVISITOR DESTINATION.”

BOB PRATTEYCHIEF EXECUTIVE,

LIVERPOOL ARENA AND CONVENTION CENTRE

KINGS ARENA FACT FILE� Cost: £146 million

� Funders: English Partnerships, Liverpool City Council,Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) andMerseyside Objective One Programme

� Project coordinated by Liverpool Vision

� 9,500 capacity arena

� 1,350-seat conference centre

� Overall exhibition capacity 7,000 sq ft

� A public piazza able to accommodate outdoor events

� 1,600 space multi-storey car park

� Constructed by Bovis Lend Lease

� Architects: Wilkinson Eyre

For further information:email: bobprattey@liverpool.gov.uktel: 0151 233 2458www.kingswaterfrontliverpool.co.uk

NEW ARENA UNDERWAY

Based in Carlisle, it would be formed fromthe amalgamation of St. Martin’s College –Britain’s biggest teaching college – and theCumbria Institute of the Arts (CIA), and couldbe ready for the start of the academic year2007-08, subject to final funding approval.

Governing bodies of the two independentinstitutions agreed in December to joinforces in the new Higher Education (HE)venture after the distinguished academicProfessor Sir Martin Harris recommendedthe integration of the two colleges into a“coherent” university.

DISTRIBUTED LEARNINGResponding to a request from Sir Howard

Newby, Chief Executive of the HigherEducation Funding Council for England(HEFCE), to look at various HE models forCumbria, Sir Martin also proposed thedevelopment of a distributed learningnetwork that would use four electronically-linked Further Education colleges to delivercourses in outlying towns.

Consultants are now helping a SteeringGroup of managers and governors fromSt. Martin’s and CIA develop a financiallyrobust business case for the new university.This is expected to go the main fundingbodies in June. HEFCE would be themain funder.

The Northwest Regional DevelopmentAgency (NWDA) has pledged its strongsupport for the pioneering project, alongwith the Nuclear DecommissioningAuthority, now headquartered in Cumbria,which is anxious to widen the nuclearindustry’s skills base.

The proposals do not preclude other HEinstitutions like the University of CentralLancashire (UCLan), which has threecampuses in Cumbria from continuing toprovide courses in the county. TheUniversity of Lancaster, for example, haslaunched new degree courses in electricaland mechanical engineering at Furness

HEFCE, the higher education fundingbody, has awarded the University ofLiverpool £4.5 million to develop a centreof excellence in undergraduate medicaleducation. The new facility will ensuregraduates leaveuniversity with theprofessional attitudesincreasingly recognisedas important in the21st century.

Graduates from ManchesterMetropolitan University’s Cheshirecampus are more employable than theaverage British university graduate,according to the Higher EducationStatistics Agency. 95% of the 1,500graduates from MMU’s 100 courses atCrewe and Alsagerfound work within sixmonths or went on tofurther study,compared to less than94% nationally.

Work on photon science – “light forscience” - is to be stepped up followingthe launch of a £40 million world-classresearch institute at the University ofManchester. The new centre will placean emphasis on knowledge transfer andinnovation within industry.

Humanities students at the University ofCentral Lancashire (UCLan) will be ableto develop their employability skills at anew showcase centre to be openedat the heart of the Preston Campusin September 2007. Funded with£4.5 million from HEFCE, the new centrewill include realisticwork environments togive students a tasteof what it is like towork in theatres, radioand television.

Liverpool John Moores University hasbeen given planning approval to developa new £23.5 million Art and DesignAcademy. Designed by award winningarchitect Rick Mather and next to theMetropolitan Cathedral, the building isscheduled to open in2008 and is expectedto boost the flow ofgraduates intothe region’screative industries.

NEWS

SKILLS AND EDUCATION

College in Barrow.Sir Martin, a former Vice-Chancellor of

the University of Manchester, who is alsoDeputy-Chairman of the NWDA, spokeabout his new vision for HE in Cumbriaafter consulting with education leaders inthe county and looking at different modelsaround Britain.

“No other university in England has beenplanned in this way,” he explained. “Itsspecial identity will be that from thebeginning it will be a multi-campuspurposely conceived for the broadband ageso that courses offered on one campus canbe accessed simultaneously in other places”.

“For example, a lecture could be given inCarlisle and students could be watchingand asking questions in Barrow. This is nowtechnically possible and has been helped bythe NWDA’s £20 million investmentextending broadband cover to the whole ofCumbria through Project ACCESS”.

Some courses would be deliveredthrough a distance learning FurtherEducation (FE) network comprising Furness

College, Lakes College, Kendal College andCarlisle College. The proposals envisageUCLan, Lancaster and the Open Universityjoining the network.

HE provision in Cumbria has been aserious issue for some time and variousideas have emerged including one severalyears ago for a University of the Lakes.A consortium of providers currently deliversdegree courses under the UniversityEducation Cumbria brand.

BRAND APPEALProfessor Chris Carr, Principal and Chief

Executive of St. Martin’s College, says thesocial and economic benefits of increasingparticipation in HE, particularly in WestCumbria, were immeasurable. “We nowhave a tremendous opportunity to addressthrough education, some of the many socialand economic problems facing the county.”

In March 2005 St. Martin’s applied to theQuality Assurance Agency for the power toaward its own degrees. This is consideredto be a key piece of the jigsaw in setting upa new university.

Sir Martin suggests that as well aswidening HE opportunities for Cumbriansthe new hub should aim to build a portfolioof courses sufficiently attractive to drawstudents and post-graduates from otherparts of the UK and overseas.

“Certain courses marketed under aUniversity of Cumbria brand could havegreat pulling power. Think what a draw itwould be to offer external students thechance of say studying Wordsworth in alocation like Ambleside…”

For further information:email: m.spence@ucsm.ac.uktel: Martyn Spence 01228 616012

UNIVERSITY FACTFILE � The new university could have over 10,000 fulltime

and part-time HE students within ten years ofreceiving its Royal Charter and a course portfolio intune with modern career aspirations.

� Founded in 1964, St. Martin’s is the bigger of the twocolleges with 3,500 students based at campuses inCarlisle and Ambleside and at sites in Barrow andWhitehaven. It trains more teachers than anywhereelse in the country and is one of the main providersof health care professionals in the Northwest.

� The Cumbria Institute for the Arts (CIA) has a historydating back to the 1820s. Its campus is on a formermansion site in Carlisle where it teaches 1,500 part-time and full-time students in courses as varied asmedia, design and photography. There is also agrowing cohort of students doing Masters degrees.

UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA PLANEducation leaders are set to create a newmulti-site University of Cumbria that would use thelatest advances in communications technology todeliver a pioneering interactive brand of HigherEducation to all corners of the county.

“ITS SPECIAL IDENTITY WILL BETHAT FROM THE BEGINNING ITWILL BE A MULTI-CAMPUSPURPOSELY CONCEIVED FOR THEBROADBAND AGE SO THATCOURSES OFFERED ON ONECAMPUS CAN BE ACCESSED

SIMULTANEOUSLYIN OTHER PLACES.”

SIR MARTIN HARRISDIRECTOR OF FAIR ACCESS TO

HIGHER EDUCATION,OFFICE FOR FAIR ACCESS

Coffee break – students at St Martin’s,Ambleside campus

Scenic setting – Cumbria Institute of Arts’main Brampton Road campus

Practical experience – The BA Hons inPhotography is a popular course at theCumbria Institute of the Arts

20 21

Home from home – new studentaccommodation at St. Martin’s, Carlisle

Rail campaigners have unveiled a list ofwide ranging rail priorities to help bringabout a step change in the region’seconomic performance. The most pressingis the pivotal Manchester Hub project.

Completing the three phases (nine schemes)would cost an estimated £1 billion but wouldremove a key constraint on the reliability andcapacity of the region’s rail network.

Brian Simpson, Director of the North WestRail Campaign, says the Hub is a major priorityand could support an additional 20,000 jobs. “Itcauses serious congestion and that results indelays right across the region.”

Published recently, the group’s lobbydocument, ‘North West Rail – A Case forInvestment’, highlights the crucial role railplays in delivering economic, social andenvironmental objectives.

It identifies over 20 priorities, arguing thatalthough the cost can be high their ability toclose the North of England’s £30 billion outputgap with the rest of Britain is huge.

Work is in progress, or in the pipeline, onfive schemes costing £100 million. Theseinclude the Halton Curve, Crewe Gateway and

Liverpool South Parkway.Other core schemes include the £87 million

Liverpool to Manchester Electrification andPhases I and II of the Manchester Hub.Campaign partners have also listed another 11priorities ranging from the Manchester AirportWestern Link to the completed modernisationof the West Coast Main Line.

“Manchester Piccadilly is one of two maincongestion points outside London,” saysSimpson. “The government recognises this butthe big issue is money. Getting thefunds together is like a jigsaw but we aremaking progress.”

He signalled the Campaign’s close workingrelationship with the Northwest RegionalDevelopment Agency (NWDA) on strategic railissues by recently handing a totem railway signto Chief Executive Steven Broomhead inrecognition of the shared vision to improve theregion’s transport connectivity.

For further informationemail: emma.antrobus@manairport.co.uk Tel: 0161 489 3725www.manchesterairport.co.uk

22 23

Work has been completed on a£4 million scheme to make the areaaround Renshaw Street and BerryStreet in Liverpool safer for motoristsand pedestrians.Funded by a numberof partners includingthe NWDA, the schemeis part of the wider£73 million City CentreMovement Strategy.

Transport decision makers andpoliticians will discuss the vital rolebuses can play in managingcongestion, stimulating prosperity andensuring socialinclusion at aNorthwest Bus Summitat BirchwoodConference Centre,Warrington onMarch 23.

Local transport authorities in theNorthwest are to receive £212 millionin 2006-07 to fund a range ofimprovements from new road safetymeasures and better street lightingsto park and ride facilities and cyclelanes. Schemes benefiting includeOrmskirk Interchange, ChesterRail Gateway and St. HelensCentral Station.

Greater Manchester transportauthority has been awarded£1.2 million to exploreinnovative ways oftackling congestion.The investment is partof the government’swork on a nationalroad-pricing scheme.

Ten slip road locations on the M6, M62and M60 in Greater Manchester,Merseyside and Cheshire are beingequipped with traffic lights to reducecongestion and increase traffic flows.The system, known as ‘rampmetering’, has been found toincrease traffic speedsin advance of thedesignated junctionsby up to 18% withreductions in overalljourney times ofup to 11%.

NEWS

INFRASTRUCTURE

RAIL INVESTMENTCAMPAIGN ON TRACK

Over £100 million has been invested in orearmarked for new ground transportschemes including £40 million for the yet-to-be built Metrolink extension,

Journeys undertaken by rail, bus andcoach have risen to 12% (2.7 millionpassengers) and are set to go higher when athird platform at the airport’s rail station isbuilt, possibly by 2008.

The challenge to get more people out oftheir cars will intensify as the growth in airtravel accelerates. Last year the airporthandled 22.1 million passengers, a 5.26%increase on the previous year, and hopes tohit 40 million by 2015 by investing in moreterminal and car parking space.

INCREASED CAPACITYWork has already started on a multi-

million scheme to raise the capacity ofTerminal 2 (T2) from the current 7 million to18 million. Over 49 new check-in desks willbe provided across the airport, 22 inTerminal 1, 15 in ‘the Station’ and 12 in T2.

The shortfall in charter passenger trafficin 2005 - down 2.27% to 8.9 million – wasmore than offset by a boom in low-costbookings, which boosted the number ofscheduled international passengers by 14%to 9.78 million.

need for investment including a third railplatform in order to meet the long-termchallenge to push public transport journeysup to 40%.

“Since the £60 million Interchange projectwas completed in 2003 we have seen a bigstep change in the quality of theproduct being offered to rail, bus andcoach passengers.”

A third platform is seen as a priority by anumber of funding and lobby groups toincrease capacity. Currently there is highutilisation of the two existing rail platformswith delays common due to trains ‘stacking’on each platform.

A third platform will improve the efficiencygenerally of rail services within the region,according to Longworth, and reduceovercrowding. “It will allow us to runadditional trains and longer trainsinto the airport.”

For further information:email: press.office@manairport.co.ukTel: 0161 489 3000www.manchesterairport.co.uk

AIRPORT RISES TOTHE CHALLENGE

Clive Tilley, Director of Marketing atManchester Airport, is hoping the new OpenSkies policy will induce more US carriers tojoin American Airlines, Delta, Continentaland US Air in flying to Manchester.

“We also hope that some of the otherbilateral agreements will provide scopefor Manchester to attract more longhaul business.”

Manchester Airport’s importance as awealth generator for the whole region ishighlighted in the new Regional EconomicStrategy, which lists it as one of 45 projectsthat can transform the Northwest economyover the next three years.

“Basing our calculations on an extramillion passengers creating 800 jobs wemight see the airport workforce, which ispresently close to 19,000, grow by another14,000 by 2015,” explains Tilley.

Guided by sustainable developmentprinciples, the Manchester Airport Group isworking to minimise the impact of thisgrowth on the local road network byencouraging greater use of public transportthrough investment and the promotion of carsharing by staff.

Bob Longworth, Ground TransportManager, says there is a continuing

“THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISESTHIS BUT THE BIG ISSUE IS MONEY.GETTING THE FUNDS TOGETHER ISLIKE A JIGSAW BUT WE AREMAKING PROGRESS.”

BRIAN SIMPSONDIRECTOR,

NORTH WEST RAIL CAMPAIGN

“BASING OUR CALCULATIONS ONAN EXTRA MILLION PASSENGERSCREATING 800 JOBS WE MIGHTSEE THE AIRPORT WORKFORCE,WHICH IS PRESENTLY CLOSE TO19,000, GROW BY ANOTHER 14,000BY 2015.”

CLIVE TILLEYDIRECTOR OF MARKETING,

MANCHESTER AIRPORT

Fresh investment in public transport schemes at Manchester Airport is helping tolessen the environmental impact of the surge in passenger traffic, which reachedrecords levels in 2005, due in part to the popularity of new low-cost services.

Paving the way – the airport has earmarked£40 million for a Metrolink extension

Quality Network – rail improvementsare a key to economic success

Chester is under attack …… not a repeat ofthe Vikings’ invasion in the year 980, but thistime an all-out campaign by tourist chiefs toattract more visitors to the city and the widercounty of Cheshire.

The Roman city of Deva is one of five “attackbrands” chosen by the five tourism boardswithin the Northwest, joining Liverpool,Manchester, Blackpool and the Lake District.

Visit Chester and Cheshire, the brandadopted by the Cheshire and WarringtonTourism Board, is aiming to use the countytown as a focal point to slipstream touristsinto the lush attraction-rich hinterland.

The Board is already celebrating success inthe latest regional tourism awards, held inOctober last year. Four of the 12 categories,including hotel of the year, were won bybusinesses in Cheshire.

ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNCheshire’s share of the region’s tourism

market is currently worth £800 million, a figuretourism leaders hope to increase to £1.5 billionover the next decade by targeting the high-spend short-break and conference markets.

The Board was established in April 2004along with four other sub-regional Boardsafter the Northwest Regional DevelopmentAgency (NWDA) assumed the lead role fortourism in England’s Northwest, supported bythe Northwest Tourism Forum.

Barrie Kelly, Director of Operations at VisitChester and Cheshire, says there has been anover reliance on day visitors.

“Our aim is to attract tourists who arelooking to spend more and stay longer.

The key is to market the thematic strengthsof Cheshire – its waterways, gardens, golfcourses and food and drink – off the back ofthe more powerful attack brand of Chester.”

A major advertising campaign will belaunched this month in upmarket glossymagazines, targeting women who areincreasingly viewed as the decision-makers forshort break destinations, he says.

“They may be DINKYs (double income nokids) or older empty-nesters looking for a

24 25

Lancashire cheesemaker Dew-Lay haswon the prestigious titleof 2005 ‘North West FoodProducer of theYear’ withits Garstang Blue cheese,a product launched justthree years ago.

Liverpool will host 40 new events in art,music, sport, theatre and opera, includingtwo European premieres, as part of theLiverpool Performs 2006 programme, thefourth Capital of Culture themed year.Launched during LIPA’s 10th anniversarycelebrations the cultural extravaganzawill feature an artistic and multimediaprogramme around the theme oftransition and rebuilding.

Cumbria now has its own premiere filmoffice run by Alan Saywell, a film and TVindustry professional.His job will be to raiseCumbria’s profileamongst filmmakers,generate jobs and attractinward investment.

Manchester’s International ConventionCentre and G-MEX has been chosen bythe National Union of Teachers as thevenue for its 2008 annual conferenceafter a successful bid by the NorthwestConference Bidding Unit (NWCBU). The12 conferences attracted since theNWCBU was established in 2004 withNWDA funding are expected to generate£5 million for the regional economy.

Liverpool Biennial is the firstwinner of the £10,000 Lever Prize, anew annual award for world-classarts organisations in the Northwest.Sponsored by the NorthwestBusiness Leadership Team,in partnership withCulture Northwest, theaward aims to revive thephilanthropic traditionspractised by successfulindustrialists of the past.

Ann Green, Chairman of the RoyalArmouries, has been appointedChairman of the managementorganisation set up to maximise thetourism potential ofHadrian’s Wall. JamesBerresford, Director ofTourism at the NWDA,joins the new body as aBoard member.

NEWS

QUALITY OF LIFE

place to escape, relax, indulge themselveswith a spa or shopping break,” he says.

RURAL TOURISMTo support that conviction, the advertisements

include images of women shopping under taglines such as “Boxercise Chester style - ….. themost strenuous thing you’ll be boxing in Chesteris a new pair of shoes”, and women enjoying aglass of wine on a break from cycling around thecounty’s “picture-postcard villages.”

Rural Cheshire is also playing a major rolein the drive for tourists, with the promotion offarm holidays and breaks involving riding,cycling, walking, golfing, visiting countryestates and gardens.

“We want people to explore Cheshire as afirst thought rather than North Wales,” saysBarrie. “And we are working closely withrural businesses who want to developtourism by providing tangible support andadvice.” The Tourism Board has alreadyprovided help to 170 businesses.

Specific initiatives include Saddle Up, aflagship project to support the equestriansector, whose plans include the provision ofoff-road riding routes and support for aCheshire/Warrington equine network.

“THE KEY IS TO MARKET THETHEMATIC STRENGTHS OFCHESHIRE – ITS WATERWAYS,GARDENS, GOLF COURSES ANDFOOD AND DRINK – OFF THE BACKOF THE MORE POWERFUL ATTACKBRAND OF CHESTER.”

BARRIE KELLYDIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS,

VISIT CHESTER AND CHESHIRE

TOP AWARD FORCHESTER HOTEL

Philip Martin, owner of Chester’sGreen Bough Hotel – named in the travelpages of a national newspaper as one of50 best winter escapes in the world – ispassionate about tourism.

With his wife Joyce he has fashionedthe former B&B in a Victorian terraceinto a luxury 15-bedroom niche hotelwith champagne bar, rooftop garden anda restaurant which attracts at least 50%of non-residential diners.

Their hard work was rewarded inOctober when the Green Boughwas named as the Hotel of the Year inthe second annual England’sNorthwest Tourism Awards at LiverpoolHope University.

� BED AND BREAKFAST OF THE YEAR: Walker Ground Manor, Hawkshead, Cumbria

� SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR:Combermere Abbey Cottages, Cheshire

� CARAVAN PARK OF THE YEAR:Castlerigg Hall, Keswick, Cumbria

� LARGE ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR:Manchester United Museum and Tour

� SMALL ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR: BlackwellArts and Crafts House, Bowness, Cumbria

� TOURISM WEBSITE OF THE YEAR:Chester Zoo

� EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS TOURISM:City of Manchester Stadium

� TASTE OF ENGLAND’S NORTHWEST:London Carriage Works, Liverpool

� EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE:Brendan Moradi, Bar Lounge, Chester

� TOURISM EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR:Liverpool Biennial

� ITV GRANADA GO NORTH WEST AWARD:The Lake District

Regional winners will represent theNorthwest in the national Enjoy EnglandAwards for Excellence, organisedby VisitBritain, in April 2006.

CHESHIRE WOOS MORE VISITORSOTHER WINNERS IN THEENGLAND’S NORTHWESTTOURISM AWARDS

For further information:email: info@cwtb.co.uktel: 01244 346543 www.visitchester.com

Ladies who shop – a new advertising campaign promotes Chester as a premier shopping destination.

The biennial Manchester InternationalFestival will present a series of at least tenworld-premieres spanning popular culture,arts and innovation, some of which willhappen over two nights, others for ten.

A series of international music, one ofemerging music and a third of debates willalso run through the programme which isexpected to attract thousands of local,national and international visitors over threeweeks in June and July next year.

“All the contracts will be UK-exclusive so ifreal fans from around the world want to seetheir favourite artists perform their next bigwork, rather than wait six months to see thework in another major city, they have got tocome to Manchester,” says Festival DirectorAlex Poots.

But why an international festival inManchester and why now? “I asked thatsame question of the City Council,” saysPoots who joined the festival from his recentposition as Director of Contemporary Arts atthe English National Opera.

“They told me that after the enormous

success of the Commonwealth Games, theywanted to continue to grow the city, toestablish it internationally, and for that theylooked to culture.”

When Poots was reminded thatManchester was the first modern city forgedout of the industrial revolution, he decided tocreate a festival of firsts.

“It is ambitious and every piece of workwill have spectacular elements in it – therewill be some amazing successes but theremay be some failures - that’s what makes itexciting,” he says.

The festival will cost £5 million, over£2.5 million of which has been awarded byManchester City Council and the UrbanCultural Programme. A further £1.8 millionin sponsorship from the Northwest RegionalDevelopment Agency (NWDA), UnitedUtilities and Bruntwood announced inDecember represents, according to Poots,the biggest private sector sponsorship everfor a single UK festival.

FESTIVAL OF FIRSTSPoots, who spent the summer of 2002 in

Manchester as Executive Producer of theBBC’s “Summer Screens” event in 10 UKcities to coincide with the World Cupand the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, is alsoworking to harness BBC radio and televisionfestival coverage.

“The festival is not about highlightinghigh arts against low arts – I am interestedin great ideas across art forms andculture,” says Poots. “I don’t care whetherit’s pop music or avant garde classical – ifthat artist is great at what they do, thenI am interested.”

He wants to build specifically on twoimportant characteristics of Manchester: itsreputation for music, from the Halle to

Factory Records and what he describes asthe city’s “singular voice” in expressingopinions on important issues of our time.

Peter Mearns, Director of Marketing at theNWDA, says: “It is extremely fitting that thisfestival is being held in England’s Northwest,which is one of the most culturally diverseregions in the world.

GOOD OMEN“This festival will showcase the wealth of

artistic talent, diverse culture and world-classinnovation that exists both here in theregion, nationally and internationally to aworld-wide audience, placing the Northwestfirmly on the map as a leading region forcreative industries.”

The success of the first of three trailblazerevents, when virtual band Gorillaz played theircurrent album Demon Days over five nights atthe Manchester Opera House in November,can only be a good omen.

When the band, who have previously onlyappeared as cartoon figures, stepped out frombehind their animated characters for the firsttime to perform live, they attracted fansfrom America and Europe and rave reviewsfrom the critics.

“That event demonstrated through the workwhat the festival is aiming to do – its scale,focus and ambition,” says Poots. “Next year’stwo events will be quite different but by thetime of the third, the nation and parts of theinternational community will know thatManchester is about to host a festival.”

For further information:email:info@manchesterinternationalfestival.com tel: Lindsey Moutrey at the Festival Officeon 0161 238 7300www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com

26 27

QUALITY OF LIFE

“THEY TOLD ME THAT AFTER THEENORMOUS SUCCESS OF THECOMMONWEALTH GAMES, THEYWANTED TO CONTINUE TO GROWTHE CITY, TO ESTABLISH ITINTERNATIONALLY, AND FOR THATTHEY LOOKED TO CULTURE.”

ALEX POOTSFESTIVAL DIRECTOR

MANCHESTERDEBUT ASFESTIVAL CITY

Tuning in – pupils from Newall Green School,Manchester, perform live on stage with the Gorillaz

The world’s first international festival to premiere original large-scale works:that’s the ambitious challenge facing the team planning for Manchester 2007.

Virtual reality – Gorillaz as cartoon characters Top of the pops – Shaun Ryder of the Happy Mondays andsinger Rosie Wilson performing the No1 single ‘Dare’

28 29

NOTEBOOK

PEOPLEIN THEREGION

Business accolade –Michael Oglesby (centre) receives his trophyfrom Digby Jones watched by James Wilson of the Financial Times

Businesswoman Vanda Murray, UK ManagingDirector and Group Marketing Director forUltraframe plc, has been appointed to theboard of the NWDA.

Born in Preston and now living inMacclesfield, she has a successful track recordin manufacturing and the constructionindustries. She is currently a non-executiveDirector for Carillion plc and was awarded theOBE in 2002 for services to industry and export.

Councillor Marie Rimmer, Leader of St.Helens Council, and Professor MaureenWilliams, Chief Executive of MerseysideDevelopment Foundation, have beenreappointed as Board members.

Board appointments

Sebastian Coe boosted Northwest hopes ofcashing in on the London 2012 OlympicGames and Paralympic Games when hevisited the region to attend a conference todiscuss the UK-wide opportunities that thesporting spectacular present.

Lord Coe, Chair of London OrganisingCommittee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG)joined other key speakers in examining thepotential benefits for sport, business,tourism and culture in England’s Northwest.

A comprehensive benefit plan for theregion is currently being developed by the

Northwest Regional Development Agency(NWDA) and Sport England.

Staged at Old Trafford, which will hostevents in both the men and women’s footballtournament, the conference attracted anumber of key speakers includingDr Pauleen Lane (NWDA Board member),Jon Armstrong (LOCOG Nations and RegionsManager), Felicity Goodey (Chair of theNorthwest Tourism Forum), Loyd Grossman(Chair of Culture Northwest) and AndyWorthington (Chair of NW Sport).

Michael Oglesby, Chairman of theproperty company Bruntwood,took the top honour of Business Leaderof the Year, at the CBI’s 2005Northwest Business Awards at theMidland Hotel, Manchester, sponsoredby the Northwest Regional DevelopmentAgency (NWDA).

The Board of the Year award went toSt. Helens’ based Pilkington plc, one of the

glass industry’s leading innovators. It is thesecond time the company has wonthe accolade since the awards werelaunched in 1988.

Windermere-based Lakeland Ltd, amulti-channel kitchenware retaileremploying 1,200, won the title as the‘Best Emerging Company’. Digby Jones,Director General of the CBI, presented theawards after a keynote speech.

Chris Farrow, who spearheaded the successful rebirth of Liverpool’shistoric waterfront, is returning to the Northwest to take on another great challenge - the renaissance of Central Salford.

As Chief Executive of the Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company he will oversee the delivery of the major investments projects that will turn what was the first industrial city into one of themost beautiful parts of Greater Manchester.

During his time as Chief Executive of Merseyside DevelopmentCorporation in the 1990s he played a key role in regenerating the AlbertDock complex, a project that has transformed Liverpool’s visitor economy.

Since 1999 he has been the Executive Director North Wales of the Welsh Development Agency where he led a team that doubled investment in the region.

Farrow takes up Salford challengeNew energychampionProfessor Nick Jenkins is the newChairman of the Northwest EnergyCouncil. He succeeds currentChairman John Roberts at atime of mounting regional,national and international interestin the development oflow-carbon economies.

As Professor of Energy Systems atthe University of Manchester, he hassignificant experience in the energyfield having worked in industry for 14years on conventional and renewableenergy at Wind Energy Group, BPSolar and Ewbank and Partners.

He is also Director of the JouleCentre, a partnership of Northwestuniversities and commercial andother stakeholders, which providessupport for the Northwest EnergyCouncil. Launched in 2003, theCouncil aims to increase energyefficiency and encourage greaterlevels of renewable energy generationin the region.

Landscape artCheshire-born environmental sculptorAndy Goldsworthy has been commissionedto create a series of ephemeral and semipermanent artworks at Tatton Park,Cheshire, as part of a three-year landscape-based contemporary arts programme.

He will be joined in the ambitious oneplaceproject by 12 other artists, including two fromoverseas, who will use various art formsincluding the visual arts, literature, musicand architecture to explore and interpret thepark’s historic, current and future landscape.

oneplace has a strong educationaldimension and aims to raise the profile ofTatton Park, Cheshire and the Northwest as awell-known arts destination. It also meets anumber of key economic and social objectivesof the Northwest Regional DevelopmentAgency (NWDA) and Culture Northwest.

The first two of the 12 residences havegone to people with Northwest links.Rob Vale, of Ramsbottom, will investigate thepark landscape through film complete with anew music score, and sculptor HelenBrigham, a fine arts graduate fromManchester Metropolitan University, willfocus on the mansion house’s relationshipwith the outdoors.

Leader-in-waitingDoug Dickson, one of the Northwest’sleading industrialists, has been appointedregional Vice-Chairman of the CBI NorthWest in succession to Geoff Muirhead andwill take over the Chairmanship of theemployers’ organisation from Lynne D’Arcyin November 2006.

A Member of the Board for Manufacturingat Bentley Motors, he controls production,logistics, production-planning and purchasefor all models and facilities. Prior to joiningBentley at Crewe he held a succession ofinfluential posts at Rover.

New Vice Chancellor Dr. George Holmes is the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bolton(formerly the Bolton Institute) one of theUK’s newest universities and one of fastestgrowing with more than 8,000 studentsand a 35% rise in applications last year.

The university, which is renowned for itsadvanced and smart materials research,was awarded its new status by the PrivyCouncil in January 2005. It can trace itsorigins back to the Bolton MechanicsInstitute in 1824.

Dr. Holmes took up his post in Januaryafter spending four years as Principal andChief Executive of the Doncaster EducationCity regeneration project.

Region prepares for 2012 Olympic Games

Corporate high fliers receive recognition

Work of art – a landscape sculptureby Andy Goldsworthy

On your marks – Lord Coe, Dr. Pauleen Lane and Andy Worthington

31

GETTING IN TOUCHAt the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA),we value your views and feedback.

Visit www.nwda.co.uk & www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com

KEY CONTACTS

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The NWDA’s ExecutiveTeam are based at itsHeadquarters andcan be contacted on tel: +44 (0)1925 400 100

STEVEN BROOMHEADChief Executive

BERNICE LAWChief Operating Officer,Deputy Chief Executive

IAN HAYTHORNTHWAITEExecutive Director, Finance andCorporate Resources

MARK HUGHESExecutive Director,Enterprise and Innovation

JAMES BERRESFORDDirector of Tourism

FRAN HULBERTDirector ofSkills Policy

PETER MEARNS Director of Marketing

FIONA MILLSDirector of HR, Organisation Change& Development

PETER WHITEDirector of Strategy

HEAD OFFICE PO Box 37, Renaissance House,Centre Park, Warrington WA1 1XBTel: +44 (0)1925 400 100Fax: +44 (0)1925 400 400e-mail: information@nwda.co.uk

The Agency alsohas offices in thesub-regions:

GREATER MANCHESTERGiants Basin, Potato Wharf, Castlefield,Manchester M3 4NBTel: +44 (0)161 817 7400 Fax: +44 (0)161 831 7051

MERSEYSIDEStation House, Mercury Court,Tithebarn Street, Liverpool L2 2QPTel: +44 (0)1925 400 100Fax: +44 (0)151 236 3731

CHESHIRE AND WARRINGTONBrew House, Wilderspool Park,Greenalls Avenue, Warrington WA4 6HLTel: +44 (0)1925 644 220Fax: +44 (0)1925 644 222

CUMBRIAGillan Way, Penrith 40 Business Park,Penrith, Cumbria CA11 9BPTel: +44 (0)1768 867 294 Fax: +44 (0)1768 895 477

LANCASHIRE13 Winckley Street, Preston,Lancashire PR1 2AATel: +44 (0)1772 206 000Fax: +44 (0)1772 200 049

The NWDA manages alloperations from itsHeadquarters at:

HEAD OFFICE

PRINT STOCK:Cover: Challenger Laser Matt is totally chlorine free and acquired only fromsuppliers operating sustainable forest reserves.

Text: Cyclus offset is manufactured using only 100% recycled post consumer waste.

GREATER MANCHESTER CHAMBEROF COMMERCE ANNUAL DINNER

Guest speaker – Piers MorganCity of Manchester Stadium

EVENTS

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

30

MARCH

2MAR

APRIL

2006 BIG DIFFERENCE AWARDS

Accolades for community improvementPalace Hotel, Manchester

5APR

MAY

2006 VISA PARALYMPICWORLD CUP

Global centrepiece for athleteswith disabilityVarious venues, Manchester

1-7MAY

INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORSNORTH WEST ANNUAL DINNER

Guest speaker – broadcaster, Jeremy VineMere Golf and Country Club, Cheshire

11MAY

REGIONAL TOURISM CONFERENCE

Mapping out the future trends in tourismWinter Gardens, Blackpool

9MAY

ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS

Rewarding the region’s mostenterprising peopleMere Golf and Country Club, Cheshire

18MAY

OTHER KEY EVENTS

GREAT DAYS OUT FAIR

Reebok Stadium, Bolton

4MAR

LANCASHIRE FOODAND DRINK FESTIVAL

Accrington Town Hall

1-2APR

CHESTER FOODAND DRINK FESTIVAL

Various venues

15-17APR

GRAND NATIONAL

Three days of world-class steeplechasingAintree Racecourse, Liverpool

6-8APR

RICS NORTH WEST AWARDS

Winners of the property industry ‘Oscars’ revealedMidland Hotel, Manchester

28APR

COMMONWEALTHFILM FESTIVAL

Showcasing the best in the world cinemaVarious venues

28 APR-7 MAY

INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS NORTHWEST ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Business leaders debate key regional issuesCity of Manchester Stadium

INTERNATIONAL TRADE WEEK

Promoting new export opportunitiesVarious Northwest Venues

9MAR

INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES

A strategy masterclass withinternational strategy experts Gary Hameland Michael PorterMICC, Manchester

10MAR

REDEFINING SOCIAL CAPITAL

Considering the positive economiccontribution of faith communitiesHulme Hall, Manchester

15MAR

LAUNCH OF REGIONALECONOMIC STRATEGY

Event for regional stakeholdersReebok Stadium, Bolton

30MAR

Reebok Stadium – one of the region’sfavourite venues

Grand National– the world’s greatest steeplechase

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

6-10MAR

discover the northwest’s pioneers www.industrialpowerhouse.co.ukInspirational ideas for days out across the Northwest. Discover all the latest details

about Powerhouse attractions, trails, tours and special events online.

discover how the northwest shaped the modern world