Jim Gill takes up advisory role in Liverpool

THE recently retired Chief Executive of Liverpool Vision is to take up a part-time advisory role supporting the city council and its cabinet on economic development and regeneration.

The two days-a-week post will see Jim Gill working closely with Council Leader Joe Anderson and Chief Executive David McElhinney over the next three months on strategic projects, including:-

► City Region Governance

► Proposals for a City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

► Major city regeneration projects

► JESSICA – an EU scheme to provide financing for urban renewal and development projects

► Economic and regeneration policy

Council leader Joe Anderson said:- “Liverpool is going through an important time with regeneration and we are facing tough economic conditions which means we need the very best people to help keep up the momentum.  Jim’s guidance and advice will be important and extremely valued as we start the restructure of the council’s senior management team.  His role will be to give us guidance and support on more strategic and long term policy, to complement the day-to-day management role being carried out by the interim Director of Regeneration, Nick Kavanagh. I’m very grateful to Jim for putting his retirement on hold for the next few months to help us out.”

The 61 year old was Chief Executive of the country’s first city centre urban regeneration company – Liverpool Vision – and oversaw a massive expansion of the Commercial District, the retail and tourism ‘offer’ and the transformation of the world-famous Waterfront.

He went on to take up the same role when the organisation merged with Business Liverpool and Liverpool Land Development Company in 2008, and retired in July.

Jim Gill said:- “I said when I retired from Liverpool Vision that I had developed a strong attachment and commitment to Liverpool. I'm delighted to have the opportunity to continue my relationship with the City and to contribute what I can to its future success."

Gill, who was awarded the OBE for services to regeneration in 2006, previously held senior roles with English Partnerships, including those of Commercial Director and North West Regional Director.

It followed a long period working in senior roles for the government and for AMEC, a major engineering, building and development group.

It is the latest in a series of interim appointments made in Liverpool ahead of a major restructure of the city council.

Knowsley’s Executive Director of Regeneration, Economy and Skills, Nick Kavanagh, is to work for Liverpool three days a week in a unique sharing arrangement.

And John McHale – who was formerly Director of Housing at Knowsley Council and went on to become Chief Executive of Knowsley Housing Trust - has been appointed Interim Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods.

WAYFARERS ARCADE GETS UNWRAPPED FOR CHARITY

SOUTHPORT'S prestigious shopping arcade is hosting an exclusive preview of the hottest autumn looks from the catwalk and the must-have styles for interiors – all in the name of charity.

The event will take place in Wayfarers Shopping Arcade on Thursday, 30 September 2010, and will raise money for Clatterbridge Cancer Research which funds research to help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer for the people of Merseyside and Cheshire.

Wayfarers Unwrapped will feature a fashion show revealing the coming season’s key looks and include a showcase of the exclusive range of gift and home items from the 30 specialist and independent boutiques in the Arcade. Guests will also be treated to a drinks reception and canapés, plus a charity auction and raffle with a selection of prizes on offer.

Yvonne Burns, Wayfarers Shopping Arcade manager, said:- "People from the North West have a fantastic sense of style, and we have launched Wayfarers Unwrapped to celebrate this unique touch of class. The last couple of years have seen Wayfarers Arcade evolve into a diverse and upmarket shopping centre, which now houses a wealth of new fashion, home, gift and accessory shops. We wanted to show that discerning shoppers can browse designer handbags and the latest Matthew Williamson collection under the same roof as vintage homewares and quality gifts – and of course help to raise money for a worthy cause. Most of the shops and boutiques now in the arcade are independent businesses that are run by local people for local people, so shoppers who haven’t been in for a while are always pleasantly surprised by how much it has changed and the range of goods on offer."

Fashion show guests will receive an exclusive goody bag, which will include special discount vouchers for various shops in Wayfarers Arcade.

Tickets cost £15 and doors open at 7pm. For further information or to purchase tickets please call:- 01704 539077 or go online.