Steve Rotheram Names Award Winning Architect as Liverpool City Region Design Champion

STEVE Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, has announce the appointment of Stirling Prize winning architect Paul Monaghan, as the City Region's 1st:- 'Design Champion.'  Originally from West Derby, Paul Monaghan is a Founding Director of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, which was recently named:- 'Building Magazine Architectural Practice of the Year 2018.' Paul's announcement as:- 'Design Champion' was made at an event on 14 November 2018, hosted in collaboration with RIBA North West, which works closely with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, on a programme of activities to improve the quality of design within Merseyside and the Liverpool City Region.

Steve Rotheram said:- "It is impossible to overstate the importance of the quality of the buildings we live, work in and see every day, for our wellbeing and quality of life. That is why, when I was elected, I promised to promote good design and support action to improve the quality and attractiveness of neighbourhoods across the City Region. The appointment of Paul Monaghan, a local lad who has become 1 of the Country's leading architects, as our 1st Design Champion, is a huge step towards putting the issue of good design higher up the agenda. I am very pleased he has accepted the role and I look forward to working closely with him."

The role of Liverpool City Region Design Champion will be to promote good design and kick start a conversation about the importance of design throughout the City Region.

Paul Monaghan said:- "It's an enormous honour to take on this role in the City Region where I grew up and continue to work. Liverpool has some of the finest public buildings and spaces in Europe and I hope my role as Design Champion will help to ensure that new development supports and builds on that legacy across the City Region. I'm looking forward to working with Steve and his team to celebrate and maintain Liverpool City Region's history of design quality."

President of the RIBA, Ben Derbyshire, said:- "I am delighted that the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has been working with my colleagues at RIBA North West to develop initiatives for the built environment and we are confident that his appointment of Paul Monaghan as the City Region's Design Champion will be hugely positive. Good design is about building the houses, workspaces and public places that people want to live, work and socialise in. We look forward to continuing our positive relationship together to promote sustainable, long lasting development that will inspire a new generation of architects."

Paul Monaghan's appointment is the latest development in the Liverpool City Region's work to improve design quality. Work is ongoing to develop a Spatial Development Strategy and the Combined Authority recently secured ₤100,000 funding to deliver nearly 50 design review panels for major developments in the City Region, which will enable the Combined Authority to work together with RIBA, developers and local authorities to secure good design.

Partnership set to transform lives

PEOPLE from Merseyside are benefiting from a unique partnership scheme that could see those involved secure permanent employment or an apprenticeship. Thanks to close collaborative working between Hugh Baird College, the Merseyside Youth Association and a number of NHS Trusts from across the Liverpool City Region learners are enjoying the chance to develop the essential work skills, attitudes and traits needed to enter the world of work.

The 13 week programme delivered by Hugh Baird College, sees those taking part benefit from an 8 week work placement within an NHS trusts in areas such as Healthcare, Facilities Management, Business Administration, Fundraising and Marketing, Learning and Development and IT.

Hugh Baird College, Director of Business Engagement, Lynn Masterton said:- "Learners complete a Level 2 qualification in vocational studies and can also improve their maths and English if needed. However, what is most important, is that those taking part, get to develop employability qualities to enable them to secure employment or more advanced training in the future."

Mrs Masterton continued:- "The ultimate hope is that, by taking part in the scheme, learners gain an apprenticeship opportunity within the NHS Trust they are placed and can take the 1st steps in a long term career that really makes a difference.  Regardless of whether there is an employment or apprenticeship opportunity at the end of the programme, our College staff are committed to working with learners to help them find employment elsewhere."

Hugh Baird College tutor, Debbie Stock, who coordinates the scheme, said:- "One of the major issues employers tell us they find with young people is confidence. Employers often comment that young candidates sell themselves short and don't appreciate the experience they've gained and the employability qualities they already possess. Thanks to focused, classroom based sessions, we ensure that learners are able to articulate the skills and qualities they've developed, and we work with groups to ensure that CV's highlight the dedication and commitment they have demonstrated."

Yana Williams, Hugh Baird College Principal and Chief Executive said:- "At the heart of all that Hugh Baird College does, is a desire to improve lives and provide students with the skills needed for a bright and successful future. It is fantastic to be working with organsiations who mirror these values and I would like to thank the Merseyside Youth Association and the NHS Trusts we work with for making this programme possible. I'm excited to hear the success stories that will inevitably come as a result of the programme."

Jane Tomkinson OBE, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Chief Executive Officer:- "The young people from the Hugh Baird College are talented, keen and display precisely the right values needed for a career in the NHS. Nationally there are around 100000 vacancies in the NHS so it is crucial we nurture this new talent and get the trainees to actively consider a career with the NHS. As Chief Executive Officer, I am keen to support this programme in order to ensure we have a pipeline of young people ready to step into a rewarding career within the NHS."

Callum Roche is 1 learner who is already benefitting. Callum, who has been on the programme for 5 weeks and has just begun his placement in the Learning and Development Department of the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital said:- "For a number of different reasons, School didn't work out for me and I was left with no idea about what I wanted to do with my future. Thanks to this programme, my confidence has rocketed and I feel like a totally different person. The training you get from the tutors at College is 1st rate and they help you believe that you can do anything you set your mind to. They also help you define your career goals and the path you need to take in order to achieve them. I delighted to have started my placement and I'm determined to make a good impression. Who knows where it could take me!"

Those interested in the programme are encouraged to apply for a Traineeship through the Hugh Baird College's website or can attend a Traineeship Recruitment event at the College on 30 November  2018, from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Go to the Collages website more details on this event and to register your attendance.