British Ambassador praises Liverpool City Region's 'standout example' as Innovation Prospectus is published in Korean

THE Britain's Ambassador to Korea has hailed the Liverpool City Region as a:- 'standout example' of how UK Regional Authorities can develop international trade links. Colin Crooks, British Ambassador in Seoul, praised the City Region for its efforts to strengthen relationships with 1 of the world's most innovative countries; including translating the City Region's 1st ever Innovation Prospectus into Korean.

The move comes after the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority took part in a Government backed trade mission to Korea in May, which included visiting the country's 2nd largest City and largest port, Busan. This was on the back of the Liverpool City Region and Busan having been identified as 1 of just 4 potential UK South Korea innovation twinning partnerships in a December 2021 report by the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

As part of the UK Republic of Korea Innovation Twins Programme, Combined Authority Deputy Chief Executive Richard McGuckin and Martin Land, Director of the Mersey Tidal Power Programme, also visited the world's largest tidal power plant at Sihwa, near Seoul.

Following the week long visit, the Liverpool City Region has worked to strengthen ties with Busan Metropolitan City and with K-Water, operator of the Sihwa Tidal Power Plant. This includes publishing a Korean version of the City Region's Innovation Prospectus; a move that is a UK 1st and is aimed at attracting new inward investment.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "For as long as we have existed, people and businesses from the Liverpool City Region have been inspiring and changing the world. To put it simply; innovating and doing things our own way is in the very fabric of our DNA. While we have rightly earned our title as one of the UK's leading science and technology hubs; I want to position our area to the forefront of global innovation and collaboration, creating a place that forward thinking businesses from around the world look at as an attractive location to invest in. Korea shares that same scale of ambition; and potential; which could see our two areas form an incredible innovative partnership. The publication of our Innovation Prospectus in Korean is a statement of our intent to forge stronger ties with our friends in Busan and, hopefully, work together to build a brighter, more prosperous future for our 2 Regions."

Launched in April, the Prospectus showcases the Liverpool City Region's world leading specialisms in infection prevention and control, materials chemistry, and AI solutions plus its emerging strengths in net zero and maritime technology. The document also highlights �12bn of investment opportunities and the City Region's ambition to invest 5% of local economic value in R&D a year; nearly twice the Government's target.

Since its publication, Liverpool City Region has been selected as 1 of only 2 UK locations for Innovate UK's �15m Launchpad pilot programme aimed at driving innovation. On top of that, the City Region has just agreed a landmark partnership with Innovate UK.

British Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Colin Crooks, said:- "The Liverpool City Region continues to be a standout example of how the UK's Regional authorities can maximise the potential for international exchange, trade and investment through the development of strategic relationships. I very much welcome the production of a full Korean text of their 'Innovation Prospectus' as another significant step in this regard. The British Embassy in Seoul looks forward to continuing our support for the Liverpool City Region as it seeks to strengthen emerging innovation twinning links with Busan Metropolitan City, and associated opportunities with K-Water around tidal power development."

The Innovation Twins Programme aims to help UK and South Korean Cities with complementary strengths develop long term research and innovation links, creating a pipeline of opportunities for bilateral trade and foreign direct investment (FDI). This will help both countries realise the potential of their highly innovative SME sectors.

The Korean visit included meetings in:- Seoul, Daejeon, Busan and Ulsan and was part of a wider programme of relationship building between Korean cities and the Liverpool City Region, Glasgow, Birmingham and Belfast.

The initiative is being coordinated by the Connected Places Catapult, is funded by the UK's Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through the Global Research and Innovation Programme, and supported by the British Embassy in Seoul.

The Korean version of the Innovation Prospectus is available at:- LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK.

New Deputy Police Commissioner for Merseyside confirmed

THE new Deputy Police Commissioner for Merseyside has spoken of her commitment to building stronger, safer communities across the Region. Councillor Jeanie Bell made the vow after her appointment as Deputy was confirmed by the Region's Police and Crime Panel. Members of the Panel, which has responsibility for scrutinising the Commissioner's work, had the opportunity to question Cllr Bell and assess her suitability for the role. The Panel formally notified the Commissioner that they support her decision to appoint Cllr Bell, who will take up the role 3 days a week.

Cllr Bell, who is currently Cabinet Member for Community Safety in St Helens, will now work alongside the Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell supporting her to deliver her vision and priorities for the Region, deputising for her when necessary. The Newton-le-Willows Councillor was chosen as the Police Commissioner's preferred candidate following an open selection process, which saw 14 people apply for the part time position and four people offered interviews.

PCC Emily Spurrell said:- "I'm grateful to the Police and Crime Panel for supporting my appointment of Jeanie as Deputy. I have no doubt she has the experience, enthusiasm, and drive to do a fantastic job on behalf of our communities as Deputy. I'm very much looking forward to her starting in post so we can work together on the priorities I've set for the Region on behalf of local people."

The new Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Cllr Bell said:- "I would like to thank the Panel for confirming me as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. I can't wait to get started; visiting communities across this brilliant Region to listen to their concerns to ensure I can be a loud voice on their behalf and redouble our efforts to make our communities even safer. Emily's vision and values really align with mine and I am excited to be working on the priorities she set out in her Police and Crime which I wholeheartedly share; fighting crime, building stronger communities, protecting the vulnerable and supporting victims. I am committed to working alongside her to build stronger, safer communities across Merseyside."

Cllr Bell, who is currently head of Criminal Justice at The Brain Charity, has served as St Helens Cabinet Member for Community Safety since May 2019. She is also the Local Government Association Licensing Champion, having previously served as the Council's Chair of Licensing, as well as Cabinet Member for Public Health, Libraries and Leisure.

Prior to being elected eight years ago, Cllr Bell was a curriculum leader and lecturer in public services at St Helens College, as well as being a key worker for young people aged 14 to 16 who were not in education, employment or training. She has also worked in secure Hospitals for offenders and Young Offenders' Institutes.

She was selected following a transparent interview process carried out by the Commissioner, her Chief Executive, Susan McTaggart MBE and Leader of Knowsley Council Cllr Graham Morgan, and independently observed by a member of the Police and Crime Panel.

Cllr Bell will join the Commissioner's Office on a fixed term contract, working 3 days a week for a salary of �33,537 per annum.

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British Ambassador praises Liverpool City Region's 'standout example' as Innovation Prospectus is published in Korean

New Deputy Police Commissioner for Merseyside confirmed