New cluster boards set to help drive growth in key sectors in the Liverpool City Region

THE Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has announced appointments to 3 new cluster boards, representing the City Region's key growth sectors of Advanced Manufacturing, Digital and Creative, and Health and Life Sciences.

Made up of leading figures from their sectors, each board's remit is to influence policy, stimulate economic growth, productivity and competitiveness whilst supporting the City Region in its ambitions for inclusive growth and sustainability.

The new cluster boards will report into the Combined Authority's Business and Enterprise Board, created in Autumn last year, which took over the role of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in providing a voice for business in the area.

Each board is advisory and will provide the Combined Authority with insight into how its sector operates, opportunities for growth, innovation or investment across the cluster, as well as identifying opportunities for linkages between the board and the wider economy to drive productivity, investment and employment.

Councillor Mike Wharton, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Business, said:- "We have genuine strengths in our City Region in the fields of Advanced Manufacturing, Digital and Creative, and Health and Life Sciences, and establishing these boards is a vital step to ensuring that we can maximise their contribution to the City Region economy. I'm excited that so many talented and busy people have made the commitment to work together for the common good and can't wait for them to get started."

David Meyerowitz, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Business and Enterprise Board, said:- "The mission of the Business and Enterprise Board is to help shape the strategic planning to deliver economic growth and prosperity for all in the Liverpool City Region. It is really very exciting today, to see the Cluster Boards announced, they will help to accelerate growth in the economic sectors where we already have world-class strengths. I'm sure that they will make a strong and important contribution to further stimulate economic growth, productivity and competitiveness across the Liverpool City Region."

Ruth Hartnoll, Deputy Chair of the Liverpool City Region Business and Enterprise Board, said:- "Establishing these cluster boards representing these key growth sectors feels like a very significant moment for our City Region. The insight the board members will bring for their respective sectors will be crucial in making sure that the voice of business is heard loud and clear within the Combined Authority, as we work together to build an economy that works for everyone."

The chairs of the 3 new cluster boards are:-

• Advanced Manufacturing; Trevor Leeks, Jaguar Land Rover.
  

• Digital and Creative; Rachel McLean, LJMU.
  

• Health and Life Sciences; Lindsay Sharples, Health Innovation North West Coast (formerly the Innovation Agency)

Made up of 14 to 16 members, the boards consist of leading figures from their respective sectors appointed following an extensive eight-week recruitment process.

All 3 boards feature at least 50% female members and, where a board does not yet reflect the City Region's diversity, additional co-opted places will be established. The City Region's Race Equality Hub is identifying individuals relevant to each sector to put forward for these positions. They have also advised on more proactive approaches to groups and individuals who can support the Boards when looking to fulfil any future roles.

The full boards are:-

Advanced Manufacturing Cluster Board	Digital & Creative Cluster Board
Paul Tallon Lyva Labs Neil Syder NSG Pilkington Lyn Pit DT and G Lee Meyers Ford Motor Company Dawn Huntrod Make UK Michael Hughes Jaguar Land Rover Lorraine Hughes Inovus Medical Jonathan Turner Siemens Andy Pennington Arup Kate Black University of Liverpool Susan Patterson MTC Jen Fenner Defproc Engineering Trevor Leeks Jaguar Land Rover Joanne Beighton Seqirus	Enda Carey Studio School Nicola Triscott FACT Peter Denby Hyperfinity Alison Lacy Avalanche Studios Group Rachel McLean Liverpool John Moores University Dean Ward Evoke Creative Zoe Wallace Agent Academy Alison James Make CIC Becky Ayres Sound City Nigel Jones CGI Anna Heyes Active Profile Rob March Gigmate Lindsey Moore Agnes Marketing Alex Frech Black and Ginger James Bedford STFC Digital Tech Cluster James Brayshaw Adaptive Comms
Health & Life Sciences Cluster Board
Alison Pountney University of Liverpool Hannah Randles Lyva Labs Leanne Katsande Sciontec Renatta Clerice-Ologbosere Everpresent Fergus Watson 5D Health Protection Ray Kent The Pandemic Institute Andrew Sisson AstraZeneca David Cosgrove TriRX Natalie Kenny Biograd Claire Eyers UoL Philip Carvil STFC Lindsay Sharples Health Innovation North West Coast Damian Mohammed CPI Steve Molyneux Bells Healthcare Anna Owens Associates of Cape Cod International Iain Pritchard Bachem

'Leap Dance Festival' Liverpool

LEAP Dance Festival will present 2 weeks, from:- 26 April to 10 May 2024, of dance events showcasing Liverpool City Region talent across 7 key venues this spring. The event will see Liverpool coming alive with dance, with performances taking place in theatres, cultural venues and public spaces on the streets of the City Centre.

After a successful crowdfunding campaign, organisers are delighted to announce a packed programme of events. Established local dance artists and companies perform alongside young people and community groups, in a range of styles from burlesque and breakdance to contemporary dance and a ceilidh, with tickets ranging from:- ₤0 to ₤25.

The Higher Education Showcase takes place on:- 9 May 2024, at The Capstone Theatre.

The festival launches on:- Friday, 26 April 2024, at The Black-E with a night of cabaret, burlesque and circus performances, later taking over venues from The Capstone Theatre to National Museums Liverpool, with a Schools showcase on International Dance Day. The festival closes on Friday 10th May with a House of Suarez spectacular, featuring vogue artists alongside performers from all dance disciplines from across the festival.

Paul Doyle, the festival's Artistic Director says:- "We are so excited to bring dance to audiences across Liverpool. From Breakdance to Vogue, contemporary to tap, there's something for everyone."

Tickets are on sale now via:- LeapFestival.Co.UK.

House of Suarez vs Leap will take place at The Black-E, on:- 10 May 2024

The Programme so far:-

• Ooh La La Cabaret = Ooh La La Cabaret presents a night of circus, cabaret and burlesque. Expect high camp entertainment and death defying stunts from world class performers. Friday, 26 April 2024, 7pm, The Black-E. Cost:- ₤25/22
  

• Dancing at the Museum = Experience pop up performances happening in museums and galleries across Liverpool. Saturday, 27 April, 12pm, National Museums Liverpool, Free.
  

• Schools Dance Platform = Schools and Colleges from across Liverpool City Region have been invited to share performances based on countries and cultures from around the world, for International Dance Day. Monday, 29 April, 7pm, Archbishop Blanch. Cost:- ₤8/₤6.
  

• Liverpool Dance Prize = The North West's emerging artists and choreographers share new work in a chance to win ₤1000 development fund. In partnership with Liverpool Hope University and Dance Consortia North West. Thursday, 2 May, 7pm, The Capstone Theatre. Cost:- ₤12/₤10.
  

• Youth Dance Showcase = An evening of performances by and for youth dance companies from across Liverpool City Region. Saturday, 4 May 2024, 7pm, The Capstone Theatre. Cost:- ₤10/₤8.
  

• Dockside Breakers: Boss Breaking = Dockside Breakers take over the Black E in a celebration of hip hop and breakdance culture. This jam will be a competition for over and under 16s, with competitors battling it out for prize monies.
  Sunday, 5 May 2024, 1pm The Black.-E Cost:- ₤15.
  

• Dancing in the Streets = Enjoy outdoor performances from some of the Region's leading artists. Sponsored by Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool One. Monday, 6 May 2024, 12pm, Liverpool City Centre, Free.
  

• Sole Rebel: Ceilidh = Sole Rebel CIC brings their community Ceilidh event to Leap Dance Festival. Dust off your shoes and get ready to take part in an evening of dancing and live music. Tuesday, 7 May, 7.30pm, Liverpool Arts Bar.-E Cost:- ₤10/₤8.
  

• Triple Bill: Rowena Gander/Taciturn/TMC Collective = A triple bill of new work commissioned by Culture Liverpool from female choreographers based in Liverpool. Wednesday, 8 May 2024, 7.30pm, Unity Theatre.-E Cost:- ₤15/₤12.
  

• Higher Education Showcase = A selection of new work by emerging talent from the North West, selected from Universities and training Schools. Thursday, 9 May 2024, 1.30pm, The Capstone Theatre, Free (tickets required)
  

• House of Suarez vs Leap = Worlds collide, as performers from across the festival take to the runway in a range of categories, with iconic voguing from House of Suarez. Hosted by Rikki Beadle Blair. Friday, 10 May 2024, 7pm, The Black-E.-E Cost:- ₤25/₤22.

Tickets available via:- LeapFestival.Co.UK.

The festival would like to thank their core funders:- The Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council. With additional funding from Dance Consortia North West, Liverpool BID Company, Liverpool One, Culture Liverpool, The Granada Foundation, and DaDaFest. Sponsors: The City of Liverpool College and Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. Supporters: Liverpool Hope University, Archbishop Blanch School and National Museums Liverpool. Additional thanks to the 210 individuals who supported the Crowdfunder campaign.