A message from Chris Baker - Chair, Liverpool City Growth Board

Liverpool's economy is already in the fast lane. After decades of decline we are creating jobs at a faster rate than any of the UK's other major core cities. The big challenge for the future is sustaining that growth and creating a successful, dynamic and prosperous local economy. City Growth Liverpool will play an important role in fulfilling that challenge. We have given business and wealth creators a real opportunity to have their say and to influence the next phase of Liverpool's economic development directly. Our City Growth strategy is based on extensive research, including a survey of 1000 businesses outside Liverpool City Centre, and has been welcomed and endorsed by the Leader of the City Council, Warren Bradley.

The challenge now is to ensure that all the public agencies operating in the City respond to our recommendations. Our Action Plan outlines the areas the private sector believe are key to the city stepping up and moving on from its past.

This is not a public sector initiative. Liverpool City Growth's Board is made up of twenty six private sector business people. These are people who do business in Liverpool and are committed to Liverpool. They understand the challenges, barriers and opportunities that businesses all face.

I am delighted to lead City Growth. It is a huge opportunity for business and for Liverpool, and I strongly encourage every business in the City to support and engage with us in this important project.

Liverpool's future is our business.