Special Feature: Review of Liverpool International Festival for Business –from the Liverpool City LEP and GETRAG
As the Liverpool International Festival for Business draws to a close we thought it would be interesting to reflect upon the impact of IFB, and therefore we have asked both Alan Seeley, HR Manager at GETRAG FORD Transmissions GmbH, and Simon Reid, Sector Manager – Advanced Manufacturing from Liverpool City LEP to give us their views on the event
IFB 2014 – by Simon Reid, Sector Manager – Advanced Manufacturing, Liverpool City LEP
Why do you think it was important that Liverpool was selected to be the host city?
It was a vote of confidence from the government that Liverpool could put on a huge event and attract delegates from around the world, and that people visiting the city would have a good experience. It turned out to be a huge two-month long advert for doing business in the region – something that will be important when investment decisions are made in the coming years.
Do you have any specific examples as to how IFB has supported companies and in particular SMEs in Advanced Manufacturing/Automotive
Briggs Automotive Company has won the award as the face of the IFB so far – the high profile that it has enjoyed has helped to widen the audience for the brand.
United Automation, supplier of advanced automation systems, has successfully used IFB to magnify the celebration of its 50th birthday.
Why is Liverpool a good place to do business?
The Liverpool City Region is a fantastic location to do business because it’s central to the UK, with excellent motorway links, the port is expanding, it offers the ability to land components at the heart of the NW industry, and allows the transport of vehicles to growth areas in automotive markets in emerging economies such as China, Brazil and Russia. There are also two world-class universities – which have just received funding for ‘Sensor City’, which is very relevant to the automotive industry. Having Jaguar Land Rover in the region, and previously Ford, means that there is an established and growing supplier and skills base here for the automotive industry.
What has been your personal impression of IFB?
IFB has been a high profile event for those of us who live and work in Liverpool, but when I went to SMMT Meet the Buyer in London, people there were asking about it, so it does seem to have raised the profile of the region with people throughout the UK.
IFB 2014 by Alan Seeley, HR Manager at GETRAG FORD Transmissions GmbH
Why do you think it was important that Liverpool was selected to be the host city?
The Liverpool City Region has a lot of activity in the area of, for example, automotive manufacturing, as well as R&D, and the event has helped to raise its profile in such areas.
Why is Liverpool a good place to do business?
Liverpool’s Western European location is ideal for transport links – especially for the automotive sector, and in particular for the big players such as Bentley, JLR and Vauxhall. There’s also an excellent workforce for the automotive industry.
What has been your personal impression of IFB?
There have been some high quality events, where businesses have opened their doors to a range of people – allowing them to see what goes on, and to become aware of opportunities in industry. The skills events, engaging schools and colleges, have also been good.
