We’re delighted that Kindred director Jennifer Van der Merwe has joined the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Business and Enterprise Board.
A long-time advocate for the social economy, Jen is an expert in social investment, social value and community development and brings a wealth of international experience. The new board will play a key role by championing businesses across the city region, and is made up of a diverse range of LCR’s business leaders. “I’m really excited to be joining the Business and Enterprise Board, working with fellow board members to help shape policy and deliver action to create thriving, sustainable, and resilient places across the city region,” she says.
The board is designed to bring the business voice into the Combined Authority’s policy-making processes, working more closely and directly with businesses – especially in industry clusters that are of critical importance to the success of the region’s economy. Board members will help shape the regional economy’s strategic direction, by identifying opportunities to stimulate economic growth, productivity and competitiveness.
Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram says: “Thriving local businesses are the backbone of our economy and, for our area to flourish, we need them to succeed. Through our new Business and Enterprise Board, we have pulled together a team that boasts decades of hand-on experience at leading organisations and, it’s my hope, that their knowledge and insight will help us to join-up our thinking with fresh ideas to grow our economy.
“I want the Liverpool City Region to be the home of ‘good’ business and I’m looking forward to seeing where the Board will take us on our journey to making our area the best place in the country to live, work and run a business in.”