These are the business, education providers and other organisations that will be on hand to meet businesses at the Sefton Economic Forum this Thursday (7th December 2023).
Business leaders can hear from an impressive line-up of speakers at the Winter Economic Forum and Growth Hub Marketplace at The Lake House in Waterloo.
The forum will provide a platform for topical and interesting presentations from four great speakers:
- Christian Spence – Economist
- Danny Donachie – Business coach and mentor at Embodyism and former Head of Medical Services at Everton Football Club
- Phil Porter – Chief Executive at Sefton Council
- Robin Tudor – Liverpool John Lennon Airport Head of PR and Communications
The forum will be chaired by Vince Luk, the Director of iFi Audio.
iIFi Audio designs, develops and manufactures more than 50 products from its headquarters in Southport.
As ever the forum will be a relaxed and informal event, with opportunities to network with business owners, leaders and support providers from across Sefton and the Liverpool City Region.
Afterwards, delegates can browse the Sefton Growth Hub Business marketplace and learn about funded business support, including skills development, digital marketing and many more.
These are the organisations where you can find out more:

Active Workforce (Sefton Council) – Health and wellbeing advice for Sefton employers
B Corp B Corp – accreditation information
Business Rates (Sefton Council) – Business rates advice and guidance
Edge Hill University – Range of support for businesses wanting to scale up
Elevate EBP Ltd – Work placement provider for young people
Gather – Specialist support for digital, creative and tech businesses wanting to grow
Groundwork – Sustainability advice and guidance
Growth Platform – Helping businesses to start, grow and invest in the city region by simplifying the business landscape
Hartree Centre, Science and Technology Facilities Council – Helping businesses explore digital technologies to improve productivity and growth
Hugh Baird College – Support with upskilling your workforce
Innovate UK Edge – Support for businesses in developing innovative ideas, including access to professional advice
InvestSefton – 1:1 support from a business adviser which includes a 360 diagnostic, action plan and support
LCR Connect – Full fibre digital infrastructure in Sefton and across the city region
LCR Finance Hub – Independent advice and support for businesses looking to secure finance
Liverpool Chamber – Advice and guidance for businesses who export, or thinking of exporting
LCR Employer Engagement – Engaging with employers to facilitate work placements and apprenticeships
LCR Skills Brokerage Service – Helping businesses to identify training needs in the workforce and finding t relevant training
LJMU LCR Enhance Programme – Fully funded leadership training course designed to upskill SME employees
LJMU Growth Horizons – Research and development support for business with innovative ideas
LJMU Low Carbon Eco Innovatory – Low carbon innovation support for businesses
Merseyside Expanding Horizons/ Sefton Start up Programme – Business start-up support for Sefton residents considering starting their own business in Sefton
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service – Advice and support for businesses
Merseyside Police – Advice and support for businesses
River Capital – Fund management company helping businesses identify the best funding for them
Sefton Caring Charter – Employment and apprenticeships support for young people who have been in care
Sefton@Work (Sefton Council) – Recruitment support for businesses
Sefton Council Public Health Child Poverty Strategy – The team will be on hand to answer any questions about the Child Poverty Strategy in Sefton
Sefton Corporate Learning Centre – Training provider offering a wide range of training courses for employers and individuals
Southport College – Offering a wide range of apprenticeships
University of Liverpool Management School – Business support (academic research, student placements and leadership & management courses)
Volunteer Centre Sefton – Connecting volunteers with businesses and facilitating employer volunteering
The forum is held twice a year in June / July and December and is organised by InvestSefton, Sefton Council’s business support and inward investment service.
For more details visit: www.investsefton.com
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