The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is committed to the development of a fairer, stronger, cleaner, connected, vibrant City Region where no-one is left behind.

The Plan for Prosperity, developed by the Combined Authority (CA), sets out a vision of a City Region of transformation, where the ingenuity and creativity of its people is helping to pioneer the ideas, industries, and infrastructure of the future. It is once again emerging as an international centre for culture and commerce, as well as a place where a spirit of innovation is providing the solutions to society’s deepest challenges, including developing its distinctive contribution in the drive to net zero.

Background for the Local Visitor Economy Partnership

In April 2023, VisitEngland approved the Liverpool City Region application to be one of the first Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) in the country. The LVEP provides an important opportunity to work across the city region to promote the visitor economy sector and tourism offer.

Securing LVEP status raises the profile of the City Region with Government and sees Liverpool City Region become part of a new portfolio of nationally supported, strategic, and high-performing LVEPs.

The new programme and national structure have been designed to enable the delivery of closer collaboration between VisitEngland and destinations who are well integrated, with strong local leadership through public-private sector governance.

As the Liverpool City Region sweeps up the sequins from the most successful Eurovision ever, as it picks up the last golf ball from the Open Championship at Hoylake, and as it welcomes the Labour Party Conference in October, it needs to look to the future - the LVEP will play a key role is guiding the sector through its next stage of growth.

The overarching vision for a Local Visitor Economy Partnership Board (LVEP) is to provide a mechanism through which the Visitor Economy maximises its contribution to wider place-making, levelling up and economic growth strategies for the area. The Board will cover the Visitor Economy and key sub-sectors including sport, retail, attractions, culture, accommodation, and transport.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) must therefore demonstrate to VisitEngland that they are innovative and first class leaders – business events and their legacy, the use of data, business intelligence and research and private sector funding models are all examples where they excel, but the LCRCA must continue to strive forward and make tourism a net good for the region.

The Chair will lead a Board comprised of those who bring a knowledge of their sector and are advocates of the City Region economy, promoting the City Region to national and international audiences as well as supporting inward investment activity where possible.

The Local Visitor Economy Partnership Board will form part of, and feed into, wider regional governance structures. The Chair of the Board will also hold a seat on the Business and Enterprise Board, which is a high-level leadership group, bringing together private sector leaders to provide advice on the economy and how business is impacting on wider economic development.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority seeks to appoint a Chair for its newly-formed Local Visitor Economy Partnership Board. The successful candidate will be a senior leader who may have a background in sectors linked to the visitor economy but, importantly, will be committed to the Liverpool City Region and the success of the regional economy.

Applicants will have a broad understanding of how the visitor economy can drive economic development and growth and will be excited, with support from the LVEP team, to develop an ambitious new plan for the region. They will be able to provide a credible, independent and strategic perspective, acting as an inclusive leader for the Board as well as an ambassador for the city region more widely. An understanding of how the public sector works would also be valuable.

On a personal level, the successful candidate will be committed to promoting equality, diversity and ethical business practices and to being environmentally considerate. They will adhere to high standards of behaviour and not bring the LCRCA into disrepute, adhering to the Nolan Standards in Public Life and wider LCRCA policies.

This role is unremunerated and reasonable, pre-agreed, travel expenses will be reimbursed. The Board will meet between four and six times per year, and the Chair will also join the Business and Enterprise Board, which meets four times per year. There may be more ad hoc commitment up front in the establishment phase of the Board. The appointment is for a three-year term.

UK- North England

LCRCA welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.