Liverpool FC link inspires Boston delegation
A delegation of business leaders from Boston is following in the footsteps of Liverpool FC owner John Henry by coming to Merseyside to look for investment opportunities.
This week’s trade mission, which focuses on the digital and creative sectors, aims help firms do business across the Atlantic.
The trip follows last year’s takeover of Liverpool FC by the Fenway Sports Group, owner of baseball team the Boston Red Sox.
The mission has been organised by the British Consulate-General in Boston as part of its mission to forge economic links between the North West and New England.
Delegates include Mike Cavaretta, game developer attorney at law firm Morse Barnes-Brown Pendleton and founder of video games trade body New England Games Special Interest Group (SIG).
He said: “I represent a lot of games companies in the Boston area and try to serve as a business advisers and business development resource rather than just focusing on purely legal matters.
“So it would be good for me to get to know a few people in Liverpool to see if there were any potential strategic alliances between then and any of my clients here.
“In my role with New England Games SIG, I’m looking to build bridges between the Boston games industry and anywhere. This is a great opportunity.”
Rick McKenna, president and chief executive of Boston marketing agency WCM Partners, has come on the mission to help him decide whether to launch a UK operation.
He said: “I need to figure out what makes the most sense – is it setting up a series of partnerships with other marketing firms, or opening a satellite office in the UK.
“I’m interested not in marketing in the UK, but in helping UK companies do marketing in the US.
“The first impression of London was that it was very expensive. Liverpool has a lot of diversity. It’s a big port city. It has a lot of ties to Boston. It made sense to explore it.
“It’s a fact-finding mission for me to get the pulse of the city and see if it makes sense to come to Liverpool.
“Hopefully I can make some relationships with other marketing firms, and maybe meet some potential clients.”
The UK’s Consul General to New England, Dr Phil Budden, said the Government’s decision to create an Enterprise Zone in Merseyside, with the accompanying tax benefits, also made the area more attractive to investors.
He said: “Liverpool is a great British city, and the purchase of Liverpool FC by Fenway Sports Group has profiled the city with Boston businesses.
“This mission builds on that interest, with Liverpool announced as an Enterprise Zone, providing unique opportunities for Massachusetts businesses. This trade mission will showcase what Liverpool has to offer an American business audience.”
The visit is backed by regeneration agency Liverpool Vision. Its chief executive Max Steinberg said: “This is the latest of a number of important overseas delegations that have visited Liverpool in the last few months because our international reputation is growing.
“Increasingly we are seen as a city with sectors of excellence and there are many cities and countries who want to investigate the opportunities that exist here as well as learn from us. We are looking to develop international links across the globe following the success of establishing strong partnership working with China.
“Liverpool has many connections with the east coast of America which want to explore and turn into meaningful and mutually beneficial business and cultural relationships.”
[Image: John Henry and Thomas Werner]
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