News and events

Archive

General

Westminster Palace - House of Commons

NWBLT and the Local Enterprise Partnerships

08/09/2010

The North West Business Leadership Team has been active on a number of fronts in relation to the introduction of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in the North West. We are encouraging our members to engage with those LEPs for which they can provide valuable support and we have also submitted evidence to, and attended, the House of Commons Select Committee on LEPs.

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“2010 Lever Prize Winner - Future Everything”

LEVER PRIZE 2011 - SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

16/08/2010

FOUR of the Northwest’s most outstanding arts organisations have been shortlisted for the prestigious Lever Prize 2011, which provides the winner with £10,000 cash and support from the North West’s most influential business leaders.

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The Duke of Westminster and Geoffrey Piper chatting with Louise Ellman MP

Duke of Westminster hosts NWBLT celebration

09/08/2010

Past and present members of the North West Business Leadership Team and over 100 guests gathered recently at The Duke of Westminster’s Eaton Park to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Team’s foundation.

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North West MPs with hosts Paul Lee and Philip Green

NWBLT and United Utilities host North West MPs

28/06/2010

The Chairman of the North West Business Leadership Team, Paul Lee, and the Chief Executive of United Utilities, Philip Green, jointly hosted a New Parliament Reception at Lingley Mere, Warrington recently.

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Future Everything

The Lever Prize 2011 - Open for Entries

12/05/2010

Applications for the Lever Prize 2011 are now being accepted. The winner will receive a £10,000 cash prize, a distinctive trophy and the chance to collaborate with the NWBLT member companies throughout the year. The Prize is awarded by NWBLT in collaboration with Arts and Business North West and NWDA. The closing date for entries is 30th June 2010 - shortlisted organisations will be notified during August.

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Geoffrey Piper, Chief Executive of NWBLT

NWBLT BRIEFING FOR GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES

15/04/2010

On the day when the May 6 General Election was announced, NWBLT publicly issued a briefing to General Election candidates in the North West to work for the long-term prosperity of the region.

Skills for Business

Why I want to be a Scientist...

Win an iPod Touch and cash prize for your school

09/03/2010

The NWBLT has launched the 2nd Annual North West Schools Science Competition with support from Active Profile, Business in the Community, the Catalyst Science and Discovery Centre, Chemicals Northwest and the Museum of Science and Industry. The competition is open to pupils in Year 7 and Year 8 (as at September 2010) in North West England - Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. Pupils are invited to email NWBLT on "Why I want to be a Scientist" and should write no more than 500 words. The winner will receive an iPod Touch and cash for their school.

Sustainable Innovation

Sustainable Consumption and Production Action Plan Released

03/03/2010

The NW is one of the first regions to set out how the region can capitalise on the opportunities from the drive towards resource efficient and low carbon living.

Skills for Business

Engagement with Schools and Communities

14/01/2010

The North West Business Leadership (NWBLT) has undertaken an appraisal of its member companies’ involvement in local schools and communities and how the companies are managing current and future talent.

National & International Links

New High Speed station under construction at Bologna , Italy

NWBLT presses case for High Speed Rail

14/01/2010

The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) continues to press national politicians from all the main parties to commit their support for future High Speed Rail investment.

Promoting the Region's Advantages

Drew Hemment, Director of the 2010 Lever Prize winners FutureEverything, receiving the 2010 trophy from the North West Business Leadership Team's Geoffrey Piper and a seasonal visitor.

FutureEverything CIC has scooped this year’s prestigious £10,000 Lever Prize award

06/01/2010

A Manchester-based arts and cultural organisation became the fifth organisation to receive the annual accolade at an exclusive awards ceremony at Urbis, Manchester.

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Geoffrey Piper, Chief Executive of NWBLT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S ANNUAL REPORT 2009

05/01/2010

Despite the prolonged economic recession, the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) had another busy and successful year, making significant progress towards its long-term aims for the North West region.

Sustainable Innovation

NWBLT chief exec Geoffrey Piper and Julie Burgess Wilson, director of Catalyst with winning pupils Joe Hosie, Fiona Carr and Tom Fairfax

North West Children are bubbling with enthusiasm about science

20/11/2009

MINI-scientists from across the North West are bubbling with enthusiasm about science - thanks to a new essay competition.

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Stephen Hammond MP addressing the gathering along with Paul Lee and Mark Prisk MP

Shadow Ministers Address NWBLT on Key Issues for the Region

07/10/2009

Mark Prisk, Shadow Business Minister, and Stephen Hammond, Shadow Transport Spokesman, were guest speakers at the NWBLT Reception held during the 2009 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.

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The Lever Prize Logo

LEVER PRIZE 2010 - SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

29/09/2009

FOUR of the Northwest’s most outstanding arts organisations have been shortlisted for the Lever Prize 2010. Not only will this prestigious award showcase four of the world-class arts organisations in the region but will provide the winner with £10,000 cash and support from the Northwest’s most influential business leaders. The Lever Prize is judged by the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT), which comprises of 28 of the region's largest companies, in partnership with support from Arts & Business Northwest. This year the prize is also being supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). Following a rigorous assessment of the written submissions, the judges short-listed the following outstanding entries - FutureEverything 2010, Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust; NOISE Festival and The Whitworth Art Gallery.

National & International Links

New High Speed station under construction at Bologna , Italy

NWBLT supports High Speed Rail Links to London

29/09/2009

Representatives of NWBLT and its member companies have held meetings in London with HS2 Limited, the company set up by Government to advise on the building of a new 400 kph rail link.

Promoting the Region's Advantages

The Lever Prize 2010 - Shortlist Announced

28/09/2009

FOUR of the Northwest’s most outstanding arts organisations have been shortlisted for the Lever Prize 2010. Not only will this prestigious award showcase four of the world-class arts organisations in the region but will provide the winner with £10,000 cash and support from the Northwest’s most influential business leaders. The Lever Prize is judged by the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT), which comprises of 28 of the region's largest companies, in partnership with support from Arts & Business Northwest. This year the prize is also being supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). Following a rigorous assessment of the written submissions, the judges short-listed the following outstanding entries - FutureEverything 2010, Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust; NOISE Festival and The Whitworth Art Gallery.

Skills for Business

Win an iPod Touch and cash prize for your school

27/09/2009

The NWBLT has launched a school science competition with support from the Catalyst Science and Discovery Centre. The competition is open to pupils in Year 7 and Year 8 in North West England (Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside). Pupils are invited to email NWBLT on "Why I want to be a Scientist" and should write no more than 500 words. The winner will receive an iPod Touch and cash for their school.

Promoting the Region's Advantages

NWBLT members win BITC's Awards for Excellence

27/09/2009

A number of NWBLT members have won BITC's Awards for Excellence 2009 North West. These businesses are flying the flag for responsible business in this region. The results show that despite the recession, businesses in the North West are still focused on the impact that they have on people and the planet. The Big Tick is awarded to businesses able to demonstrate significant impact and high quality management of their responsible business practices and who can show a positive impact both on society and on the business. The decision to award the Big Tick is made by a panel of independent, experienced practitioners, and as such is both hard won and highly prestigious. The North West winners were presented with their Big Ticks at a gala dinner celebration event at Gorton Monastery on June 11. Raksha Pattni, Regional Director, Business in the Community, said: “It is heartening to know that so many businesses in the North West remain committed to their social, ethical and environmental business goals and I congratulate all of the Big Tick winners on having achieved this standard. The Big Tick winners in the North West are certainly flying the flag for responsible business here, and I hope will prove valuable inspiration for others following in their footsteps.”

Promoting the Region's Advantages

NWBLT members serve as ambassadors

23/07/2009

NWBLT members serve as ambassadors for the region or their sub-regions and encourage others to do likewise.

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Andrea Nixon, Tate Liverpool presenting the Lever Prize 2009 to winner Kevin Moore of the National Football Museum

LEVER PRIZE: CALL FOR ENTRIES

18/05/2009

THE 2010 Lever Prize is officially open for entries – and business bosses are calling Northwest arts organisations to take part.

Promoting the Region's Advantages

Timetable for 2010 Lever Prize

15/05/2009

The 2010 Lever Prize is now open for entries. Please go to link below to download an application form.

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Representatives of the 2008 and 2009 Lever Prize winners - Andrea Nixon (Tate Liverpool) and Kevin Moore (National Football Museum) - proudly display the distinctive Silver Zebra designed trophy

National Football Museum scoops this year's £20,000 Lever Prize

09/02/2009

THE National Football Museum has scooped this year’s £20,000 Lever Prize award. The Museum becomes the fourth cultural organisation to receive the prestigious accolade awarded annually by the North West Business Leadership Team in partnership with Arts & Business North West.

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NWDA Brand

NWBLT publishes Annual Report

13/01/2009

NWBLT has published its Annual Report for 2008. In it Chief Executive Geoffrey Piper refers to the ‘deteriorating global economic climate’ against which NWBLT continues to contribute significantly to the North West’s long-term strategic development with initiatives and projects ‘of key importance to the region’. The Liverpool Summit, the North West Climate Change campaign and other major initiatives are described in some detail and Geoffrey pays tribute to the outgoing Chairman, Stuart Chambers, who has led NWBLT for the past three years. Stuart has now handed over the chair to Paul Lee, the senior partner of Addleshaw Goddard.

Promoting the Region's Advantages

Kofi Annan speaking via satellite

Liverpool hosts pioneering global business summit

16/10/2008

October 2008 saw the Northwest take centre stage in the global business arena, as seven of the world’s most prominent leadership and business strategists addressed the Liverpool Summit, an innovative new international business and management conference.

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Lever Prize award with its designer, Mandy White

Prestigious 2009 Lever Prize Shortlist is Unveiled

26/08/2008

The news the North West’s leading arts organisations have been waiting for is here as the prestigious 2009 Lever Prize shortlist is announced.

Sustainable Innovation

Gudrun Cartwright, Regional Climate Change Campaign Manager - North West

Climate Change Project Underway

25/07/2008

A two year NWDA funded project to help businesses address climate change is underway with the appointment by Business in the Community of Gudrun Cartwright as Climate Change Manager, with responsibility to co-ordinate the project.

Promoting the Region's Advantages

Strong competition for Lever

10/07/2008

The North West Business Leadership Team has once again received a strong entry for the Lever Prize, which it awards annually to a North West based arts or cultural organisation.

General

BUSINESS LEADERS SIGN UP FOR LIVERPOOL SUMMIT

08/07/2008

On 1 and 2 October 2008, leading conference managers Benchmark for Business will present ‘Transforming the Future’, an international management Summit to be staged at the iconic new BT Convention Centre in Liverpool as the central business event of the city’s European Capital of Culture Year. Over 700 business leaders from across the UK and abroad, have already booked to attend the event, which will be addressed by some of the world’s most prominent leadership and business strategists including former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

Skills for Business

NWBLT COMMITMENT TO BUSINESS SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

13/06/2008

The North West Business Leadership Team has announced its new ‘Skills for Business’ policy with a commitment by its members to promoting the development of business skills throughout the region’s schools, colleges and communities. As a group of leading employers in the region, NWBLT is undertaking and supporting a number of initiatives aimed at helping people of all ages and abilities to maximise their potential whilst contributing to an increasingly competitive regional economy.

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NWBLT members

New NWBLT brochure published

13/05/2008

A new brochure covering the work of the North West Business Leadership Team has recently been published. The brochure can be viewed on this page. Printed copies are also available by request from the NWBLT office.

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Business in the Community May Day Business Summit

17/03/2008

Business in the Community is holding HRH The Prince of Wales's May Day Business Summit on Climate Change 2008 on 1 May at New Century House, Manchester with support from the North West Development Agency.

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Tate Liverpool

TATE LIVERPOOL WINS £10,000 PRIZE FOR ‘WORLD-CLASS’ CULTURE

06/02/2008

The North West's leading businesses have awarded the 2008 Lever Prize, a major annual award for world-class cultural organisations in the region, to Tate Liverpool.

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Business in the Community Event

05/02/2008

BitC are holding an event on 5 March which you may be interested in attending.

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NWBLT Annual Report 2007 –

02/01/2008

The North West Business Leadership Team today published its 2007 Annual Report, giving details of the Team’s main activities during the past year.

Promoting the Region's Advantages

LIVERPOOL SUMMIT PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

21/11/2007

The Liverpool Summit, a World-class International Management Summit taking place at the Arena and Convention Centre, Liverpool, on 1st and 2nd October 2008, has given advance details of its speakers programme.

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Members of the NWBLT on Speedy Hire’s electrically powered van at the Climate Change conference.

Region’s Businesses Respond to Climate Challenge

13/11/2007

Business leaders from throughout the North West celebrated a year of outstanding achievement in sustainable development on the first anniversary of the North West’s Climate Change Action Plan.

Sustainable Innovation

Business in the Community Beacon Event: Environmental Masterclass - 21 November 2007

07/11/2007

This event will provide inspiration, information and know-how to companies who are facing up to the challenge of determining and reducing their carbon footprint. It is hosted by Brother UK, who are an international electronics and manufacturing company, with their UK head office in Manchester.

National & International Links

Flexible Working

Northwest Flexible Working Group hosts event in Liverpool

29/10/2007

Following on from the success of the Flexible Work Symposium in March 2007, the Northwest Flexible Working Group is back on the scene with a second event being held in Liverpool on Tuesday 6th November. The Flexible Working event boasts an impressive line-up of speakers who will be talking about how to introduce and develop flexible working practices.

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Stuart Chambers, NWBLT Chairman

Global Responsibility for NWBLT Chairman

02/10/2007

Stuart Chambers, NWBLT’s Chairman, has been appointed Group Chief Operating Officer of the NSG Group, the Tokyo Stock Exchange listed glass manufacturer which acquired Pilkington plc in 2006. The appointment is with effect from 1st October 2007.

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David McKeith

NWBLT Member elected President of the Greater Manchester Chamber

01/10/2007

David McKeith, Regional Senior Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers and a leading member of the North West Business Leadership Team, has been elected as the President of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce for 2007/08.

National & International Links

Rail Links

New Publication on the Region's Rail Links

20/09/2007

NWBLT has published a new booklet ‘Future Rail Links for England’s North West’, in association with Virgin Trains. The 36 page publication sets out the many improvements being made to the region’s rail links, particularly improved services between the region and London. It also provides details of the Virgin high frequency timetable being introduced from 2009 and the plans which are in place for additional vehicles for the Pendolino trains.

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The Lever Prize trophy with the designer Mandy Fairclough

2008 Lever Prize Shortlist Announced

16/08/2007

The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) is please to announce that the National Football Museum, Tate Liverpool and the Lake District Summer Music have been shortlisted for the 2008 Lever Prize. The judging session will take place in September and the winner will be announced in January 2008.

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2007 Lever Prize Winner - Manchester International Festival. The image above is the Festival Pavilion - the place to meet, talk, drink, eat, listen - and soak up the Festival's ambience and energy. It's also the place to find out what's happening in Manchester during the Festival. Located at Manchester Central (the new name for G-MEX/MICC), the Festival Pavilion is a beautifully dynamic space specially designed for the Festival by award-winning architects Stephenson Bell.

HIGH QUALITY ENTRY FOR 2008 LEVER

03/07/2007

A large number of excellent entries have been received for the 2008 Lever Prize – the regional award for business and cultural collaboration, presented annually by NWBLT. Entries for the 2008 Lever closed at the end of June. The names of the short-listed candidates will be announced in August 2007 in readiness for the judging session on 17 September in Lancashire. This will be the third year of The Lever. Liverpool Biennial was the inaugural winner in 2006 and Manchester International Festival is the 2007 Lever Prize winner. Manchester International Festival, the world’s first international festival of original, new work, runs until 15 July 2007

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The Lever Prize trophy with the designer Mandy Fairclough

Lever Prize - Deadline for entries extended to Friday 29 June

26/06/2007

Are you involved with an arts organisation? Would this organisation like the chance to win £10,000 and the opportunity to develop a relationship with some of the region's leading businesses?

Sustainable Innovation

Director of the Northern Leadership Academy to address Forum

26/06/2007

The next meeting of the Business Leadership Forum will be taking place on Wednesday 11 July at the Management School at University of Lancaster and will feature a presentation and demonstration of the new online leadership portal recently developed by the Northern Leadership Academy to help individuals and organisations based in the region to improve their leadership skills.

Skills for Business

Enterprise and Education Group visit New Heys School

18/06/2007

The North West Business Leadership Team’s Enterprise and Education Group met recently at New Heys School in Allerton. The meeting included a tour of the facilities and members of the group were very impressed with the school’s approach to teaching enterprise and working with local businesses. NWBL Forum member, Manweb, had worked closely with the school for many years and were delighted with the partnership that had developed with the school. After the visit the group were delighted to hear that New Heys is taking part in the first ever trial of “payment by results”. This was recently announced by Alan Johnson, Education Secretary, and is based on the experience of 20 schools where children have made dramatic strides forward after closer tracking of their development.

Sustainable Innovation

Parliamentary Launch of N8

18/06/2007

The N8, an exciting business-academia collaboration led by the 8 most research intensive universities in the North of England (Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York), had its official Parliamentary Launch on 5 June 2007. The event featured a keynote address by the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor David King.

National & International Links

Flexible Working Group

North West Flexible Working Group meets the PM

18/06/2007

A number of NWBLT members met with Tony Blair, in a private meeting hosted by Peter Connor, Chair of the Northwest Flexible Working Group and BT Regional Manager. Members of the Group effectively set out the aims and objectives of the Group and highlighted cases of flexible working good practice from across the region.

National & International Links

BT reveals all at Flexible Working Symposium

09/02/2007

BT’s Director of People and Policy will be the headline guest speaker at a Flexible Work Symposium being put on by the Northwest Development Agency at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday 27th March 2007.