Dr Susie Mitchell appointed to Imagine Liverpool

GRID’s programme manager has been appointed to a new regeneration board for Liverpool in an advisory role that could have benefits for Glasgow. 

Dr Susie Mitchell says she is delighted to take up the role and is looking forward to exploring potential collaboration opportunities between the English city and Glasgow. 

Imagine Liverpool will consist of 13 board members including former economic adviser to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Lord Stewart Wood, Liverpool-born, BAFTA-winning producer Jimmy Mulville, and Chair of UK Innovation Districts Group, Emma Frost. 

Ambassadors 

The team of national and international experts, whose formation has been endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, MP, have been given a brief to act as ambassadors and advisors for Liverpool, with the aim of helping to give confidence to investors, landowners, developers and occupiers in the reshaping of the city’s economic landscape. 

Dr Mitchell said: “I’m so delighted to have been appointed to the new Imagine Liverpool Regeneration Board and excited to start work alongside such a fantastic team from across the UK and beyond that will help drive forward investment, and bring about major regeneration projects across the city - a great city, strategically positioned for growth and doing great things in the innovation space including AI, digital tech and the creative industries. 

“And with a shared industrial heritage, vibrant cultural scenes, and a deep sense of community and civic pride in both cities; today, Liverpool & Glasgow are committed to driving forward innovation-enabled inclusive growth to transform lives and the economy.  

“As such, I have no doubt that collaboration opportunities with Glasgow Riverside Innovation District and the wider Glasgow City Region will also emerge.” 

Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “The establishment of Imagine Liverpool is a major milestone in our ongoing regeneration story and a new chapter for the city. Liverpool is on the cusp of delivering some truly transformational schemes, especially in the docks and north of the city, and we need to ensure the opportunities arising from the momentum we’re creating is fully maximised. 

“We have assembled an immensely diverse, talented and experienced board and I look forward to working with Patrick (Patrick Nolan, Chair of the Imagine Liverpool board) and all the members to inject a new energy into our plans for the city and fully realise Liverpool’s amazing potential.  

“I know the Council and the Combined Authority are as one in our desire to improve how we work with the private sector and with government to make this one of the most exciting city regions to live and work in.” 

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, MP, said: “Liverpool is a world-famous city with a rich history and a bold vision for the future. It’s fantastic to see this new partnership bring together leading experts to help unlock even more of that potential, with new investment, homes and jobs that will create real, lasting change for local people.” 

Imagine Liverpool board members: 

• Patrick Nolan, ex Vice Chairman HSBC and Director Delfina Advisory Ltd 
• Stewart Wood, The Right Honourable Lord Wood of Anfield 
• Louise Shepherd, Regional Director (North West) for NHS England and former Chief Executive of Alder Hey children’s hospital 
• Mitchell Silver, Former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation 
• Emma Frost, Director at Fern Consulting Services Ltd & Chair of UK Innovation Districts Group 
• Ana Nishnianidze, Director of Trade and Investment for the City of London Corporation 
• Bronwen Rapley, Chief Executive, Onward and Chair of Homes for the North 
• Dr Susie Mitchell, Programme Manager, Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (University of Glasgow)  
• Deirdra Armsby, former Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning at City of Westminster 
• Nicola Byrne, Entrepreneur and Founder of Urban Calm 
• Andy Hunt, Senior Director of Quod 
• Jimmy Mulville, Co-Founder of Hat Trick Productions