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Use the city region's globally significant
institutions, sectors and cultural assets to drive foreign
investment and international engagement
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Promote city region's ‘superpower' values of
creativity, resilience, tolerance and warmth
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In an inward-looking world, city region would become
international force for good
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Board would work with UK ‘Soft Power
Council'
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Mayor: ‘This will help us
turn global recognition into real opportunities'
Mayor today announced bold new
plans to create a ‘Soft Power' Board to harness Liverpool's
world-famous brand.
In an increasingly inward-looking world, the board will promote
the city region's ‘superpower' values of innovation, creativity,
resilience, tolerance and warmth to drive prosperity, while
acting as an international force for good.
It will seek to boost foreign direct investment and
strengthen trade relationships by leveraging the region's
internationally significant assets.
These include world-leading universities and research institutes,
globally recognised businesses, innovation hubs such as Sci-Tech
Daresbury, thriving visitor economy assets, major events
expertise, and cultural institutions - including football clubs,
music and heritage.
The initiative reflects the Mayor's commitment to using the
region's unique identity, its cultural strengths and global
profile to deliver economic growth.
Liverpool City Region Mayor said:
“Our region has always punched above its weight on the world
stage. Whether it's our music or sport - our culture,
creativity, and character are known and loved across the globe. I
also want the same global recognition for innovation, advanced
computing, AI, green tech and life sciences.
“This new Soft Power Board will help us turn that global
recognition into real opportunities - for investment, for jobs,
and for our communities.”
The Soft Power Board will bring together leading voices from
across culture, sport, media, education, and the creative
industries to shape a regional soft power strategy.
It will work alongside existing bodies such as Invest Liverpool
City Region, Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership and
the Business and Enterprise Board to amplify the region's
international profile and maximise the region's competitive
advantage.
The move aligns with national policy, following the UK
Government's launch of a UK Soft Power Council earlier this year,
which brings together leaders from business, sport, academia, and
culture to shape the UK's global engagement strategy.
The Liverpool City Region has begun discussions to ensure
alignment and engagement with the national council, and the
regional board will mirror similar themes — including sport,
education, creative industries and science.
Mayor Rotheram added:
“At a time when much of the world feels inward-looking, the
Liverpool City Region has its arms wide open. We're forging
strong partnerships with cities and regions across the USA,
Germany, China, South Korea, Ireland and Indonesia — and this
board will help us go even further.”
Alongside its world-famous international identity, the Liverpool
City Region is home to world-class science and innovation
institutions, a growing tech and digital economy, and major
investment-ready regeneration schemes – offering international
partners both values and value.
It is also home to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
whose research helps saves millions of lives across the world.
The new board will help to:
- Boost international perceptions of the region
- Leverage global cultural and sporting events
- Build partnerships that benefit both the region and the UK's
wider soft power agenda
Membership of the board is currently under discussion, with a
focus on ensuring representation from across the region's diverse
and dynamic sectors.
The initiative forms part of the Combined Authority's wider Plan
for Prosperity, which sets out a blueprint for inclusive economic
growth, and builds on the powers secured through the region's
devolution deal.
