Downtown in Business welcomed Nigel Milton from Heathrow Airport to an exclusive business dinner in Liverpool on Wednesday 21 October, bringing together senior business leaders to discuss the airport’s ambitious expansion plans and the opportunities they could create for businesses across the North West.
Held ahead of Heathrow’s North West and North Wales Business Summit at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, the dinner focused on the airport’s proposed third runway, its future investment programme and the significant opportunities for regional businesses to become part of Heathrow’s supply chain.
With Heathrow already spending more than £2.3 billion annually through its supply chain, approximately 90% of which goes to UK businesses, the discussion explored how companies across Liverpool City Region and the wider North West can secure a greater share of future contracts.
A particular focus was the importance of making procurement opportunities more accessible to SMEs, strengthening relationships with regional suppliers and ensuring local businesses are well positioned to benefit from major infrastructure investment.
The conversation also highlighted the wider economic benefits that Heathrow’s expansion could deliver, including job creation, skills development and increased investment across the UK.
For Downtown in Business, the message was clear: Heathrow’s expansion must be viewed as a national economic opportunity, with businesses across Liverpool City Region and the North West playing a meaningful role in its delivery.
Chris McKenna, Managing Director of Downtown in Business, said:
“Heathrow’s expansion isn’t just about building a third runway in London. It’s a huge opportunity for businesses across the country, and we want to make sure Liverpool City Region is at the front of the queue. We’ve got the talent, expertise and ambition here to play a major role, and it’s important that our businesses get a fair chance to compete for that investment.”
