Today, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram launched a new suite of virtual support for Liverpool City Region Digital Creative and Technology (DCT) business leaders designed to help them navigate the unprecedented shock to the local economy of COVID-19.
Gather is a new online community that will provide local DCT business leaders with the practical strategies and tools they need to boost resilience in challenging times. One of the first of these tools to launch is a six-week leadership training course called Mettle.
The announcement comes as part of a wider £15m package of immediate economic support also announced by the Metro Mayor to directly assist businesses across the city region and help them access central government funds. Gather and Mettle will be delivered by Liverpool City Region based growth consultancy, Form and can be accessed online. Similar support programmes are also in development by the company to meet the needs of the region’s non-DCT businesses too.
The Gather community, which launched today, offers DCT business leaders a space to unite, share insight and strengthen their strategies. Its aim is to support and connect business leaders, many of whom will be currently facing similar challenges as the local economy responds to the global pandemic. Business leaders can join the community by signing up via the link: www.gatherlcr.com
Central to the launch of the new community is Mettle. The new six-week course was unveiled at the launch and aims to help businesses survive current challenges in the economy, whilst stabilising their business with the aim of growing it sustainably during the recovery.
The course will comprise of online workshops with industry experts, digital projects which will help people hone their business strategy in unprecedented times, and the opportunity to discuss challenges with a group of like-minded peers.
Regional DCT business leaders are being encouraged to sign up for Mettle via the link: www.gatherlcr.com/Mettle
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said, “We know from our surveys that 95% of businesses are undergoing huge challenges right now as a result of unprecedented circumstances. As a Combined Authority, we are doing everything in our power to support the local business community, and to limit the risk to local jobs and livelihoods.
“The launch of the Gather community and Mettle course are just two of the ways we’re looking to support businesses to sustain operations during the recovery period. These both come as part of a £15m package of economic support we’re delivering for local businesses. By connecting local business leaders with each other, and with experts who can provide a listening ear as well as practical guidance, we hope to build a resilient local business community that can weather not only this storm, but those they may be faced with at any point in the future too.”
Form director and programme lead, Katie Peate, added, “Business leaders are having to pivot on an almost daily or hourly basis to respond to pressing challenges in order to protect their staff and livelihood. As they’re only human, this can mean that it’s sometimes overwhelming and hard to know where to turn next when it comes to making important decisions that could affect the future of themselves and others.
“Recognising this, we’ve developed both Gather and the Mettle to give business leaders in the DCT sector the clarity and tools they need to take positive action amid circumstances that are largely out of their control. With only 40 places available for the first cohort of the Mettle course, we’d really encourage DCT leaders to get signed up today if it sounds like the kind of support they need.”
Gather is one part of the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor’s Business Growth Package, elements of which are being redirected to support the local business community’s recovery from the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To reserve your place for the six-week Mettle course, click the link following link to register: www.gatherlcr.com/Mettle
To join the Gather community, click the following link: www.gatherlcr.com
