Liverpool businesses will be able to access a new suite of “virtual support” to help bring stability to the city’s digital and creative sectors.
They’ve been announced today by the Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and includes an online community called Gather, and 6-week leadership training course, Mettle.
“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,” he explained.
“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.”
Both Gather and Mettle will be delivered by Liverpool-based growth consultancy, Form.
“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,” said Form Director and Programme Lead, Katie Peate.
“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.”
