M L BUSINESS
METRO MAYOR STEVE ROTHERAM ANNOUNCES £ 30M TO BOOST POST- PANDEMIC RECOVERY
JOHN HAYNES ’ LEGACY TO LIVE ON THROUGH NEW FOUNDATION
Steve Rotheram , Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region , has announced that up to £ 30m of funding is available for urban development schemes because of successful investments made by two city region lending funds .
Loans repaid by previous successful applicants to both the Chrysalis Fund and the LCR Urban Development Fund are now available to be reinvested into other projects .
Speaking about the funding , Mayor Rotheram said : “ Coming out of the pandemic , our local economy still needs all the help and support it can get . Because of the wise investments we ’ ve made over the last few years , we now have an extra £ 30m of funding to help rebuild and recover . That ’ s on top of the £ 150m COVID Recovery Fund that I announced on day one after May ’ s election .
“ I ’ m committed to making our region fairer , greener and stronger after the pandemic . By continuing to invest our money carefully , and in projects that help improve our region and create good jobs , we are able to create a virtuous circle that keeps generating more for us to invest .”
The Chrysalis Fund is a £ 35 million revolving fund that has supported more than £ 100m worth of development activity in the region since it launched in 2012 . It will now continue to commit its funds into further projects until at least 2022 , facilitating the delivery of new urban development schemes that support employment creation and economic growth in the Liverpool City Region .
The LCR Urban Development Fund is a £ 25 million revolving fund managed under the LCR Combined Authority ’ s Strategic Investment Fund framework . The fund supports the development and delivery of an integrated approach across the City Region focussed on meeting identified local needs and opportunities . The fund can invest in projects that support research and innovation , enhancing SMEs ’ growth and competitiveness , and helping companies and organisations transition to a low carbon economy .
Jim Gill , Chair of The Chrysalis Fund , said : “ After what has been a particularly difficult 18 months , we ’ re now in a great position to be able to assist property developers and owner occupiers in getting eligible projects that have stalled due to lack of funding options off the ground . Since the Chrysalis Fund launched nine years ago , we have provided loans for some fantastic projects that have brought hundreds of jobs into the area and in turn , boosted the local economy . We ’ re delighted that those loans are now being re-paid , meaning that we have more opportunities to boost regeneration and growth in the Liverpool City Region .”
A new charitable foundation set up in memory of one of the most popular and high-profile figures in Liverpool ’ s business community aims to transform the lives of one million people .
John Haynes died in early December 2020 and his passing was mourned by many people across Liverpool city region . As the founder of the Liverpool Coaching Academy , John had supported and inspired a generation of entrepreneurs both here and overseas to , in his own words , “ fly with the eagles ”. Now his legacy will live on with the formation of the John Haynes Foundation . Set up with the support and blessing of John ’ s partner , Linda Adkins , and his family , Linda said : “ I am sincerely overwhelmed by the love and support shown to me and the family since I lost my beloved John . I had no idea he had touched so many people ’ s lives . The formation of the John Haynes Foundation is the perfect platform to continue his legacy . John loved coaching and his memory lives on in all those whose lives he touched . The charity will continue his work of supporting people of all ages and from all walks of life to transform and enhance their lives and careers .”
The Foundation will be supported by a number of high-profile patrons , including Everton Chief Executive , Professor Denise Barrett- Baxendale MBE DL , who has accepted the role as Patron-in-Chief , and will be ably supported by fellow patrons , Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Paul Askew , Chef Patron of the Art School Restaurant . To celebrate the launch of the John Haynes Foundation , a black-tie gala dinner will be held on Saturday , 18 September , from 6.30pm at the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool city centre . The event will raise funds to support the Foundation ’ s mission to coach one million people . After leaving school at 16 , John worked at a furniture factory in Kirkby . He was made redundant following its closure and later began working as a salesman for Royal Insurance in Liverpool . He worked his way up to regional director , eventually being responsible for overseeing the careers of over 1,500 colleagues . He left the company in 1998 and used what he had learned about business and leadership in launching the Liverpool Coaching Academy . The business went from strength to strength and John took his expertise overseas , operating as far afield as Australia , India and the Middle East . He also raised thousands of pounds for a town in Kenya which had been left devastated by a terrorist bomb .
Tickets for the gala dinner , which will include a special menu presented by Paul Askew and Kieran Maxwell , executive chef at the Hilton , are priced at £ 150 per person or £ 1,500 for a table of ten . A limited number of platinum tables are available priced at £ 2,500 for 10 guests and include a range of promotional opportunities on the night . A number of sponsorship opportunities are also available .
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