Downtown Liverpool in Business chairman Frank McKenna has urged Liverpool City Council leader Joe Anderson to order an independent review of agencies involved in business support activity. McKenna said one of the “biggest bugbears” among the organisation’s members was the number of organisations that “continue to exist often duplicating rather than complementing the services they offer”. He added: “With the public sector facing huge budgetary challenges, now is a good time to further streamline the quangocracy of the city region.”

The 22 Bills and one draft Bill outlined in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech have broadly been welcomed by business groups in the region. Measures include blocking the proposed increase in employers’ national insurance contributions and cutting the number of quangos to save £1bn a year. Dr Brian Sloan, head of business and economic policy at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said proposals to encourage low carbon energy production, investment in high-speed broadband and high-speed rail were important to ensure that the UK remains internationally competitive. The Forum of Private Business’ Jane Bennett added that the measures will go some way to getting the nation’s finances back on track without jeopardising recovery.

Lesley Martin-Wright has been appointed as chief executive of the Knowsley Chamber of Commerce. She moves from her position as head of marketing and business development at Liverpool commercial law firm JST Lawyers to take the role. Martin-Wright said: “In these unprecedented turbulent economic times, there are many challenges ahead. However, the board views my appointment as the start of a period of transformation for the chamber.”

GB Group, a provider of identity management and marketing services, has hailed a year of “good progress” despite falling sales due to the loss of two major clients. The business, which is based in Chester, posted a pre-tax profit of £1.26m for the year to 31 March, down from £1.4m a year ago, while revenues fell 7 per cent to £22.2m. The loss of two contracts, including one with Blyk, one of its largest clients, resulted in a revenue reduction of approximately £2m. Chairman John Walker-Haworth said the company has started the year in “good shape” and has been trading in line with expectations.

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