Team named to front Liverpool’s Games bid

12 April 2017 06:40 Comments (0)

Sports executive Brian Barwick is to chair Liverpool’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games, with Dr Denise Barrett-Baxendale, a director of Everton FC and executive chair of Everton in the Community, as deputy chair.

Barwick’s previous roles include a spell as chief executive of the FA, along with running the sport divisions of both BBC and ITV. He currently chairs rugby league’s Super League Europe, football’s National League and is a member of the FA Council.

Liverpool is bidding to host the 2026 Games, but would be in the frame should the UK host the 2022 Games following Durban’s recent withdrawal. The city has set aside £500,000 for the bid.

Barwick said: “Having worked in and around sport most of my adult life, the chance to lead the work for my home city of Liverpool to host the Commonwealth Games is a huge privilege. Liverpool, with such an illustrious sports history, will make the perfect host city for the Commonwealth Games.”

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “Brian’s appointment, alongside a number of other highly respected advisors, sends out a powerful message that we are deadly serious about bidding. The Commonwealth Games has the potential to be a game-changer in further driving forward the city’s regeneration.

“The team of advisers now working with us is world class and over the coming months our priority is to put in place a compelling bid that will resonate with the government, Commonwealth Games England and, ultimately, the Commonwealth Games Federation. These are exciting times for our city.”

The Liverpool team will, over the next three to six months, build the case for the city, testing potential venues such as ACC Liverpool and the proposed new Everton stadium at Bramley Moore against the technical requirements set by the Commonwealth Games Federation.

The advisors who will be working on the bid include 4 Global Consulting as strategic adviser and project manager, Wilson Owens Owens on technical feasibility, Deloitte on financial feasibility and economic impact assessment, Vero Communications on PR and communications and Brand Oath on branding.