Vision appoints American trade ambassadors

Liverpool Vision, the city's economic development company, has appointed two American-based consultants to source inward investment and trade opportunities for Liverpool.

Kristen Hirst, an international investment and marketing specialist with 17 years of experience in working to foster trans-Atlantic business opportunities, having been based both in the US and UK, will cover the east coast of America and key areas of New York, Georgia, Austin, Boston and Memphis.

Hirst most recently served as senior vice president for The North of England Inward Investment Agency, developing strategy and overseeing offices in Atlanta, Boston, Toronto, Chicago and Los Angeles.

She has 12 years of project management experience working with both Fortune 500 and smaller companies seeking to establish themselves in the UK.

Previously Kristen spent five years in Leeds developing a trans-Atlantic marketing programme and overseeing Foreign Direct Investment project teams in Yorkshire.

Gareth Lewis, who has spent the last seven years with the North of England Inward Investment Agency, where he served as vice president of business development in the North American market, will seek investment from the west coast of America, particularly California, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Vision said Lewis has experience of working at senior level negotiations with executives in fast growth companies and Fortune 500 companies.

He also mentors numerous early stage businesses and established the Young Entrepreneurs programme in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley.

Ailsa Horne, head of international investment at Liverpool Vision, said: "The States is becoming a key part of our developing international strategy and improving links there is one of our main priorities.

"Kristen and Gareth bring a broad network of contacts and a wealth of experience of the markets we are trying to break into and will be vital if we can turn recent US interest into gains for Liverpool.

"Their roles include a broad remit to promote the interests of the City of Liverpool, building strong contact networks of businesses, investors and influencers.

"They will focus particularly on trade and investment, articulating the business opportunities that Liverpool has to offer and promoting the Liverpool brand.

"They will also be assisting in facilitating opportunities for Liverpool companies to develop trading connections in their markets."