Professional and Business Services (PBS) generates more than £4.3billion per annum in gross value added. With over 12,000 businesses employing 93,000 people; PBS constitutes 14.4% of all jobs in LCR. PBS plays an important enabling role in Liverpool City Region growth. With 6.2 million people within a one-hour drive, a large commuter population of 475,900 people in higher skilled occupations and 20,000 students studying related courses; Liverpool City Region’s Professional & Business Services sector has both market proximity and a strong talent pool. The City Region has a number of specialisms within PBS, notably in wealth management and maritime. Research has shown that the maritime sector is 4.5 times more concentrated in the City Region than the national average. With proximity to the Isle of Man and recognised as a Financial Centre of Excellence by the UK Government; Liverpool City Region has the second largest wealth management industry in the UK. We have close links to the City of London and boast a depth of expertise with a focus on developing long term client relationships and investing in our workforce. The sector has a broad range of companies based in the City Region including Pershing BNY Mellon, TATA Consultancy Services, EY, Grant Thornton, KMPG, Royal Sun Alliance, Rathbones, Griffiths and Armour, Brabners, DLA Piper, Hill Dickinson, Weightmans, Santander, Deutsche Bank, Lloyds, Barclays and NatWest. Our universities educate 20,000 students on professional and business services related courses providing an excellent talent pool to grow your business. The Professional & Business Services Board drives the sector strategy and relies on private sector participation to ensure we are addressing industry needs, future proofing skills requirements and creating a long-term plan for the business community. Current Chair is Steve Stuart who practised corporate finance in Liverpool and beyond for the past 30 years. We work closely with Professional Liverpool, which is the body set up to promote professional excellence in Liverpool and the surrounding region, thus maintaining and enhancing Liverpool’s reputation as a financial centre. The Local Growth Hub provides access to a wide range of information, advice and support available for SMEs.