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BT Director stunned by OBE for services to the
regional economy MIKE
Blackburn, BT's North West regional director, has been stunned by the award of
an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. The OBE for services to the North West's
economy recognises his contribution to the economic health of the region through
a wide variety of roles for many years now.
Since he started as regional director in 2007 Mike has overseen the boom in
access to high speed broadband. The digital revolution has already seen more
than 2,428,000 households and businesses in the region; that covers Greater Manchester,
Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria; gaining access to fibre broadband.
Mike chairs the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which is
looking to boost jobs in the region by 100,000 in the next 10 years. He played
an important role in the International Festival for Business, sponsored by BT,
which was a 50 day business festival last year in Liverpool highlighting the
economic strength of the region. The success of the event has ensured it will
return in 2016.
Mike paid tribute to his colleagues in BT and the business world, but he
reserved special praise for the staff and students at Manchester Communication
Academy. He is the Chair of Governors at the BT-sponsored school which opened
its doors to students and the community in 2010.
Mike, who has led the BT North West Board since 2007, said:- "There is a
great team working at the Manchester Communication Academy supporting the young
students and their families to achieve some exceptional results. I would like
especially to recognise the tenacity, skill and professionalism of the staff at
the Academy in Harpurhey. This BT sponsored school and its students are the
economy of the connected society of the future. I was stunned when I
received the letter telling me of the award. It isn't something you plan for so
I was surprised and thrilled at the same time. Trying to keep it quiet for 6
weeks was the next problem, whilst we waited for the official announcement.
I'm very fortunate to work with some really inspiring and collaborative people
in the North West, both in the public sector and the private sector. I thank all
of them and my BT colleagues for all of their support. They make it fun and
rewarding."
As well as his job leading the BT North West Board, which develops strategic
relations with Councils, business and community organisations, Mike has a whole
series of high level roles to squeeze into, and outside, his working day.
Mike, who is based at the Dial House BT offices in Salford, is the chair of the
Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP); Trustee of the Lowry
Theatre in Salford; deputy chairman of the North West Business Leadership Team;
and a Trustee of the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) since 2000. The NYAS
is a UK charity providing socio legal services. They offer information, advice,
advocacy and legal representation to children, young people and vulnerable
adults through a network of dedicated paid workers and volunteers throughout
England and Wales. And in addition Mike sits on the North West advisory board
for the Prince of Wales charity, Business in the community, and was chosen as
the Prince's NW Regional Ambassador for 2010/11 and 2011/12.
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Agreement boosts tennis in
the City
LIVERPOOL'S growing reputation as a
leading City for tennis has been given a major boost. The Tennis Foundation has
entered into a 5 year agreement, with the City Council to raise the profile of
the Liverpool Tennis Centre and help more people enjoy the health and social
benefits of playing the sport. It will provide grant funding for a marketing
campaign to encourage more people to participate in the sport.
The announcement coming as this year's Wimbledon approaches and Liverpool
prepares for the 2015 International Tennis Tournament, is further evidence that
the City Council's partnership work with the Tennis Foundation, Lawn Tennis
Association, and Northern Vision is paying off with greater participation in the
sport.
Since the City appointed a new Tennis Manager, Dave Hillier, in October 2014,
weekly participation in mini-tennis for 3 to 10 year olds at the Tennis Centre
has increased by over 300% from 78 weekly players to 248 weekly players.
Councillor Tim Moore, Mayoral Lead for Sport, said:- "We are working very
hard at Liverpool Tennis Centre to increase participation by providing more
opportunities for adults and children from across the City to play tennis. Our
partnership with both the Tennis Foundation and the Liverpool International
Tennis Tournament is going a long way to help us get more people in Liverpool
playing tennis. I am delighted with the 300% increase in users over the last 6
months."
Executive Director of the Tennis Foundation, Geoff Newton, added:- "The
Tennis Foundation has invested a lot of time and money into Liverpool to help
kick start tennis in the area and we're delighted by the results. Liverpool
Tennis Centre is a fantastic facility and will play a central role in developing
tennis across the City for many years to come and we hope that more and more
people continue to take up the sport, whatever their age or ability."
There have been a number of events in the City to promote participation in
tennis in recent months.
The School Tennis Roadshow, which ran from January to March, provided a free
tennis offer to primary schools in Liverpool. The youngsters from these
roadshows who are now included in the main tennis programme have a retention
rate of 91%.
There have been more than 800 entries for
various competitions at the centre over the past 6 months.
The Centre is also the host venue for the
former Liverpool Parks Tennis Tournament which will take place immediately after
this year's International Tournament.
The City Council and the Tennis Foundation continue to support the Liverpool
International Tennis Tournament and this year has seen the Tennis Centre and
Northern Vision (the event organiser) working in partnership at the recent
Festival of Tennis at Liverpool One, in which coaches from the centre delivered
a number of hugely popular activities with more than 2,000 school children
attending the free sessions. The coaches also promoted the activities at the
Tennis Centre. The primary aim of this partnership is to sign-up 100 additional
players on courses at the Liverpool Tennis Centre.
The Tennis Centre has also organised the International Qualifying Tournament,
which had over 20 entries to select one male and one female player to play in
the main draw at Liverpool Cricket Club. Feedback from players was very positive
and the Tennis Centre was also a venue to train ball kids who will be used for
this year's tournament. |
