Business students work to promote Liverpool City Region Freeport

Liverpool City Region Freeport is a government-backed idea to boost trade and create high-growth clusters for business.

But how does a Freeport work and what sort of business might it attract?

Students at Liverpool Business School have been working with port officials to create videos outlining the potential to boost business and create jobs – not least for people like them!

And they were so impressed they offered them the opportunity to work on real life tasks at the Freeport offices at Mann Island.

Louise di Blasi, Head of Customs at Liverpool City Region Freeport, said: “We have been very impressed with the students so far, very dedicated, focussed and producing great work with fresh view ideas. The university should be very proud.”

The students, all studying a second-year module – Business with International Trade - began with by creating a list of potential businesses that could benefit from Custom Site Operator status, and continued by pressing the case for which firms should be approached. Should any of the business introductions result in a site visit, the students will be invited to attend to see the next steps of the process.

LBS students are also researching the current infrastructure in Liverpool, looking at the draw for foreign investors, synergies, and opportunities within Tax Sites.  A further session sees them examine the wider remit of the Freeport Programme and how the LCR Combined Authority might support any targets of net zero, innovation and skills.

Second year student Jamie Ross said: “Working with the LCR Freeport was absolutely a positive experience and was a very interesting insight into the work the Freeport is doing to help businesses and entice international businesses to enter the zones. We were able to have some impact, I hope, on their search for potential clients.”

Dr Katherine Neary, Module Leader for ‘International Trade’ said: “Here at LBS we are absolutely keen for students to understand what the Freeport is and how it sits with the Liverpool City Region’s initiatives for trade, innovation and skills.

“By collaborating with staff from the LCR Freeport, students are learning about the potential tax, customs and duty benefits for businesses locating within the Freeport site and the wider impact this can have to support efforts to regenerate our wider city region.”

This collaboration will be extended for the new student cohort studying the module in 24/25.

LJMU teaching and learning encourages worked-based learning into collaboration with organisations from Industry. See LJMU Student Futures.

IMAGE: Dr Katherine Neary with the Freeport's Louise di Blasi and Jonathan Coleman with the successful students Jamie Ross, Nia Hill and Ellie Hinchcliffe.