Royal Liver Group

An official Friend of 08, the historic Liverpool-based company has unveiled an exciting series of Capital of Culture plans, starting with the Royal Liver Scholarship.

The scholarship will support two students who are undertaking the first year of their degrees at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). Its aim is to back local talent and make a positive contribution to the cultural life of Merseyside.

The students that will benefit from the 2008 Royal Liver Scholarship are Acting student Ryan Prescott, 19, from Southport and 25-year-old Jen Corrigan from West Derby in Liverpool who is studying Music, Theatre and Entertainment Management. Both students will receive £3,000 a year for the duration of their courses.

“This is a key element of our Capital of Culture Programme which is about sustainability and there is much more to that than simply providing funding,” explained Steve Burnett, Chief Executive of the Royal Liver Group. “We want to create a positive impact in Merseyside beyond 2008 and this project is about helping local people to acquire skills. It gives them the opportunities to shape their own futures and that is vital to the ongoing success of the region. Ryan and Jen really seemed to fit with our ethos of striving for excellence and being passionate about giving something back to Merseyside.”

Mark Featherstone-Witty, LIPA’s Chief Executive, said: “These new awards are a perfect example of what the legacy of 08 should be. Royal Liver are taking action now for lasting effect that will raise the game for what Merseysiders can offer the world.”

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Picture caption: Steve Burnett, Ryan Prescott, Jen Corrigan and Mark Featherstone-Witty

For more information contact Richard Edwards at Royal Liver Group:
T: 0151 600 4268
M: 07843 515917
E: richard.edwards@royal-liver.com

Notes to editor:
• Royal Liver Assurance Limited is an incorporated Friendly Society and was founded in Liverpool in 1850. In 1911 it built and opened the landmark Royal Liver Building which continues to be its head office for its operations throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
• Today, Royal Liver employs around 900 people, has approximately 3.4 million policies in force for 1.7 million members and manages more than £3.7 billion in funds.

• The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) was established by Mark Featherstone-Witty and Sir Paul McCartney and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006. LIPA is dedicated to providing the best teaching and learning for people who want to pursue a lasting career in the arts and entertainment economy, whether as performers or those who make performance possible.