We’re absolutely delighted that Erika Rushton has been nominated for the Game Changer Award at the 2020 Insider’s North West Property Awards – a fitting nomination indeed.

Erika Rushton has led our board of directors in the position as chair since 2009, only stepping back in November 2019. Although no longer chair, Erika is still an active member of the board and is involved with our on-going plans.

Erika has played an integral role in the success of Baltic Creative CIC, facilitating key milestones including the completion of our first phase of development in 2012 before moving on to 16 Jordan Street (2016), Northern Lights (2017) and Digital House (2019).

Under Erika’s guidance, Baltic Creative’s growth plans have exceeded all expectations and it is now regarded as one of Liverpool’s biggest regeneration success stories. In our 2016 business plan, we announced our hope of growing our footprint to 90,000 sq ft by 2021. Today, we’re already managing 118,000 sq ft and we’re home to over 180 Creative and Digital businesses, most of which are SMEs, and their 600 plus employees.

Erika is a force for good. At her core she is creative, incredibly hard-working, insightful and informed. She is a great listener and her ability to work through challenges and take the board and team with her is one of her greatest attributes.

Her nature is to always be challenging but incredibly supportive and collaborative. She is 100% committed to the growth of the digital and creative sector in the region which she is so passionate about.

Erika has shared her wisdom, experience and support with many people in the sector – two particular pieces of advice for achieving success that have stuck with us are:

  • Be consistent in everything you do – consistency builds trust.
  • Be persistent because if you don’t, you’re not going to get anywhere or achieve anything.

10 years ago, the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool was considered a red-light district – it is now a bustling, creative district populated by some of the city’s fastest-growing and most exciting businesses. Baltic Creative has been instrumental in making this happen and Erika has been without a doubt, a driving force behind our success. Not many people would commit as wholeheartedly to something for so long without a financial incentive, but Erika has broken the mold.

It is also important to remember that everything Erika has done in her role as chair of Baltic Creative has been voluntary. She has been here in a philanthropic role for over 10 years, purely because of her passion and dedication to the sector.

Thank you Erika and congratulations on this nomination!

You can read the full shortlist for Insiders North West Property Awards here.