A Belfast woman, at the helm of €1bn Liverpool retail development, is preparing to welcome the Queen and Prince Philip for a preview of the 42 acre project, later today.

Joanne Jennings, former-Belfast City Centre Manager, left her high profile post in the Province's capital city last year.

As Chief Executive of Belfast City Centre Management, Ms Jennings played a part in spearheading the renaissance of Belfast as a prominent centre for retail and leisure.

Her professional background in urban regeneration and tourism enabled her to front numerous retail and development led campaigns in the late nineties, and into the new millennium, as Belfast was emerging through the smoke of the Troubles.

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Ms Jennings was also involved in the initial stages of the capital's multi-million pound Victoria Square investment, prior to her departure for Liverpool.

Her appointment by Grosvenor, the group behind Liverpool One, was announced in the summer of last year.

Since then, as Chief Executive, Ms Jennings has been tasked with leading the massive retail development, which stretches from the River Mersey to the city centre.

The project, to be officially launched in six days, has gained backing from retail experts, who predict the complex has all the elements for "long-term success".

Today Ms Jennings will welcome Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh for an advanced tour of the site, with the Queen formally opening the Echo Arena and Convention Centre.

Ms Jennings said the scheme, which expects 77% occupancy for its opening, is very much here for "the longer term".

(PR/JM)