New sponsor joins Birmingham 2022

Partnership (left to right): Ian Reid, chief executive officer, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Nicola Turner, director of legacy, Kevin Ellis, chairman, PwC UK

PwC UK are the latest addition to the family of sponsors supporting the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

With just over a year to go to the opening ceremony, PwC will be providing professional advisory services in the run up to the biggest sporting event in the UK for a decade.

With 22,000 UK-wide employees, and 3,000 working across the Midlands alone, PwC plays a vital role in the continued growth of the region and UK. This new relationship with Birmingham 2022 seeks to maintain that momentum and provide even more opportunities for people, communities, and the businesses of the Midlands and beyond.

PwC will continue to work with local charities and non-profit organisations to maximise the social and environmental impact of the Games and its footprint.

The ongoing benefits of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are already being felt throughout the region through increased procurement and contract opportunities and as the Games approach, Birmingham 2022 will create 35,000 new jobs and skills opportunities.

Together, PwC and Birmingham 2022 have an ongoing commitment to support and grow opportunities for local communities, particularly those from disadvantaged groups, the unemployed, and disabled individuals. As an active contributor to the Midlands economy, PwC is committed to growing its workforce through inclusive recruitment to ensure that talent is wholly representative of the region.

John Crabtree, Chairman of Birmingham 2022, said: “Welcoming PwC on board marks a great milestone. Not only do they deliver outstanding services and uphold the highest of standards, they share a set of values with us that seek to deliver benefits and contribute to society.”

Cyclists take on challenge

A team of 25 amateur cyclists will begin riding the full 21 stages of the 2021 Tour de France route, one week ahead of the professionals.

The Tour 21, which takes place from 19 June to 11 July, aims to raise in excess of £1,000,000 for national blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia and the team are over halfway to their fundraising total after surpassing £600,000. From 6 June global users of the social network for cyclists, Strava, will be able to sign up to The Tour 21 Strava Challenge. The Challenge will be to ride the distance of the longest stage of this year’s Tour de France route, a staggering 238km. To pre-register for the challenge go to TheTour21.com/Strava.

Leading the team on his final Tour de France challenge is ex-England footballer, blood cancer survivor and Cure Leukaemia patron Geoff Thomas (pictured).