Chamberlink March 23

Editor: John Lamb 0121 274 3237, 0797 1144064 j.lamb@birmingham-chamber.com

Deputy Editor: Dan Harrison 0121 274 3239, 0797 1144052 d.harrison@birmingham-chamber.com

Assistant Editor: Jon Griffin 07963 405538 j.griffin@birmingham-chamber.com

Reporter: Feron Jayawardene 07508 317356 f.jayawardene@birmingham-chamber.com

Reporter: Darby Newman +447951245985 d.newman@birmingham-chamber.com

66 Legal: Northern base acquired for expanding

68 Manufacturing: Disabilities are a risky business

70 Property: Avison Young reappointed to

72 Skills: Tech academy launches training hub

75 Technology: Bank issues first Sterling digital bond

76 The Arts: Ballet rocks out with Black Sabbath

78 Sport: Route declared for Birmingham run Member

79 Chamber Insight Barry Hilton, Mercuri International (UK) Ltd

80 New Members Chamber

By John Lamb

Expanding the global presence of Birmingham

The reason for the creation of the new Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce (GBGCC) is at the heart of what the Chamber network does.

The GBGCC was launched at the Global Trade Conference at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire by its first president Mark Smith.

This marks an evolution of the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce into a world-wide body.

It will allow the Chamber to offer its members support in their efforts to trade with businesses in all countries around the word.

And it recognises that there is now serious business to be done with regions embodied in

cent of global GDP and 500 million consumers.

The countries involved are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

China is not included because it has ongoing territorial disputes with other CPTPP members.

Links with the CPTPP region are also regarded as vital by the UK because of the slow progress of a free trade agreement with the US.

The US FTA, Ms Brooks told the conference (see pages 6-7), was moving very swiftly at one stage but now, under the Biden administration, there is little US appetite to talk about free trade agreements to any country, not just the UK.

Mr Smith, the executive director of business engagement at Aston University, explained that the creation of the GBGCC is a response to give members greater bi-lateral trading opportunities not just with the Commonwealth but the rest of the world.

Ginho Europe Precision Manufacturing Co Ltd have become the GBGCC’s first patron.

free trade deals like those represented by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The switch to the Indo Pacific region, according to Amanda Brooks, director general for trade negotiations for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), is now the biggest focus for her department.

And it’s a big focus. The Asia-Pacific region has 11 member countries representing 15.5 per

FRONT

And Shaun Gray, managing director of the Burton-based manufacturer of fabricated metals for the automotive sector and president of Burton Chamber, spelled out how important the opportunities to make connections in countries like Mexico and Japan would be.

This move shows how the Chamber is prepared to evolve to meet members’ needs and they can look forward to a comprehensive programme that will allow them to connect, support and grow with the rest of the world.

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‘The creation of the GBGCC is a response to give members greater bi-lateral trading opportunities not just with the Commonwealth but the rest of the world’

Business News

Latest news from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Chamber announces an expanded global trade offering at conference

By Dan Harrison

A new drive to create international trade opportunities for Greater Birmingham businesses was announced at the Chamber’s Global Trade Conference.

From 1 April, the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce (GBCCC) will evolve into the Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce (GBGCC) to provide opportunities for Chamber members in more international markets.

Mark Smith, president of the new GBGCC, made the announcement to delegates at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Mr Smith, the executive director of business engagement at Aston University, said: “We need to evolve to allow great opportunities to members including all countries and so from 1 April we will enhance the Commonwealth Chamber division to incorporate further markets for the purpose of bi-lateral trading opportunities.

“This will add great value to the division and as an existing GBCCC member the benefits to you expand across the globe, not just the Commonwealth. We look forward to speaking with you in the coming weeks and seeing you at the Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce events.

“Your membership is valuable to us and we look forward to embracing the evolution of the GBCCC to the GBGCC together.”

Mr Smith also announced Ginho Europe Precision Manufacturing Co Ltd as the GBGCC’s first patron.

Ginho is a Burton-based manufacturer of fabricated metals for the automotive sector.

Managing director Shaun Gray, who is president of the Burton and District Chamber of

Commerce, said: “We’re delighted to be a partner and founding patron of the new Global Chamber. As a company that trades internationally, being able to make connections with places like Mexico, Japan and other

countries is very important for us. We’ve never previously been able to find a global chamber so for Greater Birmingham to be leading on this is fantastic – particularly for us as a Midlands company.”

The future of Birmingham is looking bright

Jon Griffin takes an holistic view of an event where the great and good of the region gathered in the elegant surroundings of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to discuss matters global.

It was all about “putting the world to rights” as Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce President Deb Leary said at the outset - and it was quickly apparent that there's a lot of issues to put right.

The Ukraine war, the pandemic, inflation, Brexit, the cost of living crisis, all these and much more came under the microscope at the Chambers’ first in-person Global Trade Conference since 2019.

The great and good of the West Midlands and further afield - from entrepreneurs to academics and overseas diplomats to expert accountantsgathered in the elegant surroundings of Birmingham City University’s Royal Conservatoire to thrash out the state of the economy and the prospects for the future.

And in a world where we are bombarded with a relentless 24-7 diet of seemingly bad news from the mass media - Transatlantic Chamber of

Commerce president James Tait admitted he had stopped watching much of the news to protect his young family - there was a reassuring degree of optimism in the room.

That ever-irrepressible entrepreneur Deb Leary - a self-confessed “funny bird” whose light touch in front of an audience can blow away all the cobwebs of economic pessimism - set the tone early by declaring a “fantastic day of knowledge-sharing and networking”.

As she put it: “It would be easy to buckle under the pressure but as business people, that is not what we do. Where there is darkness, there is also light. Challenge is a state of mind...

Contd on page 6...

Opportunities for members: Mark Smith

...From page 5

it is whether you are a half-full or a halfempty glass type of person.”

It would probably be fair to conclude that there were more half-full glasses dotted around the Conservatoire than half-empty. As Raj Kandola, the Chambers’ head of policy and strategic relationships, said: “Local businesses are still holding up pretty well and that is a testament to the resilience of the region.”

Steve McCabe, associate professor at Birmingham City University, said: “The headwinds and pressures are going to remain. Those companies that are willing to risk and invest are the ones that will prosper in the future... that is easy to say when you have to pay the bills. Businesses crave a degree of certainty which we have not got from our political masters in recent years.”

Politics - and government’s crucial relationship with business, big and smallwas inevitably part of the debating mix at the Conservatoire. As Steve McCabe reminded delegates: “I would like to see some certainty but I expect more of the turbulence that we have seen. Rishi has a difficult task to keep together the coalition within the party.

“The Conservatives were once the party of business but at the moment, they seem to be making things more difficult. But there will always be better times ahead - it is a matter of getting through the immediate problems, do not lose hope.”

But of course this wasn’t a party political conference, with all the grandstanding and endless self-serving platitudes that often wash up on the shores at Brighton or Blackpool. This was hard-headed business realism and acumen from entrepreneurs who have often toiled for years to create successful enterprises from nothing, creating the wealth which helps pay the taxes which support UK plc.

There was Lis Lewis-Jones, who founded Birmingham agency Liquid PR from her mother's garage and now employs dozens of staff including a new enterprise down under in Australia; there was Shaun Adams, who turned a corporate disaster into Birmingham Case Makers, producing 2,000 Commonwealth Games medal cases in two months; there was Andy Dawson, cofounder of Curium Solutions, now with bases in Brum, Florida, Washington DC and Canada….the spirit of entrepreneurship was alive and well in the Conservatoire.

Perhaps the last word should lie with Geoff Thompson, Deputy Chair of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, who reflected on the legacy of last summer's sporting spectacular and the glorious shop window it provided for future investment in the West Midlands.

As he put it: “You would be amazed at the talent there is on the streets of Birmingham and other major cities. Birmingham has found its feet again, people know that Birmingham is back on the map. The future of this city and region looks incredibly bright.”

You rather suspect that many delegates to the Global Trade Conference will have emerged from the Conservatoire into the darkening February gloom buoyed by the belief that Birmingham will always bounce back. It's in the city's genes, after all…

By Feron Jayawardene

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and US is moving at a “very slow” pace, according to Amanda Brooks, director general for trade negotiations for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

In a discussion badged “Around the World in 45 Minutes”, she said: “The US FTA was moving very swiftly at one stage. Now, under the Biden administration, this is not the case. The negotiations are moving at a very slow pace. They do not prefer to engage in negotiations with any countries, so it’s not only about the UK per se.

“But this is a negotiation that will have incredible business support both from the US and UK business communities and we will continue to press.”

The panel discussion was chaired by GBCC president Deb Leary and included Dr Tariq Ali, deputy pro-vice chancellor of University of Birmingham, Andy Dawson, director and cofounder of Curium Solution along with Amanda Brooks.

Amanda also said that the biggest focus of the DBT is to shift into the Indo Pacific region and the negotiations to enter into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are almost complete.

Tariq Ali spoke about the active role universities play to facilitate international trade and focused on the speculation coming from the Home Office to restrict the number of international students coming to the UK.

He said: “There are some noises coming from the Home Office about reducing the number of

US trade negotiations moving ‘very slow’ Birmingham

Birmingham has found its feet again and will continue to thrive as a major events destination on the back of last summer’s Commonwealth Games.

That’s the verdict of Professor Geoff Thompson, deputy chair of the Birmingham 2022 organising committee, who took part in a panel about investment opportunities in the West Midlands during the Global Trade Conference.

Back on the map: Professor Geoff Thompson is upbeat about Birmingham’s future

international students.

“A few years back, the government made some changes to legislation to restrict international students coming and when the work visa scheme was dropped by the Home Office, there was a massive reduction in students entering the UK. However, when the rules were relaxed again in 2018, international students from India alone brought in £10bn to the UK economy.”

Andy Dawson summarised how Curium Solutions expanded to the US and Canada. He also mentioned three important lessons businesses should know when expanding to other markets.

He said: “Always react to opportunities as soon as you can and learn the core difference of markets in various countries. Always make an investment to the legal and tax sections to get the best possible advice in the market.”

is back!

Professor Thompson, a five-time world karate champion, predicts the city will enjoy a golden era of hosting major events, continuing the momentum of Birmingham 2022.

He said: “Birmingham has found its feet again. There is an exciting major events strategy driving by Birmingham City Council that will continue the momentum of Birmingham 2022.

“Birmingham is back on the map as an exciting city. Many of the athletes who will compete in Paris next year found their feet during Birmingham 2022.

“Don’t underestimate the power of what has been achieved with the significant socioeconomic investment that made.”

Mexico’s ambassador embarks on whistlestop tour of region

By Dan Harrison and Feron Jayawardene

Mexico’s Ambassador to the UK will make it her mission to “understand the potential” of Birmingham and other parts of the country, delegates at the Chamber’s Global Trade Conference heard.

Josefa González-Blanco said it is a “win-win situation” for the UK and Mexico to work together on trade.

“During my tenure I hope to be in Birmingham and different places – not just London,” she said.

“I come from the south of Mexico and sometimes we feel neglected. That’s why I

Americas and potential to trade with and invest in Mexico. The ambassador sampled an authentic Mexican lunch, served from the Flexeserve zone.

On the same day, Intercity Technology hosted the Ambassador where she was welcomed by group managing director Charlie Blakemore. The delegation learnt about the importance of cyber security.

The delegation visited the newly-built STEAMhouse building of Birmingham City University, accompanied by deputy vicechancellor Professor Julian Beer.

They then visited Aston University and met with vice chancellor Aleks Subic, executive director of business engagement at Aston university Mark Smith, and Lloyd Broad, head of international affairs at Birmingham City Council.

The ambassador’s visit then took her to University of Birmingham’s Energy Institution Centre on Tyseley Energy Park, where she heard from Dr. Emily Prestwood on the work taking place at the energy innovation zone.

want to come to different parts of the UK because I understand the potential.”

Ms González-Blanco also championed Mexico’s credentials as a manufacturing hotspot, as well as its potential as a gateway for businesses looking to trade with North and South America.

During her stay in Birmingham, she visited businesses and universities, accompanied by GBCC president Deb Leary and international director Mandy Haque.

Ms González-Blanco visited Flexeserve –touring the hot-holding unit manufacturer’s Leicestershire premises, as well as hearing about the company’s expansion into the

Her trip concluded with a visit to Webster and Horsfall for a tour of the historic wire manufacturer which was founded in 1720.

The Ambassador said: “It was a delight to visit businesses and universities to explore the various work they have been doing in different sectors. Birmingham’s innovative solutions are a testament of its legacy as a multicultural city which marries their rich history with the future.

“As an embassy, we are very keen to work with the businesses and universities in Birmingham, organise multi-faceted partnerships and hold potential trade missions and knowledge transfers that could happen between the two countries.”

Global tour panel (left to right): Andy Dawson, Tariq Ali, Amanda Brooks and Deb Leary (chair)

Birmingham’s innovative solutions are a testament of its legacy as a multicultural city which marries their rich history with the future

Win-win: The Mexican ambassador (left) with Mandy Haque (centre) and Deb Leary

Tough choices: Katrina Cooke, chair of the judging panel

Businesses vie for top honours in Chamber awards

Eighty-three organisations will be vying for glory at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s annual dinner and awards. The shortlist has been revealed ahead of the region’s biggest celebration of business, which is taking place at the ICC in Birmingham on Thursday 16 March.

Twelve sector awards are to be handed out on the night - with one of the category winners going on to be crowned overall Greater Birmingham Business of the Year (Sponsored by Crowe UK LLP).

A high-profile judging panel – chaired by the GBCC’s chief commercial officer Katrina Cooke – included:

• Alex Claridge – chef-patron of The Wilderness restaurant

• Yetunde Dania – partner at law firm Trowers & Hamlins and chair of WMCA Race Equality Taskforce

• David Jackson - centre manager of McArthurGlenDesigner Outlet West Midlands

• Yiannis Maos MBE - CEO and founder of Birmingham Tech CIC

• Dr Nik Kotecha OBE – entrepreneur and philanthropist

• Steve Allen – partner at law firm Mills & Reeve and past president of the GBCC

• Carmen Watson – chair of recruitment agency Pertemps Network Group

• Rosie Ginday MBE - founder and managing director of Miss Macaroon CIC

• Professor Geoff Thompson MBE DL – vice-chairman of Birmingham 2022

• Tani Dulay – CEO of real estate developer Woodbourne Group

• Cllr Brigid Jones – deputy leader of Birmingham City Council

• Hanif Shah – pro-vice chancellor and executive dean, Birmingham City University

Katrina Cooke said: “The judges were extremely impressed by the standard of entries for this year’s awards, which reflect the breadth, diversity and talent of businesses across the region. We would like to thank the panel for taking the time to review the applications. We also commend the huge number of companies who took the time to complete entries.

“Congratulations to all those who are nominated and we look forward to celebrating at the ICC on the night.”

The GBCC annual dinner and awards is backed by headline sponsors Birmingham City University, Elonex and Schumacher Packaging and headline partner Birmingham City Council. MFG Solicitors are table sponsors.

THE SHORTLIST IN FULL:

Excellence in Contribution to the Community

Sponsored by runyourfleet

• Arrive Alive

• BCRS Business Loans

• BMet College

• Crown Highways

• Midlands Arts Centre (MAC)

• Satori House Ltd

• Unity Trust Bank

• University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Excellence in Customer Service

Sponsored by Birmingham Airport

• Coinadrink Ltd

• FAZ Chartered Accountants

• Intercity Technology

• MotorServ UK

• National Express Ltd

• Park Regis Birmingham

• Prime Accountants Group

• runyourfleet

• The Recruitment Duo

Excellence in Hospitality & Retail

• Douglas Wright (T/A McDonald’s)

• Eric Lyons Splendid foods

• KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar

• Malmaison Birmingham

• Moor Hall Hotel & Spa

• Selfridges & Co

• The Eastside Rooms

• Unique Venues Birmingham

Excellence in International Business

Sponsored by Gowling WLG

• Dains Accountants Limited

• Enzen

• Ginho

• HASHTAGESPORT LIMITED

• Oxbridge

• Y International UK Ltd

Excellence in Manufacturing

Sponsored by University of Birmingham

• Evac+Chair International Ltd

• Hardy Signs Ltd

• Shelforce

• Webster and Horsfall & Latch and Batchelor

Excellence in People Development

Sponsored by GuruYou

• Azets

• Deutsche Bank (DB)

• EiB Group Ltd

• Entec Si

• Evenfields Careers

• Fleet Evolution

• Freeths LLP

• Intercity Technology

Excellence in Responsible Business

Sponsored by Aston University

• Gateley

• Kindred CSR

• Serco Restart Scheme

• Unity Trust Bank

Excellence in Sales & Marketing

• Ark Media Productions

• EiB Group Ltd

• Liquid

• Millennium Point

• Park Regis Birmingham

• Visit Knowle

Excellence in Sustainability

Sponsored by South & City College Birmingham

• Birmingham City University

• Birmingham County Football Association

• Enzen

• Jacobs UK

• LLoyds Banking Group

• Moor Hall Hotel & Spa

• Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

• Tyseley Energy Park (TEP)

Excellence in Technology & Innovation

Sponsored by Close Brothers

Asset Management

• Buckt

• CrediCar

• HR Duo

• Jacobs UK

• runyourfleet

• Swof Media

• Voilo

• Wise

Excellence in Third Sector

Sponsored by Unity Trust Bank

• B:Music Ltd

• Heart of England Community Foundation

• Molly Ollys

• Solihull Moors Foundation

• Sport 4 Life UK

• The Jericho Foundation

• University of Birmingham

• YMCA Sutton Coldfield

Excellence in Training & Education

Sponsored by University College

Birmingham

• All About The Sew

• Auctus Management Group

• BMet College

• Little Bird People

Development/Little Chicks Life Lessons

• Novo Training

• Oxbridge

President’s Focus

In this month’s column, Sutton Coldfield Chamber president Phil Arkinstall (pictured) discusses the importance of engagement between business and young people, following the rollout of the Chamber’s Business and Education Scheme. Phil, the CEO of Ark Media, also recalls the ‘lights, camera, action’ moment that launched his career in video production.

I remember it well…

When I think back to my first real foray into the world of media production, I see a natural link to my overriding theme as president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber –providing opportunities to the next generation.

From a young age, I developed a fascination with big budget video, having been hooked in by blockbuster films like ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Forrest Gump’ and ‘Star Wars’.

Admittedly, my first foray into a production studio came a little closer to home than the glitz of Hollywood – yet it firmly opened my eyes to the career path I wanted to pursue.

I was a Year 10 student at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School when the opportunity arose to spend a week at Central Television (ITV Central, as we now know it), thanks to one of my classmates whose father worked at the TV network’s Birmingham studios.

There was a real buzz around the place. I spent a day in the transmission studio, went out on location with the news team and met some of the channel’s leading lights such as the legendary sports broadcaster Gary Newbon.

It didn’t feel like a typical work placement (incidentally, I also spent a week at Midland Bank as the tea boy which, it’s fair to say, wasn’t for me!). Central provided an enriching experience, allowed me to make human connections and offered me real-world exposure to a professional work environment.

The smallest connection led to such a pivotal opportunity for me. That’s exactly what we’re trying to achieve through the newlylaunched Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce Business and Education Scheme. It’s about meaningful connections, touchpoints and exposure.

Since becoming president just over two years ago, I’ve been passionate about leaving a legacy

that will help future generations.

The success of my own business, Ark Media, has in many respects been built on the input, hard work and skill of young people who are learning their trade – and I’ve spoken to other business owners who would say the same about their own achievements.

That’s why the Chamber has created a scheme to promote better links between business and education – one which, crucially, strips out any complexity.

There are plenty of welldocumented challenges facing business owners at the moment, which makes committing time and resource into initiatives such as work placements, mentoring and

academic talks all the more difficult.

So, we were determined to ensure this scheme provides simplicity – allowing businesses to let us know, via a straightforward questionnaire, what they are able to contribute by way of time, resource and expertise.

We’ll then disseminate this information to local schools and colleges and, in turn, hopefully facilitate meaningful connections and dialogue between business and young people.

The early signs are encouraging, with around a fifth of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber’s membership responding to the questionnaire within a week of launch.

It goes to show companies in the

Royal Town see the value in young people, who are, ultimately, the future of our workforce.

It’s also rewarding as a business owner to be able to provide opportunities.

At Ark Media, we’ve taken on eight apprentices over the past four years. Some of them have moved on to pastures new but their contributions to the firm more than repaid the time and investment we put into their development.

So, I would encourage any of our members who are yet to engage with the scheme to consider doing so.

• Read more about the Sutton Coldfield Chamber Business and Education Scheme on page 41

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce

‘I’ve been passionate about leaving a legacy that will help future generations’

Garrick takes centre stage with Chamber award win

By Dan Harrison

Aperforming arts theatre which battled through the pandemic by moving productions outdoors, online and into empty shop units claimed the top honour at the Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Chambers of Commerce’s annual awards.

Lichfield Garrick Theatre took home the Large Business of the Year prize at the annual dinner and awards at the Drayton Manor Hotel.

The black-tie event – sponsored by Amazon, Birmingham City University and Shakur Investments - was attended by nearly 300 people and hosted by sports broadcaster Jack Woodward.

This year’s awards were judged by head of the Solihull Chamber Sam Frampton, Michelle Spaul of Delta Swan, Visit Knowle’s Kim Hulse, Amy Jacklin from Virgin Money and Omar Rashid, HR expert and co-president of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Judges were impressed by how the Garrick remodelled its business following the Covid-19 lockdowns by staging outdoor and online performances, as well as taking inhouse productions on tour and arranging performance activities in empty shop units.

These initiatives led to a high proportion of ticket sales from new audiences – including online panto viewers from as far away as Australia, Hong Kong and the United States.

Since the lifting of Covid restrictions, 29 per cent of people booking to attend shows at the theatre have been new customers.

A citation from the judges added: “We were also impressed by the level of involvement in the community, working with local businesses and charities on projects including foodbanks, the provision of warm spaces and workshops for those going through challenging circumstances.”

Ten further awards were handed out at the dinner, including the Young Professional of the Year which went to Madeleine Williams, paralegal and trainee solicitor at Lichfield legal practice Adcocks Solicitors.

Judges praised Madeleine, who is due to qualify as a solicitor in Spring 2023, for “going above and beyond for often vulnerable and elderly clients”.

They added: “She has taken the initiative to ref orm and reshape outdated policies and procedures to give a more seamless client journey.”

AWARD WINNERS:

Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase

Large Business of the Year

(sponsored by GMK House Business and Events Centre)

• Lichfield Garrick Theatre

Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase

Young Professional of the Year

• Madeleine Williams

(Adcocks Solicitors Limited)

Cannock Chase Business of the Year

(sponsored by Azets)

• Wordy Bird Limited

Lichfield Small Business of the Year

(sponsored by Crown Highways)

• inLIFE

Sutton Coldfield Small Business of the Year

(sponsored by Azets)

• 3D Facilities Support

Tamworth Small Business of the Year

• Cloud Accounting Support Services (CASS)

Lichfield & Tamworth Micro Business of the Year

(sponsored by Lichfield District Council)

• Enlighten

Sutton Coldfield Micro Business of the Year

(sponsored by United Carpets)

• Meta4 Business Coaching

Cannock Chase Chamber

President’s Award

• Sheila Brown (founder, Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children)

Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber

President’s Award

(sponsored by Fruition Accountancy)

• The carers of St Giles Hospice

Sutton Coldfield Chamber

President’s Award

• Andy Wilson (founder and CEO, WAA Chosen)

Winners all: Representatives of all the winnerss at the SLTC awards

Class act: Large Business of the Year winners Lichfield Garrick Theatre. They are (left ro right): Rachel Woodward, of GMK House; Matt Clay (Garrick director of development); Hannah Jackson (head of sales and marketing); host Jack Woodward

Going above and beyond: Madeleine Williams with Julian Beer, deputy pro-vice chancellor at sponsors Birmingham City University

The Griffin Report

A company which has mushroomed from a small start-up founded just before the banking crisis of 2008 has blossomed into a £5mplus turnover concern. Now Colmore Row-based Curium Solutions is a key element in transatlantic moves to assess the implications of a switch to a four-day working week. JON GRIFFIN went to meet Curium director Andy Dawson.

TThe coronavirus crisis may have caused the worst global pandemic for a century – but for one Birmingham SME it represented an intriguing opportunity to turn its own crystal ball towards the future of the working week for millions.

Three years on from the medical emergency which shook the world to its foundations, the working landscape post-Covid continues to evolve at an increasingly rapid pace – and executives at Curium Solutions are tracking those developments with exceptionally keen interest.

The Colmore Row company – which has mushroomed from a small start-up founded at the outset of another international catastrophe in the shape of the banking crisis of 2008 into a £5m plus turnover concern - is a key element in transatlantic moves to assess the implications for the working week post-Covid.

In November the Birmingham firm helped spearhead the launch of the world’s first centre of excellence in work-time reduction in Canada, supporting global moves to shorter working weeks.

The new initiative was co-designed by work time reduction evangelist and former 4 Day

Week Global CEO Joe O’Connor in partnership with Curium, the Birmingham consultancy whose expertise has helped firms big and small transform their own working practices.

Curium director Andy Dawson – one of the three co-founders of the company – takes up the story. “I was sat in this office in Birmingham in January last year desperately looking for a podcast guest and I clicked onto the BBC website and saw a news story about a four-day week pilot about to hit the UK.

“The chap in it was Andrew Barnes, who set up the 4 Day Week Global pilot projects. It really triggered my interest, and I dropped him an email there and then to see if he fancied coming on our podcast as a guest.

“We do a lot of operational excellence and improvement work and I could really see the potential for how companies and their employees could benefit from a change to their working practices.

“Covid had started to introduce that anyway with working from home and hybrid and stuff. He came on the podcast and we quickly found some real common ground around what we could maybe offer to our customers as well.”

Andy subsequently jumped on a plane to Valencia to attend a four-day week conference where he sat down with Andrew Barnes and Joe O’Connor, then CEO of 4 Day Week Global, the company behind all the pilot projects.

“We all got on well and then started to explore ideas for a partnership – how could we work together to support our customers and their customers in adopting this? As the conversations went on, Joe and I met up in Toronto and he was wanting to do something different, more commercial.

“It was a really easy decision to say why don’t we set up Curium Canada which is very quickly what we decided to do.”

The November launch of Curium Canada –otherwise known as the Work Time Reduction Center of Excellence – further added to the Birmingham firm’s international portfolio following on from its launch of American

operations in Florida and Washington DC.

“The four-day week is 100 per cent of pay, 80 per cent of hours in return for 100 per cent of output. It is very much about we will pay you the same and you can work less as long as we deliver the same output, revenue and productivity levels.”

Andy said pilot projects had already shown encouraging results. “Pilot companies were up eight per cent, it showed you could impact productivity in a flexible way. Good results came out in the US and we started working on the business with Joe.

“We are very focused on the real belief that you can shorten the working week for your team – there are different ways of starting that process, you could do a nine-day fortnight, you could do half-day Fridays.

“There are lots of flexible entrants into the four-day week itself, and that is one of the areas

‘I could really see the potential for how companies and their employees could benefit from a change to their working practices’

Four-day visionaries: Joe O’Connor (left) and Andy Dawson

we advise people on. I think that Covid has really enabled this and has got people to think about how they really want to work and what is their relationship with work. The younger generation, when they are looking for jobs now, are starting to ask about flexibility.

“I think this year is quite a pivotal year. I am personally talking to 10 companies – medium to larger businesses – who recognise that their employees are wanting a different experience and are keen to explore what something like a shorter working week could mean for them.

“The marriage of Joe O’Connor having the experience of running 4 Day Week pilots and ourselves is good. He brings the insight and the expertise about the four-day week and we bring the expertise of working with larger businesses to bring about change to support their people on a journey. We wouldn’t have set the business up in Canada if we didn’t really believe in this – it is the same over in the States. I think you will start to see a few larger businesses start to announce pilots and tests of a shorter working week in 2023.”

As the world grapples with the value of a shorter working week and Curium expands its international footprint, the Birmingham firm is adapting its own ownership model and incentivising its workforce by becoming an employee-owned company.

“The Employee Trust owns a majority stake. The employees are all beneficiaries, there is obviously a commercial deal done where a debt

has been created, which is getting paid down over time, which is the capital that is owed to James, Adam (co-founders) and I for the shareholding.”

It’s been a long and varied road for the three co-founders – Andy and identical twins James and Adam Farrow – since the Curium dream was launched just weeks before the banking crisis and the subsequent emergency banking bailouts of autumn 2008.

“It was in hindsight a brilliant time to set up a business because of the way the world was. Everyone gave you a chance. Traditionally businesses looked to their preferred supplier list or were procurement-led.

“But then, people were just looking for value.

We got our foot in the door with a number of businesses. The gloves were off then so we managed to create some opportunities for ourselves. Lloyds was the first significant one –they were merging with HBOS at the time and we were able to help them.”

Now the Birmingham consultancy which managed to steer a profitable path through both the banking crisis and Covid-19 has its sights set on a 20 per cent increase in annual turnover from its current £5m figure.

“It has been great fun. If I go back to 2008, I would never have planned or had sight of what we are doing. Whenever there are recessions, or Covid, it is kind of a perfect storm for change and business transformation.”

‘We wouldn’t have set the business up in Canada if we didn’t really believe in this’

Curium founders: Andy Dawson with identical twins James and Adam Farrow

The benefits of hiring an apprentice

Halesowen College came together with schools, colleges, employers and students to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2022/23 which ran from 6 to 10 February 2023.

For you as an employer, there are many benefits to hiring an apprentice. There are many highly motivated and talented young people and adults who are seeking an apprenticeship and it is an excellent way to grow this talent and develop an enthusiastic, skilled and qualified workforce.

Apprenticeship scheme to create 300 more roles

HS2’s commitment to creating ‘Skills for Life’ – the theme for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week – was reinforced as it confirmed 300 more apprenticeship jobs will be created.

The announcement, confirming 300 more jobs, puts HS2 within reach of its 2,000 apprenticeships target before civils works even begin on the northern extension of the network.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “With over 1,100 people already securing apprenticeships through HS2’s incredible programme, this project is once again demonstrating how its benefits go far beyond improving connectivity.

“As HS2 heads towards its target of 2,000 apprenticeships, it’s playing a vital role in ensuring a career in rail is accessible to all, regardless of their background.”

Eighty apprenticeship jobs went live, with more to follow, as HS2 expands the nearly 30,000-strong workforce designing and building the new high speed network between London, the Midlands and Manchester.

Natalie Penrose, head of legacy at HS2, said: “HS2 is launching its biggest ever apprenticeship recruitment drive and I’d encourage anyone, whether starting out in their career, or looking for a complete change of direction, to take a look at what we can offer. “The ability to earn and learn means it’s never too late to pursue a different profession.”

HS2 has teamed up with colleges and universities to ensure apprentices benefit from a high standard of education and training in their chosen subject area. Their learning is enhanced through handson work experience in HS2’s headquarters, satellite offices and 350 live construction sites where they work alongside and learn from some of the very best in the industry.

Other benefits of working with apprentices include being able to adapt their training according to the needs of your business and as such bridge the skills deficit. Your apprentice(s) will be working in the knowledge that at the end of this period they will have skills and a qualification that is tremendously valuable to them individually and to you as an employer.

Well-trained, highly skilled staff add value to all organisations, both directly and through their ability to coach, mentor and train other team members. Certainly apprenticeships are a highly effective way to secure the best new talent as recruiting new staff can be very expensive and time consuming.

Halesowen College has specialist candidate recruitment staff to ensure that the right learners are matched to your organisation.

For more details on recruiting apprentices or training through apprenticeships contact Christian Vivash at the Halesowen College Skills Shop on 0121 602 7784 or 0121 602 6000.

Milestone for neonatal outreach team

A neonatal service which supports parents to care for their premature baby at home has celebrated its first year.

More than 100 parents have benefited from the guidance and care of the Neonatal Community Outreach Team (NCOT) which helps ensure a smooth transition from City Hospital, in Birmingham, back to their home, where they thrive in their own environment.

It’s estimated the service has saved over two years’ worth of cot days.

Carmen Nuttall, team leader, said: “We celebrated one year of the service being up and running and during that time have supported 116 parents to take their child home, which is absolutely amazing.

“There are many benefits of sending these babies home early. It reduces the chances of infection,

encourages breastfeeding and protects the mental health of the parents.”

To celebrate NCOT’s first year, the team hosted a brunch for the families.

Amy, mum to baby Ellis, was one of the parents who attended. She explained: “Ellis was born at 31 weeks. We came home with the support of the NCOT team and he’s two months old now. We’re really appreciative of them as they got us home sooner than we would have if NCOT didn’t operate.”

Babies are discharged once they meet a certain criteria including weight/feeding management, nasogastric feeding, oxygen therapy or phototherapy. Once they are at home NCOT is on hand to support them throughout their journey, ensuring they visit the home one to three times a week.

One year on: The Neonatal Community Outreach Team (NCOT) celebrate with parents and babies

Tunnel vision: Apprentices catch up with HS2 progress

‘Well-trained, highly skilled staff add value to all organisations’

Meet the Team RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT TEAM

By Jon Griffin

Gary Birch describes his team at Chamber House as “jacks of all trades” – helping nearly 2,000 member organisations get the very best out of the West Midlands’ premier business organisation.

The former Aston Villa executive, who joined Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce in 2015 after 22 years at Villa Park, is the man in charge of eight members of his Relationship Management Team, guiding firms big and small through the many advantages of Chamber membership.

As he succinctly puts it: “It’s all about opportunities, nothing is guaranteed. Businesses join the Chamber for opportunities. Our role is to encourage them to get involved as much as possible, via networking, via publicity through Chamberlink Daily or Chamberlink magazine, or they may have other specific requirements, such as international expertise.

“We are jacks of all trades. The role of a Relationship Manager is very varied – we can have contact with a legal company, a venue or a tax audit business all in the same day. We are kind of a gatekeeper for much of the support that the Chamber can offer.”

Walsall-born Gary, himself a keen Villa fan, says there is no “exact science” to looking after the best interests of Chamber members. “One size does not fit all, there is not one size for everybody.

“Once a business comes on board through the New Business Team, there is a handover process to the Relationship Management Team. They are assigned to one individual Relationship Manager and each Manager will have a portfolio of

This month’s Meet the Team series features the Relationship Management team, responsible for helping businesses make the most of their Chamber membership.

APRIL: In the next issue of Chamberlink, we will be meeting the Policy and Strategic Relationships team.

businesses for which they are responsible.

“The role of the Relationship Manager is to have regular contact with members. We are only as good as our members make us. Each member is different, and we like to get under the skin of what a business does.

“Our role is to encourage them to get involved as much as possible, via networking, via publicity through the Press and PR team, events or any of our other services. The more they engage the more they should benefit from what the Chamber has to offer.

“We want members to contact us if they have any queries. It can be a telephone call, face to face, or a Teams call.”

He said his team’s “engagement cycle process” aims to encourage as much feedback from members as possible. “There are four categories of members, Start-Up, Standard, Premier and 1813 Club. Each level of membership will offer different levels of opportunity.” The near 2,000 members total does not include Future Faces or Patron members.

“We have an engagement process whereby across their 12-month membership term, our aim is to have formal contact three or four times and obviously we hope that they renew their membership. It is like the gym analogy, you do not take out membership and do nothing for six months.

“We can give them positive examples where businesses have benefited from networking, from articles in Chamberlink Daily and Chamberlink magazine. Our aim is to make sure that members get value for money. The more engagement they have, the more traction and the greater value their membership should provide.”

Gary cited the example of a charity which had benefited by tens of thousands of pounds due to the Chamber. “I became aware of a blue chip company in the city looking for a designated charity partner. I mentioned it to one of our members, which was a charity. They became charity partners of that company, and benefited to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds.

“The more a business talks to us, the more we understand what they do. The more we get from them, the more we can look to connect them with fellow Chamber members, where collaboration will be mutually beneficial.”

Gary’s eight strong team includes Alicia Nelson, Kiran Jagdev, Paula Charles, Jim Bourne, Anne-Marie Newey, Jane Jackson, Jayne Hume and Kerrie Glavey.

Senior Group Relationship Manager Jim Bourne, who has been with the Chamber for four years, said: “Whenever possible I prefer to meet members face to face within their businesses, to get a real look and feel for what they do. I believe this is the best way to build long-term relationships which is key to membership retention.

“I enjoy hosting Chamber events including Premier Member Breakfasts and a new concept called Chamber Check-In, an informal drop-in session where brand new members can find out more about the help on offer from the Relationship Management team – all designed to help connect, support and grow their business.”

Meanwhile, Relationship Manager Jayne Hume said: “The role of Relationship Manager enables me to work to support such a wide range of businesses across all sectors and sizes, hugely rewarding when you are able to facilitate personal connections and opportunities that truly make a difference to their business growth.”

Gatekeepers: Jim Bourne, Kerrie Glavey, Gary Birch, Paula Charles and Kiran Jagdev

Designer outlet builds connections

By John Lamb

Connections with the community are everything to David Jackson, centre manager of the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands.

After its launch was delayed by the Covid pandemic, the 30-acre outlet village in Cannock is now making its mark as a must-visit shopping extravaganza.

But one of David’s biggest ambitions is to continue to cement relationships with the local community and for that reason the outlet has become a patron of Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce.

He says: “We want to take full advantage of our membership to build on the already excellent links with have with the local community.

“That extends to other businesses because we feel strongly that by joining the Chamber we will have extra power to work together.

“And those links are doubly important because we are now a major employer in the region.

“Through a partnership with Cannock Chase Council and Staffs Council, we now employ 1,050 people and have significant community partners, including Lichfield Arts Festival, Cannock Pride and a number of schools.

“We have staged a number of events here, largely for the local community, including careers advice and a special event to learn more about autism.”

The Outlet opened in April 2021 after a threemonth hibernation forced on them by Covid restrictions.

“It was a tough start,” says David. “After Covid, we’ve had one national crisis after another – the economy, fuel, cost of living and energy to name but a few.

“But we have come through very well and footfall from 2021 to 2022 is up 20 per cent and turnover has gradually grown.

“It’s been a challenging time but since we opened with 40 stores, 21 more have joined us.

“We have noticed that shopping habits have changed since Covid and between November and Christmas, which we hope are always good times in retail, there was a definite trend of people wanting to get out and enjoy the experience of being here.”

Richard Brooks, head of the Cannock Chase Chamber, said: “I am really excited to welcome McArthurGlen as Patron of the Cannock Chase Chamber. We will be working closely with David Jackson at McArthurGlen to support and

promote the Outlet Centre, its superb community initiatives, and the wider visitor economy for the Cannock Chase region.”

David has been with McArthurGlen Group for over seven years and has managed the West Midlands Outlet since April last year. He has wide experience across the retail sector, involving experience in retail, marketing, guest experience, soft services and finance/income/budget management.

McArthurGlen worked with its partners and fellow Birmingham Chamber members Richardson, and Aviva Investors and U+I, as well as contractor, Bowmer & Kirkland, to deliver the 285,000 sq. ft. designer outlet.

McArthurGlen Group, Europe’s leading owner, developer and manager of designer outlets, was founded in Europe by the Kaempfer Partners in 1993. The pioneer of designer outlet retailing in Europe, McArthurGlen has since developed 685,000 sq m of retail space.

The company currently manages 25 designer outlets in eight countries: Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK, delivering total portfolio revenues of 5billion euros a year.

The centres are home to the most soughtafter luxury and premium brands and offer over 90 million fashion-loving customers year-round savings in vibrant, open-air shopping environments.

In 2013, McArthurGlen became a joint venture between the Kaempfer Partners and Simon Property Group Co. (NYSE SPG), a global leader in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations.

As part of its ongoing expansion, McArthurGlen will open its newest centre early this year: Paris-Giverny, the first and only luxury designer outlet to the west of Paris.

Raging Bull to be given new home at station

Plans are being finalised to make Birmingham New Street station the new home of the Commonwealth Games’ Raging Bull.

Birmingham 2022 and Network Rail have revealed plans for the star of the spectacular opening ceremony to arrive at Britain’s busiest station outside London on a one-way ticket this summer.

The artwork was made from machinery from Birmingham and West Country factories, and was designed, built, and mechanised by a team of over 50 people from a UK-based special effects company.

Network Rail has worked closely with Birmingham 2022, Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority to make New Street the beloved Bull's permanent home in the heart of the city centre.

The Raging Bull, a homage to the West Midlands’ contribution to the Industrial Revolution, wowed crowds at last year’s opening

ceremony and over the summer while on display in Birmingham.

Since taking pride of place in the city centre’s Centenary Square for several weeks, and latterly a temporary storage facility in Ladywood, the Bull is currently in a workshop in south east England.

It was never intended to be used after the games so designers are currently working on modifications to make the artwork more robust.

Ian Reid, CEO of Birmingham 2022, said: “The response to the Raging Bull both in Birmingham and beyond was incredible and all Games partners have been keen to ensure that we were able to permanently display this Birmingham 2022 icon in the host city.

“We would like to say a big thank you to Network Rail for taking on ownership and responsibility for the Raging Bull and we hope that his presence will be an ongoing reminder of the superb summer of 2022.”

Stronger together: David Jackson outside Community Corner, at the heart of McCarthurGlen activities

Picture: Dale Martin

New home: A montage of how Raging Bull could look at New Street Station (not to scale)

Move forward: Mark McCormack

App extends health benefits

Hive 360, the Birminghambased employee benefit company, has extended the benefits provided by the Engage app.

The financial, health and wellbeing support available on the customisable employee benefits app Engage, has been refreshed and enhanced.

With the aim of addressing and supporting the biggest issues and concerns facing UK workers, the company behind Engage, HIVE360, says the changes benefit both employees and employers.

Available in 120 languages, Engage includes My Health,

National Express invests in electric zero emission buses

National Express West Midlands is investing £150m in 300 UK-made electric zero emission buses, for delivery by the end of December 2024.

The buses will be deployed across the West Midlands. This investment is part of National Express delivering on its commitment to have a completely zero emission bus fleet in the UK by 2030. Thanks to the original Government investment that kick started the transition to Zero Emission Buses (ZEB), the Birmingham-based bus operator is now in a position to acquire these buses.

My Money, My Discounts, and My Work features and has an average of 100,000-plus user sessions each month, with average levels of user engagement of around 85 per cent.

HIVE360’s CEO David McCormack said: “Engage now features even more resources and access to health and financial support than ever before. This marks a powerful move forward for HIVE360 and Engage, as we continue to build on our customer experience, data and offerings for all clients, and provides the most needed support to their workforce.

“The importance of employee financial wellbeing has never been higher as the cost of living continues to rise. The app now features an extensive, robust suite of solutions, from debt and money management guidance to payroll information, payslips, Health & Life Insurance, together in one place, and available to users 24/7.”

This will mean that over a third of the fleet will be zero emissionswhich is the highest proportion of any city region in the country.

Each zero emission vehicle saves an average of 66 tonnes of carbon annually, so this investment will save a total of nearly 20,000 tonnes from going out into the atmosphere every year.

Tom Stables, CEO at National Express UK & Germany, said: “This huge green investment shows we are now at the tipping point of electric buses. The initial government support has got the industry going and we are proud to be a major contributor to the green economy in the West Midlands.

“Replacing our diesel buses with electric means we are on track to meet net zero in a way that is good for business and good for communities. These clean, green UK double decker buses are popular with

customers and as a result are not only more economical to run but they will boost passenger growth and revenue by getting more people to ditch their cars for the bus; and of course they do their bit to help tackle the climate & clean air emergency.”

The UK-built zero emission buses will turbocharge the national economy through investment in supply chains, skills, training and jobs.

Transport Minister Richard Holden said: “Reliable, clean and efficient bus services at a good price are what everyone wants to see from our bus network and I am determined to do everything possible to decarbonise our transport network and support skilled jobs in next generation bus manufacturing across the UK.”

Communications firm expands

Communications agency Osborn Communications has expanded its team on the back of revenue and client number growth to help customers reach new audiences.

The agency, which won the Black Country Chamber of Commerce start-up of the year award in 2021, has added experienced communications specialist Rachel Adams to the line-up after securing a run of new business wins and extensions to client partnerships.

Rachel, who joins from £1.3bn-turnover convenience giant AF Blakemore, will work alongside director and former BBC journalist Chris Leggett and communications specialist Clare Knowles to provide support for businesses across media relations, content and social media campaigns.

Having launched in 2020, Osborn has grown to deliver work for retained clients based across the West Midlands, as well as customers in London and the South West.

The remote working agency, which also makes use of office space in St Paul’s Square, Birmingham, has produced successful digital, PR and marketing work for a range of leading brands.

Since September, 2021, the agency’s award entry writing support has helped clients achieve 21 award wins and 98 finalist placings.

Rachel said: “To be joining Osborn Communications at a time when the agency is looking to expand is an exciting opportunity for me. I have been impressed by the success it has already achieved in just a couple of years.”

New recruit: Rachel Adams (left) with Chris Leggett and Clare Knowles

Clean machines (left to right): Tom Stables, Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Holden and David Bradford, managing director of National Express West Midlands

‘The importance of employee financial wellbeing has never been higher’

Where do you fancy?

Simpsons restaurant is set in a gorgeous Grade IIListed Georgian villa with a beautiful terrace adjoining the restaurant that is perfect for al fresco drinks and dining.

The interior is bright and modern but respects the building’s elegance and heritage. The food, too, respects classical tradition but with a contemporary take on British cuisine combined with influences from around the world.

Three decades of culinary excellence have resulted in numerous accolades and established Simpsons as a favourite dining destination for those serious about food.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner…

Food and drink

Simpsons sources the finest seasonal ingredients from the most trusted sources and ensure they are treated with respect, skill and imagination to create contemporary classics. They offer frequently changing à la carte, set and tasting menus and sample dishes include: Carrot broth, smoked cheese dumpling, Maitake mushroom, tarragon, Sea bream, romaine lettuce, artichoke, anchovy purée, black olive and Banana and pecan cake, miso caramel, banana lime sorbet.

Lunch and dinner is provided and includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Wines

Simpsons offers a diverse wine list which includes native grape varieties from lesser-known countries. Now, after five years of continuous development, guests can find wines from almost all wine-producing nations. Head sommelier Giacomo Stella has added a section on organic, biodynamic and natural wines. Guests will also find non–vinous gems like the Somerset Ice Cider which is paired with cheese.

Business facilities

Business-friendly Simpsons offers a stylish private dining room with space for up to 14 guests. It’s

perfect for celebrating with family and friends or for corporate events. The room opens on to Simpsons gardens, making it ideal for summer entertaining.

Conference facilities are available for excusive hire only.

Garden

Simpsons beautiful-landscaped garden is an oasis of calm, just minutes from the bustling centre of

Simpsons

Address

20 Highfield Road, Birmingham B15 3DU

T: 0121 454 3434

W: www.simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk

Owner: Andreas Antona

Chef director: Luke Tipping

Opening hours:

Monday and Tuesday: CLOSED

Wednesday to Saturday

Lunch: 12-2pm

Dinner: 7pm-9pm (Friday and Saturday 6.30pm-9.30pm)

Sunday Lunch only: 12-2pm

skills and techniques used by Simpsons chefs to create delicious dishes and have the opportunity to unleash their own culinary talents.

Priced at £195 per person, Eureka cookery classes are a hands-on experience, with chefs helping guests to create fabulous contemporary dishes.

Birmingham. During the warmer weather, outdoor seating is laid out so that guests can sip champagne, cocktails and enjoy al fresco dining with the relaxing sounds of the water feature.

Eureka Cookery School

Located on the first floor of Simpsons is a superbly equipped cookery school and development kitchen where guests discover the

After a morning of prepping, guests take a short break to sip champagne (or a non-alcoholic alternative) while the Simpsons team set up the Chef’s Table, where everyone sits down together and enjoys lunch which includes some of the dishes prepared during the cookery course.

Guests are also invited to help the chef plate up, learning essential techniques for Michelin-class presentation.

Capital gains tax changes

It’s not long until UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveils his Spring Budget, and while it is not predicted to signal anywhere near as dramatic fiscal shift as last year’s “mini-budget” from predecessor Kwasi Kwarteng, there are several expected changes to be aware of, none more so than those surrounding capital gains tax (CGT).

CGT is a relatively modern tax compared to income tax and inher itance tax, first introduced in 1965 by chancellor James Callaghan. There have been numerous changes to this levy over the years and the current system for higher or additional rate taxpayers containing an annual exempt amount (AEA) of £12,300, and highest rates of 20% and 28% (for shares/funds and residential property/carried interest, respectively), is historically generous.

Plans are in place to significantly reduce the AEA amount, cutting it to £6,000 in the 2023/24 fiscal year and £3,000 in 2024/25.

Although the move makes CGT tax more stringent, the planned changes stop short of some of the harsher changes that had been rumoured. The CGT exemption on disposal of principal private residences remains in place, there was no uplift in the levy on death and tax rates continue to be substantially lower than income tax. It’s perhaps natural to focus on the disappointment of the announced changes, rather than tax breaks that remain, but for many the incoming system is still less aggressive than feared.

If you have any queries in light of these planned changes then please contact us via email QPCAadvice@quilter.com or call & 020 7562 5856.

Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited & Quilter Mortgage Planning Limited. 15/02/2023

Record number of liquidations should serve as a warning

Record numbers of company liquidations should serve as a warning to business owners bracing for a recession to act early, according to one of the country’s leading restructuring and insolvency (R&I) advisors.

Latest quarterly insolvency statistics for October to December 2022 (Q4), reveal the total number of company insolvencies registered in 2022 was 22,109 –the highest number since 2009 and 57 per cent higher than 2021.

Margaret Carter, R&I Partner at Azets, the UK Top 10 accountancy firm, expects insolvencies to keep rising throughout 2023 but is urging companies to seek help before an ‘end-of-life’ liquidation becomes the only option.

The liquidation rate in 2022 was the highest since Q3 2015, with one in 202 active companies (at a rate of 49.5 per 10,000 active companies) entering insolvent liquidation in 2022.

This is higher than the previous year (2021: 32.9 per 10,000 active companies) and pre-pandemic levels (2019: 41.9 per 10,000). Of the 5,995 registered company insolvencies on Q4 2022, there were 4,891 CVLs, 720 compulsory liquidations, 359 administrations

and 25 company voluntary arrangements (CVAs).

The annual number of Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs) in 2022 is the highest on record, approximately 21 per cent higher than if the prepandemic trend had continued.

Ms Carter said: “The IMF predicts that the UK will be the worst performing of the big economies in 2023. The alarming statistics and gloomy outlook are driven by a perfect storm of working capital and supply chain pressures, as well as rising interest rates and reducing consumer confidence.

“Business leaders must remain alive to the pressures and must manage their finances – and their stakeholders – very closely.

“In times of economic decline, we expect to see the number of insolvencies increasing. However, it is the number of liquidations that is of particular concern as this highlights the high number of businesses ceasing to trade.

“Liquidation is an end-of-life process and should be avoided at all costs, as this is very rarely of benefit to the creditors and employees.

“Spotting the warning signs and seeking early advice is absolutely crucial as this will ensure that the widest range of options is available and will maximise the chances of survival.”

Funding for sub-standard housing

Nearly £15m is to be spent improving some of the region’s most dilapidated and unhealthy social housing, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) announced.

The money will be used to tackle damp, cold and mouldy homes by ripping out ineffective, high carbon-emitting heating systems and replacing them with modern electric ones, installing high quality insulation and repairing leaky roofs, windows and doors.

The WMCA secured the £14.9m from Government and will now work with local councils and other registered housing providers to identify those homes in most need of critical improvements and repairs to bring them up to a decent standard.

Homes that are plagued by hazards such as damp and mould and are a threat to health will be made a priority.

Work is likely to involve:

• Reduction of mould and damp by fixing leaks and making homes warmer, easier to heat and better ventilated

• Internal and external wall insulation

• Replacing doors and windows where they are old or in poor condition

• Replacing or major repairs to heating systems that are old and ineffective

• Major roofing repairs

The work, which is expected to be carried out on hundreds of properties over the coming months, will be aimed at bringing poor quality homes up to the Government’s ‘Decent Homes Standard’.

Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said : “The announcement of nearly £15m in funding from Government to upgrade our social housing stock is very good news indeed for our region – blighted for far too long with too many substandard properties.

“Now that we’ve secured this money, we can put it to good work for the benefit of local people –improving quality of life in a tangible and meaningful way for West Midlands residents in the months and year s ahead.”

Cllr Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio holder for housing, property and regeneration, added: “This money is good news indeed and means we can start making improvements in the quality of social housing in our region. We believe it will make a significant difference for those people living in social housing that falls way short of the standards we should expect in the 21st century.”

Alarming statistics: Margaret Carter

‘Liquidation is an end-of-life process and should be avoided at all costs, as this is very rarely of benefit to the creditors and employees’

Hotel announces food and drink editor

Staying Cool at Rotunda in Birmingham has announced Alex Nicholson-Evans as the hotel’s first resident drink and dining editor.

Alex has lived and breathed all things Birmingham for the past decade, working initially as commercial director for Birmingham Museums Trust alongside being the founder and director of Living For The Weekend, the company behind the popular city wide events; Birmingham Cocktail Weekend, Birmingham Wine Weekend and Birmingham Restaurant Festival.

She has won a number of awards for her work as a champion of the city’s culture and hospitality offering.

Alex won the title of ‘Ambassador for Brum’ in the Independent Birmingham Awards 2019 and was selected as the Future Face of Arts and Culture by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce in 2021.

Tracey Stephenson, co-founder

and joint managing director of Staying Cool, said: “We want all Staying Cool guests to get the very best recommendations when it comes to dining and drinking in the city. So who better to ask than the person who organises Birmingham’s annual restaurant, wine and cocktail festivals? Alex Nicholson-Evans knows her fine dining from her prix fixe and every other menu option in between. She’s certainly our go-to person.

“We’re excited to announce Alex as Staying Cool’s resident drink and dining editor. She’ll be sharing her favourite venues to suit any city centre break at our Birmingham apartment hotel.”

Birmingham’s independent food and drink scene continues to win awards and rave reviews for its diversity and vibrancy with exciting menus, innovative cocktails and a new generation of chefs getting creative in kitchens in the city centre and suburbs.

Appointment boosts Sales Marvel’s growth

The long-standing partnership between Sales Marvel and Birmingham City University based on student mentoring and collaborating on the popular Help To Grow programme, has been strengthened by the recruitment of a talented BCU student.

Fatemeh Omidi, International MBA student from Birmingham City Business School, has joined the sales training firm as marketing and research associate. She said: “I am thrilled to be a part of such a dedicated and talented sales organisation.

“As a student of BCU, I am eager to utilise the skills and knowledge I have acquired from the MBA programme to help grow Sales Marvel’s business. It is a privilege to be a part of such a dynamic and innovative workplace, and I look forward to learning from Keith and the team.”

Keith Rozelle, director at Sales Marvel, said: “I'm thrilled that Fatemeh has agreed to join Sales Marvel. Her strategic thinking, combined with her digital marketing expertise will be invaluable to both current and future sales campaigns we deliver for our clients.”

Fine dining: Alex Nicholson-Evans

Apprenticeship Skills Focus

In the past two academic years Halesowen College’s apprenticeship team has been working hard to restructure and refocus on two main skill areas, Business & Professional and Healthcare.

With fantastic links with local NHS Trusts, not only have the team recruited, assessed, and placed the first four Healthcare Science Associate Level 4 apprentices, with a focus on Genetics, in the country, but they have also increased recognition as being the premier college in the Black Country, and wider Birmingham area, for Healthcare Science apprenticeship training. In the same vein, the team are in the final stages of implementing the Pharmacy Technician Level 3 apprenticeship, allowing current learners to stay with the college to continue their training and allow employers in the local area to recruit trained staff.

During the Pandemic many businesses restructured, and this has allowed some employees to progress into management roles. In a bid to support these new managers, the apprenticeship team are looking to refine and re-launch the Operations Manager Level 5 apprenticeship. As well as this support to management, the team are supporting human resource specialists by launching the HR Support Level 3 Qualification. This focus will not only provide the skills that the area needs, but it will also provide opportunities for local business to recruit the necessary staff as well as develop and grow tomorrow’s workforce.

For more details on recruiting apprentices or training through apprenticeships contact Christian Vivash at the Halesowen College Skills Shop on 0121 602 7784 or 0121 602 6000

Chamber Patrons

Greater Birmingham Chambers’ leading supporters

HS2 hits back at ‘unreliable’ figures

HS2 Ltd have hit back at claims by wildlife charities that the highspeed rail line underestimated the impact on habitats and wildlife by missing trees, ponds and hedgerows off maps.

A HS2 Ltd spokesperson told the BBC that the organisation “didn’t recognise the figures” nor did it “believe them to be reliable”.

The Wildlife Trusts have undertaken limited desk research and have not accessed huge areas of land for undertaking ecological survey, in contrast to the ecologists who have compiled HS2’s data.”

The Wildlife Trusts are calling for construction to be paused and for the government to require HS2 Ltd to re-evaluate the impact construction has on nature. The Wildlife Trusts said their investigation took a year to complete.

“In addition to the catalogue of errors when assessing the preexisting nature, this audit found that HS2 Ltd's metric (its ‘accounting tool’ for assessing impacts on nature) is untested, out of date and fundamentally flawed,” they said.

Contact: Raj Kandola

T: 07815 952462

Foundation to donate £100,000 to charities

The Birmingham-based Wesleyan Foundation has announced plans to donate more than £100,000 to nearly 50 hard-working charities as part of its Winter of Giving fund.

The fund is being shared among 48 charities and community groups, each receiving £2,200 to help with essential work in communities across the UK.

The Winter of Giving fund was set up in response to the cost-of-living crisis to help support organisations which play a vital role working to address issues around health and wellbeing, education, equality and sustainability.

One organisation to receive a boost is Whizz-Kidz, a charity aimed at reducing inequalities and building a more inclusive society for those who need mobility support. Balvinder Thandi, a financial adviser from Wesleyan who nominated the charity, said: “WhizzKidz is an amazing charity that is doing incredible work to make society more inclusive. Not only that but it makes a huge difference to the confidence of its young users by helping with their physical and mental wellbeing.”

Sarah Pugh, chief executive at Whizz-Kidz, said: “This funding from the Wesleyan Foundation will make a great difference to the young people we’re supporting. We know that this winter is particularly challenging for many and this is putting even more pressure on vital services.”

100,000 people via 500 different charities, community groups and social enterprises.

The Wesleyan Foundation is the charitable arm of financial mutual Wesleyan, which specialises in providing financial support to doctors, dentists and teachers. Launched in 2017, the Foundation has since donated £4.3m and has supported more than

Jacob Ayre, community and citizenship officer at Wesleyan, said: “Winter can be an incredibly difficult time for many, and we know this year is harder than most.

“We hope this funding goes some way to help the groups that play a vital role with families and communities across the country.”

Researchers take closer look at child myopia

Using HS2 Ltd's data where possible, the report claimed that Phase One, which covers 140 miles of track between London and the West Midlands, would cause almost eight times “more nature loss” than accounted for by HS2 Ltd's calculations. Researchers at Aston University specialising in myopia - or short sightedness – have linked up with industry partners to throw a spotlight on the condition’s effects on children.

The research team based in the College of Health and Life Sciences has secured a £500,000 grant to determine the impact of myopia management interventions on vision and visual behaviour in youngsters. The new grant builds upon the team’s portfolio of research in the field of myopia, where clinical studies are underway with children between the ages of six and 15 years old.

The researchers are working on slowing the progression of myopia in children. The interventions under trial

include low dose atropine eye drops, contact lenses and spectacle lenses.

Myopia is an eye condition where distant objects appear blurry. It typically occurs in childhood and progresses through the teenage years. It can lead to eye disease in later life, as the eye grows longer with myopia, causing stretching in parts of the eye.

The two-year programme of research is being led by an internationally recognised team of academics from the School of Optometry, including Professor Leon Davies, Professor Nicola Logan, Dr Amy Sheppard, and Professor James Wolffsohn. The research grant will also support the appointment of two clinical research optometrists.

Professor Leon Davies, professor of optometry and physiological optics at Aston University and president of the College of Optometrists, said: “As Aston

University has an established, internationally recognised track record in myopia research, we are pleased to be able to continue our work in this area to further our understanding of myopia management strategies for the benefit of patients.”

Professor Nicola Logan, professor of optometry and physiological optics at Aston University added: “As an advocate for evidence-based advancements, this research collaboration will further our scientific understanding of myopia progression. The work will increase our knowledge and better facilitate translation to clinical practice to manage young children more actively with myopia.”

Incredible work: Whizz-Kid

Furthering understanding - Nicola Logan

Housing provider names former minister as chair

Birmingham-based provider of affordable homes Midland Heart has appointed former housing minister Lord Ian Austin as its next chair following a four-month process.

John Edwards, who has served as chairman of Midland Heart since 2014, will stand down in September after serving a maximum nine-year term in post.

Lord Austin, who was also previously Minister for the West Midlands, will then take over and will attend board meetings in an observatory capacity until then.

The former MP for Dudley North will be returning to his roots having previously worked for Focus Housing, one of the organisations that merged to create Midland

Heart in 2006. Lord Austin also spent six years working at the Treasury as an adviser to Chancellor Gordon Brown.

He currently serves as a nonexecutive director at Homes England and as the prime minister’s Trade Envoy to Israel as well as advising the Richardson Family investment business RCL Partners.

John Edwards is the former chief executive of Advantage West Midlands and the Rural Development Commission, chair of the Dudley Group of Hospitals and was awarded his CBE for Services to the Rural Economy in 2008. Midland Heart chief executive Glenn Harris said: “On behalf of everyone at Midland Heart I

congratulate Lord Austin on successfully being appointed as our next chair. Through his time as housing minister, his role with Homes England and having worked for one of our legacy organisations Ian has seen all sides of the housing sector and understands the importance of making every single home a decent, safe, and secure place to live.”

Lord Austin said: “I want to support the Midland Heart team in providing a first-class service to customers and I look forward to learning more about the business over the next nine months and making sure that we continue to provide great quality homes and services to our customers.”

Scheme to ease nursing pressures

A new accelerated degree apprenticeship designed to train nursing associates working from emergency wards to prisons into full clinical practitioners has been launched to ease pressures on healthcare teams across the West Midlands and further afield.

The first cohort on the University College Birmingham’s Registered Nurse degree apprenticeship have now begun their training to take the step up and qualify to carry out all complex nursing tasks, lead on assessment, plan, provide and evaluate care and coordinate and manage patient care.

The 42 apprentices – 29 in the field of adult nursing and 13 in mental health – work for Cygnet Healthcare, University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust and Practice Plus Group (Health in Justice), who all worked in collaboration with the university to develop the programme, with input from service users and current nursing students and apprentices. Crucially, the course enables students to

qualify in 18 months, compared with the three years it would take to complete a Registered Nurse degree.

Deputy dean Marina Kendrick said: “Upskilling Registered Nursing Associates into full Registered Nurses is imperative to meet spiralling regional demand. There are around 48,000 nursing vacancies waiting to be filled nationwide, with 19 per cent of these in the West Midlands.”

Apprentice Sasha Moate is a nursing associate for Practice Plus Group at HMP Bure in Norwich.

“The prisoners we work with are mainly over 50 or elderly, but in the last few years, we have seen more and more younger prisoners on remand coming to us with crises and mental health issues,” she said.

“Being fully qualified as a Registered Nurse will benefit me and my team as I can go out and assess people and make care plans and clinical decisions. It will take the pressure off my team as well as helping to give me more scope and reach where I want to be.”

ICC caterer launches chefs table offering

Live event caterer Amadeus has launched a new fine dining ‘chef's table concept’ at the International Convention Centre.

Guests can choose from buffet-style dining to a sitdown taster session with wine.

The new offering – Dine - is prepared by the venue’s executive chef, Simon Hellier, who has over 30 years' experience in leading kitchens in venues and on cruise ships.

He said: “The menus the team and I create always use quality ingredients and we pay special attention to the sourcing of them for the millions of dishes we serve every year.

“What makes Dine special, is that guests can indulge in a unique and exquisite dining experience that is synonymous with the first-class service and flexible facilities of the ICC. I am looking forward to how the concept is received alongside our comprehensive food and beverage offering.”

The Dine menus can be tailored according to event organiser requirements.

Amadeus general manager at the ICC, Craig Hancox, added: “We have designed an intimate environment that allows guests to engage with the work that goes into the food, see the production and feel part of the journey. Simon is offering an incredible dining experience that will be particularly beneficial for those wishing to entertain VIPs or guest speakers away from the main delegation.”

Dine can accommodate up to nine guests buffet style or six guests for sit-down banqueting on event days as part of organiser event packages.

The chef’s table experience

Nursing boost: The first cohort

1813 Club and Premier Members

Greater Birmingham’s leading companies

Advice over new regulations

Birmingham-based express freight carrier Simpex Express has issued key new advice over Dangerous Goods safety in the wake of fresh regulations.

With the Dangerous Goods regulations changing 1 January 2023, firms have been reminded that transport providers must have the necessary DGSA (Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser) in place.

Under due diligence obligations, any company consigning dangerous goods on its own behalf, or on behalf of another party, involved in any intermediate transport operations involving dangerous goods, now has the responsibility to appoint a DGSA, or confirm that a DGSA can be accessed to ensure activities are carried out in compliance with the requirements of ADR.

Simon Beechener, managing director of Simpex Express, said: “It’s important that companies outsourcing transport establish whether their provider has a DGSA in place, to ensure their own compliance with ADR as the consignor.

“Simpex has always invested heavily in staff training, but this is now especially important with the new rule change. Our onsite DGSA, Tomasz, has been advising at our Birmingham depot since 2017, and with us moving ADR goods daily, is an invaluable resource for keeping us compliant but also from a practical point of view for scenarios like judging the best shipping routes into Europe, or identifying errors on Dangerous Goods Notes from the shipper in good time.”

The national legislation states that any company that consigns, transports, packs, fills, loads or unloads dangerous goods on a regular basis – by road, rail or inland waterway must appoint a DGSA.

Premier Membership

Contact: Gary Birch

T: 0845 6036650

Orchestra announces SCC as new principal sponsor

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) has unveiled European IT powerhouse SCC as its new principal sponsor in a major boost to West Midland cultural life.

Founded by Sir Peter Rigby and headquartered in Birmingham since 1975, SCC has grown to become one of the largest IT solutions providers in Europe.

As a local business with international reach, family-owned SCC shares much in common with the CBSO.

Its Birmingham heritage includes employment of over 50,000 local people with millions of pounds invested in charitable causes and regeneration schemes over the past 48 years.

The three-year agreement includes support of £100,000 a year, aligning with the orchestra’s Sound of the Future campaign, and will see audience development opportunities for SCC staff including concert experiences and hospitality.

The CBS O’s Sound of the Future

campaign aims to raise £12.5m over five years, culminating in 2025.

Sir Peter Rigby, founder and chairman of SCC, said: “I am immensely proud to announce SCC’s principal sponsorship of the CBSO.

“This is a partnership that can be shared by our people at SCC,

throughout the City of Birmingham, and internationally.

“SCC and the CBSO are two prominent organisations in Birmingham, with a long history and shared passion for community engagement.

“I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”

Law firm creates Birmingham team

National law firm Clarke Willmott LLP is strengthening its specialist housing management arm with the creation of a brand new Birmingham-based team.

The new operation – an associate, a solicitor, and a chartered legal executive – will provide legal services and advise on all aspects of tenancy management to Registered Providers (RPs) and social landlords.

The news follows the recent recruitment of partner Matthew Wilson, who has worked in the social housing sector for 16 years, as head of asset management in Clarke Willmott’s Manchester office. The firm’s housing management team in Southampton has also grown with the appointment of a paralegal, while two new paralegals have joined the Manchester office.

Clarke Willmott’s head of housing management, Lindsay Felstead (pictured), said: “The decision to strengthen the housing management team follows several recent client wins.

“We are delighted to have extra people in our regional teams who will be a great asset to us and to our wider social housing line-up.

“The new team will also make us even more accessible to all our Midlands-based clients and enable us to continue to provide an excellent service.

“I have no doubt they will become key to our further growth plans, and we look forward to working with them on the next stage of their careers.”

Clarke Willmott moved to new Birmingham offices in Colmore Row in 2021, purpose built for flexible working and to support future growth. The firm’s social housing sector is one of the biggest in England and Wales and supports RPs and Registered Social Landlords with all legal aspects of social housing.

Clarke Willmott LLP is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton, and Taunton.

Shared passion: The CBSO and SCC are linking up

Accountants launch consultancy service

Midlands-based accountancy and advisory firm PKF Smith Cooper has launched a new partner-led consultancy service to provide individuals and businesses across the UK with specialist tax support.

PKF VAT Assist offers a direct line for indirect tax advice for finance professionals, intermediaries and businesses, including in-house finance and tax teams, trade associations, and accounting firms without a VAT specialist. Clients will be able to seek support on a range of VAT queries, including compliance, tax liabilities, international supply chains, land and property, and treatment of input VAT.

With more than 50 years of collective experience, the specialist indirect tax team behind PKF VAT Assist will deliver technical support and tailored solutions via email, landline and mobile. Clients can register for the service on one of three quarterly subscription packages or opt for a more informal support arrangement that offers discounted rates on fees.

The launch of the new VAT consultancy service follows a successful year for the tax team at PKF Smith Cooper. The tax division gained fourteen new recruits in 2022, including an R&D specialist and a capital allowances specialist, and saw four promotions to tax partner, with further expansion in progress.

Gavin West, VAT & indirect tax partner at PKF Smith Cooper, said: “As part of PKF Smith Cooper’s ongoing commitment to client excellence, we are constantly looking for opportunities to expand our service offerings.

“VAT is a complex tax and we are seeing an increasing amount of HMRC enquiries and disputes across industry sectors. PKF VAT Assist facilitates quick and easy access to expert advice at competitive rates. Whether you are looking for ongoing support with compliance, assistance with HMRC enquiries and disputes or specialist solutions to VAT queries, our on-demand consultancy service is designed to operate as a seamless extension to your business.”

Client excellence: Gavin West

International Trade

T: 0845 603 6650

E: ibh@birmingham-chamber.com

Chamberlink deputy editor Dan Harrison

and reporter Feron Jaywardene capture key messages from the Chamber’s Global Trade Conference held at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Pictures: Marc Kirsten

Round-up from Global Trade Conference

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) launched the International Trade Index during the Global Trade Conference at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

The report, compiled by the GBCC and sponsored by Birmingham City University (BCU), offers an up-to-date snapshot of the performance of international trade to the Greater Birmingham business community. It is the most comprehensive, regular report of its kind in the region.

GBCC head of policy Raj Kandola said: “While the total value of West Midlands exports increased between Q2 2022 and Q3 2022, exports are still below the pre-pandemic devils.

“In contrast, the value of imports has increased since the initial phase of the pandemic. The total number of trade documents processed by GBCC’s international hub decreased between Q3 2022 and Q4 2022, including documents to EU member states.

“The largest percentage decrease in total exports was seen in the West Midlands where exports fell by 25.3 per cent from 2019.”

Dr Steve McCabe, associate professor of BCU, also commented on the report during a panel discussion chaired, by GBCC international director Many Haque.

He said: “The only things certain in these times is uncertainty. What we are seeing now is a culmination of different political and economic storms. The Ukraine crisis is the biggest pressure that businesses are under currently. The inflation rate is still in double digits and can be expected to come further down this year to around 4 per cent towards the end.

“We cannot expect a lot from the government budget. Businesses need a degree of certainty which is not being delivered.

Read the full report on the Chamber’s website: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com

1.

2.

4.

(left)

The Belgian region of Wallonia was represented at the conference

The Department for Business and Trade was on hand to provide advice on overseas business matters

3. Mandy Haque, the Chamber’s international director, hosted a number of sessions

Liquid’s Elisabeth Lewis-Jones with GBCC president Deb Leary and Louise Teboul of Common Purpose

5. Transatlantic Chamber president James Tait addresses delegates

Joint report: Raj Kandola (left) and Steve McCabe

Contact: Mandy Haque

T: 0121 725 8994

Roundtable discussions

showcase opportunities

Greater Birmingham firms who are capitalising on the shift towards green and renewable energy will find a host of “willing partners” in Canada and Australia, Chamber members were told at conference.

Ahead of the 2023 Global Trade Conference at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce members took part in a series of exclusive roundtable discussions with representatives from six overseas markets.

Australia, Canada, France, Mauritius, Mexico and Ukraine were all represented in the roundtable talks.

High on the agenda were business opportunities around green energy and decarbonisation.

Jason Walsh, counsellor and trade commissioner for the economic division at the High Commission of Canada in the UK, said Canadian firms have adopted similar attitudes to their UK counterparts when it comes to the energy sector.

He said: “Canada is very focused on the transition into green energy – much like the UK.

“There is a big focus on decarbonising its industries. You’ll find a lot of the same attitude from Canadian trading partners as in the UK.

“You’ll also find a lot of willing partners.”

Warren Bartlett, deputy commissioner for investment – Europe at Queensland Trade and Investment, said green energy is currently Australia’s biggest business opportunity.

He said: “The transition to green energy is the single biggest opportunity in Australia at the moment.

“There are a lot of opportunities in solar and offshore wind. The production of green hydrogen is also huge.

“Despite the Federal Government previously being perceived to be not interested in climate change, the individual states have.”

Invitations to the roundtable discussions were available only to members of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and its Transatlantic and Commonwealth divisions.

Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce

Commonwealth Chamber Patrons

Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce

Transatlantic Chamber Patrons

Aussie talks: Queensland Trade & Investment’s Warren Bartlett (left) in discussion with Chamber members

Updates and useful information from the largest ethnic support organisation in the UK

Contact: Anjum Khan

T: 0845 6036650

BHX ‘aggressively hiring’ redundant Flybe employees – spokesperson

By Feron Jayawardene

A Birmingham Airport (BHX) spokesperson confirmed that they are “aggressively hiring” redundant Flybe employees.

Simon Evans, head of corporate affairs and marketing at Birmingham Airport spoke about Flybe going into administration at an event organised by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC).

Speaking during the Quarterly Business Report (QBR) launch for the fourth quarter, Simon said: “The Birmingham Airport along with Ryanair and EasyJet are aggressively hiring Flybe employees. So hopefully, no one will be unemployed for too long.”

Regional airline Flybe ceased trading in January, with administrators confirming

First ABCC social is a success

The Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) hosted its first member social for 2023. The event was held at Blue Piano with the attendance of ABCC members and guests.

The guests were welcomed by ABCC co –president Amina Hussain, who spoke about the upcoming events that are organised by the ABCC: “We are organising three different events for the Vaisakhi, Eid, and Diwali events The ABCC annual awards dinner will happen on 18 November while the International Women's Day is happening on 8 March.”

ABCC member Neelam Afzal from Wildings Solicitors said: “It’s great to celebrate what the ABCC does.”

Speaking about the event, ABCC director Anjum Khan said: “We introduced the ABCC member social over a year ago. This is the first event out of six that are due to be held this year bi monthly. During covid, restaurants and hotels took a big hit, and we as the ABCC decided to do a roadshow into the heart of the community. Since then, we have hosted our members socials on different venues to help them gain more customers.”

If there are any hotels or restaurants that are looking for further footfall, please contact a.khan@birmingham-chamber.com

276 employees have been made redundant.

Administrators were called in on 28 January, meaning all scheduled flights were cancelled, impacting around 2,500 passengers.

Flybe’s head office in Birmingham employed around 170 people.

Simon continued: “Flybe going into administration wasn’t much of a problem to the airport this time.

“Two years ago, they were 19 per cent of our business, but now they were only one per cent of our business.

“Part of the reason why Flybe failed this time was because times have moved on. All of their routes were between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast and Amsterdam this time and they were competing against other airlines across all these routes including EasyJet.”

Inflation rate will drop steadily, Bank chief tells ABCC patrons

By Feron Jayawardene

The economic outlook and the role played by the Bank of England were key points of discussion at the Asian Business Chambers of Commerce patrons’ dinner at Malmaison recently.

ABCC co-presidents Amina Hussain and Omar Rashid welcomed the guests while the keynote

address was given by Graeme Chaplin from the Bank of England.

Graeme said: “The core role of the Bank of England is to maintain monetary and financial stability while looking at the financial eco system.

“We are expecting the inflation rate to come down rapidly. The European inflation was driven by the energy costs while the inflation in the US was driven by the service sector. However, in the UK, we saw inflation caused by food, energy, and in consumer prices.

“The economy will be stagnant for the next two years. We are not expecting any growth. The driving force of this stagnation is the tight labour market and the lack of labour supply.”

Speeches were also given by Nasir Awan, vice-president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, and Emma Morgan, general manager of Malmaison, who also sponsored the event. Nasir stressed the importance of the Kings awards for enterprise and encouraged members to apply while Emma spoke about the Malmaison hotel.

Anjum Khan, director of the ABCC said: “It was a great night of networking among patrons and guests. We hold two patrons' dinner every year. It’s our way of thanking our Patrons for their ongoing support along with key business individuals.”

If anyone is interested in finding out more about Patronage with the ABCC, please contact Anjum on A.khan@birmingham-chamber.com

Economy will remain stagnant: Graeme Chaplin

Hiring spree: Simon Evans

ABCC director joins Forward Carers as NED

Anjum Khan, director of Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), part of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) has joined Forward Carers as a non executive director.

Forward Carers is an awardwinning not-for-profit, Community Interest Company that has been empowering carers to live fulfilling lives since 2014. The interests of unpaid carers are the heart of what Forward Carers does and the organisation’s mission is to create carer friendly communities.

The organisation has supported more than 40,000 carers since its inception in 2015 and have issued over 4,000 carer friendly ID cards to carers across the UK over the last three years. The photo ID card provides verified proof that the individual is an unpaid carer, it

holds emergency contact details and it gives access to online support.

Speaking about her new appointment, Anjum Khan said: “The reason for me joining this board is that as an unpaid carer, I tapped into support they were offering during Covid for my father.I had not realised that there is support available for people who fit under the bracket of ‘unpaid carers’.

“In my role, I want to highlight the free support available to carers from Birmingham Carers Hub and Walsall Carers Hub. I also want to raise awareness of the support available from Forward Carers to workplaces such as Corporate Carer Aware Training, the Carer Friendly Employer Commitment Mark and Carer Friendly Business Awards.”

Forward Carers CEO Simon Fenton said: “I'm delighted Anjum has agreed to join our Board as a new director at Forward Carers CIC.

Anjum's knowledge and experience will be a real asset as we implement our future growth plan to create carer friendly communities.”

Forward thinking: Simon Fenton and Anjum Khan

Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce

Gift shop on the hunt for apprentice

A Midlands card and gift shop is recruiting a new retail apprentice with the help of training experts at Performance Through People (PTP).

Tinkerbell’s Cards & Gifts in Hednesford, Staffordshire, has received funding to take on a new Level 2 retail apprentice sales assistant to work in the shop. PTP, part of the BCTG group, has previously provided two similar apprentices to Tinkerbell’s, located on the town’s Market Street.

Tinkerbell’s, a small independent retailer, is now able to recruit another apprentice having successfully applied for a grant from Staffordshire County Council towards taking on a new member of staff.

The card and gift shop has a good record of developing apprentices, having previously won Small Employer of the Year at the 2020 Birmingham Apprenticeship Awards.

Andrea Lamb of Tinkerbell’s, who is a codirector with her husband Darren, said: “The new apprenticeship will be serving the public, stock checking, handling cash, rotating stock, and merchandising goods in displays. They will also help to compose and write greeting cards for some of our lovely customers, as well as learn how to sell our personalised gifts which are designed in house, including balloons, banners, sashes and personalised frames.”

Jackie Webb, a learning and development tutor at PTP Training, said: “We are delighted that our previous apprentices were successful at Tinkerbell’s and we are confident that we can quickly find another suitable candidate.”

The new apprentice would spend up to 18 months learning the ropes of working in retail.

Anyone wanting more information about Tinkerbell’s can visit www.tinkerbells.net

Contact: Richard Brooks

T: 07796 242029

Chamber welcomes consultant as president

A marketing and communication consultant has been appointed as the new president of the Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce.

David Mitchell, the managing director of The Marketing People, has been appointed as the new president after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce.

The AGM was held on Tuesday, 28 February at the Aquarius Ballroom inside the Victoria Shopping Park.

David is an expert in digital, web, on-screen and printed communications and a specialist in

brand development and logo creation. He has over 30 years of experience in the marketing field and is the youngest elected chairman of the UK Scitex user group association.

David is also a national association marketing committee member and practitioner focusing on leveraging opportunities for businesses while presenting marketing and communications workshops.

David said: “As a growing Chamber with a diverse and spread-out membership, I look forward to helping existing members gain real benefits from their membership while looking to increase membership to enable us to assist more businesses in the Chase Chamber area.”

Richard Brooks, head of Cannock Chase and Burton Chambers of Commerce said: “I’ve known

David for several years and have always known him to be one of the hardest working, supportive, straightforward, straight talking and talented business owners out there.

“With an incredible wealth of experience and skills in marketing and in business, I have no doubt he will be a superb president for the Cannock Chase Chamber. I can’t wait to start working with him and the rest of the executive committee.”

Former office assistant changes career track

Lydia Evans, who started at Enoch Evans in 2007 as an office assistant has now successfully been promoted to the role of Paralegal.

When Lydia first joined the firm, she aspired to make a bold move into the Accounts department - this goal was coupled with her studying a Business and Administration course.

After endless hours of studying, she successfully gained a NVQ level 3 in AAT and was on track to place her foot in the world of accounting.

However, the direction of her career took a turn as she took a genuine interest in law and went on to achieve a Level 2 Diploma for legal secretaries.

The goal of working in accounts changed and in 2013, Lydia started the opportunity to fill the position of Legal Secretary within the Wills, Tax, and Probate department.

Lydia said: “This was the area of Law that intrigues me the most and I could not wait to learn everything I could”.

“Little did I know that 10 years later I would be accepting a position as paralegal in the same department.

“This was a huge step for me to take but I want to continue doing something I love and take on more responsibility.’’

“With the amazing staff at Enoch Evans, I have the support to accomplish my goals.”

Chase Chamber Patrons

Twist of fate: Partner Lisa Flavell with newly promoted Paralegal Lydia Evans

‘As a growing Chamber with a diverse and spreadout membership, I look forward to helping existing members gain real benefits from their membership’

New man at the helm: David Mitchell

Contact: Richard Brooks

T: 07796 242029

Richard Wileman: A story about staying relevant

Chamberlink reporter Feron Jayawardene speaks to Richard Wileman about his longstanding membership with the Chamber

Richard Wileman has been a part of the Chamber for the entirety of my life; 24 years. He’s a stoic minded businessman who is a jack of his trade, spanning 40 years.

“My background is from the motor industry,” he tells me from his desk chair with a big virtual banner of Select Car Leasing behind.

“My father started in the industry in 1964, and when I was born, my future was embedded there too.”

Richard is an Appointed Representative of Select Car Leasing and currently principal of their Burton-on-Trent office. He has seen many things over his career which includes roles as sales director, fleet consultant, and franchise manager.

At present, Richard deals with over 30,000 vehicles each year which are supplied by Select Car Leasing. And the trick to his durability?

“Keeping relevant,” he said.

“Ever since I started in the industry, I did my best to be relevant with the changing times. You always must adapt to the times and embrace the changes that happens around you. Those days, our Unique Selling Points were word of mouth and a good personal connection with customer service.

“In these days, it’s all about the internet and Trustpilot ratings. We always aim to get a rating of 5 stars through a good customer service.”

His stoic embeddedness comes out again

when asked about the current economic climate.

“Businesses must be resilient these days. It’s all about taking the maximum use of the market opportunities that exist. This is where the Chamber comes in to help with their support.

“Whatever the climate, a high level of customer service is critical. When the service is amazing, it reflects the values of the business.”

Moving forwards, Richard is keen to get his knowledge across to the next generation.

“I quite like the idea of being an ambassador or a mentor to an upcoming professional with the industry knowledge I have. The diversification in Britain has been incredible. Every culture is accepted and respected, meaning there are more opportunities to people.”

On an ending note, I ask about the role played by the Chamber.

“You certainly can get more services and benefits than the amount you paid for through the Chamber. The opportunities for networking and getting to know about more businesses as potential clients has been a tremendous help for me.”

Former hairdressing apprentice is a cut above

A former hairdressing apprentice from Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC), is celebrating after using her skills and experience to open a new salon.

Lucy Bale has launched her own salon, Lou Lou’s Hair and Beauty, in Swadlincote and offers a full range of hairdressing and nail treatments.

On successful completion of her hairdressing apprenticeship, the 21-year-old went on to work as a self-employed hairdresser based in Steph’s Salon Hair & Beauty in Swadlincote.

Based in a former barber shop, Lucy has transformed the space into a vibrant and modern salon, offering a relaxing environment for clients booked in for treatments.

Following an official launch event, Lucy’s first full week in business coincided with National Apprenticeship Week.

Lucy said: “I chose hairdressing because I always had an interest in hair and beauty as a young child; I used to love sitting and doing my mum’s hair. I’ve always loved the idea of boosting somebody’s confidence just by doing their hair

“After completing my apprenticeship, I became self-employed, and I worked in an amazing salon with some amazing people.

“This is something I’ve always dreamed of doing. It just shows that you can follow your dreams! I’ve now got members of my team renting chairs in the salon and I just love the atmosphere we are able to create for people to have their hair done and feel really good about themselves.”

Burton & District Chamber Patrons

To book an appointment with Lucy at Lou Lou’s Hair and Beauty, call 07940 523582.

New beginnings: Lucy Bale

Jack of his trade: Richard Wileman

Contact: Chris Brewerton

T: 0845 6036650

A fond farewell to longstanding bishop

A peal of bells rang out at Lichfield Cathedral to mark the retirement of the Dean of Lichfield.

The Very Rev’d Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield is retiring on 31 March, following 17-anda-half years in the role.

Dean Adrian has made a lasting impact on the cathedral and the Lichfield community, leading art programmes, restoration projects and new installations.

Under his direction Lichfield Cathedral was the first cathedral to serve as a Covid-19 vaccination clinic.

A staunch advocate for cathedrals, Dean Adrian took on the chairmanship of the Association of English Cathedrals (2015-2022), the National Cathedrals Conference (2018, 2022), and the group that produced the report ‘Spiritual

Safety firm expands board

Legionella and Fire Safe Services has announced a key new addition to its board of directors.

Danielle Bayliss has been promoted to the position of operations director.

Danielle – who has spent many years working on sites, managing, surveying and supervising – has a degree in management as well as various water treatment qualifications and the National Construction Certificate.

She is passionate about encouraging women in the construction industry and offers further training and promotion to the female team members who want to progress their careers in construction.

Danielle said: “What I love about working for Legionella and Fire Safe Services is that every day is different.

“We carry out many different project types, from soil and vent pipe replacements, passive fire protection, fire door maintenance and installation, hot water cylinder installs to legionella compliance works.

“I am very fortunate to have three knowledgeable and experienced directors around me to enable me to gain solid knowledge from.”

Steve Broughton, chief executive officer, said: “We are delighted to announce this key appointment, Danielle is responsible for ensuring that the operational divisions deliver excellent service to our customers and manage the costs and margins associated

with this in line with the companies budgets and forecasts.

“Danielle joined the business at the point of start-up and this promotion to operations director is well deserved given our growth in revenues from zero to a projected £6m for 2023 in a little over five years.

“The business is well established and is on track to perform or exceed the expectations we have set for our growth targets.”

Capital – the present and future of English Cathedrals’.

His efforts to build better ecumenical relationships saw him become an Ecumenical Scholar at Tantur Ecumenical Institute, and reinstatement of the Shrine of St Chad.

The Dean’s last Sunday at the Cathedral was marked with a thanksgiving service. He is to be replaced by The Right Reverend Jan McFarlane who will take on the role of Acting Dean of Lichfield until a permanent appointment is made.

Bishop Michael Ipgrave said: “Adrian has served the cathedral, the wider community of Lichfield and our diocese with great commitment, faith and passion for the past 17 years and we will be sad to see him leave but happy for him in his well-earned retirement.”

Improving care: Andrew Harkness

Extra hospice beds to support community

Patients from across Staffordshire are to receive increased access to specialist inpatient palliative care following the opening of additional beds at St Giles Hospice in Whittington.

St Giles Hospice, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has been providing free palliative and end of life care to local people since 1983.

Andrew Harkness, chief executive at St Giles Hospice, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the NHS in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. They are demonstrating their commitment to ensuring local people have access to specialist palliative and end of life care services.”

The hospice spends around £10m a year providing specialist services with 25 per cent of this funded by the Government.

Katie Burbridge, director of Clinical Services and Quality at St Giles Hospice said: “I want to extend my gratitude to our volunteers and staff who have made this possible. This is a great achievement and provides welcome additional support for patients.”

Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber Patrons

Lasting legacy: The retiring Dean of Lichfield, Adrian Dorber

Promotion: Danielle Bayliss

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce

Contact: Chris Brewerton

T: 0845 6036650

Chamber to promote Royal Sutton Fun Run

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce is joining forces with the Royal Sutton Fun Run to help promote the walking, running and jogging event.

The Chamber will promote the Fun Run –which is celebrating its 40th anniversary – to the Sutton Coldfield business community.

Support business in education scheme

encouraged to support a scheme which promotes better engagement between the business community and local schools.

The Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce Business and Education Scheme is an initiative designed to create better links with education by allowing businesses to give advice, support and opportunities to young people.

The scheme was announced by Sutton Chamber president Phil Arkinstall at the Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Chambers of Commerce annual dinner and awards.

Phil, who is managing director of Ark Media and chair of Governors at Plantsbrook School, built his business by giving graduates and school leavers opportunities to enjoy a career in video production. He is keen to help future generations and is calling on fellow Chamber members to offer time and support to the scheme.

in a major way to the input, hard work and skill of young people learning their trade.

“We know historically many other companies in the area have enjoyed similar success with the quality of young people in Sutton Coldfield.

“Our campaign, the Sutton Coldfield Chamber Business and Education Scheme, plans to canvass the availability of local businesses. We can find out what help businesses are available to offer to schools throughout the area.”

Sutton Coldfield Chamber members will receive a questionnaire to provide information on their potential support for the scheme, in the hope it increases opportunities for young people to learn about the world of work.

The Sutton Coldfield Chamber’s Next Generation sub-committee will be helping to promote the scheme through their connections.

Charity takes on Sepsis walk

A Sutton Coldfield charity is coordinating a series of walks across the UK this month to raise awareness of sepsis.

The UK Sepsis Trust – the chosen charity of Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce – is organising the walks on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March.

Walks will take place in Sutton Coldfield, Cornwall, Sheffield, West London, Cumbria, Wales, and Scotland and will be led by volunteers and UKST staff, many of whom have a personal connection to sepsis.

The walks range in length from approximately 3.3 miles to 7.5 miles and all people need to do to take part is sign up via the website.

The UK Sepsis Trust CEO Dr Ron Daniels said: “We are delighted to be launching this national

Sepsis Savvy walk, as part of efforts to raise vital awareness about this killer condition.

“We are working together so that we can end preventable deaths and help improve outcomes for all patients. Sepsis does not discriminate and nor do we – so no matter whether you have had sepsis yourself, had a loved one who has had sepsis, or would just like to learn more about this potentially fatal condition, please join us on one of the walks and help us get more people asking, ‘Could it be sepsis?’”

Each year in the UK, 245,000 people are affected by sepsis, with at least 48,000 people losing their lives in sepsis-related illnesses.

Sign up at register.enthuse.com /ps/event/SepsisSavvyWalk

Sutton Fun Run organisers will attend Chamber events, have access to the use of Chamber newsletters and website news and join as a Premier member, with Sutton Coldfield Chamber enjoying brand awareness across the Fun Run’s website, letter heads on mailouts and on the day of the run itself.

A Chamber team is also be taking part in the 8.5 mile event on 4 June to raise money for chosen charity The UK Sepsis Trust.

Naeem Arif, vice-president Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce and director of United Carpets, said: “The Fun Run provides an ideal vehicle for Chamber members to join a Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce team and raise money for our chosen charity for 2023, Sutton Coldfield based UK Sepsis Trust.

“The Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be officially associated with the town’s largest and longest running annual community fundraising event.”

Sutton Chamber members Kate Curry of Curry Design Studio and Darren Langley of Darren Langley Web Design, have worked on a new website and brand design for the event.

Fun Run director James Pike said: “Our partnership with the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce provides us with the perfect instrument to directly engage with the business community across the royal town.

“Being able to directly communicate the Fun Run’s core values and objectives with local businesses across the royal town, will help us drive participant numbers up.

“As a direct consequence, the amount of money raised and distributed to charities and voluntary groups - many of whom operate within the royal town - will inevitably increase.”

Sutton Coldfield Chamber Patrons Charity of the Year

Partnership: Kate Curry, James Pike and Naeem Arif

Phil Arkinstall: Looking to the future

All the latest news, advice and events for the Solihull business community

Contact: Samantha Frampton

T: 0121 678 7488

5K for five days raises funds for chosen charity

Solihull Chamber of Commerce members donned their running shoes to raise money for chosen charity, Social Life Opportunities (SoLo), in their 5k challenge.

The participants, which included both Solihull Chamber employees and members, were challenged to run, walk, swim or row 5k for five days.

The challenge raised £1,650 in total through sponsorship, which will go towards enabling SoLo to carry on their work with children, young people and adults with learning disabilities.

Lesley Beer, CEO of SoLo, said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to Solihull Chamber of Commerce and all their members who took part in this fundraising challenge for SoLO.

“The amount raised will help support the running of our projects ensuring we can continue to help adults, children and young people with learning disabilities to flourish and thrive.”

Tony Elvin, Solihull Chamber president and Touchwood general manager, added: “We have been delighted by the response from members of the public to support our fundraising for SoLo.

“Running 25k in five days, in sub-zero temperatures may have been hard work for our Chamber fundraisers but it has been worth every minute and we know the charity will make great use of each penny raised. We are hugely grateful.”

Gold award to UGC for conflict avoidance toolkit

Solihull’s Urban Growth Company (UGC) has become one of only a handful of organisations in the UK to achieve ‘Gold Accreditation’ from the Conflict Avoidance Coalition.

UGC is recognised for its inclusion of conflict avoidance procedures in new contracts.

UGC has made signing the Conflict Avoidance Pledge a precondition of tendering for work on the extensive ‘UK Central Hub’ development project around the Solihull HS2 Interchange Station.

The professional bodies signing up to the Conflict Avoidance Pledge have committed to working together to provide the construction industry with information and guidance on how conflict can be avoided and, if disputes do arise, how early intervention techniques can work effectively to reduce the time and costs of achieving a resolution.

UGC’s managing director, Jonathan Bretherton said: “We are really pleased to have gained the Gold Accreditation. Collaboration is key with any big contracts. Failing to embrace adequate techniques for dealing with conflict at an early stage can lead to minor issues which can

ultimately escalate. When this happens meaningful dialogue often stalls and positions become entrenched.”

According to RICS between 2010 and 2014, the financial costs of disputes in the UK construction industry increased from £4.6bn to £17.6bn. The length of time it takes to resolve disputes through litigation is frequently measured in years, and implications on finances and other resources can be immense.

Jonathan Bretherton said: “We have already included conflict avoidance in several contracts including those with HS2 and the Department of Transport. Well drafted contracts, which are easy to understand and include practical systems for avoiding and resolving conflict at an early stage.”

Signing the pledge signals to clients and suppliers that you are a good business to work with; you are committed to maintaining good business relationships and dealing with problems early and amicably, and your business is fully committed to delivering value for money and working collaboratively to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget and on par.

Running up the funds: Solihull Chamber members.

Pictured: (top L-R) Sam Frampton, head of Solihull Chamber, and Tony Elvin, Solihull Chamber president and Touchwood general manager (bottom L-R) Amanda Holden, Solihull committee member and partner at The Wilkes Partnership, and Ian Rogers, Solihull committee member and owner of The Original events Company

Gold standard: Jonathan Bretherton

Young Driver launches off-road adventure

roads yet – but 10 to 14 year olds are now able to take advantage of a new off-road adventure specifically designed for young teens.

The UK’s largest pre-17 driving school, Young Driver, has launched independent driving experiences in a new fleet of the rugged Polaris Youth Ranger, with one of the first venues to launch being Stoneleigh Park near Solihull.

With the Young Driver scheme more typically teaching youngsters safe driving skills in a dual controlled hatchback with a fully qualified instructor sat beside them, the Polaris experience will enable young drivers to try their hand at independent driving in a safe and secure off-road environment.

The agile Polaris Youth Ranger is a real All Terrain Vehicle, but in a smaller size - originally created as tough working vehicles on ranches and farms.

hone their independent driving skills, combining key safety, tech and performance features. The Rangers can whizz over undulating fields and bumps with ease, letting young drivers practice their steering, braking and reversing in a controlled environment. The 30-minute driving experience sees youngsters given some tuition on how to use the vehicle before trying it for themselves on a specially designed course. A parent can accompany the driver if desired.

Sue Waterfield, head of marketing for Young Driver, said: “We’re delighted to announce that we have added the exciting Polaris Youth Ranger to our range of driving experiences for under 17s.

“Our aim is always to give young people a varied and safe introduction to driving, and we know that giving them a longer time to learn the basics behind the wheel in an unpressured environment helps to make them a safer driver when they go on to pass their test.”

To find out more visit www.youngdriver.com

Solihull Chamber Patrons

New experience: Polaris Youth Ranger

New Members

• Lucy Wilson (The Eastside Rooms)

• Peter Hawkins (British Council)

• Ryan Raymond James Storey (University Of Birmingham)

• Danielle Bayliss (Legionella and Fire Safe Services)

• Daniel Farrelly (Adcocks Solicitors)

• Maddie Williams (Adcocks Solicitors)

• Katie Dean (SWOF Media)

• Will Varley (CT Planning Ltd)

• Georgie Butler (Blackberry Productions)

• Sam Brown (Intercity Technology Ltd)

• Patrick Ellis (Legionella and Fire Safe Services Ltd)

• Kyle Tizzard (Yee Group Ltd)

• Matty Philpotts (Barker Brettell LLP)

• Abigale Brewer (Seated Furniture Ltd)

• Isabelle Drake (Seated Furniture Ltd)

• Ryan Hughes (Fieldfisher LLP)

• Emma Freudenthal (Fieldfisher LLP)

• Alexandra Kalu (FieldFisher)

• Esther Thomas (Fieldfisher)

• Thomas Karnik (Fieldfisher LLP)

• Jessica Cooper (Pi-Kem Limited)

• Lilybea Taylor (Access Bookings)

• Funded FF 9 (Lichfield District Council)

• Funded FF 10 (Lichfield District Council)

• Brigid Ray (PI-KEM Limited)

• Zharia Rodney (Be Entitled Jewelleries)

• Matthew D’Silva (Katie Bard)

• Caitlin O'Donnell (Possibl)

• Kevin Branche (Future Perfect Financial Solutions)

Contact: Sophie Poduval-Morrell

T: 0121 274 3276

Madeleine wins Young Professional award

The Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth, and Cannock Chase Annual Dinner and Awards took place recently, honouring businesses and their workforce members for their hard work and dedication to their careers.

It was an incredible night, with one of the Future Faces members, Madeleine Williams, winning the SLTC Young Professional of the Year. Madeleine winning the award is a fitting highlight for Future Faces this month, bringing together the monthly theme of Leadership and International Women’s Day on 8 March.

Madeleine said: “It was a huge honour to be chosen as Young Professional of the Year by the judges panel at the Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Annual Awards.

“A massive congratulations to all the other winners and nominees, and a big thank you to the judges for choosing me for this award.

“I thoroughly enjoy the work that I do on a day-to-day basis. It can be very rewarding assisting the elderly and sometimes vulnerable clients in matters that can often be daunting or distressing to them, and I always endeavour to make the process as smooth as possible for

them. So to be recognised for my efforts by this award is greatly appreciated. It also puts me in good stead for my future career, as I will be qualifying as a solicitor in April of this year.

“I had a great time at the awards celebrating and getting to know the other delegates, and it was a really enjoyable event from start to finish. I look forward to future events with the Chambers, and to see what this year has to offer!”

Future Faces vice-president, Amy Jacklin, was on the judging panel for the awards.

She said: “Being a Future Faces member has really been a fantastic experience for me. You really do get out what you put in.

“When I was asked by Chris to judge the Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Tamworth and Cannock Chase Awards, I was absolutely blown away as I didn’t expect to be offered this chance.

“It was a real privilege to read the applications of those shortlisted and hear about all of the amazing work that is happening in the region. Well done to everyone who was shortlisted, to the winners and great job for the chamber teams who put it all together. It was a great evening.”

Future Faces Chamber Patrons

Young Professional of the Year: Madeleine Williams

Chamber boss on women in leadership

By Darby Newman

Bringing together the Future Faces theme of Leadership and this month’s International Women’s Day celebrations, GBCC CEO Henrietta Brealey talks about how she became a young female business leader in Birmingham, and the advice she has for young female professionals.

After moving to Birmingham in 2009 to attend university, with ambitions of becoming an actress, Henrietta started off her career path into the business sector by joining the Uprising Leadership programme, which specialised in bringing about social action and positive change.

Thanks to the programme, Henrietta says she got to fall in love with Birmingham and see a lot more of it than she did at university, as well as learning about a whole new career opportunitypolicy and campaigning.

Henrietta says during this time she had a brilliant mentor, Marc Reeves, who introduced her to her former manager at the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Katie Teasdale.

This led to Henrietta taking a part time internship at the GBCC over that summer,

resulting in her joining as a policy assistant in 2011.

Moving up the ranks from policy assistant to director of Policy when she was 25, Henrietta eventually took on the role of chief executive in April 2021.

Speaking on representation of young female leaders in the Birmingham business sector, Henrietta said: “I’d like to see more, as I’m sure many people would say. All the statistics show female business leaders are still underrepresented. I would of course like to see further progress towards gender parity.

“I would love to get to a point where we, not just in the business but in society as a whole, don’t think ‘female leader’ and ‘male leader’.

“Leaders aren’t another species, in most cases they’ve worked hard, made and taken opportunities and had a bit of luck along the way. I hear it again and again when interviewing guests for our podcast CEO Stories.

“If you’re an aspiring leader, I’d say don’t think ‘why me’, think ‘why not give it a go’?

Throughout my career, I’ve always put myself forward for opportunities, even when I didn’t really think I was going to get them, and the doors its opened for me have been brilliant.”

Henrietta says that in order for this gender parity to continue to form, a fundamental reform of the childcare system in the UK needs to take place: “Primary childcare still falls disproportionately to women, the UK system is one of the most expensive in the world, fragmented and not designed around full-time working parents.

“If we want to see more female leaders, we need to see flexibility in the workplace, yes, but also to have a system that works around professionals effectively. It is looking like political parties are starting to pick this issue up, so watch this space.”

Mentorship scheme to be relaunched

Future Faces Chamber of Commerce will be relaunching their mentor scheme programme this coming May, after a successful first launch in October 2022.

The scheme is positioned as an opportunity for business leaders to help develop the next generation of talent, by sharing insight and knowledge and helping them to shape and boost their careers.

Future Faces has become the established network for aspiring young professionals across the West Midlands, providing a platform to learn from business leaders, develop essential business skills and expand networks.

The scheme is the next step for the division as they continue to strengthen their offering to members and enhance their professional development opportunities.

For participating mentors and mentees, the scheme will again be an opportunity to learn from each other and for young professionals to

develop their career skills with a one-to-one mentor.

Kate Curry, director of The Curry Design Studio and one of the participating mentors from the last scheme launch, said: “I love to help others achieve, so being able to refine my mentoring skills with the support of the Chamber has been fantastic and really rewarding.

“The initial training session, and creative way we were all introduced to each other made the process feel positive, energetic, and exciting.

“I've enjoyed getting to know Solange in our sessions, understand her goals and barriers, and explore how to take those next steps in her journey by sharing my own experience. I'd really recommend taking part in this programme.

Solange Uwera, Deutsche Bank, was Kate’s mentee for the last mentor scheme programme. Speaking on her experience, she said: “The mentoring sessions helped me to pinpoint my unique selling points. It was a pleasure to know Kate and discuss my challenges, experiences and goals that matter for my career development that I wouldn’t necessarily discuss with my employers.

“My mentor has been an excellent source of new perspectives and ideas that will assist me in broadening my networking. I would recommend everyone to participate in the program if they are offered the opportunity.”

The scheme will officially launch in May 2023 with an in-person social event, with the aim of having the first mentoring sessions in June 2023.

The Chamber’s ever growing network for young professionals and the leaders of tomorrow.

Leading the way: Henrietta Brealey, GBCC CEO

‘All the statistics show female business leaders are still underrepresented’

Building networks: Kate Curry (left) and Solange Uwera (right)

‘The mentoring sessions helped me to pinpoint my unique selling points’

New Chamber events this month

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s events programme is one of the largest in the British Chambers of Commerce’s network.

March brings with it a range of events. From speaker breakfasts to Christmas socials, the events span across all the Chamber’s divisions and membership levels. A stand-out event for this month is the Greater Birmingham Business Expo.

International Women’s Day

Celebration

Date: 08/03/2023

Time: 18:00 – 21:30

Venue: Hotel Du Vin

Division: ABCC

Cost Members: £40 +VAT

Future Faces Members: £40 +VAT

Non-members: £60 +VAT

Business at Breakfast Sutton Coldfield

Date: 09/03/2023

Time: 07:30 – 09:30

Venue: BMet Sutton Coldfield

Division: Sutton Coldfield

Cost Members: Free

Future Faces Members: £15 +VAT

Non-members: £50 +VAT

Speed Networking Solihull

Date: 09/03/2023

Time: 8:30 – 10:30

Venue: Arden Hotel and Leisure Club

Division: Solihull

Cost Members: Free

Future Faces Members: £15 +VAT

Non-members: £20 +VAT

ABCC Annual General Meeting

Date: 15/03/2023

Time: 11:00 – 12:00

Venue: Chamber House

Division: ABCC

Cost Members: Free

Future Faces Members: Free

Non-members: Free

Greater Birmingham Chamber

Annual Dinner & Awards 2023

Date: 16/03/2023

Time: 18:00 – 23:30

Venue: ICC

Division: GBCC

Cost Members: £165 +VAT

Future Faces Members: £165 +VAT

Non-members: £165 +VAT

Speed Networking Lichfield & Tamworth

Date: 21/03/2023

Time: 8:30 – 10:30

Venue: Garrick Theatre

Division: Lichfield & Tamworth

Cost Members: Free

Future Faces Members: £15 +VAT

Non-members: £20 +VAT

Networking Lunch Birmingham

Date: 22/03/2023

Time: 12:00 – 14:00

Venue: The Blue Piano

Division: Birmingham

Cost Members: Free Future Faces Members: £15 +VAT Non-members: £50 +VAT

Future Faces Breakfast with Doug

Wright

Date: 23/03/2023

Time: 8:30 – 10:30

Venue: McDonald’s, Perry Barr

Division: Future Faces

Cost Future Faces Members: Free

Business at Breakfast Cannock Chase

Date: 28/03/2023

Time: 7:30 – 9:30

Venue: TBC

Division: Cannock Chase

Cost Members: Free Future Faces Members: £15 +VAT

Non-members: £50 +VAT

For further information and to book a place, visit: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/networking-events

Social Networking Burton & District

Date: 28/03/2023

Time: 17:30 – 19:30

Venue: Deer Barn

Division: Burton & District

Cost Members: Free

Future Faces Members: £15 +VAT

Non-members: £50 +VAT

Greater Birmingham Business Expo

Date: 30/03/2023

Time: 10:00 – 15:00

Venue: Aston Villa

Division: GBCC

Cost Members: Free

Future Faces Members: Free

Non-members: Free

Solihull Annual General Meeting

Date: 31/03/2023

Time: 10:00 – 12:00

Venue: Hogarths

Division: Solihull

Cost Members: Free

Future Faces Members: Free

Non-members: Free

Chamber revamps training programme

A new training programme designed to upskill businesses in international trade has been launched by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

A revamped series of packages and tailored training courses have been released to aid businesses and individuals who are looking to boost their skills on specific matters relating to international trade.

The courses are available to everyone from beginners who are new to a business or role, through to more experienced team members who are looking to upskill or update their knowledge.

Training modules include topics such as Understanding Export, Export Documentation, Incoterms 2020, Preference – Rules of Origin, Customs Procedures and Documentation,

Agents and Distributors, Understand Commodity Codes, Import Procedures, Inward & Outward Processing, Documentary Letters of Credit and Methods of Payment.

The courses are British Chambers of Commerce accredited.

Bronze, silver, gold and platinum training packages are available, allowing businesses to save between 10 and 35 per cent, depending

on how many modules they choose.

Larger teams can also contact the Chamber team to discuss tailored packages.

Leah Quarmby, international trade training manager at the GBCC, said: “If you have team members that require expert training or want to learn the international processes in depth, we can provide the vital skills for you.

“Our tier packages are great if you have individuals that need training. Learning is completed in a group with other businesses from similar trades.

“With several dates available per course throughout the year, your business can plan ahead so there are no disruptions to workload.”

Contact

about the training course

Picture gallery

The Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Chambers of Commerce’s annual dinner and awards returned in style, with more than 200 people attending at the Drayton Manor Hotel. Lichfield Garrick Theatre was among the winners on the night, claiming the Large Business of the Year award. Here are some of the best pictures from the event, captured by Edwin Ladd.

• Read more on page 12

1. Welcome: Chamber CEO Henrietta Brealey addresses guests

2. Magical night: Attendees were wowed by a magic act

3. Hula hype: Entertainment was provide by Nula Hula

4. Team Chamber: International director Mandy Haque and Future Faces manager Sophie Morrell-Poduval

5. Happy snappers: Sutton Chamber vice-president Naeem Arif leads a group selfie

6. Presidents pose: Fiona Rouse, Gill Durkin and Phil Arkinstall

The UK’s creative industries: an economic powerhouse

By Jill Minter (pictured), head of marketing and communications at AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group

At a parliamentary reception hosted by the Creative Industries Council (CIC) in December 2022, Creative Industries Minister Julia Lopez said: “The creative industries were an economic powerhouse in the UK”.

Acknowledging the resilience of UK creative industries in the pandemic, speakers explored the potential to expand UK creative businesses. They also discussed opportunities for growing exports and inward investment highlighted in a new International Strategy from CITIB (Creative Industries Trade & Investment Board).

The CITIB was created in 2018 to promote UK creative industry exports and inward investment. The International Strategy, ‘Putting the UK Creative Industries Centre Stage’, aims to raise UK creative industries exports to £78bn by 2030.

Champion a renaissance on creative education and skills

The term ‘creative industries’ was introduced around 20 years ago. It defined a range of both traditional sound and visual arts and more recently, the growing development of creative digital technology. Now, the concept of the ‘creative industries’, and their importance, is recognised by almost every government in the world and is beginning to give way to a much

more inclusive idea of a wider ‘creative economy’.

A success story

The creative industries are an ongoing UK success story. The headline figures show the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the UK creative industries was provisionally estimated at £115.9bn in 2019 current prices. This is equivalent to contributing approximately £13.2m every hour at current prices (i.e. before adjusting for inflation). Since 2010, GVA has increased by more than 43 per cent, or more than twice as fast as the UK economy.

Figures published by the UN Conference on Trade and Development show:

• The UK was the fifth largest exporter of creative services in 2020, after the United States, Ireland, Germany and China. It said the UK’s creative services were worth $57bn (US dollars), equivalent to 5.4 per cent of all creative services exports that year.

• The UK was the seventh largest exporter of creative goods, after China, the United States, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong and France. The total value of UK creative goods exports that year was $15bn, 2.9 per cent of all creative goods exports.

It is estimated that the creative industries employ just over two million people across the UK, while supporting 1.4 million jobs across the supply chain.

At a regional level, a recent survey conducted by creative consultancy Tom Fleming found the majority of LEPs see the sector as a priority, either alongside other growth areas or uniquely so.

The sector is recognised for the spill-over effects they generate eg to tourism, innovation and inward investment.

The survey concludes with recommendations for future policy consideration to nurture the creative industries.

International stage

The first World Conference on Creative Economy (WCCE) was hosted in Indonesia in 2018, and offered a forum for policymakers and industry players to exchange ideas, resolve challenges and identify opportunities within the creative economy.

In 2021 and The Global Agenda was launched. Created by the PEC International Council, it sets out 11 key actions for international creative industries and governments worldwide to support the growth of creative industries and help them to tackle some of the biggest challenges of the 21st century.

So what next?

In July 2022, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee launched an inquiry into the future of the UK’s creative industries. This delayed report is now due to be launched this year.

A report for Deloitte reported: That over the longer term, the creative economy was likely to be a key driver of economic growth. It expected that the sector would return to its long-term trend of growing faster than the wider economy.

The fundamental driver of creative economy growth remains that when consumers have more to spend, they are more likely to spend that additional income on outputs of the creative economy. Extrapolating from earlier trends suggests that the creative economy could grow 40 per cent by 2030, adding more than eight million additional jobs, in the nine economies studied by Deloitte.

There is enormous potential for growth in this vibrant sector and it will be interesting to read the government’s 10-year plan in this long awaited Sector Vision. While it isn’t possible to design policy that will suit each local authority, The Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre is a great place to for local policy makers to find out more about the creative industries in their regions: pec.ac.uk

Five ways to increase creativity

Increasing creativity in the workplace is a win-win scenario for both employers and staff. As well as giving you an edge over your competitors, fostering a culture of creativity can lead to increased job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism and lower staff turnover.

In some industries, however, it might be hard to see how you can incorporate creativity in the workplace. You might be forgiven for thinking that ‘creativity’ means creating artwork, music, or stories, but it’s much more than that. Creativity is a mindset – it’s about thinking outside of the box, creating solutions to problems and putting existing resources to a different and better use.

Why is creativity important? To put it simply, creativity keeps things fresh and exciting. This will have positive impact on the business as a whole (a company that puts creativity first will always have a wealth of new ideas to tap into to help them to capture new markets and new customers) and also your employees. If your employees spend their days doing repetitive tasks, (no matter how important) they might start to feel like their work isn’t meaningful or that they lack impact.

In contrast, a worker that is given opportunities to flex their creative skills will feel engaged, valued and driven to push the business to new heights.

How to increase creativity in the workplace

1. Get the design right

Beige wall and cubicles aren’t inspiring. If you want to promote collaboration and idea sharing, an open plan space is much more conducive to your goals. Additionally, think about offering a relaxing break space, where staff members can go to unwind or recharge on their breaks – a boost of energy might be just what they need to get the creative juices flowing.

2. Diversify your staff

If all your staff members have similar backgrounds and life experiences, it’s likely they’ll have similar ideas too. To prevent ideas and outlooks becoming stale, make sure you’re hiring a diverse workforce. A diverse team can bring all sorts of unique ideas and points of view to the table, as well as introducing different learning and management styles.

3. Share the knowledge

You know that your staff have the skills and qualifications they need to do their jobs, but what secret skills and talents are they hiding that you don’t know about? Encourage your team to skill share their skills with the rest of

your staff – if one staff member is a whizz at Excel, ask them to teach a seminar that covers the basics. If another staff member enjoys meditation, ask them to lead a meditation session. By encouraging your staff to share their skills and passions you can foster a culture of collaboration and open discussion – two things that are vital for creativity.

4.

Don’t be afraid of failure

Not every great idea is going to work the first time, but don’t let your staff to give up at the first sign of failure. Failing is a natural part of trying something new and thinking outside of the box, but if your staff fear that they will be penalised for making a mistake, they are less likely to take creative risks in the future. When failure happens, encourage your team to go back to the drawing board. What can be done differently? What hasn’t been tried yet? This period of reflection and experimentation can help boost their critical thinking skills as well as providing further opportunities for growth and innovation.

5.

Listen to good ideas

So you want your staff to suggest ideas on how they can improve your product/service or your business operations. But when they do, do you listen? Failing to act on good ideas, or give proper credit where credit is due, will only serve to demotivate your workforce. If you don’t, they will simply stop sharing their ideas and your culture of creativity will fizzle out. When acting on an idea, let the employee who came up with it know you’re acting on it – and if there’s an opportunity for them to get involved with the implementation, bring them on board. By sharing positive results, encouraging feedback and offering praise, your team will know that they are listened to and that their creative input is valued.

Cyber security quick wins often missed by smaller businesses and startups

By Tim Childe head of curriculum and innovation, Netcom Training

Cyber security is a massive and important area, with many complicated and technical factors to look at, examine and fix. Fortunately there are some quick, and relatively easy things you can do that will massively reduce your risk.

So what are the risks?

The government CyberSecurity Breaches Survey from 2022 gives some interesting statistics. Around 40 per cent of businesses identified a cyber attack during the previous 12 months - and this is very likely under-reported.

The average estimated cost of the attacks was around £4000, and nearer £20,000 when you just look at the medium and larger businesses.

However, over 80 per cent of the attacks where the threat vector was identified were phishing attempts, with the more commonly thought of and news worthy attacks, such as Denial of Service, malware and ransomware, only being around 20 per cent

Three essential, and easy, steps to mitigate against the 80 per cent Phishing attacks are a type of social engineering using emails trying to lure you into giving away important information, or to download/run a malicious file.

They may do this with a link that takes you to a website that looks genuine, but asks you to login or give other information away. “You have received a fax, please click here and login to download” was a classic. There is no fax, but when you login you've had your credentials stolen. And of course, it isn't a fax nowadays – it may be a scanned document from the printer, an invoice,

a recent purchase, or any other method to get you to click on the a link or an attached file.

So we need to defend against the malicious file, the loss of login info, and preferably avoid the click in the first place.

1. Updates and anti-malware: Security updates and anti-malware will stop most of the malicious files getting to your computers. So make sure you’re updating all your machines with security and anti-malware updates within 14 days of their release.

Medium and larger businesses will have this covered automatically by the IT department, but smaller businesses might be relying on users not to stop the updates because they're 'annoying'.

The WannaCry ransomware attack that hit in 2017, including hitting the NHS and making all the news, had already had been patched and a security update released 3 months earlier - it only affected devices that hadn't been updated. It is estimated to have caused global costs of around £6bn! Do your updates!

2. Passwords and credentials: There's plenty of information out there on password hygiene. Some of the basic rules are: don’t reuse across different accounts, don't share them and don’t get obsessed with symbols. It’s also good to remember that two or preferably three unrelated words are much more secure than a single word with the s swapped to a $.

But then also make sure you're using Two Factor Authentication (2FA) everywhere you can. With this enabled the password on its own is little use (as long as you haven't used the same password somewhere else!)

3 Culture of security: This is the most important, and often most overlooked.

As we know, most attacks are social engineering and phishing attacks - attacks aimed at the people. The best defence against these attacks are the people themselves, sometimes referred to as the Human Firewall.

So while staff awareness and training is a big part of this, you need more to make it successful. The classic ‘mandatory staff training’ rarely works as it’s often just another meeting your staff wish they didn't have to go to.

People are about leadership and culture not technical instructions, and so to reduce security risks you also need an open, blame averse culture with good leadership that will get your staff doing the right things by choice, and able to raise concerns (or admit to clicking that link!) without fear of any consequences or blame.

The best defence against the majority of cyber threats is a good business culture.

The indispensability of the parking enforcement and management

By James Tark, managing director, Euro Parking Services Ltd

Iwas once mocked by a friend for being the managing director of a parking management company. He was dead against parking and traffic enforcement. He’d had multiple tickets over the years; I could see his anger towards the enforcement system. “It’s a way for the government and cowboy parking companies to make money from the public,” he said. I was speechless; and kept asking myself, how can I restore his trust?

It’s not that I believe that all parking operators are angels, and I think there are two reasons for my friend feeling that way. The first is due to a minority of enforcement operators who have adopted practices that are completely unethical (illegal at times). This completely destroys the trust in the industry. The same goes for any other profession. The second reason is that we, as humans, are of two kinds. One kind follows a system and does good for the group; the other kind only follows the system when it does good for them. In other words, when people are faced with a choice between doing what’s right and

doing what’s right for them, they often choose the latter.

There are multiple examples of selfish parking I can present; however, it is difficult to change one’s perspective from seeing themselves as a victim to the culprit. Imagine a day without parking enforcement. A large herd of vehicles will park anywhere they can fit their cars. My road had relaxed enforcement during the coronavirus pandemic. One side is Pay & Display, and another side is permit-holders only. Pre-Covid, the parking enforcement system worked. Residents of that area could easily find a space in the permit holder’s section. If someone parked without a permit, you will see a yellow sticker with a parking charge notice neatly folded inside it stuck on the windscreen. It not only corrected the driver to be more cautious but also sent a message out to the other potential parking misusers about the consequences of abusing the system. On the other side of the same road, any vehicle that overstayed would be issued with a PCN too. When the enforcement was relaxed, I noticed, no PCNs

were being issued on the permit section and highly reduced patrols for the pay and display side. The council must have assumed that motorists would behave judiciously if we offered them free parking. It was quite the opposite, and it was chaotic.

Parking misusers started parking in the permit holder section, in bays reserved for disabled people, we had perfectly abled bodies parking, and in motorcycle-only zones, we saw fourwheeled vehicles. And the list goes on. We had several occasions where we saw vehicles parked on dropped curves, restricting access to enter/exit some buildings. It was merciless parking and has spread just like the virus. We saw similar issues in other areas, both private and council estates.

‘We need enforcement to put the interests of the locals first whilst being fair and ethical to the motorist’

What’s the moral here? We need enforcement!

It’s a system that works and will continue working. We need enforcement to put the interests of the locals first whilst being fair and ethical to the motorist. Parking charge notices have a place in society and must be issued to wrongful parkers. These aren’t one-off incidents; some motorists are habitual in bad parking as they exploit the rules due to lack of enforcement. When they get caught by the system, they are the first ones to feel victimised and sorry for themselves. They should be more understanding about the frustration their parking causes to the locals. Bad parking may seem harmless, but it’s not! Parking and landowners have the right to protect their land. When they lay out the law and erect signs around the car parks to draw your attention, then I strongly suggest you give it. Keep your driving and parking skills sharp and make a deliberate effort to read and adhere to the terms and conditions of parking.

It’s only in your best interest to pay close attention to parking signage.

Striving to deliver the whole package

The Schumacher Packaging Group has its head office in the Bavarian town of Ebersdorf bei Coburg and is an expert for tailor-made packaging solutions made of corrugated and solid board. The medium-sized, owner-run company has been one of the productivity and technology leaders in the packaging industry for many years. One important strategic advantage is that Schumacher Packaging combines a wide presence on the European market with uniformly high technology, quality and service standards at every location. The extensive product portfolio satisfies the packaging needs of many different industries and extends from packaging for transport, automatic machines and sales, as well as folding boxes and trays through to gift packaging and displays.

As an integrated group of companies, Schumacher Packaging comprises two paper mills for recycled corrugated base paper, two board mills, 12 converting plants and various service centres. The company is managed in the

third generation by brothers Björn and Hendrik Schumacher and employs around 3,700 people at 27 locations in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Great Britain and the Netherlands. For almost 75 years, we have been processing renewable raw materials from nature and doing everything we can to produce and design packaging that is even more climate-friendly. Through constant improvements and savings in the use of resources, we are continuously reducing the CO2 footprint for ourselves and our customers. With our current innovation offensive of 700 million euros, we are investing in state-ofthe-art, efficient and environmentally friendly technologies to achieve our ambitious goal of climate-neutral production by 2035. Sustainability plays a central role for us.

of increased demand and production bottlenecks due to scarce resources, we offer our customers solid prospects for the future. State-of-the-art machinery is used in our factories, because digital progress is a central aspect and driver of our work.

As a company with a high level of dynamism and a doer mentality, we lead the way in the industry: because sustainability, digital progress and security of supply are our priorities - today and in the future.

As a medium-sized company, we react very flexibly, quickly and agilely to market changes and the needs of our customers. We are characterised by exceptionally fast delivery times and flexible production quantities. Even in times

For more details contact Naomi Harvey at Schumacher Packaging sales_bir@schumacher-packaging.com

Sector Focus

The latest news from the sectors that matter to business

10 millionth customer for airport

Birmingham Airport has welcomed its 10 millionth customer of the financial year.

The airport says there has been a 269 per cent uplift in passenger numbers compared to the previous fiscal year (2020/21) – representing a period of steady recovery since Covid-19 travel restrictions were lifted back in March 2022.

Tom Screen, BHX aviation director, said: “If this time last year you’d have told me that BHX will deliver 10 million passengers in the next 12 months, I would not have believed you.

“Coming out of Covid-19 travel restrictions was tough, but I think I speak for everyone here at BHX when I say that we are thrilled to be welcoming our 10 millionth passenger.

“My heartfelt thanks go out to all the staff at Birmingham Airport, and the handling agents, caterers, aircrew, travel agents and customers that have got us to this point.”

‘It’s fantastic to be the 10 millionth customers of Birmingham airport’

To mark the milestone, Turkish Airlines joined colleagues from BHX to present two free business class tickets to any destination on its network to the 10 millionth customers - a couple called Tony and Jen.

HS2 train depot given green light

Council chiefs have given the green light to HS2’s Washwood Heath depot where high-speed trains will be maintained, serviced and stored.

Plans for the depot to the north-east of Birmingham city centre also include a maintenance building, Network Integrated Control Centre (NICC) and a cleaners and drivers building.

The designs have been produced by HS2’s Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP).

Richard Kirkham, HS2’s light systems programme client, said: “We’re pleased that Birmingham City Council’s planning committee has approved our plans for the HS2 depot at Washwood Heath, marking a significant milestone for HS2 in the Midlands.

“Over 550 jobs will be created by the depot’s operations in a range of disciplines including facilities management, fleet management, production, depot drivers and cleaning. We’re working closely with Birmingham City Council and other stakeholders to maximise these job opportunities for people in the local area.”

The maintenance building will be the primary hub of operations within the site, used to maintain the HS2 train fleet along with facilities to store materials and equipment. It includes office accommodation, workshops and staff welfare facilities.

Around 250 staff will work in the building, including facilities management, fleet management, production, cleaning, and depot drivers.

The Network Integrated Control Centre will oversee the whole HS2 network and is located centrally within the depot site.

Tony said: “It’s fantastic to be the 10 millionth customers of Birmingham airport and we look forward to flying with Turkish Airlines.”

Omer Faruk Alier, general manager of Turkish Airlines at BHX, added: “We are so pleased to be giving away this fantastic prize to BHX’s 10 millionth passenger.

“Turkish Airlines ended last year in a great position thanks to its operational ability to meet increasing demand, with its highly skilled workforce and wide flight network. In addition, the close co-operation with Birmingham Airport has contributed to our success, especially during peak season.”

This will be a standalone building – where more than 100 staff will be based – and is designed to accommodate the operational and management functions of the HS2 network.

The cleaners and drivers building is located in the depot’s western area and will host facilities for train servicing teams and driver training.

This building will be linked to the stabling yard area, where trains will be cleaned and replenished, ready for passenger service.

Around 200 staff will be based here.

Work on site to date includes demolition of buildings and groundworks to prepare for the construction of the depot and control centre.

Recovery: Colleagues celebrate their 10 millionth passenger

Permission granted: An artist’s impression of the HS2 depot

Navigating the markets through 2023

2022 was one of the most challenging investment environments for decades.

The war between Russia and Ukraine quickly led to higher inflation, resulting in increased interest rates and bond yields. This led to negative returns across global bond and equity markets, with only commodities delivering positive real returns over the year.

Predictions for 2023

The UK is widely expected to be in recession in 2023, and central banks are likely to remain offensive until we see a substantial moderation in inflation. Higher prices are continuing to add pressure to both consumers and corporate profits, with wages falling behind price increases – by a cumulative 15 per cent since 2009.

We find ourselves in an environment where monetary support has been withdrawn and volatility has returned. Through these periods, an active investment manager, with the discretion to be selective, can identify attractive opportunities with the potential for growth and strong investment returns.

Our team of chartered investment managers hold an average of more than 20 years’ experience, navigating clients through challenging markets to continue generating income and growth in the long-term. If you think that they could help you or your clients, please don’t hesitate to contact our team, we’d love to see how we could help.

EFG Harris Allday

33 Great Charles Street

Birmingham

B3 3JN

www.efgha.com

0121 233 1222

Enquiries@efgha.com

The value of an investment and the income from it can fall as well as rise, and investors may not receive back the amount they invest. Past performance is not a guide to the future.

BDO advises on more than 50 regional deals

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP advised on more than 50 deals in 2022 across the Midlands and East Anglia.

A significant proportion of the transactions involved private equity, with cross-border deals also featuring strongly.

Deals spanned a range of sectors, including consumer, technology, manufacturing, financial services, transport and logistics, healthcare and life sciences, as well as automotive and support services.

Roger Buckley, corporate finance partner, M&A, said: “When you consider the economic headwinds that have been blowing strongly against businesses in 2022, the regional deals market over the last 12 months has been extraordinarily resilient.

“Deals are still getting done across all sectors, particularly

those where long-term macroeconomic and social tailwinds are supporting long-term growth.

“Specifically, deal volumes in manufacturing, TMT and healthcare remain strong, as the adoption of technology continues at pace.”

Highlights of transactions in the Midlands and East Anglia include advising on the sale of Dorsey Construction Material to Röko, acting as reporting accountant on one of only a handful of IPOs in the region (the AIM listing of Aurrigo International plc) and advising on the sale of LTC Trading Holdings Limited and its subsidiary Lodge Tyre Company to Halfords Group plc.

Nationally, BDO advised on 362 deals in 2022 with a total value of £31.2 billion.

Among these deals, transactions involving private equity accounted for two thirds of deals completed, with BDO outperforming the global M&A market.

Factset has ranked BDO, globally and in the UK, as number one for deals by volume in 2022,.

BDO also took top spot for financial due diligence in the Merger Market accounting league tables.

Year of consolidation predicted

Corporate finance experts at Crowe are predicting a year of consolidation across a number of marketsand have seen a growing number of cross-border deals being completed.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), introduced by the government to support businesses to trade through the pandemic, saw £46.6 billion drawn down by 31 July 2022.

To that date only £4.7bn had been fully repaid by borrowers, according to figures published by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

Andy Kay, corporate finance partner in Crowe’s Midlands office, said: “Notwithstanding this double burden of known CBILS costs and uncertain energy costs, plus potential inflation-related wage settlements, to come this year, many businesses have an underlying viability if you strip out the exceptional costs.

“Many, though, may not be able to ride out the immediate storm and so prudent directors may be considering selling or merging the profitable parts of their business as an option among others.

“This will provide opportunities for those looking to accelerate their expansion plans, and will favour those with a significant war chest available to take advantage of opportunities quickly as they arise.”

Crowe’s corporate finance team in the Midlands had a busy 2022, with deals including the acquisition

They

of a chain of 16 pharmacies owned by The Hub Pharmacy Ltd by Allcures plc.

also advised on three deals in the year for Customs Support Group (CSG), the leading digital customs broker in Europe.

Andy Kay: A year of consolidation

Roger Buckley: A raft of deals

Regulation support for your product

Over the course of the pandemic many people decided on following a different course in their professional lives. They turned their hands to cakes, confectionery, cookies, or gin (making!). In doing so they took on not only making products that must be good enough to sell but also navigating what is often the difficult and complicated area of food law, including what must be indicated on the product.

Product information on packaging or advertising encompasses not only ingredients, instructions for use and of course allergens, but it may also make claims relating to origin or provenance or how the product is the best you can eat!

Over the coming years legislation relating to food and trading law in the UK is going to change. It is almost certainly likely to diverge from European requirements and, Northern Ireland aside, it may even evolve differently across Wales, Scotland, and England. There are likely to be more pieces of information required on packaging – ingredients on wine? Animal welfare information? Packaging and recycling information? How is cell cultured meat going to be described? Front of pack nutrition labels?

All the information on products must be presented correctly and must be accurate. Clavis are perfectly positioned to support you through this. For over 30 years, Pete has worked in trading law as regulatory support to grocery retailers and manufacturers, protecting brands and their consumers.

From initial advice on new legislation to support on formulation to product information contact Pete Martin LLM DTS CTSI 07555 646950 www.clavis-support.co.uk

Northern base acquired for expanding company

An expanding Halesowen company which owns various specialist businesses has purchased a North Yorkshire warehouse for £2.6m in a deal advised by Thursfields Solicitors.

HBI Investment Ltd has bought the 50,000 sq ft property on the Gatherley Road Industrial Estate in Brompton on Swale, near Richmond.

HBI is the parent company of businesses including Signzworld, UK Cutter and Woodpecker Technology Ltd, which are specialist suppliers of sublimation printing technology.

To make room for the expansion of these businesses at its base on the Belfont

Stewart Coles, a director in the Commercial Real Estate department at Thursfields, said: “It’s always a pleasure to assist expanding companies and we look forward to watching HBI’s continued success both here in the West Midlands and up in North Yorkshire.”

Aliy Li, managing director of HBI Investment, said:

“We are very grateful to Thursfields for the speed and quality of legal advice we received on this deal.

“A lot of the equipment and products we sell across our varied businesses are bulky and therefore take up lots of space.

Trading Estate in Mucklow Hill, HBI needed to relocate a section of its business to the North Yorkshire property, from which it will supply products as varied as carpet tiles, barbecue grills and garden furniture.

“We needed more space in our Halesowen premises for major expansions of our sublimation printing side of the business and so were looking for a northern base, mainly to store products from our associated business. It has been difficult to find a suitable property, so once we identified this site we had to move quickly, and Stewart Coles and his team acted swiftly for us on the legal side to ensure we completed the deal on time.”

The funding for HBI Investment’s deal came from HSBC. DLA Piper acted for the seller and HCR for the lender.

Solicitors appointed as King’s Counsel

Two solicitors from St Ives Chamber have been appointed as King’s Counsel.

Timothy Bowe is a specialist children practitioner, and Rebecca Wade is head of St Ives’ criminal team.

Rebecca is a barrister specialising in criminal law and an established member of the Criminal group having joined Chambers in 2012.

She has secured acquittals when defending Rape cases and has an

exemplary rate of conviction when prosecuting.

Timothy specialises in Children Law and has extensive experience of being led and leading junior counsel. He often appears against leading counsel.

Timothy represents local authorities, parents and children in extremely sensitive and complex public and private law cases.

Head of St Ives Chambers, Elizabeth Isaacs, said: “I am absolutely thrilled for Tim and

Rebecca and congratulate them in taking silk.

“Both appointments are exceptionally well deserved and a reflection of their hard work and skill.

“To have two appointments in the same round of silks demonstrates the outstanding ability of the barristers at St Ives and the very high quality of work that is undertaken.”

The ceremony will take place at Westminster Hall in the spring.

‘It’s always a pleasure to assist expanding companies’

Stewart Coles: Exciting expansion

Timothy Bowe

Rebecca Wade

Creating pathways into a law career

Law firm Shoosmiths has teamed up with Aston University, Virgin Media O2 and CILEX to help aspiring students from underrepresented backgrounds towards a career in law.

The programme, initiated by Aston University in partnership with Shoosmiths, garnered support from Virgin Media O2 and CILEX, prior to its first in-person event.

The Pathways to Law programme was created as a response to the government’s plans to improve access to high skilled and high-paid jobs.

The programme is comprised of a series of guidance, information and law taster sessions with the aim of equipping young people with the skills needed to complete a law degree.

Thirty-three students have been enrolled in the 18-month Pathways to Law programme.

Of the students taking part, 24 live in or attend a school or college in POLAR 4 Q1 or 2 postcodes - low social economic backgrounds and progression to higher educationand 26 are the first of their family to attend university.

Nineteen students also receive free school meals, with 17 receiving

a 16-19 bursary and three declared refugees.

This programme also involves Virgin Media O2’s General Counsel’s Office, who will showcase the option of a commercial, in-house legal route, as well as CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives), a professional body providing a cost-effective vocational route to a legal qualification.

Professor Aleks Subic, vice-

chancellor and chief executive at Aston University, said: “I am a passionate and lifelong advocate for multiculturalism, equity, diversity and inclusion, so it is wonderful to see our Pathway to Law programme evolving in such a way.

“This partnership with Shoosmiths, Virgin Media O2 and CILEX will help our students achieve exceptional career pathways and

social mobility outcomes."

Alex Bishop, co-head of Shoosmiths’ Birmingham office and head of the dispute resolution and litigation team, said: “This partnership demonstrates Shoosmiths’ commitment to advancing social mobility and the importance we place, both firmwide and as a Birmingham-based business, on creating positive change in the local community.”

Shareholders Agreements are essential where there is an inequality in shareholder’s ownership or where there are more than two shareholders. Even 50/50 shareholders can benefit from a Shareholder’s Agreement. Shareholder’s rights come from either the Companies Act or the company’s Articles of Association. However, the Companies Act does not cover every situation and the Articles of Association is a public document that anyone can look at. A Shareholders Agreement allows the parties to privately agree how they want the company to be run at board level (something Shareholders only have very limited rights to do otherwise), what shareholders decisions should be unanimous (many by default are otherwise by majority) and what happens when a shareholder is to no longer be a shareholder.

Shareholder exits can fall into one of three categories – the good, the bad and the ugly. As you would imagine the good exits tend to

be normal retirement to either enjoy the garden, grandkids, travelling etc. or just to do something else. No one has fallen out, it’s just time to move on. A Shareholders Agreement can help practically and financially manage this situation.

The bad exits are when a shareholder dies, is made bankrupt or no longer has mental capacity. In those situations, without a Shareholders Agreement you might find yourself with new shareholders (family members, the trustee in bankruptcy, an attorney) involved in the company.

The ugly exits are where the parties fall out. Without exit provisions and where parties cannot agree sometimes their only recourse can be expensive litigation.

A Shareholders Agreement should be the default position for most situations. You can always vary it by unanimous agreement if

things change in the future, but it’s always better to plan now. If you have not got a Shareholders Agreement and want one, our Commercial Team can assist with practical and clear advice giving you an agreement that suits your situation and needs.

For guidance and advice contact Hannah Clark (pictured)

In an ever-changing business environment, clear and comprehensive legal advice is required to capitalise on any potential opportunities, ensure compliance with relevant legislation, and mitigate risk. Thursfields’ specialist corporate & commercial solicitors offer proactive and targeted support that’s directly aligned to your goals. Visit thursfields.co.uk to learn more.

Pathway: Students involved in the innovative programme

Shareholders Agreements are a bit like prenuptial agreements for business owners. They tend to deal with three main areas – money, decision making, and very often most importantly, exit.

Disabilities are a risky business

A new report lays bare how the safety and lives of the UK’s disabled workforce, and those dealing with access barriers, are at risk in an emergency.

Risky Business, the study from Solihull-based evacuation chair manufacturer Evac+Chair International, found that one quarter of UK business decision makers do not know how

many disabled and mobility impaired people there are within their organisation.

Almost a third (29 per cent) have only “some” or “very little” understanding of their responsibilities, with one in 10 either not prepared, or unsure if they are adequately prepared, to safely evacuate employees needing assistance. An overwhelming 82 per cent of organisations are calling on the Government to provide more clarity on their responsibilities surrounding fire safety, while more than two thirds (67 per cent) think that evacuation equipment should be a legal requirement.

Gerard Wallace, managing director of Evac+Chair International, said: “There are more

Last year, disabled campaigners launched a legal challenge against the Government for failing to implement the Grenfell Tower inquiry’s call for evacuation plans for disabled people in high-rise buildings.

More than two thirds (67 per cent) of decision makers believe there is a culture of non-compliance or exploitation of loopholes in the business community, surrounding evacuation measures. And over one quarter (27 per cent) of respondents do not have someone solely responsible for evacuations.

One in five (19 per cent) do not take temporary mobility challenges - such as pregnancy or a broken leg - into consideration in their safety plans. On regulation, 68 per cent think that fire safety legislation does not do enough to protect those with access needs, while the cost of equipment and a lack of information were cited as the biggest challenges for business leaders to develop suitable emergency evacuation procedures.

than 4.8m disabled people in UK workplaces and this figure is rising. Those responsible for their safety are falling short, with a clear lack of knowledge, understanding and investment amplifying risk in emergency situations.

“Despite recent tragedies highlighting how important it is to be prepared to safely evacuate everyone from multistorey buildings, our findings show that safe evacuations for all clearly needs to move higher up the agenda. Our report makes the case to the Government for better education and a firmer legal landscape.”

Sarah Rennie, accessibility consultant and fire safety campaigner of Claddag, which represents disabled and older people impacted by the #BuildingSafetyCrisis following the Grenfell Tower disaster, added: “The vast majority of us become disabled during our lives so it’s important to expect colleagues to need support next week which they might not need today. Businesses must have practices in place to plan for known-unknown scenarios like this.”

To read the Risky Business report, visit www.evacchair.co.uk/white-paper-riskybusiness-download/

Narrow Aisle announce board restructure

Narrow Aisle Ltd, manufacturer of the FLEXI Truck range of very narrow aisle (VNA) intralogistics technology, has announced a restructure of its board as it prepares to drive global development in 2023 and beyond.

With effect from 1 April 2023, Narrow Aisle’s current group finance director, Donald Houston, will take up the position of managing director of all Narrow Aisle Group companies.

He succeeds John Maguire, who will continue as an executive director of the business with responsibility for international development.

Narrow Aisle’s chairman Jim Porter said: “We are pleased to confirm Donald’s appointment. Donald joined Narrow Aisle in January 2019 as part of the management buyout team and has helped the Group’s growth and success over recent years.

“John Maguire has played a huge part in establishing Narrow Aisle as a market leader and is an integral part of the company’s future.”

As part of the re-organisation Mike Hawkins has joined Narrow Aisle as Group Sales and Marketing director. Reporting directly to the managing director, Mike comes to the company from KION Group where he was director, Intralogistics.

Jim Porter said: “Mike has been in the industry for 38 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience which we believe will help to develop

our business both in the UK and globally, not just in the area of VNA but also by developing our capability to provide full Intralogistics solutions.”

“We are committing further investment across the business to drive penetration in a number of overseas markets. For example, we recently announced a major financial commitment to the USA that will see production output from our facility in Houston, Texas, increase appreciably over the next three years.”

Manufactured to the globally recognised ISO and TPS quality standards using predominantly tier-one German-made components, over 12,000 Flexi Truck machines have been supplied to distributors and users in more than 70 different countries worldwide since the articulated truck concept was pioneered by Narrow Aisle Ltd in 1990.

The Flexi Truck’s iconic articulated design delivers safe and highly space and throughput efficient operation within narrow aisle storage units.

Furthermore, because Flexi Trucks can be used to load and unload deliver y vehicles and transport palletised loads directly to and from their pallet location, ‘double handling’ is eliminated and fewer types of forklift are required.

As a result, materials handling costs can be reduced by up to 50 per cent.

Restructuring success: A Narrow Aisle truck in use

Raising awareness: Gerard Wallace

‘Our findings show that safe evacuations for all clearly needs to move higher up the agenda’

Avison Young reappointed

Strategic real estate advisor, Avison Young, has been reappointed to the estate management team for Brindleyplace in the heart of Birmingham. Brindleyplace, which is also home to Avison Young’s Birmingham office, is the city’s premier commercial and visitor destination with more than one million sq ft of office space, 30 bars, restaurants, and cafes, as well as the Ikon Gallery, National Sea Life Centre and Crescent Theatre. It is asset managed by global real estate investment, development and property group Hines.

Avison Young’s role as property managers at Brindleyplace underlines the essential placemaking and public focus elements of the estate.

Handling rent collection, service charge allocations and budgets, occupier communications, building issues and regular inspections, its brief is designed to enhance the destination’s appeal, raise its profile, and deliver a best-in-class occupier experience.

Avison Young has been part of the Brindleyplace business ecosystem alongside other major Blue Chip names for many years. Alongside the announcement of it extending its property management role, it was also announced that the regional team will remain in its current office space at 3 Brindleyplace after signing a new lease.

Carl Potter, head of office for Birmingham at Avison Young said: “Brindleyplace has been a wonderful home for the Birmingham office for

the past 25 years and it has meant a great deal to us that we have been able to contribute to its evolution, maturity and growth.

“The special relationship we have been able to nurture with the site through being one of the residents has meant we have been able to do great things and bring community value to the area.”

Raj Rajput, managing director – Asset Management, UK, at Hines, said: “Avison Young has been a great asset to Brindleyplace over the life of its contract, it has truly helped the site become what we all see today, which is a thriving hub offering a blend of both business and leisure.”

“The strength of Brindleyplace is its established presence as a major commercial estate in the city. Avison Young continues to help us bring this offer forward to local, national and international occupiers and we are happy to continue our relationship with the Birmingham team.”

Birmingham office market shows resilience

The 2022 Birmingham city centre office market was highly resilient against a backdrop of national and global economic changes, according to property consultancy KWB.

The firm’s Birmingham Office Market – Q4 and 2022 Review shows an annual office take-up of 692,700 sq ft across 15 deals, compared to 656,735 sq ft in 2021.

The largest transaction of 2022 saw investment banking group Goldman Sachs take 110,000 sq ft at One Centenary Way.

Q4 was the strongest quarter of the year with activity during October, November and December higher than expected.

The largest letting was to private higher education provider Global Banking School, which took 43,766 sq ft at Norfolk House.

Over 70 per cent of take up in 2022 involved just three sectors –professional services, financial and government and education.

Malcolm Jones, head of office agency at KWB, said: “Occupiers are looking to move, as they

endeavour to create a better working experience for their teams. The importance of doing this has become paramount in recent months given the cost of living crisis which has motivated people to seek better salaries and

conditions of work.

“As availability of newly completed and still under construction properties has diminished, it’s natural to consider where the next opportunity is.

“Brindleyplace is a location that has the potential to offer some of the best office space in Birmingham city centre.

“And we can look forward to The Drum, a newly-announced 200,000 sq ft Grade A office space in the vacated John Lewis building in Grand Central shopping centre.

“This offering competes with the likes of 103 Colmore Row and Centenary square yet falls outside the Colmore Business District, potentially extending the territory for the very best Grade A office space in Birmingham.”

Lease warning for flat owners

A leading Midlands property litigation lawyer is urging flat owners to consider extending the term of their lease to protect their financial interests.

People who own the leasehold interest of a flat do so for a defined number of years, meaning its value reduces as the term of the lease gets shorter.

However, Stephanie Rushfirth (pictured), an associate at law firm mfg Solicitors, has warned that all residential leaseholders of flats have the right to extend their leases by a further 90 years, subject to certain qualifying criteria being met - urging them to do so sooner rather than later.

She said: “It is best not to wait too long to extend a lease as waiting will only make the process more expensive. If flat owners wait until there is less than 80

years remaining on a lease, they will end up paying significantly more to the freeholder by way of a premium in return for the freeholder’s agreement to them extending their lease by a further 90 years.”

The process of extending a lease is set to be reviewed and reformed in future government legislation to make it less time-consuming and expensive. However, there is no indication of when this might happen, whether there will be any challenges to the reforms or whether any of the proposed provisions will be watered down.

For more detailed legal advice, flat owners can contact Ms Rushfirth through stephanie.rushfirth@mfgsolicitors.com

103 Colmore Row: New offices

BrindleyPlace

Warehouse space snapped up

A new builders’ trade counter in Sutton Coldfield will create five jobs following a £2.2m property purchase, in a deal arranged by Siddall Jones.

The top commercial property agency helped Brickability plc to purchase Unit 10, a new-build 12,400 sq ft warehouse on the Forge Lane Industrial Estate in Minworth, Sutton Coldfield.

This is now being fitted out as a trade counter for Brickability’s company, UP Building Products.

Brickability is one of the leading suppliers of bricks, cladding, tiles, radiators and doors to the UK construction sector.

Mr Siddall-Jones said: “We were delighted to have secured this sale at a price that reflects a market that is hungry for spaces of this size and quality.

“We’re pleased to be helping the expansion of Up Building Products’ trade counter business and look forward to watching the success in an area where a high of level of residential construction is taking place.”

Andrew Staff, managing director of UP Building Products, explained that the location had been focused on Sutton Coldfield as that was the base of James Hardie, the company’s main supplier of cladding.

Mr Staff said: “We see lots of promise in the area, with multiple housebuilding projects at various stages of planning in and around the Sutton Coldfield area, so this will be the ideal location for builders to get their materials.

“We are now fitting out our new property and are looking at a launch in late February to early March, and this will create five new jobs.”

The Forge Lane Industrial Estate is next to Minworth Trade Park to the east and Maybrook Business Park to the west, and is close to the A38 dual carriageway, which links to J5 and J6 of the M6 motorway.

The property was sold to Brickability Plc by Rubbernek Fittings, an engineering company based in the West Midlands.

Emma Hutchings of Acuity Law in Cardiff advised Brickability in the purchase, with Nathan Guest of Harrison Clark Rickerbys in Worcester acting on behalf of Rubbernek.

Creating jobs: Ed Siddall Jones and Emma Pearce of Siddall Jones

Award-winner in acquisition

Novo Training has announced that 3Spirit Training will be joining the Birminghambased training group through the acquisition of a majority interest in the business.

3Spirit is a multi awardwinning training provider in health and social care, which joins Novo Training and Pavilion Training to form a collaborative training group with centralised resources to better support clients and learners.

3Spirit's founder Caroline Bartle remains a minority shareholder and takes the role of non-executive director to support in the next chapter for the business.

In-Comm launches training hub

A new technical academy worth £3m has officially been opened to the public.

The academy, which is run by In-Comm Training is looking to train more than 350 apprentices and upskill 2500 existing workers over the next 12 months.

The ‘Ofsted Outstanding’ provider has created 20,000 sq ft of manufacturing training space, fitting it out with new equipment and state-of-the-art technology, spanning from the latest CNC machines, robotics, fluid power and material testing to welding, electrical, lathes, millers, CAD/CAM and metrology equipment.

Gareth Jones, managing director for In-Comm Training said: “We’ve been operating in Shropshire since 2015 and all our clients have been saying that Telford, regarded as the industrial epicentre of the north Marches, has been crying out for a dedicated manufacturing training centre for years.

“Our approach, being very much employer-led, meant we had to act on this, so we decided to make a £3m investment into taking on the building on T54 and creating a truly world class technical academy for the

(In-Comm Training), Georgina Barnard (Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology) and Kathryn Jones (Marches Local Enterprise Partnership)

thousands of manufacturers operating in the town and county.”

In-Comm Training marked its official launch with an open day, where senior delegates, including Selina Graham (the High Sheriff of Shropshire), Claire Critchell (Telford and Wrekin Council) and Kathryn Jones (Marches LEP) were given the opportunity to meet learners, trainers and the management team and tour the expansive facility.

Established in 2011, 3Spirit was developed from grass roots front line practice to support care organisations and care professionals in tackling the key staffing-based challenges faced by the sector.

Today, 3Spirit works with clients across the UK including care organisations, local authorities and charities, supporting thousands of care professionals each year through a team of over 40 specialist trainers.

Their initial focus is to support the training and consultancy team with additional resources while further developing their apprenticeship division.

Talon Golding, director at Novo Training, says “3Spirit was a perfect fit for us. The team has been at the forefront of workforce development in Care for the past decade and, with the ever-growing problem of access to skilled staffing in Care, we’re proud to partner with an organisation focused on tackling some of the fundamental challenges in the sector.”

Royal audience for apprentice

A special Royal audience has viewed the work carried by an apprentice from Walsall’s Leather Skills Centre, run by Performance Through People (PTP) and the Worshipful Company of Saddlers.

Anne, Princess Royal watched apprentice Meg Jones taking part in the saddlery demonstration day at the Saddlers’ Hall in London.

Meg has been on an apprentice programme with Fiona Cork Saddles of Meeson, near Telford since January 2022. Her work was one of the winning entries from

the National saddlery competition and formed part of the saddlery showcase, organised to shine a light on saddlery manufacture, training and fitting during national apprenticeship week.

Meg, aged 18 from Gnosall, Staffordshire, said: “I was thrilled to showcase my skills to the princess, and that will go down as one of my career highlights!”

Rachel Willetts, learning and development tutor at PTP, explained that Meg has her own horses and equestrian experience.

Rachel said: “Meg has grown in confidence since first starting and

mixing with other students at Walsall Leather Skills Centre. She has been going out in the field to learn saddle fitting with Fiona and is due to complete the apprenticeship programme in July this year.”

PTP is part of the BCTG training group and has been helping the Worshipful Company of Saddlers to run the Leather Skills Centre since 2020.

Fiona Cork, of Fiona Cork Saddles Meeson, said: “Meg has has a natural aptitude for the role, and we hope she will be with us for years to come.”

‘3Spirit was a perfect fit for us’

Grown in confidence: Meg Jones at home with her horses

New training facility: (L to R) Bekki Phillips (In-Comms Training), Claire Critchell (Telford & Wrekin Council), James Morgan (In-Comm’s apprentice of the year), Gareth Jones

Why is it important that people have first aid training?

Would you know how to recognise and treat someone who collapsed in front of you, or had a seizure?

Quite simply, first aid helps maintain life until further help arrives.

First aid is a vital link in the chances of someone surviving if an incident is life threatening.

We call it the chain of survival:

• Early recognition/Call 999

• Early CPR

• Early defib

• Early advanced life support

Knowing what to do is vital. Over 30,000 people per year in the UK have a cardiac arrest, and 95 per cent die before reaching the hospital. Heart attacks also kill over 50,000 per year. But we can change this outcome if we know what to do and have the knowledge that allows us to act quickly but calmly to help. If we can reach the person within three-five minutes and are able to follow the chain of survival, the person’s chance of survival goes up quite dramatically to around 50 to 70 per cent.

Learn the difference between heart attacks and cardiac arrest and how to act on the signs and symptoms of each, and also learn how to administer CPR and how to use an AED. By learning the appropriate skills, you can look after family, friends and work colleagues.

Even though it is a serious subject, the courses are fun and informative. So take the plunge and sign your team up.

Jeff Lewis Zephyr Training Services

EIB issues its first digital bond in pound sterling

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has priced its first £50m digital bond. The bond was completed using a combination of private and public blockchains operated and accessed via HSBC Orion – the bank’s tokenisation platform. It follows the adopted Luxembourg legal framework tailored to allow for the issuance, transfer and custody of dematerialised securities on distributed ledger technology (DLT) infrastructure.

The encrypted private blockchain serves as the record of legal ownership of the digital bonds and provides an operational framework to manage the floating rate instrument and its lifecycle events.

The public blockchain is used for information purposes and provides increased transparency to investors and the market as to holdings of the digital bonds on an anonymised basis.

The dematerialised digital bonds will be held in digital securities accounts kept on HSBC Orion.

The BNP Paribas Securities Services business in Luxembourg, RBC and HSBC will act as custodians for existing clients who invest in this digital bond.The pioneering vision of digital bonds intends to bring benefits to market participants by reducing costs, improving efficiency and allowing for real-time data synchronisation.

The architecture — distributed between BNP Paribas, HSBC and RBC Capital Markets — sees HSBC acting as central account keeper recording transactions in the digital bonds on the secure HSBC Orion platform.

EIB was advised in this transaction by Clifford Chance while the joint lead managers were advised by Allen & Overy.

EIB vice-president Ricardo Mourinho Felix said: “The time has come for further innovation in the financial sector, and we are pleased to issue the first digital bond in pound sterling on a private and public blockchain with the support of our counterparts.”

IT firm becomes cyber security master

An IT services and telecommunications has achieved Master Security partner accreditation from tech giant Cisco – becoming one of only two UK partners to hold this status.

The accreditation has been awarded to Midlands firm Nowcomm and is the highest tier of recognition a Cisco partner can receive for work in the cyber security space.

It follows a comprehensive audit that evaluated Nowcomm’s capabilities to engage customers in discussions, understanding of Cisco solutions and abilities to support those solutions during and after deployment.

To achieve the Master Security Specialised Partner certification, Nowcomm completed multiple Cisco training and technical programme requirements, shared customer successes that included integrated security solutions and actively demonstrated how the company enables customers to meet existing and future security threats using Cisco technology. Cisco partners with the greatest level of knowledge in cybersecurity

technology, extensive lifecycle service options and high customer satisfaction are distinguished by the Cisco Master Security Specialisation.

James Baly, founder and front office director at Nowcomm said: “We are proud to add the Cisco Master Security Specialization to Nowcomm’s list of cybersecurity certifications and partner specialisations. In an age where cybersecurity threats are greater in number and more complex than ever before, stability, reliability and peace of mind are paramount.

“In an overcrowded field of IT security providers, Nowcomm has emerged as a clear leader by proving that we have the specialised skills and dedication to continued investment in training necessary to be the trusted security partner for UK businesses in defending themselves against the most sophisticated security threatsbefore, during, and after an attack.”

Nowcomm offers a range of consultancy, implementation, managed, technical and optimisation services in partnership with Cisco to help IT leaders protect their businesses.

Disruptor: Ricardo Mourinho Felix

Master status: Nowcomm directors Mark Lamont and James Baly

Ballet rocks out with Black Sabbath

Birmingham rock legends Black Sabbath are joining forces with the city’s Royal Ballet – to bring 1970s heavy metal to a 21st century audience.

The brainchild of Birmingham Royal Ballet director Carlos Acosta and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, the ballet will premiere in Birmingham in September.

It will feature eight Black Sabbath tracks plus new music inspired by them.

Iommi told Radio 4’s Today he hopes the “rags to riches” tale will attract “both our fans and ballet fans”.

Carlos said he had been a big fan of the band since a friend introduced him to their music around the year 2000.

Following a week’s run at the Birmingham Hippodrome from 23 to the 30 September 2023, the full-length three-act ballet will then tour to Plymouth’s Theatre Royal and Sadler’s Wells in London.

Iommi said: “I’d never imagined pairing Black Sabbath with ballet but it's got a nice ring to it.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing how this all develops.

Black Sabbath have always been innovators and never predictable, and it doesn't come any more unpredictable than this!”

The eight Black Sabbath tracks from the show include Paranoid, War Pigs, Orchid and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.

The music will be re-orchestrated for the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

The idea of a Black Sabbath ballet has been on Acosta’s mind since he first arrived in Birmingham in 2020.

Acosta said: “Black Sabbath is probably Birmingham's biggest export, the most famousand infamous - cultural entity to ever emerge from the city - so I was naturally drawn to the idea of a collaboration between what most people might think are the most unlikely of partners.

“The band's enthusiasm for the project is a huge endorsement.”

Pooh and friends bounce into Birmingham

The full cast has been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of ‘Winnie the Pooh’, which comes to the Birmingham Hippodrome in June.

Sharing the role of Winnie the Pooh in London will be Jake Bazelwho originated the role in New York - and Benjamin Durham (‘Young Frankenstein’).

Benjamin will play the title role on tour. The much-loved characters of Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga and Roo are to be brought to life by an ensemble of performers, including Laura Bacon (‘Britain’s Got Talent’, ‘Star Wars’), Harry Boyd (‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, ‘Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story’), Alex Cardall (‘Evita’, ‘The Osmonds: A New Musical’), Chloe Gentles (‘Mamma Mia!’, ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’), Lottie Grogan (‘Smurfs Save Spring: The Musical’, ‘The Lips’ for Puppets with Guts) and Robbie Noonan (‘Avenue Q’ UK Tour, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’).

In a new story from the Hundred Acre Wood, this fresh stage adaptation is told with impressive life-size puppetry and features characters that have played iconic roles in the lives of children for generations.

Accompanying the modern narrative is an original score by Nate Edmondson, featuring some of the Grammy award-winning songs written by the Sherman Brothers for the original animated

Adaption: Tigger and Winnie the Pooh are among the classic characters being brought to life

features, including Winnie the Pooh, The Blustery Day, The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers and Whoop-De-Dooper Bounce.

Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation is developed

and presented by renowned family entertainment creator Jonathan Rockefeller.

Disney's Winnie the Pooh comes to Birmingham Hippodrome from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 June.

‘The band's enthusiasm for the project is a huge endorsement’

Ballet rocks: Sofia Linares rocks out to Black Sabbath

The Business of Sport

Route declared for AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run

The countdown is underway to the new-look AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run – with thousands set to take part in one the city’s most popular sporting events.

Graham Gooch

Celebrating a year of sport

Chapter, the Edgbastonbased restaurant, is set for a sporting extravaganza – as it prepares to welcome highprofile guests from the world of horse racing and cricket.

The Greenfield Crescent venue’s sporting event series is returning – starting with a Cheltenham Festival preview event next month featuring Alvechurch-based trainer Ian Williams, jockey Johnny Burke and former Cheltenham winner David Crosse.

The Ian Williams Racing Dinner on Friday 10 March will give guests an insight into the racing world and a few tips ahead of the festival.

It begins at 7pm and costs £80 per person (plus VAT) for a four-course dinner.

As The Ashes returns to Edgbaston this summer when England take on Australia, former cricket stars Graham Gooch and Devon Malcolm are also starring at Chapter.

Gooch – one of the most successful batsmen of his generation – features in an ‘Eve of the Ashes’ dinner on Thursday 15 June. The event has a 7.30pm start and costs £75 per person (plus VAT) for a four-course dinner.

Then, on Saturday 17 June, a man who was once considered the fastest bowler in world cricket takes part in a prematch breakfast event.

Devon Malcolm is the star of the big-match breakfast from 8am. It costs £40 (plus VAT) per person for a full English breakfast. A vegetarian option is also available.

All events can be booked by calling Chapter on 0121 200 3020.

The start line for the Sunday 7 May event will be at the city’s Centenary Square and the finish at Smithfield – home to sporting action during the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

This year’s 10k and half marathon routes include Birmingham city centre and beyond and also takes in St Paul’s Square in the Jewellery Quarter for both distances and Cannon Hill Park for the 13.1-mile run.

Taking place during May Bank Holiday weekend, entries are now open for the event, with thousands of Brummie runners and walkers planning to take to the streets to challenge themselves or raise cash for charity.

Starting on Broad Street at Centenary Square, runners for both the 10k and half marathon distances will head for the Jewellery Quarter, passing the Chamberlain Clock at Warstone Lane and Vyse Street, St Paul’s Square and a city centre route featuring the Mailbox, Grand Central, St Martin’s Church, Southside and Digbeth.

Half-marathon participants will follow the same landmarks before heading out of the city centre along Pershore Road, reaching Selly Park at eight miles and a return route that takes in Cannon Hill Park and Edgbaston Stadium. Both distances enjoy a grandstand finish at the Smithfield site, home to Commonwealth Games beach volleyball and basketball.

Charlie Musson, brand and PR director at AJ Bell, said: “We know that inspirational mass-participation events such as the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run can have a really positive effect on physical health and mental wellbeing.

“Everybody taking on the 10k or half marathon is either working towards a personal goal or supporting good causes along the way and we are really proud to be a part of this fantastic Birmingham event.”

Paul Foster, chief executive, Great Run Company, said: “The 2022 Great Birmingham Run 10k was such a special occasion but we were determined to go one better this year and I’m so excited to reveal a route that shows off the best of Brum.”

Sign up for The AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run by visiting .greatrun.org/events/great-birmingham-run

Partnership to boost Edgbaston Priory Club guest experience

Edgbaston Priory Club and Edgbaston Park Hotel have joined forces with an 18-month partnership in a major boost for club members, hotel guests, players and spectators.

As Edgbaston Priory Club’s accommodation partner, Edgbaston Park Hotel will offer exclusive rates on rooms, conference spaces and events for members, along with a dedicated concierge service.

A private members’ racquets and leisure club, Edgbaston Priory Club also plays host to major tennis and squash tournaments including the Birmingham Classic tennis tournament, the British Squash Open and the British Junior Open.

The club and hotel will be working closely to promote the hotel to players and visitors to these tournaments.

In addition, Edgbaston Park Hotel will become members of the Priory’s Fairlight Business Networking Club and have the

opportunity to promote the hotel at high-profile events.

Matt Rawnsley, chief executive of Edgbaston Priory Club, said: “As close neighbours, it made sense for us to forge a closer working relationship to enhance the experience for our members whilst

driving business for the hotel, particularly around our major tennis and squash tournaments.

“In addition, there are lots of exciting ideas in development for working together to enhance employee training around customer experience.”

Ace partnership: Richard Metcalfe (general manager, Edgbaston Park Hotel), Julie O’Hare (head of experience, Edgbaston Priory Club), Matt Rawnsley, Krishna Pastakia (business development manager, Edgbaston Park Hotel) and Billy Harris

Scenic route: Runners will pass through St Paul’s Square

Chamber Insight Focus on a member

Name: Barry Hilton

Company: Mercuri International (UK) Ltd

Job Title: Managing director

What does your company do? Develop future potential by training apprentices between levels 2 and 5 on various business-related topics such as sales and leadership.

How did it all start?

For me, by leaving a career in music to become a salesman 35 years ago. For the company, establishing the UK business in 1974.

What’s your greatest achievement so far?

Playing to a packed audience in the Marquee, London.

What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken – and did it work out?

Changing our business from commercial sales training and consultancy to apprenticeship delivery.

What keeps you awake at night? Nothing. I sleep well.

If you could turn the clock back, what would you do differently?

Had a little more confidence in my early career to challenge poor leadership decisions.

What has surprised you most in your job?

The reality that many leaders are barely half a page ahead of everyone else most of the time and, how ambition has more impact than ability in corporate life.

What advice would you give to someone starting out? Listen, watch and only speak when you have something to say.

Which business do you most admire?

Any which are genuine meritocracies.

What exciting projects is your business working on?

Developing relevant and engaging curricula for various qualifications UK Plc needs to regain economic health and an optimistic perspective.

What made you join Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and how are you making use of your membership?

To understand what the business community of the West Midlands is thinking, aspiring to, worried about, motivated by.

Tel: 0330 9000 800

Visit: mercuri.co.uk/ sales-apprenticeships

New Members

Your guide to new sign-ups

A2B3D Ltd

Shane Traynor 07984 375944

www.a2b3d.co.uk

Architectural activities

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

ACTIVE CLINICS Ltd

Hilal Mehdi

07590111974

www.activeclinics.co.uk

Hairdressing and other beauty

treatment

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Advocates Atlantic LLP

Anne Helle 07498311772

Activities of patent and copyright agents; other legal activities n.e.c.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Affinity Midlands Ltd

Latoyah Campbell

07470 133204

Other residential care activities

n.e.c.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

AGA Wealth Management

Waqas Babar

01217316733

www.agawm.co.uk

Financial intermediation not elsewhere classified

Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Air Aesthetics and Wellness Clinics

Jayne Mcintosh

0121 663 6335

www.airaesthetics.co.uk

Hairdressing and other beauty

treatment

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

All About The Sew

Lorna Hulme

07963 734756

www.allaboutthesew.com

Educational support services

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Anderton & Co Accountants Ltd

Daniel Anderton 0121 769 2935

www.andertonaccountants.co.uk

Accounting and auditing activities

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce

Bloomwise

Paris Alexandros Lalousis 07437871514

www.bloomwiseltd.com

Management consultancy activities other than financial management

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Bluebird Care Solihull and Birmingham

Indy Singh Goraya

0121 803 6787

www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/solihull

Residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuse

Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Boldmere St Michael's FC

Alex LIddiard 0121 373 4435

www.boldmerestmichaelsfc.co.uk

Activities of sport clubs

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce

Bridgwater Consultancy Ltd

Janet Bridgwater 07725 992773

www.bridgwaterconsultancy.com

Other information service activities

n.e.c.

Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce

CIB Mental Capacity Ltd

Craig Bayliss 07790 021790

www.cibmentalcapacity.co.uk

Other human health activities

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce

Constance Cares and Support Ltd

Sinanzeni Makombe 07368 183141

www.constancecare.org.uk

Other residential care activities

n.e.c.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

CSS Assure

Joseph Mackey 03333050613

www.cssassure.com

Solicitors

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Custom Workwear Embroidery

Jade West 07590984841

www.customworkwearembroidery. co.uk

Weaving of textiles

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

EFG Harris Allday

Hayley Spendlove 0121 233 1222

www.efgha.com

Management consultancy activities other than financial management

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Whatever your business size and requirements, the Chamber has a membership scale to suit your needs. For more information visit: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/membership

Elite Closing Academy

Matt Elwell 07983558309

www.eliteclosingacademy.com

Other education n.e.c.

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Evenoak Services Worcester Ltd

Ishtiaq Lone 07970964868

Agents involved in the sale of textiles, clothing, fur, footwear and leather goods

Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Extension hub James Bridgwater 01213541589

www.extensionhub.co.uk

Architectural activities

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce

Fraser Russell Limited

Ahmer Nawaz 0121 647 5030

www.fraserrussell.com

Accounting and auditing activities

Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

HR Duo Limited

Joe Cox 0121 2957330

www.hrduo.com

Human resources provision and management of human resources functions

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Jobmate Ltd

Christopher Dalton 07801 929039

www.jobmate.cloud

Business and domestic software development

Transatlantic Chamber

Kirelius Consulting Ltd

Amanda Fisk 07762110490

www.kireliusconsulting.co.uk

Management consultancy activities other than financial management

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

LWM Solutions Limited

Nassar Manzoor

www.lwmsolutions.co.uk

Activities of head offices

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Marrons

Lois Pryor 0330 912 2670

www.marrons.co.uk

Solicitors

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Media Matchmaker

Rachael Taplin 07968 036465

www.mediamatchmaker.co.uk

Media representation services

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Mitchell Hammond Aesthetics Clinic

Amanda Mitchell 01543 713037

www.mitchellhammondclinic.co.uk

Hairdressing and other beauty treatment

Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce

Mooch Creative

Daniel Berry 01527 592738

www.moochcreative.co.uk

specialised design activities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Morgan Ingland Limited Edward Clark 02030035076

www.miatlantic.com

Other retail sale in non-specialised stores

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Muslim Matrimonial Coach Limited Gazala Saleem 07429 208291

www.muslimmatriomonialcoach.com

Educational support services

Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Onpoint Logistics UK Ltd

Anthony Delaney 0121 7481448

www.onpointlogisticsltd.co.uk

Operation of warehousing and storage facilities for land transport activities

Burton and District Chamber of Commerce

Optima Manufacturing Jewellers

Michael Joseph 0121 5544545

www.optimajewellery.com

Manufacture of jewellery and related articles

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Orapi Applied Ltd

David East 0121 525 4000

www.orapiapplied.com

Wholesale of chemical products

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Post Group Midlands Ltd

Serena Smith

0121 749 7502

www.postgroupmidlands.com

Publishing of newspapers

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce

PYT Payroll Solutions

Ben Smith 0121 726 9227

www.pytronot.co.uk

Temporary employment agency activities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Quest Software (UK ) Ltd

Joanna Radomska

01628 518000

www.quest.com

Information technology

consultancy activities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Rayden Solicitors Ltd

William Ham 0121 314 8170

www.raydensolicitors.co.uk/contact

-us/birmingham-office

Activities of patent and copyright agents; other legal activities n.e.c.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Risdon & Risdon

Carla Risdon

01743588180

www.risdonandrisdon.co.uk

Manufacture of other wearing apparel and accessories n.e.c.

Transatlantic Chamber

Riverdale Insurance

Abid Khan 07583044624

www.RiverdaleInsurance.co.uk

Activities of insurance agents and brokers

Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Sky Recruitment Solutions

Jodie Ambrose 01283 899089

www.skyrecruitmentsolutions.co.uk

Other activities of employment placement agencies

Burton and District Chamber of Commerce

SS22 Foods Limited

Suvraj Singh 07435302067

Licenced restaurants

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Striving Stars

Emma Hutchin 07958 559138

www.strivingstars.co.uk

Other education n.e.c.

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

The Marketing People Digital

David Mitchell 01543 387 047

www.themarketingpeople.com

Advertising agencies

Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce

The Student Energy Group

Josh Porter 0333 123 3330

www.thestudentenergygroup.com

Construction of utility projects for electricity and telecommunications

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

The Training Initiative

Ben Calvert-Lyons 01827216171

www.thetraininginitiative.co.uk

Technical and vocational secondary education

Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce

Toni Ballard Celebrant

Toni Ballard 07905 913938

www.toniballardcelebrant.co.uk

Management consultancy activities other than financial management

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Verve Healthcare Limited

Natasha Bartlett 07485 361100

www.vervehealthcare.co.uk

Physical well-being activities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

West Midlands Business Advisors Ltd

Darrel Edwards 0121 769 0272

www.wmbusinessadvisors.co.uk

Other business support service activities n.e.c.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

West Midlands Growth Company

Chris Lawes 0121 202 5115

www.wmgrowth.com

Other service activities n.e.c.

Transatlantic Chamber

Weston Park Enterprises Ltd

Silvia Parnaby 01952 852100

www.weston-park.com

Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Wolverhampton Film Festival

Omar Parvaz 07884061047

www.wolverhamptonfilmfestival.com

Support activities to performing arts

Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Wyson Ltd

David Tong 0121 817 9191

www.wyson.ltd

Construction of utility projects for electricity and telecommunications

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce

...any other business

A roundup of news from Chamber members

A squadron of support needed to save VC medal

The Royal Air Force Museum is calling on Chamber members support to help keep Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf’s Victoria Cross (VC) medal in the UK.

Arthur Scarf was the recipient of the only Victoria Cross awarded to the Royal Air Force for services in the Far East during the Second World War.

Scarf joined the RAF in 1936 and was sent to Singapore with No. 62 Squadron to join the forces in the Far East. In 1941, he led a formation of Bristol Blenheim aircraft in a daylight attack on Japanese forces.

As Scarf became airborne, a formation of Japanese bombers swept over the airfield destroying every British aircraft on the ground.

Belfry Restaurant beats the best

A restaurant at world famous golf resort The Belfry has been named as England’s best at the World Culinary Awards.

The Ryder Grill – the signature restaurant at the four-time Ryder Cup venue –took home the trophy for England’s Best Hotel Restaurant. The accolade was voted for by culinary professionals, who commended the Ryder Grill’s commitment to dining excellence.

Robert Bates, executive head chef, said: “It’s outstanding to have received such a highly regarded accolade in the culinary world. It’s the hard work and commitment of the whole team that enables us to deliver such a seamless experience, from the service to the food.

“It’s exciting to create new menus with a wide range of ingredients, including some from our own resort. I’m incredibly proud of the entire Ryder Grill team!”

Realising that none of his squadron’s aircraft had survived the Japanese bombing, Scarf was determined to complete his squadron’s allotted task. Flying low for some 30 miles into enemy occupied territory, Scarf evaded several attacks by Japanese fighters, and released the bombs whilst his crew manned the machine guns.

Scarf was mortally wounded but continued to fly the aircraft while being held upright by his crew mates and managed to make a controlled crash landing at a nearby British controlled airfield without injury to his crew.

The Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously in 1946 and was

presented to his widow, Elizabeth, by King George VI at Buckingham Palace.

The museum has just a few months to raise £660,000 to match the auction bid placed by an overseas buyer. It hopes to raise £250,000 through public donations.

The one-of-a-kind medal would be preserved in the RAF Museum’s national collection and will initially be on public display at RAF Museum London.

To support the mission contact fundraising@rafmuseum.org

Oak trees planted to remember longest battle of World War One

The National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield has commemorated the anniversary of the First World War’s longest battle by planting a pair of saplings directly descended from the battlefield.

The trees were planted at the Staffordshire site on the anniversary of The Battle of Verdun in 1916. Gifted by Lichfield District Council, the trees were grown from acorns taken from an oak tree in Lichfield, which itself was grown from an acorn originally collected from the battlefield.

The Battle of Verdun lasted for nearly 10 months. When the battle came to an end in December 1916, over 700,000 lives had been lost.

The Quercus petraea (sessile oak) trees planted near Watersmeet and the Christmas Truce Memorial, were grown from acorns collected by Lichfield District Council’s community gardener Paul Niven who works in Lichfield’s Garden of Remembrance, and could be classed as the ‘great grandchildren’ of the original Verdun trees.

Paul said: “Acorns and conkers were collected from the battlefield and sent to England to be planted. Two acorns and a chestnut were received by the mayor of Lichfield, and later two oaks were planted in

the Garden of Remembrance within the city of Lichfield, which opened in 1920. I collected the acorns in November 2020 and, with care and attention, they germinated and grew into the saplings that were planted.”

Memory trees: Andy Ansell, head of estates at the National Memorial Arboretum, and Paul Niven

Hero: Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf