Chamberlink October 24

See pages 12-13 NHS bosses hail ‘major turning point’

• Tallest building changes skyline

• New events manager is named

• How to make the most of AI

Dale Martin

Contents

Chamberlink October 2024

& District: Willshee’s improves management of

Lichfield & Tamworth: Business launch helps mum care for

Royal Sutton Coldfield: Committee welcomes members

Solihull: Visit Knowle benefits from collaboration

Future Faces: Unique opportunity for award winners

The latest list of Chamber events

Enterprise & Innovation: How to be innovative as a historical venue

56 CV signs of enterprise

58 Health in the Workplace: How to support mental health at work

38 International Trade: Why the region must look to the

62 Business Travel: BHX names UK’s first air traffic apprentice

64 Finance: Child benefit warning issues

66 Manufacturing: Furniture manufacturer develops ‘optimal’ chair

68 Legal: Brownfield site owners are missing opportunities

70 Property: Partnership to support carbon reduction

72 Skills: Global training firm earns seal of approval

74 Technology: A pioneering way to use precious metals 76 The Arts: Smash-hits lined up for theatre

CHAMBER

The official publication of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Editor: John Lamb 07814 539329 lambjohn@mac.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 0121 2743240, 07508 317356 f.jayawardene@birmingham-chamber.com

Reporter: Darby Newman

07951 245985

d.newman@birmingham-chamber.com

Sport: Student scores with Wembley placement

Group Limited

New Members Chamber welcomes new members

…any other business News from Chamber businesses

The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) is here to connect, support and grow local businesses. Accredited by the British Chambers, we have acted as the voice of local businesses since 1813.

Editor’s View

BY JOHN LAMB

Super hospital is finally a reality

It was some years ago that we attended a lunch with a difference.

Lunches hosted by patrons of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) were usually in splendid surroundings and offered great opportunity to make new contacts and share ideas.

But on this occasion we were invited to break bread in a Portakabin. We ascended a temporary stairway and arrived at our elevated position to marvel at the impressive works going on below us to create the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH).

Our hosts were Carillion but little did we know then that our lunch in these makeshift surroundings would be a precursor to a financial disaster that held up the construction of this giant new super hospital for two years.

Sadly, the then second biggest contractor in the country was forced into compulsory liquidation in January 2018 with liabilities of £7bn. Construction of the MMUH in Smethwick was delayed for years.

At the time the project was two-thirds complete but already about a year behind schedule. Eventually, contractor Balfour Beatty came to the rescue.

Now, the new super hospital was opening operationally this month – the

FRONT COVER: Richard Beeken (left) and Sir David Nicholson, of Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. See page 5

original target opening date was back in 2018.

Happily, from this winter, the hospital will be delivering emergency care in a state-ofthe art environment for the people of West Birmingham and the Black Country. The hospital replaces Sandwell General Hospital and City Hospital A&E departments where staff had tried to deliver 21st century healthcare from a Victorian workhouse building for many years.

The MMUH will provide emergency, maternity, children’s, and adult acute inpatient services for a population of more than half a million people and will bring together all acute and emergency care services currently situated across City Hospital and Sandwell Hospital.

An Urgent Treatment Centre known as a UTC (which provides medical help when it is not a life-threatening emergency) will run on-site. A new £18m learning campus will also open there in 2025, offering further and higher education courses, apprenticeship opportunities and jobs at the new hospital.

So, finally, the region will have the hospital it deserves...

• See page 5 for the latest news and pages 12 and 13 for Jon Griffin’s interview with the two most senior NHS managers involved in the project.

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Business News

Latest news from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Extraordinary logistics behind patient move

By Jon Griffin

A30-strong fleet of ambulances were put on standby to ferry patients to Birmingham and the Black Country’s new super-hospital as part of “eye-wateringly” detailed planning in advance of the operational launch of the long-awaited complex.

In the early morning of 6 October it was planned that patients – some seriously ill – would be moved to the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick as the original scheme to merge City Hospital and Sandwell District General Hospital by building a new complex finally became reality after nearly 25 years.

‘This

is a real logistical effort. I cannot describe to you the eye-wateringly detailed planning that has gone into it’

Outlining the extraordinary logistics ahead of the move, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust chief executive Richard Beeken said: “On 6 October, we have 30 of the Midlands’ finest crews and ambulances and we have got a company called Health Care Relocations Ltd, a global company that specialise in moving patients from one hospital to another in double-quick time.

“They are real logistical experts – at its peak we will be moving one patient to the new hospital every two minutes, starting at 7am on 6 October. This is a real logistical effort. I cannot

describe to you the eye-wateringly detailed planning that has gone into it.

“We have had to essentially do double running. We have got clinical rotas set up both for the sending site and the receiving site. There is double running costs and twice the number of people effectively that we need to employ on those days to get the move safely managed.

“It is all in hand, that probably has been the easier bit of it all because we have basically contracted that out to Health Care Relocations Ltd, and they are doing that planning for us.”

Sir David Nicholson, chair of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, added: “The actual logistics is an extraordinarily complicated thing. We have done lots of work to make sure that we have planned everything to the Nth degree to enable it to happen.

“We are moving Sandwell Hospital into it first –we will close the A&E department at Sandwell and open the A&E Department at the Midland Metropolitan Hospital. During that day we will move in-patients – people from critical care – across to the hospital, one every two minutes. By the end of that day we will have moved Sandwell Hospital in.

“We are going to have three or four weeks to get used to that and then we are going to move the City Hospital over at the beginning of November so that is quite a logistical issue for us. It will mean moving quite seriously ill patients, so we are going to have to plan that quite carefully indeed.”

• Turn to pages 12 and 13 for Jon Griffin’s interview with Sir David Nicholson and Richard Beeken.

Overseeing a massive logistical challenge: Richard Beeken (left) and Sir David Nicholson

‘All change’ for station plans

HS2 has revealed a series of improvements to the design of the railway’s landmark Birmingham Curzon Street station – most with passengers in mind.

Under the detailed plans, the station will be fitted with additional cycle parking, better accessibility, more seating spaces and simplified access between platforms.

There will also be changes to the construction materials to boost efficiency and minimise maintenance.

Consent for the station, based on an outline scheme design, was secured in 2020 from Birmingham City Council. Since then, HS2 has appointed Mace Dragados Joint Venture (MDJV) as its construction partner, responsible for progressing the station's detailed design and construction.

MDJV, working with their design partners Arcadis and WSP Joint Venture along with Grimshaw architects, have now revealed the proposed design refinements, which will be submitted for approval to Birmingham City Council later this year.

Birmingham Curzon Street Station is set to become a key destination and thriving entry and departure point as part of Britain’s new high-speed railway.

The building’s design is inspired by the great arched roofs built by the Victorian railway pioneers, and takes that inspiration into the 21st Century, ensuring accessibility and a focus on the open space and landscaping around it.

Passenger experience has been a key driver in the detailed design process, which incorporates several improvements to the station’s features. These include additional cycle parking; rainfall capture in

planted areas, with landscaping, lighting, paving and seating spaces; better accessibility at pedestrian entrances; durable external ceramic tiling; and a more unified internal layout of the eastern concourse which allows passengers to change platforms without leaving the ticketed area.

Further development of the materials being used will also improve construction efficiency, future-proof the station and minimise maintenance requirements over its 120-year life span.

‘These

design refinements mark a key step in enhancing the detailed features of Curzon Street Station’

Major earthworks have already started on the construction site, preparing for foundation work to get underway this autumn and building work on the main station structure to start next year.

HS2’s high-speed trains will operate on reliable new infrastructure between London and Birmingham, significantly reducing journey times and freeing up space on the existing mainline for more local and freight services. The railway is expected to be operational between 2029 and 2033.

Dave Lock, HS2’s project client director for Curzon Street Station, said: “We’re pleased that these design refinements mark a key step in enhancing the detailed features of Curzon Street Station, which will be an iconic gateway to Birmingham for future HS2 passengers.”

Northern rail link welcomed

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham have welcomed plans by the mayors of the West Midlands and Greater Manchester for a new railway line connecting the two regions.

A private consortium has proposed the new 50-mile MidlandsNorthwest Rail Link as an alternative to the scrapped HS2 northern leg, following a review commission by the mayors.

The proposed new line would run from Lichfield to High Legh, south-east of Warrington.

A review commissioned by the mayors found said a new railway line was vital to addressing the growing strain on the existing West Coast Main Line (WCML) and the M6 motorway.

It said the proposed new line would cost between 60 and 75 per cent less than the proposed HS2 northern leg, which was axed last year by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The savings would be delivered through lower design speeds, ballasted track, UK rather than European standard cross-sections and building on the existing rail network.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The previous government’s decision to curtail the progress of HS2 beyond Birmingham was a kick in the teeth to the regional growth agenda so the release of this report couldn’t be more timely.

“It's great to see the Combined Authority mayors working in tandem to explore practical options to enhance rail connectivity between our great cities.

“By utilising private sector expertise, we can hopefully move forward with building a railway that will help to improve capacity on the network, create jobs, boost productivity levels and ultimately drive economic growth.

“As a Chamber we look forward to working with the West Midlands mayor and other key local stakeholders to drive this agenda forward.”

All aboard: Passengers will be able to move platforms without leaving the ticketing area. Inset: The material for the roof has been changed to aluminium

School dancers to star in Royal Ballet’s UK tour

A programme of new material from Carlos Acosta at Birmingham Royal Ballet has been announced for BRB’s third UK tour next year - and will feature two dancers from Birmingham’s Elmhurst Ballet School.

Carlos Acosta's Ballet Celebration: Diaghilev and the birth of Modern Ballet is described as “pinsharp and personality laden” and brings together some of the world's best young dancers and international stars of the future.

Dancing with BRB2, the company’s new talent-seeking initiative, is Marlo Kempsey-Fagg (brother of BRB artist Oscar), who joins the company as apprentice dancer from Elmhurst. Marlo started dancing at the age of six when his talent was identified in a local Birmingham Primary School and he joined BRB’s Dance Track programme.

Sophie Walters, who also trained at Elmhurst, has completed her apprenticeship and will also join BRB2 in the programme.

The new gala production will feature highlights from the repertory of Serge Diaghilev's troupe of rebel dancers, musicians and designers who fled Russia to set a new standard in creativity that inspires and resonates across the world of dance to this day.

The repertoire of this next generation of ballet includes The Firebird, Spectre de la Rose, Les Sylphides and Scheherazade.

The company will make its Birmingham Hippodrome debut before travelling to Sadler’s Wells East, where it will be the first ballet company to perform in its inaugural season. The tour then moves on to Poole Lighthouse before culminating with a return to the Royal and Derngate in Northampton.

BRB2 puts the spotlight on some of the best ballet dancers from across the globe aged 18–22. The original cohort of BRB2 dancers

Maïlène Katoch, Jack Easton Frieda Kaden, Oscar Kempsey-Fagg and

Mason King all completed the twoyear programme in BRB’s junior company last season and have now joined the main company as Artists.

• For more arts news – see page 76

Elmhurst dancer: Marlo Kempsey-Fagg with brother Oscar

Star-studded documentary set for premiere

Award-winning events venue Millennium Point will host the world premiere screening of the highly anticipated new documentary Birmingham: A City Rooted In Talent on 22 November.

The star-studded documentary unites many of the Birmingham’s biggest icons to tell the story of the city’s incredible influence on culture.

‘We really wanted to harness and showcase the talent of Birmingham’

From Black Sabbath changing rock forever, through to Aston Villa dominating Europe, to Duran Duran styling the world, this is set to be the definitive documentary of Birmingham’s cultural impact.

Music legends Tony Iommi, Bev Bevan, Joan Armatrading and Ruby Turner, comedian Jasper Carrott, presenter Nick Owen, and footballers Karen Carney, Gary Shaw and Tony Morley all feature in the documentary, among an array of other famous faces.

Birmingham’s Millennium Point is now set to welcome the stars of the film, alongside a selection of other celebrities and VIPs, for the documentary’s premiere which will be presented on the city’s biggest screen.

UK inflation is holding steady...

The UK rate of inflation held at 2.2 per cent in August and ended the chances of an immediate further cut in interest rates.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said inflation held steady in the year to August, despite a jump in the cost of flights.

The rise in air fares, in particular to European destinations, was offset by lower fuel prices and prices in restaurants increasing more slowly.

The latest figure means overall inflation remains slightly above the Bank of England’s target of two per cent.

However, it is significantly lower than at the peak of the cost of living crisis in 2022.

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee kept interest rates unchanged at five per cent.

Most economists think a cut is likely at the next meeting in November.

Raj Kandola (pictured opposite), director of external affairs at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The fact that the rate of inflation held steady in August would have given policymakers at the Bank of England plenty of food for thought.

“While many businesses would have liked to see a further cut in interest rates, the Monetary Policy Committee no doubt highlighted the fact that service inflation and core inflation both went up the previous month which made the prospect of a rate reduction less likely.

“Underlying price pressures also remain prevalent for local firms - as evidence in early analysis from our latest Quarterly Business Report.

“Businesses will want to the see government working in tandem with the Bank of England to reduce the cost pressures many endure on a daily basis - the Autumn Budget is the perfect platform to set out a confidence boosting plan.”

The documentary is the brainchild of acclaimed authors turned filmmakers D.G. Torrens and Martin Tracey, who set out to document the stories behind their city’s unforgettable creative moments. D.G. Torrens explained: “This film is a collective vision from two Brummie authors with a shared dream and a whole lot of passion for the city.”

Martin Tracey added: “We really wanted to harness and showcase the talent of Birmingham to place it at the forefront of recognition. What we discovered was a selfless Brummie spirit that shone through all of the people who helped us make the documentary.”

Rebecca Delmore, Millennium Point commercial director, said: “We can’t wait to see Birmingham: A City Rooted In Talent on our giant screen. It’s wonderful that so many Birmingham icons are supporting this event, and we are thrilled to host them in our iconic city landmark.”

...as local business leaders expect plan for growth

second month in a row, despite analysts predicting 0.2 per cent growth, new figures revealed.

And Greater Birmingham business leaders say the government must now “tread a fine line” in next month’s Autumn Budget to help create a blueprint for growth.

The Office for National Statistics said Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remained unchanged during July, following a pre-election stalling of activity in June.

A summer of sport, including Euro 2024 and the Olympics, helped boost the services sector, but production and construction output both fell.

Raj Kandola, director of external affairs at Greater Birmingham

Chambers of Commerce, said: “City analysts would have been surprised to see economic growth stagnate in July as output fell across manufacturing and construction sectors.

“Locally, early analysis from our latest Quarterly Business Report suggests service sector activity held up throughout the summermirroring national trends.

“Nevertheless, with potential tax rises on the horizon and energy prices set to increase in the coming months, the government will need to tread a fine line at the upcoming Autumn Budget between maintaining fiscal responsibility and creating a blueprint that will drive investor confidence and unlock growth.”

Fine line: Raj Kandola

Star line-up: Bev Bevan with Joy Strachan-Brain

President’s Focus

Naeem Arif, president of Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber and director of United Carpets, was “massively impressed” when he took part in the Amazon Innovation Accelerator programme. Here he explains some of the lessons learned.

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, innovation and creativity are essential for companies aiming to maintain a competitive edge and ensure their long-term success.

These elements drive progress but also help with profitability, allowing businesses to respond to changing consumer demands. Innovation can lead to cost savings, time savings and the creation of a competitive advantage, making it a vital component of any business strategy.

SMEs maybe painfully aware of this but it is often difficult to understand where to start or be able to make the time to work on the business instead of being in the business.

I was delighted to be invited to take part in the Amazon Innovation Accelerator programme, which is run out of the new Amazon Peddimore site near Sutton Coldfield. It was a great opportunity for me to be out of the business physically and sit in an environment with other business owners.

‘I was massively impressed by some of the simple things they do like how they treat their employees’

The programme takes delegates inside Amazon’s Robotics fulfillment centre to see the operations and they also experience the approach to running this innovative and creative global giant. In addition, there were sessions from the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Aston University and Innovate WM.

I was massively impressed by some of the simple things they do like how they treat their employees (known as associates). You can see their clarity of understanding of the importance of their people.

The attention they give in the end-to-end process ensures that they can process 250,000+ parcels per day. This needs discipline and accountability upwards and downwards to ensure that everyone

analytics have enabled Amazon to significantly reduce operational costs and delivery times. These innovations not only enhance customer satisfaction but also create substantial cost savings, illustrating how operational improvements can lead to a competitive advantage.

While many people get excited about seeing the levels of automation with their robots in the warehouse, for me the mindset and culture of everyone I met was the key accelerator. The human mind is extremely powerful and the reason why Amazon keep improving is linked to their people and culture who work there. Some of the key takeaways for me included:

• Don’t be afraid to fail, learn from your failures, don’t see them as a permanent failure.

• Identify customer problems and solve them.

• Empower your people, within broad boundaries, don’t restrict them.

The key learning for me was the reason for driving innovation –which is their “customer obsession”. Everyone in the organisation is completely focused on driving innovation for the sake of their customers and for this reason, I believe they are doing it in the right ways.

Doing things for the right reasons will always drive the best results. There is a difference between being revenue focussed and customer focused, the former is a short-term strategy whereas the latter is a long-term strategy.

is working towards the same goal. Each person, machine and process is an important component in delivering the process and measuring the status of each of these components.

Companies like Amazon have consistently demonstrated an

ability to be at the forefront of innovation and creativity. Amazon’s relentless focus on efficiency and customer satisfaction has revolutionised logistics and supply chain management.

Innovations such as automated warehouses and advanced data

The importance of learning lessons from companies like Amazon cannot be overstated. Their success stories highlight the critical role of a culture that encourages innovation and creativity. By prioritising research and development, these companies stay ahead of market trends and continuously offer new value to their customers.

Businesses across industries can draw valuable insights from their strategies, such as the importance of investing in technology, prioritising customer experience, and embracing sustainable practices.

Naeem Arif

The Griffin Report

The project to create a new “super hospital” in the West Midlands is finally becoming a reality after nearly 25 years. The official opening of the giant, state-of-the-art Midlands Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick will take place in the New Year. Ahead, JON GRIFFIN spoke to the two most senior NHS managers connected with the project.

The new £800m Midland Metropolitan University Hospital will transform health care in a deprived neighbourhood from “Victorian workhouse” building facilities to state of the art 21st century services in the region’s biggest NHS boost for many years.

The long awaited launch of the super-hospital in Smethwick after years of frustrating delays will provide a huge economic tonic to a region blighted by “massive deprivation” according to the two most senior NHS managers connected with the project.

Sir David Nicholson, chair of the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, and Trust chief executive Richard Beeken hailed the opening of the complex as a major turning point for patients across the region – reducing waiting lists and providing vital new health care for both the Black Country and Birmingham.

Richard told Chamberlink: “This will be a radical, radical departure from what we have got now, which is trying to provide 21st century health care from a Victorian workhouse building. It is just exciting beyond measure for everybody.”

Sir David, who was chief executive of NHS England for nearly eight years from 2006 to 2014, said: “It’s fantastic – this is an area of great deprivation with massive health needs. This is the

biggest public investment ever in the Black Country and the opportunities around it for regeneration as well as great health care are enormous.”

The operational opening of the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital on 6 October follows years of stop-start delays to the region’s biggest NHS project of recent times – and marks the fruition of a hospital scheme first mooted nearly a quarter of a century ago.

Sir David said: “In the year 2000 I was chief executive of Birmingham and Black Country Strategic Health Authority. We had a meeting and said wouldn’t it be a good idea to merge City Hospital with Sandwell and build a brand new hospital in the middle.

“It was originally going to be PFI, building works were taken on by Carillion who then went bust, and it was then left half built for over two years, with a tarpaulin over it. Taking it from there to opening it is fantastic.”

Richard said: “I am pleased that a population that frankly deserves better facilities than they have had for decades are now going to get them. And I am pleased that staff who continue to work in pretty testing conditions are going to actually have some 21st century accommodation in which to deliver 21st century health care.”

Both men stressed that the super-hospital – complete with robots which carry out some

surgery and ferry laundry, catering and waste around - is as much a new NHS facility for Birmingham as it is for the Black Country, while also creating nearly 500 new jobs, and many more in the supply chain.

The hospital will also provide much-needed social and affordable housing after City Hospital land on the Dudley Road was sold off to Homes England, providing the NHS with a “significant eight-figure sum” which will be ploughed back into existing services and reduce waiting lists.

‘This is the biggest hospital in the West Midlands for many years, it is also Birmingham’s hospital’

Richard said: “A lot of people have waited a long time for this. Apart from the Royal Liverpool development this is the biggest hospital development within the NHS for some years, they are the only two complete hospital rebuilds in the last decade.”

Sir David said: “This is the biggest hospital in the West Midlands for many years, it is also Birmingham’s hospital. If you take ill in the centre of Birmingham, you won’t go to the QE, they will bring you to the Midland Met. Although people see it as a Black Country hospital at least half of the patients in it will come from Birmingham.

“There are undoubted pressures on the NHS and this part of the world was particularly heavily hit with Covid. Both Sandwell and Birmingham suffered far more than most other places in the country. We have got, like most of the NHS, significant waiting lists, although they are coming down in Sandwell and West Birmingham, but they need to come down a lot quicker.

“By opening this new hospital, it will enable us to significantly reduce waiting lists for the people of West Birmingham and Sandwell as well as providing great emergency care.

LEFT: A nurse prepares for the arrival of patients

INSET: An impressive welcome for patients and visitors

“This is nearly an 800-bedded hospital, it will employ 4,500 to 5,000 people – half of the hospital is coming from the City Hospital and half is coming from Sandwell.”

Richard said the Midland Metropolitan Hospital had the potential to “make an extraordinary difference.”

“The very act of building that hospital there and having a target of a high percentage of subcontractors and providers of services from within a 15-mile radius of Smethwick – that’s the local employment aspect in part at least acknowledged if not fully dealt with. Then there is the Learning Campus which will open next summer and will give vocational training opportunities and educational opportunities to 1,200 people a year – it will be the first

MAIN PICTURE: Richard Beeken and Sir David Nicholson enjoy the views from the hospital roof

university accommodation opening in the borough of Sandwell ever.

“Our intentions are more than just dreams regarding connecting the city centre and the Midland Met site because it remains the closest hospital to the city centre of Birmingham that can take adults.”

In addition to a wide range of new facilities including a purposebuilt A&E department, operating

theatres for emergency, major planned surgery and maternity, the hospital will also boast retail units including a Greggs, Marks and Spencer as well as an Amazon Market Express, while the Winter Garden will host a restaurant and complement coffee shops across the site.

Meanwhile, new technologies available on site will enable the complex to become the “most technologically advanced district general hospital in the country,” in due course, added Richard.

“We will have automated guided vehicles – nine in total – and it will be them rather than human beings that will be carrying goods and services up to the wards and the departments.”

Sir David added: “Most nonpatient movement is by robot. One

of the things you will see is robots taking laundry and catering facilities and waste all around. It is phenomenal to see.”

Meanwhile, visitors could travel to the Smethwick site by canal if Sir David’s ambitions are realised. “I am determined to make it happen – the canal connects the MMUH with Brindleyplace and I have always had this idea that people will go on a waterbus from Brindleyplace and visit the hospital, which would be remarkable.”

Richard echoed Sir David’s hopes that the MMUH would help transform deprived areas close to the new site.

“The Midland Met can be a catalyst for improving the surrounding area, both in terms of green spaces but also transport connections, trying to reduce reliance on personalised, motorised transport.

“Parts of the area are massively deprived – the immediate area to the hospital is a bit of a postindustrial dystopian hell really in terms of buildings that are falling down and not being re-utilised.”

He also looked forward to the “one-off opportunity” provided by the eight-figure sum generated by the sale of the Dudley Road land.

“We are going to have to spend it wisely. I want to spend some of that money on expanding and improving the operating theatres, the day care surgery facilities, the outpatient facilities that will be retained on the City Hospital site and retained on the Sandwell Hospital site so that we can get waiting times down.”

An official opening will be held in the New Year. “We are trying to get a very important person to officially open it,” said Richard.

Panel named for pitch comp

A trio of celebrated entrepreneurs, investors and business champions will select the finalists for this year’s Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition, delivered by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC).

The programme designed to showcase the region’s best women-led SMEs and startups is returning for a second year, with the Chamber once again partnering with NatWest and the British Business Bank.

The panellists are:

• Deb Leary - scale-up director at Innovate UK Business Growth, entrepreneur and former GBCC president

• Nigel Hall – chair; board; advisor; NED and mentor to Founder Entrepreneurs in Tech & Innovation startups and scaleups

• Sharonjit Clare – chair of the WMCA Race Equalities Taskforce; entrepreneur and investor

Deb Leary has more than 20 years’ experience of business build, innovation and internationalisation.

She is the founder of Forensic Pathways, a Birmingham-headquartered firm specialising in the development of innovative technologies for the criminal and threat intelligence arena.

Deb is also past president of the GBCC – serving from 2021 to 2023 – and an Export Champion for the Department of Trade and Business.

As a selection panellist, she is advising hopefuls in the pitch competition to be their “authentic self”.

She said: “I’m honoured to be invited to be on the selection panel for the Women’s Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition.

“Having started my own entrepreneurial journey some 23 years ago, I know the highs and lows and the commitment, tenacity, and grit it takes to get where you want to be.

“My only words of advice would be ‘be your authentic self, focus, don’t’ try to be all things to all people, speak with conviction, sell the benefits, and know your figures’.”

Helping SMEs decode the importance of AI

A dynamic lineup of speakers has been confirmed for an event focused on how SMEs can leverage the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The AI & Digital Decoded event, part of Birmingham Tech Week’s Fringe programme and hosted by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), will go beyond the hype and jargon to provide practical insights, advice, and information on how AI will impact the business community in Greater Birmingham.

The event will take place at Chamber HQ on Tuesday, 22 October, from 9 to 11 am.

Speakers include:

• Gareth Evans, head of strategic partnerships of UK commercial banking at HSBC

• Bharat Bhushan, partner and chief technology officer for financial services at KPMG

• Dr Edlira Vakaj, associate professor of neurosymbolic ai, academic lead for research, innovation and enterprise at the College of Computing, Birmingham City University

• Matt Jones, founder of Oxbridge Home Learning

Aimed at SME owners, directors, and representatives from Greater Birmingham's business community, the event offers attendees insights into the latest AI and digital transformation trends, practical information tailored to SMEs, and valuable networking opportunities.

‘Birmingham Tech Week is a hugely important celebration of our region's ever growing tech sector and expertise’

It follows the launch of the Chambers’ ‘A Roadmap for Business Growth: Final Report of the Business Commission West Midlands’ which identified both the vast opportunity for investment in AI and digitalisation to drive business growth and the uncertainty facing many SMEs in how to best go about it.

GBCC chief executive Henrietta Brealey (pictured) said: "”AI and digital transformation - we all know that they are megatrends transforming the business landscape. What's trickier is understanding exactly what this looks like for SME businesses.

“Birmingham Tech Week is a hugely important celebration of our region’s ever growing tech sector and expertise. With this fringe event, we are looking forward to welcoming our non-tech SMEs into the discussion too to build their knowledge and networks, and find out how the latest developments can benefit them.”

Enhanced support from BCU

Hundreds of local firms are set to benefit from a new and improved business support package from Birmingham City University (BCU).

The university has received £775,000 to help companies upskill staff, protype ideas, collaborate with researchers, and access technology and equipment.

“We’re thrilled to have already supported more than 300 businesses and professionals to develop their skills and adopt new technology through dedicated workshops and training sessions,” said Heike Schuster-James, head of partnership development in engagement, enterprise, and innovation at BCU.

“Thanks to this additional funding, BCU will be able to enhance its business support to help local SMEs accelerate their growth and become even more competitive.

“The funding also will create opportunities for BCU researchers to solve real-world business problems through industry partnerships and drive economic growth in the region.”

In 2023, a new £60m Regional Innovation Fund (RIF) was launched to help UK universities cultivate their research and

development initiatives.

UKRI’s Research England has since distributed £48.8m of that money across 110 universities in England.

BCU used its funding to aid local business by investing in three key areas: STEAMhouse, Centre for Future Homes, and SuperTech WM.

“It’s a new era of growth and job opportunities,” said Dr Kifayat Khan, a BCU artificial intelligence expert who supported the roadmap development. “New roles in the region could include technical positions, academia, practitioners, and start-ups that spark further progress.”

The BCU Steamhouse Group (left to right): Dr Monica Mateo-Garcia, BCU senior lecturer in sustainable built environment; Mike Leonard, BCU visiting professor; Dr Kifayat Khan, BCU senior lecturer in AI and business analytics; Heike Schuster-James, BCU head of partnership development in engagement, enterprise, and innovation; Clayton Shaw, STEAMhouse programme manager

Birmingham’s iconic new landmark tops out

Birmingham’s new tallest building – and the tallest pure octagonal residential tower in the world – has “topped out”.

The Octagon, the city’s first official skyscraper and newest landmark with a world-first design, is a stunning addition to the city’s skyline and reaches 49 floors and 155 metres. It will offer residents unparalleled views across the city when the first build to rent (BTR) apartments become available in late summer 2025 after a three-year build programme.

Backed by global real estate investor, City Developments Ltd of Singapore (CDL), the construction of the £110m project has been undertaken by high-rise construction specialist Midgard, part of the JRL Group,

architects Howells.

The building is an integral part of the city’s £1.2bn Paradise estate being brought forward by development and asset manager MEPC, which is delivering up to 10 new buildings and three public squares, as well as pedestrian connections and thousands of jobs in the heart of the city.

The Topping Out ceremony brought together the building’s principal partners CDL, MEPC and Midgard, along with project team members and further stakeholders with celebrations at the top of the building.

This included an early morning visit from winners of the eight “golden tickets” which were available to the general public, as well as a ‘vertical mile’ charity run with the project team. The run took place before the topping out ceremony and raised over £4,500 for local charity Acorns Children’s Hospice with support from CDL, Midgard, MEPC, Howells, Turley, Arup, Quantem, JRL Ark, SOM, OFR, Design MEP, Thompson AV, D Line, Spray Plaster Specialists Ltd and Flick Lighting, who all helped to assemble teams with more than 70 runners.

The winning Team was from Howells, with the triumphant individual runner, Jamie Parish, completing the climb in five minutes and seven seconds.

Neil McGinty, director at CDL, said: “The original investment we made in the city with The Octagon was rightly recognised as one of the largest pieces of FDI made in the UK regions in recent years. That original investment has now come to fruition as we underline our commitment to Birmingham as a world class, international destination with a strong regional economy.

“The Octagon is also about creating a new landmark for the city of Birmingham.

“As a high-profile skyscraper with a world-first design as well as highly sustainable ethos, The Octagon will become an important part of the city’s skyline for years to come.”

Workshop in selfdefence on offer

Future Faces, the young professionals arm of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, are to hold a selfdefence workshop in partnership with Soteria Self-Defence.

Soteria Self-Defence are a modern self-defence company tackling safety concerns that effect everyday mental health and wellbeing.

Through their work with world class martial artists and MMA champions, they have developed their own revolutionary selfdefence systems that are simple yet realistic and are guaranteed to be effective for everyone regardless of physical ability.

Ellie Dalton, head of client engagement at Soteria SelfDefence, said: “Mixed martial arts changed my life in so many ways. I am more calm, confident and healthy overall.”

The workshop will be hosted by Future Faces patron Arup on Tuesday, 8 October.

Santina Bunting, apprentice in civil and ground engineering at Arup, said: “As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting early career development, Arup is excited to host a self-defence workshop at its Birmingham office.”

Bears Women agree to deal

Bears Women have agreed the country’s first dedicated women’s cricket sponsorship for the newlook 2025 season after agreeing a partnership with internet provider brsk.

brsk – a high speed, full fibre broadband network provider – will be a shirt sleeve sponsor for Bears Women’s Vitality Blast and Metro Bank One Day Cup campaigns.

The one-year deal is the first dedicated women’s cricket sponsorship among the eight Tier 1 teams who will compete in a new national structure from next season.

Warwickshire head of partnerships Ben Seifas said: “I’m delighted to welcome brsk to the Bears Women and Edgbaston family. It’s a significant moment for us and for the wider women’s game.”

Life-changing: Ellie Dalton

Last bolt (left to right): Andy Bushell, development manager at MEPC, Neil McGinty of City Developments Ltd and Kevin Keegan, director of Midgard, at the topping out of The Octagon.

Towering presence:

A new landmark for Birmingham’s skyline

City’s music services welcome new head

A specialist leader of education for music and an assistant headteacher – who started his musical journey as a young chorister - has been appointed head of the music service at Birmingham-based Services For Education.

In his new role, Richard Mabbott will be responsible for the music service’s work in Birmingham that each year teaches music to nearly 32,000 children supporting 98 per cent of the city’s schools – as well as running 113 free ensembles, providing 27,000 musical instruments free-of-charge and staging concerts and performances.

A former choral scholar, Richard joins Services for Education after 15 years working in secondary schools having started his career as a classroom teacher in an inner-city school in Sheffield, before becoming head of music at Hessle High School in East Yorkshire in 2011.

While there, he became specialist leader of education for music working with schools in

Local law firm ‘steels’ the deal

Dealmakers at leading Midlands law firm Higgs LLP have advised a UK-based steel service centre on an acquisition that marks a significant step forward for the business.

Higgs’ team of corporate lawyers advised USP on its purchase of Dudley-based decoiler United Steels. The deal, spearheaded by Higgs head of corporate Richard Griffiths came under the umbrella of parent company USPS Group.

The new combined company is now one of the largest mill-partnered independent steel distributors and processors in the UK.

USP was founded in 2016 by Glyn Costigan and has grown exponentially since. The business buys 15,000 t/month of hot-rolled coil and has been named in various national lists for successful and growing businesses.

United Steels’ processing capabilities are from 1000mm to 2100mm wide and 0.4mm to 25mm thick.

Mr Costigan said the acquisition would help the business increase market share and presence nationwide: “The acquisition marks a further significant step for USPS Group.”

Yorkshire and Humber region to enhance the classroom music offer and build networks of music teachers enabling pedagogical developments and performance opportunities to be shared more readily.

‘Music is not the preserve of the few but an experience that should be shared by all’

In 2019 Richard was appointed assistant headteacher at Withernsea High School as part of a small senior team to deliver improvement to enhance the life chances of the school’s students. Among his achievements was the development of the much praised “Classically Yours” programme with Manchester Camerata - a project that brought a world class orchestra to perform an annual concert in a remote East Yorkshire school and which continues to this day.

Richard said: “Giving young people opportunities through music and the arts is crucial to their development - not just academically but also from the perspective of both the personal skills and the resilience it develops within them.

“It is these opportunities that I have championed throughout my career to enable students of all backgrounds to know that music is not the preserve of the few but an experience that should be shared by all.”

Festival joy as crowds enjoy Chinese celebration

Crowds turned up in their thousands when part of Birmingham city centre celebrated Chinese traditions.

The annual Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival was held in the Southside area and experienced a huge surge in visitor numbers with entertainment, cultural activities and delicacies.

Visitors were fuelled by the Moon Festival Market in Hippodrome Square, which combined tasty delights such as mooncakes, cheeses and chutney alongside jewellery, handmade wooden gifts and natural wellness products.

The market was complemented by colourful Lion dancing, children’s activities, and the opportunity to dress up in traditional Chinese costumes.

Southside BID’s figures reveal that 65,557 visitors flocked to the area during the Mid-Autumn Festival on Saturday alone – a 45 per cent per cent increase on just over 45,000 who were in the area on the same day last year.

The event, organised by the Birmingham Chinese Festival Committee, also took place in the Holiday Inn.

The hotel’s Birmingham conference and events centre played host to a range of activities, including cultural dancing and music, face painting, lion dances, fan and lantern making, and Chinese calligraphy.

‘It was wonderful to see visitors of all ages enjoying themselves’

Julia Robinson, Southside BID manager, said: “We are really thrilled that so many people came to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival at the weekend. We loved the fact that such large numbers took advantage of the many delights on offer at the moon market and watched the amazing Lion dancing.

“It was wonderful to see visitors of all ages enjoying themselves.”

Enable children: Richard Mabbott

Cultural celebration: The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival in full flow in Birmingham

Rosie on the red carpet

Committed to sustainability: Rosie Billington

Caring

designer dresses the stars at TV awards

Birmingham-based entrepreneur fashion designer and salon owner Rosie Billington continues to make waves in the fashion industry, styling top stars for the National Television Awards 2024.

Among her latest successes, the Future Faces member dressed Coronation Street and Brassic star Bhavna Limbachia, as well as Hollyoaks actress Anya Lawrence.

Renowned for her focus on sustainability and empowerment, Rosie Billington, based in Cranes Park, is credited with bringing a fresh, exciting perspective to the fashion world—rooted in her Birmingham community and beyond.

Her brand stands out for blending environmental responsibility with a passion for creating meaningful, bespoke designs.

Rosie is also shortlisted in the Start-Up, Enterprise & Entrepreneurship category of the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards 2024, taking place on Friday, 18 October, at the ICC, Birmingham.

Writing on LinkedIn, she reflects on this red carpet event: “Another iconic moment for us! Bhavna Limbachia wears bespoke Rosie Billington to the National Television Awards 2024. This was a special one – completely out of my comfort zone with a short turnaround and no physical fitting due to the distance. I had to make sure it was spot on.

‘This was a special one – completely out of my comfort zone with a short turnaround and no physical fitting’

“After speaking with Bhavna on both a design and personal level, I wanted more than ever to ensure she felt amazing. It’s been a particularly challenging time for many communities in the UK, especially for ethnic minorities, and Bhavna shared with me how difficult it’s been for her, expressing her anxiety about even leaving her home.

“Teaming up with stylist Martine Alexander, we designed something that not only celebrated Bhavna’s Indian heritage but also made her feel incredible. To add a special touch, I sourced the fabric and Indian embellishments locally from Birmingham.”

This achievement represents Rosie Billington's dedication to creating pieces that tell a story, empowering individuals to feel confident and celebrated. With a commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship, Rosie continues to elevate Birmingham’s status as a city of creative innovation and opportunity.

• Future Faces news – see pages 48 and 49.

Red carpet accolade: Coronation Street and Brassic star Bhavna Limbachia (left) wearing bespoke Rosie Billington and Hollyoaks actress Anya Lawrence wearing the Julia Ball Gown

New scanner transforms care of children

A new, state-of-the-art scanner in Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) has been officially opened.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed Shaun Jackson, director of estates and Dr Tina Newton, ED consultant.

Dr Newton championed the project to improve the patient experience for children and families coming into the major trauma centre, which is one of the largest paediatric centres in the UK.

The scanner is high-resolution,

high-speed, and low-dose, providing advanced scans for doctors treating trauma patients.

Dr Newton said: “We see some very serious injuries come through to our emergency department and one of the most important diagnostic tests we can do to treat our patients is a CT scan.

“Until now, our scanner was located in another part of the hospital. It’s not ideal to transport potentially unstable patients, and it can be incredibly stressful for both the child and their families.”

Permanent places fall at fastest pace

The latest KPMG and REC UK Report on Jobs survey signalled the sharpest fall in permanent placements since the start of 2024 during August, while temp billings continued to increase at a steeper rate than that seen in July.

Demand for permanent staff continued to fall in August, extending the sequence of decline to three months.

Concurrently, recruiters suggested that redundancies had contributed to additional candidates being available to work, as indicated by a sustained increase in both permanent and temporary staff supply.

On the pay front, permanent salary inflation remained solid but well below the long-run series average. Temp pay meanwhile rose only marginally and at the softest rate since January 2021.

The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the Midlands

The new scanner is on-site at the Emergency Department, so scans can be carried out quickly and safely with minimal transport.

The scanner will double up from the hospital’s main scanner in the radiology department which means the potentially more non-emergency scans can be carried out across the hospital in the future.

Mr Jackson said: “When Dr Newton first told me about her idea to bring a CT scanner into ED I knew we had to do everything we could to make this a reality.

"I'm very proud of our teams and the brilliant work of our contractors for transforming this space to allow our doctors to provide even better care.”

Search marketing expert joins Chamber

A start-up business that has joined Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) is keen to update members on the way marketing research is continually changing.

eKim Commerce has been founded by Michael Farr, who has 12-plus years’ experience working in global digital marketing agencies with some of the world’s biggest brands. He has setup eKim Commerce to support SME businesses and entrepreneurs in the West Midlands selling online.

The digital marketing agency is based in the Grade II listed Alpha Tower in Birmingham specialising in search marketing and product content optimisation.

Michael said: “The way users search is constantly changing. Recently we’ve seen the emergence of voice search and even ‘circle to search’ where a user can search based on visuals in the images on their phone.

“The platforms people search on are also

changing with TikTok and Amazon emerging as go-to platforms for product research in recent years. eKim Commerce aims to help brands navigate the changing search landscape to ensure their businesses are discoverable to shoppers.

“We are keen to share the latest search news with members of the Chamber and help brands looking to improve their search campaigns.”

eKim Commerce has joined the GBCC to meet local businesses, get advice and learn from business leaders across the region.

Michael took part in the GBCC Small Business Academy and added: “I’m delighted to join the Chamber of Commerce. I am looking forward to connecting with businesses and entrepreneurs across the West Midlands at Chamber events, and as part of the Small Business Academy.”

For more information go to: ekimcommerce.co.uk

Transforming: Staff at the official opening of the new scanner

Welcome: Cheerful greeting for the young patients

Burton Chamber calls on support for sleepout event

YMCA Burton have announced that tickets are now on sale for their annual fundraiser – The Sleepout.

The Sleepout is a chance to spend the night sleeping outdoors or sofa surf somewhere to raise awareness and fundraise for the YMCA, who operate homeless outreach facilities, housing, foodbank and mediation in the East Staffordshire Borough area. The target funding to raise this year is £50,000.

The Sleepout will take place on Friday, 25 October, and is being held in its usual venues of Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium and its XTREME event at St Modwen’s graveyard. For those who are unable to attend these locations, they can do the sleepout at a venue of their choice, including their own sofa at home.

As the Burton & District Chamber of Commerce chosen charity of the year, the YMCA are urging members to participate. The head of Burton District & Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce, Richard Brooks, has also signed up.

The YMCA Sleepout is now in its 16th year and since it started it has raised over £440,000 since 2008. The youngest participant was two years old and the oldest 93.

‘YMCA Burton provide vital services for some of the most vulnerable members in our community’

Chamber members Hardy Signs have been regular supporters of the Sleepout and marketing manager Blu Hardy said: “Taking part in XTREME Sleepout 2023 was a very humbling experience for my brother and I – we urge anyone to take part.

“YMCA Burton provide vital services for some of the most vulnerable members in our community and I had no hesitation in giving up my bed to sleep in a cardboard box and raise money to support those experiencing homelessness or needing help.

“Our dad and managing director, Nik, has taken part in the sleepout many times now, with some of the team at Hardy Signs. Our future generation of leaders are invested in social justice and working for an employer who believes in giving back to their community.”

As YMCA Burton hope for a record-breaking year, CEO Paul Laffey said: “I will be back at St Modwen’s Church Yard doing my 16th Sleepout. We hope as many people as possible can join our sleepout this year. We are humbled at the amount of people who take part every year and would like to thank them and their sponsors too as they help raise vital funds for our services.

Decade of growth for freight firm

From humble beginnings while working out of the founder’s home 10 years ago, Baxter Freight have grown into a 140-staff concern that aims to turn over £40m this year.

The Birmingham Chamber Premier and Global members, based in Nottingham, have also become the UK sales partner of the world’s leading logistics company DHL.

On average, 60 per cent of UK startups fail within the first three years but Baxter Freight has bypassed this and become a recognised and established brand in the logistics industry.

They have come through huge political and social changes from Brexit to the Covid-19 pandemic and during that time the expertise of Baxter Freight’s employees has allowed them to maintain high levels of service to their customers and provide innovative solutions.

With a focus on high levels of customer service, Baxter Freight pride themselves on creating innovative solutions for their network of global customers.

In 2020 alone, almost 11 per cent of UK businesses stopped trading but as the world relies on logistics, Baxter Freight say they were creative in their approach to any curveballs that came their way.

Chair and founder Ian Baxter said: “Some of my standout moments of the last 10 years have to be the way our team dealt with Brexit and Covid. Both of these things were such difficult times to navigate for so many, but we managed to make this a

positive for the business. I’m really proud that we were able to work through Covid-19 without making any redundancies or putting our employees on furlough. Then, during a global pandemic, Brexit was happening. During these turbulent times, our resilience and values were tested a lot.

“I witnessed standout performances from all of the team, who were able to turn chaos into order –in a word, they were extraordinary. I’m also so proud of all the people that make up Baxter Freight.

So many people have been with us from the very beginning, and they’ve felt empowered to take the job and run with it, to make it their own.”

The business is now focusing on how they can increase the visibility of sustainability within logistics, through partnering with Nottingham Trent University for their Sustainable Freight Network.

“If you cannot take part at one of our venues then we would love for you to take part remotely, you can do this from your garden or even someone’s sofa, which will also raise awareness for the hidden homeless too.”

People unable to take part can sponsor the event, buy goods for the night. Alternatively businesses are also invited to sponsor a box at the stadium that someone will sleep in from £150. It will include social media coverage with the sponsor name on a box during the evening. To buy tickets go to: burtonymca.org

• For more Burton news, turn to page 43.

Menopause help in the workplace

Employee benefits provider Bravo Benefits is leading the way in improving the care of women in the workplace, offering comprehensive menopause support through its innovative employee benefits service.

A CIPD survey into the impact of menopause in the workplace revealed a concerning statistic –around one in six women has considered leaving their jobs due to a lack of support during menopause.

The menopause support solution delivered through the specialist Stella app, is one of more than 40 products and services provided by Bravo Benefits to over 13,000 employers throughout the UK. It is are one of the few providers offering menopause support.

Graham Weatherill, sales director at Bravo Benefits, said: “Menopause is a key phase in a woman’s life. We’re passionate about providing employers with the resources needed to build a supportive workplace culture that recognises and meets women’s needs.”

Snuggling down: Blu and Callum Hardy at last year’s sleepout

10-year success: Ian Baxter (left) with managing director Peter Isler

Where do you fancy? Breakfast, lunch or dinner…

Burgundy Restaurant at the Arden Hotel & Leisure Club has a long tradition of offering guests an extensive choice of quality produce, in a stylish and relaxing environment, at a reasonable price. The cuisine is bistro style with a few contemporary classics and some home comforts. Sunday lunch is as popular locally as when it first started 50 years ago. Burgundy Restaurant seats 90 people.

Food and drink

Breakfast

Separate dining area available 6:30-9:30am Monday-Friday, 7:0010:30am Sunday and Saturday.

Buffet style breakfast with both full English and continental options available.

Sausage, scrambled egg, beans, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, pastries, cereal, fruit. Porridge and other eggs, as well as dietaries, can be ordered with the kitchen.

Lunch

Sunday lunch available with a choice of meat with roast potatoes and vegetables. Dietaries on request. Bar menu, available daily from 10:00-22:30, includes tapas and light bites, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, Italian flat bread, children’s menu and desserts.

Dinner

Full a la carte menu available, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available.

Wines

Full range of whites, reds, roses and Champagne available sourced in Argentina, France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and California. Prices from £21.95£75.00 for bottles. £4.10-£8.20 for house wine by the glass.

Business facilities

The conservatory is the perfect location for private dinning needs. Seating up to 50 people, overlooking landscaped gardens, different seating plans can be accommodated, ideal for birthdays, Christenings or small conferences.

Conference facilities

From private interview rooms through to impressive conference and banqueting facilities to 10 meeting rooms, The Arden can accommodate two-180 delegates and meet all types of requirements and offers complimentary Wi-Fi and car parking. A 24-hour rate is on offer, including private dining and a day delegate rate starting

from £45 DDR. There is a wide range of buffet options to suit all requirements and any dietaries.

Restaurant

Arden Hotel & Leisure Club, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, B92 0EH

T: 01675443221

E: Burgundy@ardenhotel.co.uk

W: www.ardenhotel.co.uk

Owner: Dave Gardner

Head chef: Jessica Lavender

Opening hours: 18:00 – 22:00 Sunday – Saturday 12:00 – 16:00 Sunday lunch

Burgundy

Major transport conference to come to Brum

Birmingham has been confirmed as host city for an international conference to showcase the latest in transport innovation and technology.

The 2027 ITS – Intelligent Transport Systems - World Congress, will take place at the NEC Birmingham (National Exhibition Centre) following a successful bid led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM).

Thousands of delegates from all over the world will attend to demonstrate and promote the latest technology, including autonomous vehicles, electric and zero-emission vehicles, 5G technology and traffic management systems.

The successful bid was a collaboration between TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the Department for Transport (DfT), Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK), Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and NEC Birmingham.

Cllr Sharon Thompson, deputy mayor of the West Midlands, said:

“The West Midlands has a fantastic history of hosting big international events, from Crufts to the Commonwealth Games.

“I’m excited to welcome the leaders in global intelligent

Rewired snaps up PR brief for CEWE

PR consultancy Rewired has been retained by CEWE, Europe’s leading photo printing company, following a competitive pitch process.

CEWE UK is part of The CEWE Group, which spans more than 20 countries and has its international headquarters in Germany. CEWE UK’s state-of-the-art production facility is based in Warwickshire, and the company offers an extensive range of high-quality photo-finishing products including the award-winning CEWE PHOTOBOOK, wall art, calendars, and gifts.

Steve Manfield, marketing director at CEWE UK, said: “We were really impressed by Rewired’s

approach to our PR brief, which brought to life our aspirations to build awareness and consideration for our wide range of products.

“CEWE is focused on quality and creativity, and we felt that Rewired matched those qualities perfectly.”

Ruth Pipkin, managing director at Rewired, said: “CEWE is synonymous with preserving memories and celebrating some of life’s most important milestones, which makes it a real privilege to have the opportunity to drive forward PR for the brand across the UK. We’re excited to work alongside the team to deliver a full calendar of consumer-focused activity.”

transport systems when they visit for what’s sure to be an unforgettable conference in 2027.”

The 2027 event partnership was signed at a Parliamentary reception by Cllr Thompson and Joost Vantomme, chief executive of the event organiser ERTICO – ITS Europe.

He said: “This partnership demonstrates a testament to our joint commitment and leading role

in shaping the future of mobility. The commitments I have seen so far are remarkable.

“Through the combination of ERTICO’s innovative approach with Birmingham’s rich industrial history and forward-thinking mobility initiatives, the 2027 ITS World Congress will perfectly blend tradition with future vision, driving transformative advancements in mobility.”

Anniversary of iconic bus route

The 50 bus route has turned 75, having first started running in 1949. To celebrate the iconic route, National Express West Midlands is appealing for locals past and present to share their stories and memories of travelling on the 50 bus over the past three quarters of a century.

Catherine Woolfe, customer and marketing director for National Express, said: “The 50 bus route has long-been a Brummie favourite and to celebrate its 75th year in operation we’re inviting our customers and colleagues to share their memories from years gone by.

“It is a vital part of daily life for a lot of passengers along the route and we’d love to hear their recollections. It may be memories of when they travelled on the 50 as a child, when they met their now wives or husbands onboard, or if they struck up a friendship which is still going strong many years later.

“Our 50 service runs up to every five minutes and single adult tickets are still only £2 until the end of this year, so it remains a very popular route and we hope our customers will join us on a trip down memory lane to mark this special anniversary.”

Over five million passenger journeys are made along the 50 route each year, with 38 stops from Birmingham city centre to Druids Heath, and 37 stops in the other direction.

In 1997, the 50 service was the first National Express West Midlands route to have a fleet of low-floor double-deckers.

Old terminus: The route 50 bus pictured in the 1950s at its terminus at the old alignment of Albert Street in Birmingham city centre Picture copyright: Transport Museum Wythall

It’s a deal: (left to right) Anthony Ferguson, Department for Transport, Joost Vantomme, chief executive of the event organiser ERTICO – ITS Europe, Cllr Sharon Thompson, the Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands and Max Sugarman of ITS UK

Matched qualities (left to right): Adam Edgeller, brand marketing manager, and Steve Manfield, marketing director at CEWE UK with Rewired PR’s managing director Ruth Pipkin and senior account director Grace Porter

Major donation for hospital

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity has received a donation of £7,500 from The Red Arrows Trust to go towards Fisher House UK, the charity’s military home away from home.

Each year The Red Arrows Trust give over £100,000 to support a wide range of charitable causes and this year Fisher House UK was one of the recipients.

Part of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, Fisher House provides free accommodation to families of military patients, just a fiveminute walk from the hospital.

Fisher House takes away the added stress of having to travel to and from the hospital or finding somewhere nearby to stay.

More than just a house, it is a safe and calm space for families to spend time together, away from the clinical environment of hospital. Fisher House is a lifeline for families and makes what is already an extremely difficult time slightly more manageable.

The Red Arrows Trust’s Chair of Trustees, Air Vice Marshal Gary Waterfall said: “We are extremely proud to be supporting Fisher House UK with this donation.

“The work Fisher House UK and the hospital charity does for military patients and their families is so important and we are delighted to be able to help make a difference.”

Former RAF Corporal Stuart Robinson experienced firsthand the impact Fisher House can have after he was seriously injured in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2013.

Stuart lost both of his legs and received treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

Thanks to Fisher House, his family were able to stay nearby and visit him whenever they wanted.

Stuart said; “During those difficult early days of my recovery, Fisher House gave me and my family a place to escape. It was our sanctuary, our bubble, our safe haven. I can’t thank Fisher House enough for looking after them so well.”

National arboretum to host gardening show

Gardeners’ Question Time is set to visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Tuesday, 22 October.

Two episodes of one of BBC Radio 4’s most iconic programmes will be recorded in front of a live audience. They will take place in the award-winning Aspects, events and conference building at the National Memorial Arboretum, which was named the VisitEngland Business Events Venue of the Year 2023.

For over seven decades, Gardeners’ Question Time has captivated listeners with expert advice and insights into all things gardening, becoming a broadcast institution.

Today, it continues to draw an audience of approximately two million listeners each week, a testament to its enduring popularity.

‘We’re

looking forward to welcoming other passionate horticulturists to the Arboretum’

Tickets cost £4.50 each and will include one complimentary drink (wine, juice, tea, or coffee) on arrival in Aspects.

A parking charge of £4 per vehicle will also apply (bookable in advance), but attendees are

welcome to arrive earlier in the day to enjoy the 150-acre Arboretum site.

Paul Johnson, grounds and landscape manager at the National Memorial Arboretum, said: “While caring for the National Memorial Arboretum’s 150-acre estate keeps us incredibly busy, it’s a task that brings our team such pride.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming other passionate horticulturists to the Arboretum for this special evening. Even with a wealth of experience at our fingertips, I’m confident that we’ll still pick up some valuable tips and tricks.”

For more information and to book, go to: thenma.org.uk

High Sheriff gets university role

Businessman, community leader and philanthropist

Doug Wright has been appointed to the role of vicechancellor's Professorial Fellow at Aston University.

The honorary appointment will contribute to the delivery of the Aston University 2030 strategy by serving on the vice-chancellor’s external advisory board and providing strategic advice on the city and region.

Mr Wright, who employs around 2,500 people across the West Midlands through his McDonald’s franchised business Douglas Wright Restaurants (T/A McDonald’s), currently holds the office of High Sheriff of the West Midlands.

This honorary appointment will support the vicechancellor’s engagement in key strategic areas locally, nationally and internationally.

Professor Aleks Subic, vice-chancellor and chief executive of Aston University, said: “Doug is an inspirational figure in the regional business community, not only for his passion for charity work, but for his dedication to underprivileged youth and regional business growth.”

Doug said: “I look forward to using my business acumen to contribute to the success of Aston University and to delivering the 2030 strategy. It’s a very exciting time to be associated with the university as it delivers transformational work for our city and region.”

As High Sheriff, Doug also visited the NSPCC Helpline and Childline in Birmingham to learn more about the services provided by the child protection charity.

He said: “I was able to meet volunteers and staff who dedicate so much to helping children. Childline is such a vital service where children feel they’re able to talk in a safe space and to be listened to.”

Support: Doug Wright (left) with Professor Aleks Subic

Government urged to focus on investment

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham have urged the chancellor to introduce a plan for prosperity which will champion investment and ultimately drive business confidence in her Autumn Statement on 30 October.

Raj Kandola, director of external affairs at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), was speaking after the government extended two leading investment schemes aimed at start-ups.

He said: “It’s pleasing to see the government has taken the decision to extend the Enterprise Investment Scheme - a pragmatic step which will offer investors confidence in the long term.

"As set out by the Business Commission West Midlands, driving innovation and investment needs to figure highly on the agenda if we are to raise growth and productivity levels - we hope the government will look at simplifying similar schemes and broaden the eligibility criteria in order to boost firm level investment.

“Despite the fiscal challenges we are facing as a country, we hope the chancellor uses the upcoming Autumn Statement to set out a plan to prosperity which will champion investment and ultimately drive business confidence.”

Tool to transform healthcare attitudes

An advanced method for transforming attitudes and beliefs about how best to treat rare and complex diseases like Parkinson’s has been developed through close partnership between Aston University’s behavioural science experts and specialist healthcare communications agency Alpharmaxim.

The researchers, from the School of Psychology, used the latest behavioural science techniques to help develop the Healthcare Behaviour Insights Tool (H-BIT) through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Alpharmaxim.

This innovative evidencebased behaviour change tool, based on a validated behaviour change framework, is the world’s first model that can determine common key barriers to behaviour change in a given disease area across Europe.

New pharmaceuticals can take many years to develop, yet prescribing physicians’ reluctance to adopt them remains a significant challenge.

This can be due to a range of deep-seated beliefs about preferred approaches to treatment or outdated prescribing habits.

The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Venture Capital Trust (VCT) schemes were both set to end on 6 April, 2025, and have now been extended by 10 years to 5 April, 2035.

The schemes are designed to encourage investment into new or young companies through tax-relief incentives, encouraging innovation, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

Both schemes offer incentives to investors of up to 30 per cent upfront income tax relief and an exemption from capital gains tax on any profits made after the sale of shares.

The EIS, introduced in 1994, offers tax relief to individuals who invest in new shares in qualifying companies with investors able to invest up to £1m, or £2m if the shares are in knowledge-intensive companies which focus on research and development.

First introduced in 1995, VCTs are companies listed on the UK’s stock exchange that invest in early-stage trading companies on behalf of people, enabling individuals to invest up to £200,000 per year in new VCT shares.

Former chief sitting pretty in new role

Drug-launch campaigns often fall short of informing new attitudes and beliefs because of limited insights about what drives clinical decision-making across different countries and cultures.

Transforming prescribing behaviours to this extent for rare and complex diseases is an entirely novel approach.

Developed initially for Parkinson’s disease, H-BIT now equips Alpharmaxim to work with clients to target a range of complex and rare diseases where there is growing recognition of the need to change prescribing behaviours.

Dr Carl Senior, reader in psychology from the School of Psychology at Aston University, said: “The opportunity to consolidate our methods into a coherent model for driving behaviour change in the field of medical communications is an academic achievement that would not have been possible without an industry partnership with Alpharmaxim.

“The University’s innovation ecosystem, which brings together a range of expert disciplines across one institution, was a key factor in our ability to deliver this work.”

Former Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Paul Faulkner has been named chair of the UK’s oldest hair and beauty wholesaler following a change of ownership.

Ellisons, founded in Birmingham in 1930 and now based in Coventry, supports hair and beauty professionals in every aspect of their business life, shipping over 2.5 million items annually to more than 50,000 salons, spas and other customers across the UK and internationally.

Managing director Geoff Morris is handing the reins a new generation of leadership, with the existing management team of Matthew Champney, Lee Farmer and Nadine Meakins acquiring a significant equity stake in the business.

Paul, also previously CEO of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest football clubs, will chair the business while Geoff will remain as a substantial shareholder and adviser.

David Tucker, from Jasper Equity who originated and led the transaction, will also join the Ellisons board.

Paul said: “I am delighted to be joining Ellisons as chairperson.

“This is a well-established business with a deserved reputation for excellent customer service and innovation.

“Under Geoff’s leadership the business has evolved impressively over the past decade, and I am excited to be joining now as Ellisons embarks on this next chapter of growth.”

Chancellor must drive business confidence: Raj Kandola

New leadership generation (left to right): Lee Farmer, Paul Faulkner, Geoff Morris, Nadine Meakins, Matthew Champney

The Dezaro Limited projects team take their hats off to their maritime logistics team for their unwavering dedication.

We understand that complex projects require precise coordination, expert management and tailored solutions. Our project logistics services are designed to meet these demands, ensuring the seamless movement of oversized, heavy, and high-value cargo to and from any location worldwide.

With over 15 years of experience, we offer a complete portfolio of services to handle the door-to-door movement of turnkey projects, from the largest equipment to the nuts and bolts. Regardless of your project scale, we pledge an unparalleled commitment to safety, proficiency, and reliable coordination of your operational needs.

From the inception stage to the ultimate delivery, we meticulously oversee every aspect, ensuring the timely and cost-effective completion of your project.

The team successfully exported whole automotive factory movement covering extensive operation covering flat racks, open top containers, maffies and breakbulk services from the UK to Turkey. Challenges like site surveys, police permits, escorts and customs clearances for such heavyweight cargo were expertly navigated. The team handled the entire process perfectly from loading at site to transportation to the port of loading.

Their involvement spanned from receiving the cargo from load sites to port storage, coordinating customs clearances, direct collection of units and loading onto flat racks and break bulk vessels, ensuring a smooth and efficient process at every turn.

Chamber Patrons

Greater Birmingham Chambers’ leading supporters

Colonel steps down from role

Colonel (Ret’d) Richard Maybery is retiring after seven years from his role of chief executive at the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) following a 35-year career in the regular Army. He is handing over to Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Richard Hopkins.

Colonel Maybery said: “It’s been an enormous privilege to have been chief executive of the West Midland RFCA for almost seven years. I have relished the role; and should like to pay tribute to the dedication and professionalism of the staff who make up the RFCA team here at the headquarters in Birmingham and across the West Midlands with our Army Cadet Force County HQs.

“Delivering support and advocating for our reserves and cadets is such a worthwhile thing to do, and perhaps never more important, for many reasons, than it is now.”

Lt Col Richard Hopkins brings a wealth of experience to the West Midland RFCA. He started his journey as a West Midlands Cadet in the Army Cadet Force before joining the Royal Marines at the age of 20 and went on to serve over a 23-year career. After leaving the Royal Marines Lt Col Hopkins retrained and established his own business in the financial services, which signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved an Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award. During this time he also volunteered for five years as Commandant, Hereford & Worcester Army Cadet Force.

Aston University has acquired the landmark 10 Woodcock Street building, previously owned by Birmingham City Council.

This strategic expansion will accommodate several of Aston University’s world-renowned schools and strategic initiatives, further solidifying the university’s commitment to innovation, business excellence, sustainability and community engagement in line with its bold 2030 Strategy. 10 Woodcock Street was designed by Associated Architects and spans 8,000 square meters. The building served as the city council’s flagship site.

The building’s outstanding design and functionality have earned it numerous awards, including the National BCO Test of Time Award in 2017, National and Regional BCO Awards in 2013 and the Built in Quality Award in 2012. It also holds a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Contact: Raj Kandola T: 07815 952462

...and helps students succeed University strikes deal for council building

The newly acquired building will serve as a dynamic hub for several key schools and initiatives, including the globally recognised Aston Business School, Aston Law School, Aston Vision Sciences and the new state-of-the-art Aston Integrated Healthcare Hub.

Vice-chancellor and chief executive of Aston University Professor Aleks Subic said: “This move aligns with our vision to drive innovation, support business growth and deliver impactful research and education that transform lives and drive inclusive growth.”

Aston University has been named the University of the Year for Student Success in the 2025 Daily Mail University Guide.

The university beat more than 130 UK universities to be crowned the UK’s best for student success due to its impressive results in graduate outcomes, including high earnings, highly skilled jobs and proportion of students achieving first class and upper second class degrees.

This accolade recognises that Aston University recruits one of the most diverse student populations in the country and reflects the support the students receive, student experience and teaching quality.

Overall, the guide ranked Aston University at 24th in the country. The Daily Mail’s rankings are based on 12 key performance indicators, covering academic and social factors, including teaching excellence, student support, the proportion of graduates in highskilled jobs, graduate salaries, research quality, the proportion of students achieving first class and upper second class degrees, and student-staff ratios.

Aston University has achieved considerable success in league table results and quality ratings over the past 12 months. This includes being ranked eighth in the category Best UK Universities for Job

Prospects in the StudentCrowd awards, which are based on student reviews, while the 2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data shows that employed Aston University graduates have the 19 largest median salary of all higher education institutions five years after graduation at £35,400.

The 2025 QS World Rankings places Aston University inside the top 30 per cent of 1,500 ranked institutions in the world and in the top 10 per cent of all 5,663 institutions evaluated. The university was also awarded the ‘triple gold’, the highest possible rating, in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) ratings in September 2023.

Alastair McCall, editor of the Daily Mail University Guide, said: “The diversity of Aston University’s student population is a notable feature in itself, but what makes the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success truly stand out is the achievements of students.

“Securing the best possible student outcomes is at the centre of everything and the university has support and policies in place that enable students to achieve their best, irrespective of their starting point in life. Aston delivers for its students, earning the title Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success 2025.”

Successor: Lt Col Richard Hopkins (left) with Colonel Richard Maybery

Milestone: The landmark 10 Woodcock Street building

Double hip patient in short stay

A mum has praised surgeons at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust after undergoing two hip operations where she was admitted and discharged within 23 hours on each occasion.

Margaret Jones, aged 64, from Rowley Regis, first underwent surgery in March to her left hip and was given a low dose spinal block during the hour-long procedure.

Her remarkable recovery led to surgeons booking her in for her right-side hip operation – taking place just four months later at Sandwell Hospital.

‘It can, in the future show a reduction in waiting

times as more patients can be admitted and operated on’

Retired civil servant Margaret said: “The whole experience has been amazing. I met the criteria and I was given the spinal block. I was awake throughout the procedures on both occasions but didn’t feel a thing.

“My recovery has been remarkable. I was walking around in the ward with a physiotherapist less than three hours after the operation. I definitely feel that a shorter stay in hospital has led to a better recovery.”

The 23-hour admission aids streamlining the service as the trust prepares to move to the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, which will boast ultramodern operating theatres and 50 per cent single occupancy ensuite rooms.

Mr Manoj Sikand, trauma and orthopaedic consultant, who carried out the surgery, said: “Margaret fell under our enhanced recovery pathway as a 23-hour admission.

“In this pathway the patient is educated right from the time from when they are listed for the operation and will need to fit criteria of being relatively fit, willing and having family support at home. But this will be extended very soon, benefitting lots of other patients already on the waiting list for other types of surgery.”

“This is a relatively a new process and it will see significant savings of around £400 per day per patient. It can, in the future show a reduction in waiting times as more patients can be admitted and operated on.”

Nominations

open for awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the High Sheriff’s 2024 awards – recognising the work of individuals or community groups who are making an impact across the West Midlands.

Current High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Doug Wright, will hand out the awards to those who have made outstanding contributions to the communities in which they live or work.

Nominations can be made by and for anyone who lives or works in the West Midlands, whether in the public, voluntary and charitable or private sectors.

Mr Wright said: “I look forward to recognising exceptional people and organisations across the West Midlands whose work is making a real difference in their community.”

Nominations are being accepted until 31 October, 2024.

For more information go to: highsheriffwestmidlands.com

23-hour turnaround: Margaret Jones and Mr Manoj Sikand

1813 Club and Premier Members

Greater Birmingham’s leading companies

Premier Membership

Contact: Gary Birch T: 0121 274 3236

‘Humbled’ Freeths are named top firm after years of growth

Leading national law firm Freeths has won the title of Law Firm of the Year at this year’s Legal Business Awards.

The 27th annual Legal Business Awards celebrates the very best in the legal profession. Legal Business is the team behind the Legal 500. As one of the fastest growing firms in the UK, Freeths’ 2024 Law Firm of the Year success follows consistent double-digit annual revenue growth since 2015. Freeths was recognised by judges for its outstanding organic expansion with six of the firm’s 13 offices achieving annual revenues of more than £10m.

Commenting on the firm’s success, Karl Jansen, national managing partner of Freeths, said: “As a firm, we’re incredibly honoured and proud of this prestigious recognition which certainly reflects the hard work and sheer dedication demonstrated by colleagues across our business over

team:

a number of years and not just the last 12 months.

“It’s an incredible achievement for Freeths and truly humbling to be named Law Firm of the Year, and I would like to personally

extend a huge thank you to all of our colleagues, and also for the support we’ve received from our clients.”

The win is a culmination of a year of achievements for the B

Corp-certified firm. Notably, the expansion of Freeths in the last year marked multiple new office moves and refurbishments, significantly aligning with the firm’s strategic business plans and enhancing the experience for both staff and clients.

In January, the work of national head of dispute resolution James Hartley was finally brought to light after many years in the poignant ITV documentary which sparked a highly anticipated public inquiry into the Post Office scandal.

James and the team have worked tirelessly and fought for many years to get justice for over 550 postmasters and recently announced it is to advise postmasters and other people who are among the hundreds whose criminal convictions are being overturned as a result of the flawed Horizon IT system.

West Midlands cities have good balance

Cities in the West Midlands included in PwC’s Good Growth for Cities Index are generally performing above or in line with the UK average on work-life balance, transport, youth and adult skills and income distribution.

The Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index ranks 51 of the UK’s largest cities (generally considered those with populations of at least 350,000 people), plus the London boroughs as a whole, based on the public’s assessment of 12 economic measures, including jobs, health, income, safety and skills, as well as work-life balance, housing, travel-to-work times, income equality, high street shops, environment and business startups.

The full West Midlands rankings out of 51 cities is as follows:

• Stoke-on-Trent - 16th

• Coventry - 27th

• Wolverhampton - 39th

• Walsall - 48th

• Birmingham - 49th

Looking at economic growth, the report states that the West Midlands is expected to experience slower economic growth compared to the 12 UK regions in both 2023 and 2024, with a growth rate of 0.7 per cent in 2024, and 1.7 per cent in 2025.

David Morris, Midlands regional market lead, PwC, said: “The latest Good Growth for Cities index reaffirms what we’ve been discussing for a while: the West Midlands is lagging behind in terms of growth.

“That said, there are pockets where we’re starting to see improvement, notably Stoke-onTrent increasing in the rankings.

“We’ve been through an extended period of economic instability and uncertainty, but we’re starting to see the green shoots of recovery with inflation easing. The West Midlands has a real opportunity to prosper over the next few years if the right investments are made.”

Top

Freeths personnel celebrate the award

Region lagging behind: David Morris

Shout’s new team looks forward

Shout, which celebrates the full spectrum of LGBTQIA+ lives in Birmingham, has welcomed a new team and plans a new programme focused on celebrating the best of queer culture in the Midlands.

They aim to build on and learn from the successes of the past which saw the organisation attract over 400,000 visitors and platform over 400 LGBTQ+ artists since 2011.

Shout’s new creative and community producers Dr Hannah Phillips and Phoebe Gilmore will present a year-long programme in 2025 and this autumn focus on testing work with audiences, artists and producers (established and emerging) and the queer community.

These new roles and new approach were identified via The Shout Reframed Project,

funded through Arts Council England and led by Jo Muskett looking at the future of the organisation.

Jo Muskett, operations manager Birmingham LGBT, said: “We’ve worked tirelessly over the last year to really take stock of what Shout should be, what our queer community needs us to be and how to make it happen.

“The recruitment of our new producers is our first step forward to driving our new programme forward to ensure that our queer community is able to access, participate in and create arts and cultural activity throughout the whole year.”

The new producing team will devise and deliver an all-year-round programme running February 2025-January 2026. This multi art form test programme will make space and celebrate

Manager brings expertise to growing companies

Birmingham-based Simpex Express and their sister company Samphire Cargo have appointed Ray Vella as group sales development manager. Ray, with over 30 years’ experience in the logistics and customs clearance industries, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the companies’ growing teams.

His newly created role is to promote both Simpex’s dedicated and co-load express transport to and from the EU, and Samphire’s fast response customs clearance and documentation services in the UK and France.

Gary Smith-Watson, managing director of Samphire Cargo Limited, said: “We're thrilled to have Ray join us. His extensive experience is a valuable asset to our offices, and his immediate understanding of the intricacies and strengths of both Simpex and Samphire is impressive. I’m particularly looking forward to Ray spreading the

word about Samphire France, offering our clients a true end-to-end customs clearance service without us relying on subcontracted agents."

Ray's career began at Heathrow Airport, where he worked as an import customs clearance clerk for various freight forwarders. His journey then led him into the aerospace industry as a shipping manager, where he managed the imports from the USA into UK bonded warehouses.

After relocating to the East Midlands Ray’s expertise expanded into sales.

Ray said: “With decades in the industry, I've gained experience in nearly every aspect of logistics and customs clearance. What I love most about this business is its variety. No enquiry or day is ever the same. I'm particularly excited to offer end-to-end transport solutions with integrated customs clearance through our offices in the UK and France.”

the full spectrum of LGBTQIA+ lives under three interconnected themes – joyful; activism; with care. Shout say the outcomes will enable them to develop a sustainable programme.

Dr Phillips said: “I am delighted to be joining the Shout team as they look toward the future and begin to implement new ways of working to celebrate queer culture. Through my role I aim to better understand the needs of our communities, grow local LGBTQ+ visibility and begin co-creation with local partners, artists and communities.”

Phoebe added: “We have a wonderful opportunity to move Shout forward both in terms of engaging with our community but also through the work we create. It is an exciting moment to be joining the team, I look forward to connecting with queer communities and allies.”

Something to shout about: Getting the message over on stage

New partnership: Ray (left) with Gary Smith-Watson managing director of Samphire Cargo Ltd

International Trade

Why the West Midlands must look to the stars

The Business of Space offers major opportunities for the West Midlands, leading figures from industry and politics heard at an event hosted by international investment and property group Richardson.

West Midlands mayor Richard Parker, Shadow Science Minister and Meriden & Solihull MP Saqib Bhatti and former Dudley MP Lord Ian Austin were among those in attendance for the discussion at the University of Birmingham’s Exchange building.

Attendees included West Midlands mayor Richard Parker, Shadow Science Minister and Meriden & Solihull MP Saqib Bhatti and former Dudley MP Lord Ian Austin.

Hosted by Carl Richardson and his brothers Martyn and Lee, a panel of industry experts highlighted the business potential, not from rockets, but from the

volume of data available from satellites and space technology.

Bogden Gogulan, CEO of NewSpace Capital, the world’s first private equity firm devoted to growth-stage space technology companies, said: “A big part of the UK economy is underpinned by space applications – 70 per cent to 90 per cent.

“Around 80 per cent of activity in space is commercial, it’s a $600bn industry that is only set to grow.”

Elizabeth Williams, head of law firm Gowling’s aviation, aerospace and defence sector, said: “I’m based in the Midlands and I’m really passionate about seeing the Midlands and the UK grow and thrive.

“I’m here because we've got a real opportunity, especially the Midlands, to do that, with our heritage and industry and fantastic universities and skills.”

T: 0121 725 8994

E: ibh@birmingham-chamber.com

‘A big part of the UK economy is underpinned by space applications –70 per cent to 90 per cent’

Melissa Quinn runs Slingshot Aerospace, providing space data and analytics to its clients, but was previously founding director of the UK’s first spaceport, in Cornwall.

She said: “I want other young girls, other people from diverse backgrounds, to be able to join what is happening in space.

Tax associate joins Dyke Yaxley team

Dyke Yaxley LLP (DY USA) has announced that Monika Fogarasi (pictured) has joined the team as a tax associate.

With more than 10 years of experience, Monika specialises in accounts preparation, corporate tax return preparation, bookkeeping (Xero and QuickBooks), VAT, UK personal tax returns and UK payroll management for SMEs.

In addition, Monika assists with the preparation of UK and US personal tax returns.

“We are delighted that Monika has come on board to continue her professional career with DY USA,”

said Ian Brander, partner-in-charge, personal tax services.

“She demonstrates a keen understanding of technical skills and our Five Core Values.”

Monika completed the AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting and became a Member of Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT).

She is currently studying for her Association of Tax Technician (ATT) diploma.

With operations in the UK and US, Dyke Yaxley provides clients with unique cross-border tax and business advisory services.

Backing the space race: The panel, from left - Bogden Gogulan, Andrew Turner, Melissa Quinn, Kathryn Stanczyszyn, Elizabeth Williams and Carl Richardson

“Things are changing very quickly and we need different kinds of people to be at that table to decide what we’re doing out there. There's so much opportunity, we can't just let the same old people make the same old decisions; they are doing that at the moment and it's time that changed.”

Airline switches to electric vehicles across key bases

Airline easyJet – a member of the Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce - is set to make a saving of 54 tonnes of CO2e per year thanks to an ongoing fleet renewal programme for its engineering and maintenance vehicles.

The scheme will replace traditional petrol and dieselpowered vehicles for engineering and maintenance teams across easyJet’s operations at several of its major bases across the UK and Europe.

The new fleet of active vans, 36 in total, has been rolled out at easyJet’s engineering bases including Berlin, Luton, Bristol and Liverpool airport.

The airline is planning to continue this roll out across other engineering bases in 2025, at which point 80 per cent of easyJet’s bases will be using fully electric maintenance vans.

Jane Ashton, easyJet’s director of sustainability, said: “After a successful, small-scale trial at Berlin Airport last year, which saw the

Digbeth studio delivers rebrand

conversion of a number of maintenance vehicles to electric our immediate step was to expand on a much bigger scale across our UK and European bases.

“This small but critical move will help us further reduce the impact of our ground operations and we continue to try and find new ways to do this every day through the integration of operational efficiencies including fleet renewal both for aircraft and maintenance vehicles as well as fleet optimisation through various new technologies.”

CBS.

Second Home Studios, was commissioned to rebrand the identities of AMC Networks International in the UK and Poland.

Through the UK rebrand, CBS Reality became True Crime and True Crime Xtra, a decision that reflected the channels’ heavy reliance on increasingly popular crime related content. HorrorXtra became Legend and Legend Xtra, absorbing the HorrorXtra channel and its content while leaning more towards the action/adventure backcatalogue so loved by audiences.

Internationally, CBS Europa transformed into Film Cafe, highlighting the main channel content which is 90 per cent films, mainly from the 2000s.

AMC were won over by a pitch which connected each channel through the strength of shadows and

Legend threw a spotlight onto the ‘tools of the trade’ used in film-making, while True Crime examined the minutiae of crime detection and process. Film Cafe reflected a ‘feel good cinema at home’ experience for audiences.

Second Home has set up a new facility in the heart of Digbeth’s creative quarter to facilitate animation, live-action, puppetry and visual effects production.

Matthew Stott, executive producer of AMCNI–UK, said: “Working with Second Home Studios on these rebrands was a total joy. Thanks to their innovative shadow play concept, we successfully reinforced our unique offerings in a clever, eye-catching, and innovative way.”

Going electric: Some of the new vehicles rolled out at easyJet’s bases

Under the lights: Second Home Studios created a stylish brand for AMC Networks

Global Chamber Patrons TRANSATLANTIC CHAMBER PATRONS

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

Contact: Anjum Khan T: 0121 274 3255

College to double its support

Sandwell College has announced the expansion of its leading Complex Needs Provision, doubling the number of places it can offer to young people.

Developed to support learners who may have learning disabilities, speech and language problems, sensory processing challenges, autism, as well as additional medical requirements, the college’s Complex Needs Provision provides Foundation Learning students with personalised learning and teaching styles.

Due to its initial success, Sandwell College is doubling the number of places on the programme and will welcome up to 20 students when the new academic year starts this autumn.

Focused on teaching practical life skills and empowering learners to live more independently, the college has invested more than £85,000 in a

dedicated classroom space that includes a fully functioning kitchen, accessible facilities, a sensory room, and a medical space designed to assist learners based on their individual needs.

Leading HR firm opens office in Birmingham

An award-winning HR firm with offices in Liverpool and North Manchester has opened its latest brand in central Birmingham.

Privilege HR supplies more than 80 services including a full range of human resources, recruitment and training solutions.

The business has also been awarded the Nationwide HR Consultancy of the Year 2024 for the second consecutive year.

Pav Dubb, HR director for Birmingham Central, said: “We are thrilled to be part of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and most importantly we recognise that businesses have different requirements and objectives.

“Our innovative and cost-effective model is flexible to meet the needs of any organisation. We work with our clients on a bespoke service and help them to grow.”

Running Monday to Friday, from 9am to 2.30pm during term time, the Lifelong Learning Complex Needs Provision also gives young people the opportunity to interact with their peers in a safe

environment, while developing practical social strategies to help them navigate everyday life.

Mark Salter, head of centre at Sandwell College, said: “We are incredibly proud of the positive impact that our Complex Needs Provision has made for students and we are delighted to be announcing the expansion of this support with our extended facilities.

“Foundation Learning offers enhanced support to learners, focusing not only on learning dayto-day life skills, but also on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

“Our holistic approach means that we offer a varied curriculum, designed to support young people’s independence, as well as their individual approach to learning while giving them transferable skills that will benefit them in everyday life.”

Fuelsoft acquisition led by Freeths

National law firm Freeths advised Rose Street Partners (RSP), a newly launched investor in UK private companies, on the acquisition of Fuelsoft Limited, a market-leading provider of ERP software for bulk fuel distributors and fuel card agents.

Fuelsoft delivers a mission-critical product to its customers, many of whom have been with the company for decades and has grown significantly over many years to become a leader in its industry.

RSP is committed to preserving the legacy built by the founders of Fuelsoft and will work alongside them and its management team to deliver the next phase of growth for the company and its loyal customer base.

The Freeths team was led by corporate partner Francis Dalton, supported by senior associate Henrietta Rendell and associate Lottie Benage and trainee solicitor James Leavy. The banking team was led by partner Richard Williams supported by senior associate Anna Protheroe.

Opening in Birmingham: The award-winning team.

Team leader: Francis Dalton

Expanded provision: (from left to right) head of centre Mark Salter, head of department for foundation learning Ealine Groves, curriculum leader for foundation learning Chantal Brown, and lecturers Rachel Hooper and Sarah Jane Shaylor

Headline sponsor for ABCC awards night

A McDonald’s franchisee who employs nearly 3,000 people across the West Midlands is the headline sponsor for the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) annual awards night.

Doug Wright, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) patron and current High Sheriff of the West Midlands, has agreed to be the headline sponsor of a glittering occasion that celebrates the Asian business community in the city.

The event, catered by Mahirs Experience, will be held on Saturday, 30 November, at the ICC, followed by an after-party celebration at Malmaison.

Doug began working for McDonald’s in 1981 after leaving school and worked his way through the ranks before purchasing his first franchised restaurant in 2002.

He now operates 26 sites across the region. The Birmingham-based businessman and philanthropist is also chair of Kids’ Village charity. In 2022, he received an MBE for services to the economy and charity.

Doug said: “I am delighted to be a headline sponsor of the ABCC dinner in November. ABCC is such a wonderful organisation who do so much for our regional business community and economy.”

The award categories are;

• Outstanding Small Business of the Year

• Outstanding Start-Up Business of the Year

• Outstanding Young Achiever of the Year - Sponsored by Pathway Group

• Outstanding Female Entrepreneur of the Year

• Outstanding Male Entrepreneur of the Year

ABCC president Omar Rashid said: “I am thrilled to welcome Doug Wright as our headline sponsor for this year’s awards night.

“His commitment to both the local economy and charitable causes, along with his leadership in the business community, truly aligns with the values we celebrate at the ABCC.”

Members of the GBCC, of which the ABCC is part, and nonmembers are eligible to compete for the awards.

• Outstanding Tech & Digital Business of the Year –Sponsored by Shakespeare Martineau

• Outstanding Professional Services of the Year

• Outstanding Charity of the Year - Sponsored by Our Training Department

• Outstanding Contribution to Diversity & InclusionSponsored by South and City College Birmingham

• ABCC Overall Business of the Year 2024 (awarded to the overall winner of the evening)Sponsored by Practice Plus Group Birmingham Hospital

• ABCC President’s Award (awarded by ABCC president, Omar Rashid).

…and children’s charity chosen

An ambitious charity aiming to build the UK’s first holiday village providing free breaks for children with critical illnesses is to be supported at the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce awards night.

Kids’ Village was founded by the Fletcher family, when Gary and Claire Fletcher’s daughter Sam, was diagnosed with cancer aged nine.

During this time, the family visited “Give Kids the World Village’”in America, which inspired them to create a similar experience in the UK.

A local farming family donated a piece of land in the Staffordshire countryside, and Kids’ Village is now set to include 10 lodges and a central facility, supporting more than 4,000 people each year.

They are now aiming to raise £5m to build the UK’s first holiday village offering respite breaks to critically ill children and their families.

Katrina Cooke (pictured), CEO of Kids’ Village, said: “We are delighted to have been selected as the Asian Business Chamber’s charity of the year. The money raised will go towards our £5m capital appeal to build Kids’ Village which will be the UK’s first holiday village exclusively for critically ill children and their families to enjoy a much-needed holiday, free of charge. We look forward to working with the ABCC committee and members to raise awareness of Kids’ Village and raise vital funds.”

Law firm backs digital sector

A full-service law firm with over 400 lawyers and solicitors is the latest award category sponsor of the ABCC awards night.

Shakespeare Martineau will sponsor the Outstanding Tech & Digital Business of the Year award.

The award-winning law firm has 11 offices nationwide and has been recognised as a top tier firm in The Legal 500. Services offered include divorce and separation, family law, property, corporate and commercial, real estate and planning.

Monica Ghai, legal director of Shakespeare Martineau, said: “At Shakespeare Martineau, we are committed to supporting innovative businesses within the West Midlands area.

“We are really proud to sponsor the Outstanding Tech & Digital Business of the Year award. This award offers a unique opportunity to celebrate both the entrepreneurialism shown by this sector and the positive impact it has had within the Asian business community.”

Sponsorship

Sponsorships for the awards evening are still available, with headline sponsorship priced at £10,000+VAT and award sponsorships priced at £3,500+VAT. Other sponsorship opportunities start from £1,500+VAT. Tickets are priced at £120+VAT for both members and non-members. For more information and to book tickets go to: greaterbirminghamchambers.com

Committed to support: Monica Ghai

Support from High Sheriff: Doug Wright

Contact: Richard Brooks T: 07796 242029

Law firm ‘proud’ to sponsor regional award

A new awards sponsor has been announced for the annual Royal Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Awards night.

Full-service law firm Enoch Evans will sponsor the Cannock Chase Small Business of The Year Award.

The awards night will take place on 31 January, 2025, at The Belfry Hotel & Resort from 6pm onwards.

Enoch Evans solicitors, who marked their 140th anniversary recently, has offices in Walsall, Sutton Coldfield, and Cannock with over 40 lawyers.

The law firm is accredited by the Law Society for family law,

conveyancing quality, and wills and inheritance quality. They have also achieved recognition in leading client guide The Legal 500.

David Evans, managing partner of Enoch Evans, said: “With offices across the West Midlands, the Black Country and Staffordshire, Enoch Evans is at the core of the local business community.

“We are proud to sponsor the Cannock Small Business Award and believe that the SME sector is at the heart of any successful region.” Applications for eight award categories are now open. They are:

• Cannock Chase Small Business of the Year

Meeting room hire at McArthurGlen

McArthurGlen West Midlands Designer Outlet, based in Cannock, is offering a range of meeting rooms.

Three meeting rooms are available to book with a maximum capacity of 10 people.

The rooms also include flipcharts, wide screen televisions, free WIFI, Polycom software and a mini fridge.

David Jackson, centre manager of the designer outlet, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer our local businesses, charities and services a range of meeting rooms and spaces which offer various layout options and everything you need to present in style.

“Please get in touch if you would like to book a meeting room or find out more.”

For more details, email the guest service team at hello@designeroutlet westmidlands.com

Proud sponsor: David Evans

• Lichfield Small Business of the Year

• Tamworth Small Business of the Year

• Royal Sutton Coldfield Small Business of the Year

• SLTC Entrepreneur of the Year

• SLTC Community Impact Award

• SLTC Young Professional of the Year

• SLTC Large Business of the Year.

Additionally, presidents from the three Chamber divisions will each present their own awards. Organisations looking to promote their brand to influential members of the local business community can also take advantage of sponsorship opportunities, starting from £250 (plus VAT).

Teacher steps up to seek higher education dream

An aspiring primary school teacher who thought university was “out of reach” is celebrating after her own return to the classroom.

Gabrielle Rushton has turned her educational journey around after failing to get the grades she wanted at sixth form.

She said: “I’d always known that I wanted to go into education, specifically primary education. However, I left sixth form with one Alevel. So, I was under the impression that it was out of reach for me.”

A friend recommended Staffordshire University’s Step Up to Higher Education, which supports students who want to return to education and develop the key academic skills needed for university level study.

Gabrielle said: “The Step Up course was really beneficial because it helped bridge the gap between leaving sixth form with one A-level to actually accessing a degree course.

“It was through Staffs and the support offered by the staff and the rest of the support network that really secured me going on to higher education.

“I can’t sing the praises of Ashley Cotton from Step Up high enough. Honestly, I believe if it wasn't for Ash, I wouldn't be where I am today. I absolutely loved it and that solidified for me that I was making the right decision.”

After completing the 10-week Step Up course, Gabrielle secured a place studying BA (Hons) Education Studies.

During the degree, Gabrielle got hands-on teaching experience at local primary schools.

Gabrielle is staying at Staffordshire University to complete a PGCE in Primary Education so that she can achieve her dream of becoming a primary school teacher.

“I was chuffed to be graduating with anything because I thought I’ll never be able to get a degree. It was only because of Staffs that I was able to do that.”

Celebration: Gabrielle Rushton

Contact:

Richard Brooks T: 07796 242029

Willshee’s improves management of waste

Terinex Flexibles has appointed Willshee’s to undertake the company’s total waste management programme, to achieve zero waste to landfill and further improve its carbon footprint.

The Derbyshire-based business provides design and print services for flexible packaging for leading food brands as well as non-food packaging for the pet food and medical industries.

There has been a great deal of innovation and investment by the company, which, with the recent launch of its net zero CO2 rated building, already has impressive credentials when it comes to sustainability.

Terinex Flexibles also has a wide variety of film and inks that are certified as compostable

for both industrial and home environments and are suitable for anaerobic digestion. Furthermore, most films are certified for recyclability.

Terinex Flexibles site director Sally Hewka said: “Willshee’s will bring a whole raft of improvements to our management of waste. Our aim is to reuse and recycle everything we possibly can and recover whatever little is left and send it to a waste to energy plant.”

Willshee’s managing director Dean Willshee said: “I am really pleased to welcome such an environmentally progressive business as Terinex Flexibles to our customer portfolio.

“More and more of our clients now have sustainability at the heart of their agenda and it is a pleasure to collaborate with these organisations.”

New hotel opens its doors

A new hotel has opened in Burton on Trent, bringing a new exciting look to the town.

The ibis Styles hotel, operated by First Inn Group, opened its doors this month on Centrum 100, a short distance away from the town centre.

The hotel has 80 bedrooms with a selection of standard rooms and superior rooms featuring kitchenette facilities offering options for guests who are staying for a longer period of time.

The hotel will have bedrooms suitable for single travellers, couples, families, those staying away from home a little longer than normal, as well as having accessible bedrooms.

There will also be a bar and restaurant onsite, serving an interesting menu of mainly local dishes, including a range of pies from the Pieminister brand.

General Manager of the hotels, Alan Northern said: “This is an exciting

development that we have brought to Burton in conjunction with Accor hotels.

“The hotel offers guests a slightly different experience to what they may encounter in other hotels in Burton, and we look forward to welcoming our guests.”

Electrician takes on charity challenge

An electrician at Burton housing association Trent & Dove raised money for a charity supporting a young footballer’s cancer battle by undertaking a “mission of a lifetime”.

Wayne Price raised a total of £2,000 for Cyclists Fighting Cancer, who donated a specialised bike to Oscar Sutton, aged 11. Wayne, who coaches Oscar as part of his junior football team Heather St John’s, near Coalville, raised the funds by taking part in the Autumn 10k Wolf Run with a six-strong team.

The team tackled several obstacles, including wading through mud and water, crawling through cargo nets and pipes, managing a 100-foot waterslide and a bridge jump, and scaling a 10-foot wall.

Cyclists Fighting Cancer helps children and young people living with cancer across the UK regain their physical fitness, improve mental wellness and reduce social isolation by giving them new lightweight bikes, specially adapted trikes, cycling equipment and support.

Wayne said: “Oscar has been fantastic since he joined our team, and his family has effortlessly integrated into our little Heather family. It only seemed natural to try and help this charity. And when Oscar’s dad, Ed Sutton, asked, it was a no-brainer.”

Ed said: “This charity and the gift of a bicycle saved Oscar’s legs from the chemotherapy's lasting effects, allowing him to play the sport he now loves, football.

“You would not believe the generosity and the impact this charity has had on Oscar. When treatment was at its worst, consultants were discussing whether chemotherapy had to stop to save his legs from the side effects. This bike couldn’t have arrived at a more crucial time.”

Not only have they donated Oscar and his siblings’ bicycles throughout his treatment, but they have also helped over 9,500 families since 2005.

Raised £2,000: Wayne Price

Managing waste (left to right): Tom Wingfield, Ben Kelly-Walley (Willshee’s), Dillon Shaw, Sophia Kearns, Ben Waterall and Tim Gabb

Cheers: The bar at Burton’s new hotel

Contact:

Charlie Elliott T: 07753 453624

Business launch helps mum care for twins

A Tamworth entrepreneur has launched her own beauty technician business so that she can combine work while looking after her baby twins.

New choral course to be hosted at cathedral

Lichfield Cathedral is launching a new choral course, Lichfield for Singing, in partnership with the award-winning vocal ensemble, The Gesualdo Six, directed by Owain Park.

The first course will run on Saturday, 11 January, 2025, and will feature singing workshops, and a session on higher education and careers in music.

Aimed at young people aged 13-19, the day-course will focus on developing singing techniques, exploring different genres of choral music and providing experience of working with a professional group.

Participants will need to have experience of, and a passion for, singing, whether through individual singing lessons, membership of a choir, involvement in musical theatre, or preparing to apply for choral scholarships at university.

Rev Andrew Stead, canon precentor at Lichfield Cathedral, said: “As well as more experienced teenage singers, we want to reach young musicians who may not have had any experience of high-level choral singing, but are keen to develop their talents.

“This is an excellent opportunity for young singers to build on their strengths and enhance their CV by working in a collaborative and supportive environment, guided by the exceptional Owain Park and the internationally-recognised Gesauldo Six in the awe-inspiring setting of Lichfield Cathedral.”

The course costs £85, including lunch and refreshments, and there is the opportunity to apply for funding to help with the cost of the course fee or travel.

Applications are open until 2 December, 2024, and for more information visit: www.lichfield-cathedral.org/singing

With support from a Staffordshire County Council start-up programme, 29-year-old Kate Smith (pictured) launched Let’s Talk Brows to work more flexibly around the twins’ needs as well as follow her passion for giving people a confidence boost and helping them to feel at their best, while also maximising her earning potential.

After exploring the business support options available, Kate applied to the Get Started and Grow Scheme, a fullyfunded business support programme developed by the County Council.

Afterwards, a monthly template was developed as a basis for her social media content planning, taking away some of the dayto-day pressure to always come up with new ideas on the spot.

Kate said: “The social media mentoring session was so helpful. I came away with lots of new ideas around content types and have a better understanding of why certain formats work better than others for increasing engagement.”

With various options for support available including finance, legal support, HR, website development and digital marketing, Kate recognised that many in her industry find great traction with social media, so decided to focus on that area.

Kate benefited from a half-day social media strategy workshop. During the session, she worked through a process of competitive analysis and recognising what works well and what doesn’t work so well in her industry and then understanding why.

Embello leads the way with resuable roller banners

A Tamworth-based printing and merchandise firm is looking to revolutionise the industry by introducing re-usable roller banners.

Embello says it will become the first firm to offer roller banner recycling in a mission to transform the printing industry.

Embello is taking a stand against single-use culture, offering a sustainable solution for marketing professionals and event organisers who use banners and displays.

The Wilnecote company's groundbreaking reusable roller banner system will feature easily replaceable graphics.

Embello director Kyle Raffo said: “We’ve all been there - you're looking to refresh your roller banners and realise you’ve got a cupboard full sat collecting dust, often because a small design

The Get Started and Grow programme is delivered by specialist company The NextGen. Its managing director Kathryn Hyde said: “A lot of small business owners find themselves in a bit of a rut with social media. There is so much advice given online which is frankly overwhelming for people trying to do it all.”

Philip White, the County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “Our Get Started and Grow programme is making a difference to new businesses.

“It’s great to see positive results and the experiences of new businesses like Kate’s – we wish Kate all the best in the venture.”

change is needed or the graphics have become outdated.

“Our reusable system changes that narrative. Now, businesses can update their message without discarding the entire banner and cassette.

“It’s a small change that makes a big difference. We're not just selling a product, we’re promoting a mindset shift.”

Igniting passion: The choral course

Mindset shift: Kyle Raffo

Contact: Charlie Elliott T: 07753 453624

Committee welcomes members

Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce has welcomed five new members to its executive committee. The appointments were confirmed at the Chamber’s annual meeting.

Joining the committee are Avesh Sokhal (owner, Cheeky Maharaja), Anita Ellis (copywriter and director, Lexicomm), Vanessa Harrison (florist, Floral Jazz), Dan Sinton (head of events and marketing, BPG Gracechurch) and Karl Rowntree (director, RotoSpa Ltd).

During the annual meeting, Chamber president Naeem Arif, who is entering the second year of his presidency, spoke of the opportunities ahead for Sutton Coldfield over the next 12 months.

Nareem, a director of United Carpets, said: “Having seen a sustained period of difficulty, I personally feel a considerable amount of positivity in the short-term economy and look forward to the opportunities that will present themselves over the rest of this year.

“Being an entrepreneur, it is important to be positive and ensure you look for opportunities.

As we start coming out of this current dip, it is important to also to take calculated risks in order to ensure that whilst you don't overstretch yourself, you are still looking to grow.

“I will always promote all the local businesses in our region, giving them support wherever we can and we will push this narrative as much as possible.

Glam rockers Mud to play Town Hall

Glam rockers Mud, featuring two of the four original members, are playing a handful of shows this winter – including a date at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall.

They are taking to the stage in Sutton on Thursday, 21 November, for a night of 70s glam and nostalgia.

Its 50 years since Mud had their first hit record Crazy under the guidance of legendary producer Mickie Most and prolific songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. This year also marks the half century of the release of Tiger Feet, which reached No.1 and created a dance craze.

They went on to score three UK number one hits, 11 UK top ten singles and another 15 UK top 40 hits as well as charting in Europe and many other parts of the world.

Today, the band still has two surviving original members, Ray Stiles and Rob Davis. Rob has become a successful songwriter having penned hits for artists including Kylie Minogue (Can’t Get You Out Of My Head) and Sophie Ellis-Bexter (Groovejet).

Ray has been a member of The Hollies for the past 36 years and still tours with them, playing sell-out shows in Australia, New Zealand, America, Europe, Scandinavia and the UK.

The line-up of Mud is completed by Pete Phipps (drums) and Keith Read (guitar). The evening will feature an on-stage tribute to late Mud singer Les Gray and drummer Dave Mount.

“When we buy local, we aren't just investing in products and services. We are investing in the future of everyone in Sutton Coldfield.”

Nareem said the Chamber would support several initiatives over the next year including promoting local tourism, the ongoing Sutton Coldfield regeneration project and showcasing opportunities in parts of the Royal Town.

New events space set to open early

Construction of The Masters Suite, a new events space at The Belfry Hotel & Resort, has opened - one month earlier than planned.

The venue, part of a wider £80m development project at the resort, will further enhance The Belfry’s award-winning meetings and events offering.

Crowned England’s Best Incentive Hotel 2024 at the World MICE Awards, it is home to 23 stylish and adaptable events spaces and is expertly placed to cater for everything from the corporate and international markets to the incentive and association markets. At 852sqm and with a capacity of 920, The Masters Suite will be the resort’s biggest events space.

Having received over £12m-worth of enquiries to date, it is an ideal venue for conferences, product launches, mini expos, award ceremonies, charity dinners and banquets for 600 people or more.

Chris Semones, managing director at Goldman Sachs, said: “The Belfry has a deserved reputation for excellence, and we have seen first-hand its capacity for innovation and growth, and its drive to become a leading leisure and events destination in the UK.

“As owners, our investment only reinforces that. We look forward to taking this renowned resort from strength to strength over the coming years, solidifying its place at the heart of the events community, and continuing to invest in its people, its potential and its future.”

The development project, which will create over 200 additional jobs, also includes the building of a new leisure club.

Their name is Mud: Date at the Town Hall

Room with a view: The newly-opened Masters Suite at the Belfry

Five new members: The Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber’s committee

Sally is flying high in ambassador role

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has named Sally Glarvey, head of diversity, equity and inclusion at international law firm Gowling WLG, as a business ambassador.

Bringing a wealth of experience of diversity and inclusion, wellbeing, and corporate social responsibility, Sally also has a strong connection with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity through her professional and personal experiences.

Sally said: “Midlands Air Ambulance Charity holds a special place in my heart. In my previous role, we supported the charity for seven years after witnessing it save a colleague’s life.

“Partnering with the charity and raising essential funds through various fundraising and community efforts was truly rewarding. It was inspiring to see how the money we raised contributed to life-saving missions, air ambulances, critical care cars, and supporting the dedicated individuals at the charity.

“I feel incredibly privileged to become a Business Ambassador, continuing to support this remarkable charity. I aim to leverage my knowledge of the charity and my local community network to further its mission.”

Pam Hodgetts, corporate partnerships manager at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sally as a business ambassador. Her long-standing support and deep understanding of our charity’s work, combined with her knowledge and expertise, will be invaluable as we continue to raise awareness and vital funds.”

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity funds and operates three air ambulances and a fleet of critical care cars across six Midlands counties, providing life-saving pre-hospital emergency care to those in need. The charity relies on the generosity of the public and corporate partnerships to continue its work.

Experienced: Sally Glarvey

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

Contact: Samantha Frampton

T: 0121 678 7488

Visit Knowle benefits from collaboration

Two Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce members have announced they are to collaborate on a new project, bringing a fresh merchandise range to Knowle.

Fate played a role in bringing Visit Knowle and Love2dream together. On the journey to a Solihull Chamber networking event this summer, Kim Hulse, of Visit Knowle, was thinking about seeking a talented artist to capture the essence of Knowle for a new range of merchandise.

Kim said: “On arrival, the first person I spoke to was Jackie, of Love2dream. I was immediately impressed by her work so we quickly made a date to discuss the exciting opportunity.”

Jackie said: “I started my business by drawing buildings in Lichfield, where I now live and have expanded my range to include more places and products. People have a strong connection to where they live and I enjoy capturing the character of a place in my drawings.”

The merchandise is designed to appeal to both residents and visitors alike, offering a tangible way to connect with the spirit of Knowle. From tote bags to Christmas cards, the range offers something for everyone.

Kim added: “We are delighted to introduce our first merchandise collection, which celebrates the wonderful community of Knowle.

“These products will not only be a great way for people to show their love for the area, but our proceeds will go towards funding the work of Visit Knowle.”

Visit Knowle is a dedicated not-for-profit organisation. Through its initiatives, Visit Knowle aims to enhance the visitor experience and foster a thriving community.

Prime name successor to MD

Award-winning West Midlands accountancy practice Prime Accountants Group has announced Morgan Davies as its new managing director, succeeding the long-serving Kevin Johns.

Morgan formally took over the role in September as part of the firm’s advanced succession planning, which has been taking place behind the scenes for some time.

Kevin has worked for Prime for 31 years and has been its managing director since 2015.

As well as holding the positions of Solihull BID chairman and vice-president of the Solihull Chamber of Commerce, Kevin has spearheaded Prime’s fundraising efforts, which have seen the business raise tens of thousands of pounds for charities such as Solihull Life Opportunities (SoLO) and

Children’s Hospital.

Morgan is one of the four original founding partners of Prime from 2007 and steps up from his role as director overseeing the firm’s audit and accounts department.

Kevin, who was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list in 2019 for services to Solihull,

said: “I said when we marked my 30th anniversary with Prime that I’ve been leaving for a long time. This is longterm succession planning and a natural progression like any business. I’m passing the baton to someone in Morgan who is exceptionally capable and well-positioned to keep the firm on exactly the right path.”

Birmingham

Chance meeting: Kim Hulse (left) and Jackie Roberts

Succession planning: Morgan Davies (left) with Kevin Johns

MAN takes home the top prize at awards

By Darby Newman

MAN Commercial Protection Limited were announced as the winner of the top prize at the Solihull Awards 2024, receiving the accolade of Solihull’s Business of the Year.

The awards ceremony, hosted by Solihull Chamber of Commerce, took place at Hilton Birmingham Metropole, in front of over 300 guests.

Headline sponsors were Hilton Birmingham Metropole and Solihull College & University Centre, while the event was compered by Brummie-born BBC West Midlands Breakfast Show presenter, PJ Ellis.

Judges were impressed with the way MAN Commercial “looked at and diversified their offer and supply services for people, businesses and the wider community”.

The judges acknowledged that the security sector is difficult to be in, and it is a real testament to MAN Commercial for being in business for as long as they have.

The firm was established in 1993 and have continued to survive and thrive while investing in innovation and growth. They also won the sector award for Excellence in Training, Education & Development in People.

MAN is a well-established and highly regarded security company with vast experience in all areas of the industry.

They said in a statement: “As a Solihull business that has been trading now for 31 years, we are absolutely delighted to win these awards.

“Solihull Chamber do great work throughout the borough but to be nominated for two awards and win like that, we are just absolutely amazed.”

President’s Award goes to runyourfleet

A business that “has elevated the region in a way which only very few manage to achieve” won the Solihull Chamber President’s Award.

The Warwickshire-based vehicle management company runyourfleet was awarded the accolade by president Eileen Schofield.

Steve Whitmarsh, CEO of Multifleet Vehicle Management, which trades as runyourfleet, and the team, stepped up to receive the President’s Award on behalf of the Henley-in-Arden based company.

The award comes after runyourfleet received the King’s Award for Enterprise this year for its excellence in innovation.

Eileen said: “I have met many businesses which excel in their field of work, and I have spoken about how entrepreneurial the businesses in the Solihull area are, and none more so than the business I have selected as the recipient of my President’s Award for 2024.

“This business has been a Solihull Chamber member for some years and has significantly contributed to the success of the Chamber both in terms of support at events and sponsorship, but that’s not the only reason why I have selected this business to receive the accolade of the presidents awards this year.

Award winners:

Solihull's Award for Excellence in Change & Sustainability - Touchwood Solihull

Solihull’s Award for Excellence in Contribution to Community - Visit Knowle Sponsored by runyourfleet

Excellence in Customer ServicesEvac+ Chair International

Excellence in Hospitality & RetailVisit Knowle

Excellence in Professional Services - Jerroms

Excellence in Sales, Marketing & Communications- Kim Hulse Consulting

Excellence in Technology & Innovation - Evac+ Chair International. Sponsored by Leap IT

Excellence in Third Sector- St Basils Charity Sponsored by Birmingham Business Park

Excellence in Training, Education & Development in People- MAN Commercial Protection Limited Sponsored by Education Awards

Outstanding Start-Up, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (Start-Up) - Solihull Virtual Assistant Sponsored by Vision4All

Outstanding Start-Up, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (Large Scale)UB Healthcare Sponsored by Vision4All

Rising Star and Future Leader- Sarah Breslin, Solihull College & University Centre

Business of the Year award- MAN Commercial Protection Limited Sponsored by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

President’s AwardSteve Whitmarsh, runyourfleet

President’s Award: Eileen Schofield and Steve Whitmarsh surrounded by the runyourfleet team after receiving the award

“This business has elevated the region in a way which only very few manage to achieve. The winning business has been recognised for its excellence in innovation by the highest echelons of the country and this year on its first application was awarded the Kings Award for Enterprise.”

Steve said: “We are very proud members of Solihull Chamber, and I am absolutely delighted that the president has seen fit to recognise the outstanding work and contribution made by the runyourfleet team.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Chamber to encourage and support local business to enjoy the kind of success we have achieved.”

Celebrating success in Solihull: The award winners

Picture: Studio FortySix

Contact:

Sophie

Poduval-Morrell

T: 07540 751590

Mental health charity to host darts social event

To mark World Mental Health Day on Thursday, 10 October, Birmingham Mind are hosting a darts social event on Tuesday, 15 October at The Rectory from 5:30pm.

The event has been organised by Future Faces member Kerrie Henry-Edge, fundraising lead from Birmingham Mind in collaboration with Lauren Willis, head of Sales, Mosaic Pub and Dining.

Lauren said: “Birmingham Mind is a fantastic charity that does truly incredible work. Mental health can affect every single person, and being from Birmingham, I wanted to support a charity where the funds stayed and helped people in the city.

“Fundraising events with the Birmingham Mind team are a great way to network, build relationships but most importantly give back to the local community.”

Kerrie said: “I am really excited for this event. It’s a great opportunity to raise awareness for mental health and for Birmingham Mind.

“It allows people to unwind after a day at work with their fellow colleagues or family and friends to enjoy some healthy competition.

“I’m very grateful to Lauren for her ongoing support and for collaborating with me on this event as The Rectory is such a brilliant venue.

“We do hope lots of people come along and show their support.”

The ticket price includes a welcome drink, a selection of nibbles, two hours of darts and a donation to Birmingham Mind.

For full information and tickets, contact fundraising@birminghammind.org

New Members

Aysha Bateman West Midlands

Combined Authority

Benjamin Feghhi BDO LLP

Dylan Metcalf Flaming Ltd

Elle Oldham BDO LLP

Ellie Warner BDO LLP

Harjean Gill BDO LLP

Harpreet Stevenson Collective Companion

Jack Truman BDO LLP

Jake Barrett BTV.UK

Jemma Youngman BDO LLP

Jessica Watkins Flaming Ltd

Kishan Patel BDO LLP

Kyle Raffo Embello

Liam Jones BDO LLP

Louise Bown West Midlands

Combined Authority

Maya Desai-Rathod Eleven Views

Michelle Lewis Aramark UK

Rosie Billington

Sophia Shipley BDO LLP

Tawfieq Zakria West Midlands

Combined Authority

Warren Lane BDO LLP

Will Higgins West Midlands Combined Authority

Unique opportunity for award winners

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) will be offering the winners and sponsors of the Greater Birmingham Young Professional Awards 2024 the chance to take part in a unique and exciting professional development workshop.

The CBSO’s Conducting Workshop provides an opportunity to get up close and personal with their fantastic musicians and draw parallels between the intricate workings of an orchestra and the dynamics of effective leadership in business.

After the workshop, participants will be given the opportunity to network with other GBYPY award winners, sponsors and CBSO musicians over a light lunch/dinner.

The workshop will take place on two datesThursday 6 February 2025 and Thursday 27 March 2025 - with both days offering exactly the same workshop and activities.

The CBSO is an internationally celebrated symphony orchestra, based in Birmingham.

The group of 90 musicians is led by music director Kazuki Yamada.

Resident at Symphony Hall, the orchestra’s musicians perform over 150 concerts each year in Birmingham, the UK and around the world, with music that ranges from classics to contemporary, soundtracks to symphonies, and everything in between.

For more than 100 years, the CBSO has been involved in every aspect of musicmaking in the Midlands.

Through its wide-reaching community and education projects, choruses, and youth ensembles, this continues to grow – helping to build a lifelong love of music for audiences, communities and musicians across Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond.

Emma Stenning, CEO, said:

“We are so excited to be an awards partner for

Birmingham’s Young Professional of the Year Awards.

“Engaging with our communities and nurturing talent is at the very core of what we do at the CBSO and we can’t wait to welcome award winners and sponsors for a unique professional development workshop up close and personal with our fantastic musicians.”

The Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards 2024 will take place on Friday, 18 October at the ICC Birmingham.

For more information on sponsorship and tickets, scan the QR code.

Musical masterclass: The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and music director Kazuki Yamada.

Photo credit: Benjamin Ealovega

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

Forging a path towards success

Future Faces has been addressing social mobility – the movement of individuals, families or groups through a system of social hierarchy.

Future Faces member Gabriel Imevbore shares a personal story of pushing through challenges to forge a successful career.

Your story is what you make it…as a young man growing up without a father figure and a mother who suffered from severe depression, that statement helped me push through a host of challenges.

I was born in Birmingham UK and grew up in Erdington and surrounding areas. Without a dad around and my mom suffering from depression, it wasn’t easy for her to raise two boys. I commend her - despite the odds, my brother and I have never had criminal convictions. Something she prides herself on, being a black single mom.

It wasn’t always an easy road. We moved around quite a bit and in 2017 I had a breakdown in communication with my mom, which resulted in me being homeless. I look back as this being one of the defining moments in my life. I spent time in emergency and supported accommodation during which my resolve was tested.

There were days and nights where I’d have no electricity, I was doing cash-in-hand jobs like house removals and cleaning. That was character building, but it wasn’t fun. Although there were hardships at the YMCA, there were also opportunities.

The first was becoming a resident rep. That helped me to join a housing sub-committee meeting and become the youngest trustee in 180 years for YMCA Heart of England. I also won the Young Leader of the Year Award in 2017.

Another opportunity that helped me to get out of the YMCA and back on my feet was an with National Grid named “Grid for Good”, a programme centered around social mobility. This helped me get a paid internship at National Grid in the global brand and communications team. I then worked at National Grid for two years.

I became sales director and partner for Z Digital UK, a tech company specialising in web, app and software development and tech consultancy. I also won the Future Faces Third Sector award in 2023.

Applications are now open for 2025 Pride Parade

Applications are now open for next year’s Pride Parade, happening on Saturday, 24 May 2025.

The 2024 parade was the biggest to date with 8,000 participants and an estimated 75,000 spectators lining the city centre route.

The organisers are anticipating a further increase in demand for places in the parade. Group size numbers remain capped at 40 people for regular groups and 25 people for small groups.

Parade entry fees are frozen at 2024 prices across all categories. Standard parade entry does not include festival site admission.

An application for is available to download at www.birminghampride.com

The popular parade sponsor upgrade package is available once again to all vehicle entries.

Benefits of the upgrade include a festival ticket package for group members, increased group size to 50 people, a prominent position in the

So - your story is what you make it. Be bold enough to believe you are more than your current circumstances, have faith and believe that your steps will be guided with grace.

Be authentic and hold onto your integrity. I wish you well and all that success can bring. I am not where I want to be yet, but my story is what I make it.

To what the future holds, Gabe

procession in the Parade Sponsor section, with the logo featured on the Birmingham Pride website and in the On The Day Guide available as both a printed publication and an online/downloadable digital copy.

Speaking about the parade, festival coordinator Simon Baker said: “Birmingham Pride is excited to announce applications for the 2025 Pride Parade are now open. The 2024 event was the biggest to date with 8,000 participants taking part in the high profile procession through the city centre.”

Proud support: Future Faces members took part in this year’s Pride parade

Marcella brings a passion for ‘show-stopping events’ to team

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has appointed a new event manager to spearhead the delivery of its extensive events calendar.

Marcella Meehan (pictured) takes up the new position, having previously worked in a variety of event roles across sectors including higher education, the Civil Service and the arts.

Marcella will head up the Chamber’s four-strong events team, as well as overseeing a wide-ranging programme – one of the biggest in the British Chambers network – which includes awards dinners, expos, networking, policy and professional development events.

A graduate in languages and linguistics, Marcella’s career has included a spell in higher education where she delivered careers fairs and academic conferences, as well as roles with the University of Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum and the National Deaf Children’s Society.

She moved into the Civil Service, working as the engagement and culture manager for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, and with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as people and workforce operations lead for the inaugural AI Safety Summit.

Marcella’s most recent role was with Birmingham Royal Ballet, where she led a varied programme of development events for the internationally renowned ballet company.

Alongside her day job, Birmingham-born Marcella is a trained dancer and aerialist, which she says has fuelled her passion for producing showstopping events.

She said: “I am delighted to be appointed to this role, heading up a brilliant team of marketing and events executives.

“As a Brummie born and bred, I am excited to bring my varied experience to an organisation which does so much to support our local community and economy.

‘As a Brummie born and bred, I am excited to bring my varied experience to an organisation which does so much to support our local community and economy’

“As I learn more about what our members want from events, I am keen to review the strategy, try new things and deliver an even more beneficial service.

“I look forward to meeting many of you at our events, and hearing your thoughts as to what you would like to see.”

Paula Bates, head of marketing, digital and events at the GBCC, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Marcella as the new events manager, who brings with her a wealth of skills and expertise.

“I'm looking forward to working with Marcella closely and for members to start getting to know her at our forthcoming events.”

Social value in focus at quarterly forum

Generating social value through procurement and how employee ownerships contribute to good business will be key talking points during the next Good Business Forum event, organised by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

The event takes place at the offices of Anthony Collins Solicitors in 134 Edmund Street, Birmingham on Wednesday, 9 October from 14:30 to 16:30.

The quarterly forum for GBCC members explores how businesses are tackling environmental and social governance, and the tangible business benefits to doing so.

Shilpi Akbar, head of stakeholders and communities at Balfour Beaty VINCI, will speak about generating social value

through procurement and David Alcock, partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors will explore how employee ownership leads to good business.

The speakers will also be joined by Nathan Wallis, director of strategy and communications at Wesleyan who will explore a case study on their approach to ESG.

GBCC chief executive Henrietta Brealey said: “This event will highlight how businesses can create social value through thoughtful procurement and how employee ownership models contribute to long-term success.

“Our goal is to provide practical strategies that strengthen businesses and build resilient, socially responsible organisations.”

GBYPY awards highlight of month

Future Faces’ Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (GBYPY) awards will attract huge interest as the Chambers’ aspiring business stars vie for the title. The glittering evening takes place on Friday, 18 October, at the ICC.

AND MANY OF THE EVENTS ARE FREE TO CHAMBER MEMBERS

October

Joint Chamber Social Networking

Date: 8 October

Time: 16:30 – 18:30

Venue: The Hub at St. Mary’s

Division: Burton & District, Cannock Chase, Lichfield & Tamworth and Royal Sutton Coldfield

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

Non-members: £50+VAT

The Good Business Forum

Date: 9 October

Time: 15:00 – 17:00

Venue: TBC

Division: GBCC

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

Premier Members Networking

Breakfast

Date: 10 October

Time: 8:30 – 10:30

Venue: TBC

Division: GBCC

Cost: Premier members only

Joint Chamber Social Networking

Date: 16 October

Time: 16:30 – 18:30

Venue: New Hall Hotel & Spa

Division: Burton & District, Cannock Chase, Lichfield & Tamworth and Royal Sutton Coldfield

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

Meet the Neighbours

Date: 17 October

Time: 15:45 – 17:00

Venue: Online

Division: GBCC

Cost: Free to members and nonmembers

Greater BYPY Awards 2024

Date: 18 October

Time: 18:00 – 23:00

Venue: The ICC

Division: Future Faces

Cost: General sale: £115+VAT Table of 10: £1,150+VAT

Solihull Networking Lunch

Date: 23 October

Time: 12:00 – 14:00

Venue: TBC

Division: Solihull

Cost: Members: Free

Future Faces: £15+VAT Non-members: £50+VAT

Networking & Diwali Celebration 2024

Date: 23 October

Time: 18:00 – 21:30

Venue: TBC

Division: ABCC

Cost: Members: Free Future Faces: £15+VAT Non-members: £60+VAT

Lichfield and Tamworth Annual

General Meeting and Networking

Lunch

Date: 29 October

Time: 12:00 – 14:00

Venue: Drayton Manor Park

Division: Lichfield and Tamworth

Cost: Free to members and nonmembers

November

Burton Business at Breakfast

Date: 1 November

Time: 7:30 – 9:30

Venue: Hoar Cross Hall

Division: Burton

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

SBS Conference

Date: 5 November

Time: 8:30 – 12:00

Venue: Midlands Art Centre

Division: GBCC

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

US Election Breakfast

Date: 6 November

Time: 8.00 – 10.00

Venue: TBC

Division: Transatlantic

Cost: Members only

ABCC Member Social

Date: 6 November

Time: 17:30 – 19:00

Venue: TBC

Division: ABCC

Cost: Members only

QBR Briefing Q3

Date: 7 November

Time: 9:00 – 11:00

Venue: Birmingham City University

Division: GBCC

Cost: Free to members and non-members

Cannock Chase Business at Breakfast Date: 7 November

Time: 7:30 – 9:30

Venue: Parts Town UK

Division: Cannock Chase

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

Sutton Coldfield Business at Breakfast Date: 12 November

Time: 7:30 – 9:30

Venue: Gracechurch Centre

Division: Sutton Coldfield

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

Charity Quiz

Date: 12 November

Time: 17:30 – 19:30

Venue: The Yard @ Button Factory

Division: Future Faces

Cost: Future Faces members only

Premier Breakfast

Date: 13 November

Time: 8:30 – 10:30

Venue: Edgbaston Park Hotel Division: GBCC

Cost: Premier Members only

Pro Solihull Networking

Date: 14 November

Time: 17:30 – 19:30

Venue: TBC

Division: Solihull

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

Greater Birmingham Global and Transatlantic Chambers of Commerce

AGM

Date: 14 November

Time 9:30 – 11:30

Venue: Browne Jacobson

Division: Global and Transatlantic

Cost: Free to members and non-members

Birmingham Economic Review

Date: 19 November

Time: 9:00 – 23:00

Venue: The Exchange

Division: GBCC

Cost: Free to members and non-members

Burton Celebratory lunch 2024

Date: 20 November

Time: 12:30 – 14:30

Venue: The Pirelli

Division: Burton & District

Cost: Members and nonmembers: £50+VAT

Professional Development Date: 21 November

Time: 17:30 – 19:30

Venue: UCB

Division: Future Faces

Cost: Future Faces members only

GBCC AGM

Date: 22 November

Time: 10.30 – 12:00

Venue: TBC

Division: GBCC

Cost: Free to members and non-members

Sutton Coldfield Networking with Future Faces

Date: 26 November

Time: 17:30 – 19:30

Venue: TBC

Division: Future Faces/Social Networking

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

Thanksgiving Celebration & Social Networking

Date: 25 November

Time: 17:30 – 19:00

Venue: TBC

Division: Transatlantic

Cost: Members: Free

Growth Through People - Fostering Diversity: Building Inclusive Talent

Pipelines

Date: 27 November

Time: 9:00 – 11:00

Venue: TBC

Division: GBCC

Cost Free

Top tips: how to be innovative as a historical venue

By Angie Devi (pictured), sales office manager at IET Birmingham: Austin Court (part of IET Venues)

History and innovation. Two concepts which, people would be forgiven for thinking, are not natural bedfellows. Especially in the events industry. They might assume, for example, that a historical venue is traditional in its outlook, that it is hampered by restrictions, and that it has little space for imagination.

That is where people would be wrong. As we know from our own experience at IET Venues, historical venues can be as innovative, if not more so, than contemporary venues. And do so in their own unique way.

“But, how?” you may be wondering. Let me explain.

Own it

Use your venue’s history as its advantage. History is what makes your venue unique so, play into that, and create products and packages which no other venue can offer. Yes, other venues will be able to cater for everything from conferences to Christmas parties and award ceremonies, but can they offer state-of-the-art AV capabilities with canal side views? Can they offer wedding receptions in a room with 200-year-old beams in the ceiling and original exposed

brickwork? Can they offer their venue as a ready-to-go film set because of its traditional grandeur, one-of-a-kind backdrops and abundance of character? Your venue’s history is its USP – own it.

Have your cake and eat it While the venue may be old, that does not mean that the technology has to be. Invest in the latest equipment to blend the traditional and modern perfectly and offer clients the best of both worlds. For example, at IET Birmingham: Austin Court, the stunning period features in our Georgian Grade II listed venue are

‘Being a historical venue does not mean that you cannot lead the way on some of the industry’s most pressing challenges’

complemented with state-of-the-art Logitech camera kits, microphones, screens and audio systems. With such facilities to create, in an environment that is extra-ordinary, your clients might just find that the ideas, too, are inspired to be a little more than conventional.

Speaking of which, be an enabler - while you supply the historical venue, give your clients what they need to supply the innovation. From flexible spaces, cutting-edge equipment and interconnecting rooms, to catering that stimulates brain power, exclusive facilities for

members and access to world-class knowledge, put the conditions in place for innovation to thrive. At IET Venues we go even further and use our venues as spaces to showcase innovation. Our wall art, displays, exhibits and instillations are designed to inspire, empower and excite delegates, and will help to build your reputation as a centre of knowledge, learning and creativity.

Embrace change

Finally, be innovative in your approach. Being a historical venue does not mean that you cannot

lead the way on some of the industry’s most pressing challenges, for example, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and the integration of AI, to name just a few. The world is changing at a phenomenal rate, the events world even more so, and the key to navigating this is embracing change. Adapting. Evolving. Let us be honest, historical venues are uniquely equipped to do this. After all, it is how they have survived this long. So, utilise your venue’s past - the knowledge, the experience, the expertise – to trailblaze a thriving events industry of the future.

CV signs of enterprise

To be an enterprising business, first you need recruit and retain enterprising skills. When recruiting staff, Chamberlink takes a look at the key skills you should look out for to boost your workforce and take your business to the next level.

Communication: No business can run smoothly without effective and clear communication. Poor communication results in misunderstandings and errors, which in turn can lead to costly mistakes. A good communicator will be able to explain complex concepts easily and deliver important information succinctly, while strong communication skills allow employees to understand each other’s ideas, offer constructive criticism and make the right decisions together as a team.

Critical thinking: Critical thinking skills allows individuals to step back, analyse the situation and make the best possible decision based on the information at hand. Strong critical thinkers are open minded yet analytical, and able to see situations from all sides. They use evidence, not just intuition, to see connections and tackle problems creatively.

Problem solving: Problem-solving skills are essential in the workplace, because problems can slow or even halt production and cost time and money. If your employees run into a problem, you want to know that they will be able to solve it quickly and efficiently with minimal disruptions to the workday. Strong problemsolving skills can also help employees stay motivated and focused on the task at hand; if they run into a problem and get immediately discouraged, this can have a dramatic impact on their work performance.

Resilience: Being stressed at work is sometimes inevitable, but ideally employees will be able to cope with stress and bounce back from setbacks. Those that lack mental resilience may dwell on the problems, become easily overwhelmed or rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms. A resilient individual can respond well to pressure, deal with adversity and figure out how to overcome challenges. They will look for solutions rather than focusing on the negatives. (However, it’s also important to remember that periods of prolonged workplace stress can affect job performance and the mental and physical health of your employees, no matter how good they are seen to be coping).

Teamwork: When people work together, they can achieve more than they can on their own. Teamwork allows employees with different skills, experiences and ways of working to come together to create something new. Teamwork can also foster creativity, promote strong workplace relationships and improve productivity – as the old saying goes, many hands make light work. An enterprising employee will know the value of teamwork and appreciate opportunities to hear new ideas and

work with different people. They will not feel compelled to take over or force their way of thinking on the team, but rather see the value in working towards a common goal.

Leadership: A good leader will not just keep things running smoothly – they will also motivate and influence his or her team. They will embody the company’s values and culture and inspire confidence; an engaged and positive leader will have an engaged and positive team. A strong leader should also be able to foster a culture of openness and trust throughout the company, which in turn can boost employee satisfaction. Finally, a good leader should be able to adapt well to change. After all, enterprise and innovation requires new ideas and change, which often isn’t easy, especially for long-standing employees used to doing things a certain way. An effective leader can smoothly steer their team through change and get everyone on board and excited for the future.

‘A good leader will not just keep things running smoothly – they will also motivate and influence his or her team’

FEATURE: HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE

How to support mental health at work

and physical illness. As an employer, senior leader or line manager, there’s a lot you can do to support your employees who are undergoing mental health struggles and create a better working environment.

Start with knowledge

The best place to start is making sure you have good knowledge of common mental health problems and the warning signs of poor mental health. You should also take the time to get to you know your team so that you can notice any changes in their behaviour – however, it’s important to remember that different people will react to stress in different ways, so there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. You may have to adapt your approach to suit the different needs of individuals, so getting to know them is the first step in providing useful support. Additionally, make sure you’re aware of your company policies regarding mental health and wellbeing. If you don’t have any policies in place, now’s the time to write them.

Be approachable

Conversations about mental health can be difficult, so try to remove any barriers that might make your staff feel reluctant to open up. Schedule one-to-ones and catch ups with your staff and let them know they have a safe space in which to talk about any difficulties they are having, whether that be at work or in their personal lives. Getting to know them can make it easier to spot any concerning changes in their mood or outlook.

Active listening

If your employees come to you to talk about their problems, the most important thing is that they feel heard. The best way to do this is to use a technique called active listening. Firstly, try to maintain eye contact and open body language. Acknowledge what they are saying by repeating it back to them to make sure you heard correctly. Ask direct questions, but make sure you’re not probing or pushing them too far – you can gauge what is acceptable from their body language. At the close of the conversation, recap what you’ve discussed and what your next steps are. Don’t be tempted to offer solutions too quickly: while you may want to show how much you want to help, they may just need a space to vent and get things off their chest.

Wellbeing matters

Show your staff that their physical and mental wellbeing is important. Encourage them to take their full breaks, work reasonable hours and use their annual leave – because overworked staff are stressed out staff. You can also implement initiatives such as home or hybrid working, the cycle to work scheme, volunteering days and team building activities. These initiatives can improve physical fitness,

boost mood and help them feel valued, all of which will have a positive impact on their mental health.

Prioritising workloads

While it might not be possible to offer your staff complete control over their workload of hours – after all, targets must be met – you can work together to find areas in which your staff can make their own decisions and have more autonomy. You should also make sure that your employees are properly trained to do their jobs, because inadequate training can lead to stress or a lack of motivation. One way to increase morale is to offer regular training and development opportunities.

Look after your own mental health

As an employee or manager, it’s your job to support your team. But remember, your own mental health and wellbeing is important too. You can’t effectively support your staff if you’re feeling burned out or stressed, so take time away from your desk and make sure you have someone to talk to, too. If you’re a manager, you can ask for mental health first aid training to better understand how you can effectively support others and boost your own mental health too.

‘The best place to start is making sure you have good knowledge of common mental health problems and the warning signs of poor mental health’

Sector Focus

The latest news from the sectors that matter to business

Rail scheme to create jobs

More than 12,750 roles are expected to result from the Midlands Rail Hub programme, workforce analysis has revealed.

The Midlands Rail Hub is the region’s biggest and most ambitious rail improvement scheme, which will serve more than 50 stations – covering seven million people across the region. Work on the project is expected to run from 2025-2033.

The work will make space for scores of additional trains on the network every day.

Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Our rail services are hugely overcrowded and in order to get more people on the network we need to provide more trains for them.

“The Midlands Rail Hub will better connect Birmingham and the West Midlands to Bristol, Cardiff, Leicester, Derby and Nottingham with more frequent and reliable services. But it’s also creating thousands of jobs and apprenticeships through the design and construction phase and beyond – investing in our transport network means investing in the people of our region.”

Most job roles predicted for the project are skilled occupations in engineering or project management. More than 300 apprentices are expected to be recruited and trained during the programme.

Economically, over the course of the project, Midlands Rail Hub could generate an additional £240m in economic value throughout the supply chain.

Maria Machancoses, CEO, Midlands Connect, said: “This project is so much more than just a rail scheme. It will create high skilled jobs, grow our economy and kick start careers, thanks to hundreds of apprenticeships. “The scale of the transformational impact goes even further. Once delivered, Midlands Rail Hub will transform train travel in region for generations to come.”

BHX names UK’s first air traffic apprentice

Pena Mason, from Birmingham Airport (BHX), has become the first civilian air traffic control (ATCO) apprentice in the UK.

She began her training with basic and aerodrome courses at Global ATS at Gloucestershire College, completing modules, lessons, and simulator sessions. Back at BHX, she started unit training, with her tasks regularly reviewed by her manager.

Partnering with Gloucestershire College, Global ATS successfully launched the scheme in July, 2023.

Formal review meetings, held every 10-12 weeks, included Pena, BHX, Gloucestershire College, and Global ATS. These meetings assessed progress, addressed challenges, set new targets, and evaluated previous goals.

For Birmingham Airport, the success of the apprenticeship scheme has been profound, with a clear desire to continue the progression of candidates through the apprenticeship programme.

Pena said: “Not only will I earn my air traffic ATCO licence and a Level 5 Diploma at the end of the apprenticeship, but it will also open many doors for my future career within the industry. The ATCO apprentice scheme will create so many opportunities for future generations of ATCOs.”

Paul Beat, head of head of air navigation services at Birmingham Airport, said: “We are delighted to have been part of the UK's first air traffic control apprenticeship scheme. Pena is a credit to herself and the air traffic team. We look forward to seeing Pena’s achievements in the future as she advances in her career.”

New Italian getaway launched

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have announced the launch of their ninth Italian gateway from Birmingham Airport, with flights and holidays via Amalfi Coast (Salerno) Airport going on sale for Summer 25.

Customers and independent travel agents across the Midlands now have even more choice when it comes to holidaying in the famous region, as the UK’s largest tour operator has put a range of hotels on sale across the Amalfi Coast, as well as introducing the port city of Salerno, which becomes a new resort for Jet2holidays from May next year.

The addition of Amalfi Coast (Salerno) Airport, which has reopened to commercial flights, means the companies will operate to nine Italian airports from Birmingham Airport across all seasons.

Jet2 will operate weekly Monday services to the Amalfi Coast (Salerno) from Birmingham Airport from 26 May to 29 September

2025, with both routes being exclusive to the companies.

Jet2holidays has also gone on sale with a range of new hotels located on the Amalfi Coast in the resorts of Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and Vietri sul Mare.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “The launch of Amalfi Coast (Salerno) Airport for Summer 25 gives customers and independent travel agents fantastic access to the beautiful, iconic Amalfi Coast and we are delighted to be adding this brand-new gateway from Birmingham Airport.”

Tom Screen, aviation director at Birmingham Airport, said: “The news of this ninth Italian destination from Birmingham with Jet2 will be music to the ears of customers seeking an idyllic summer getaway next year. The people of the West Midlands and beyond will now have even more affordable choices available as they plan their next picture-perfect escape. This latest addition to services is testament to the relationship between Birmingham Airport and Jet2, which continues to provide more choice for our customers.”

Opening doors: Pena Mason

Direct from Birmingham: The Amalfi coast

‘Don’t ignore the changes to child benefits’

Families and individuals who receive child benefit are being warned about an HMRC crackdown on unpaid tax.

HMRC is writing to individuals who received child benefit during the 2022-23 tax year, who they believe have not declared it correctly on their self-assessment tax return. Individuals with taxable income over £50,000 need to pay back one per cent of child benefit for every £100 they earn over the threshold, meaning once they reach £60,000 of income it is all paid back.

The rules on repayment of child benefit were changed in April’s budget, increasing the threshold where tax is due from £50,000 to £60,000. The charge is now calculated as one per cent for every £200 of income over £60,000.

However, the levels of suspected underpayments for the 2022-23 tax year have prompted HMRC to act, with the threat of financial penalties for non-compliance.

‘Child benefit is one of those things people don’t always think about’

Paislei Godley, associate director at West Midlands-based Prime Accountants Group, said individuals who receive a letter from HMRC mustn’t ignore it, and should take expert advice if they are unsure about what to do.

She said: “Child benefit is one of those things people don’t always think about because they don’t think of it as income.

Pet treats firm gets lawyers’ tasty advice

National law firm Freeths has acted for the shareholders of Pet Treats Wholesale Limited, based in Staffordshire, on the sale of the entire share capital in the company to the Swedish group, The Nutriment Company.

Pet Treats Wholesale is among the leaders in natural dog treats and chews in the United Kingdom. The company offers more than 150 products including grain-free and natural items. Pet Treats Wholesale has been a supplier to The Nutrient Company for many years. It was a logical move for the companies to join forces and help bring the product quality and customer service of Pet Treats Wholesale to a broader range of customers via The Nutriment Company – both in the UK and across mainland Europe.

“HMRC has clearly seen a spike in people not declaring tax properly or not completing tax returns at all. They will know –they’ll be running checks and seeing discrepancies.”

Paislei said common errors HMRC will be picking up on is families who only declare for one child rather than two or think that

they don’t need to declare at all because their own salary is below the threshold – when in fact it is based on the highest earner in the household.

She added: “My advice is, if you’re unsure about it, speak to an expert.

“If you get one of these letters from HMRC, don't ignore it.”

The Freeths legal team was led by corporate partner Ania Vernon supported by managing associate Kerry Jimenez, senior associate Christian Davies, associate Lottie Beange and legal assistant Natasha Manifold.

Ania Vernon said: “It has been a real pleasure working with Louis and the team and we’re really excited to see Pet Treats Wholesale look to capitalise on the quality of its amazing products and expand its customer base.”

The Nutriment Company is headquartered in Stockholm and is majority-owned by the private equity firm Axcel. With more than 10 strong brands that are popular across the continent, The Nutriment Company has been Europe’s leading supplier of natural premium pet food for conscious pet owners for more than 10 years.

Firm capitalising on quality: Ania Vernon

BCRS extends upper loan limit for SMEs

Community lending specialists BCRS Business Loans has extended its support for businesses by increasing its upper loan limit to £250,000.

BCRS Business Loans works with SMEs across the West Midlands and Wales who are unable to access finance from traditional sources and has increased its maximum lending limit from £150,000.

Businesses will now be able to access finance from between £10,000 and £250,000 to help grow and support recovery plans.

BCRS Business Loans chief executive Stephen Deakin said: “We are delighted to be able to increase our upper loan limit to £250,000.

“At BCRS we are clear that no viable business should go unsupported and the increase in the lending limit shows our dedication to helping businesses achieve their goals and prosper. The additional financial support now available will allow more businesses across the West Midlands and Wales benefit from finance from BCRS and we are proud to continue to make a positive impact in the communities in which we operate.”

Since BCRS Business Loans was set up in 2002, it has provided loans worth more than £85m. A social impact report for the last financial year showed BCRS lent £5.8m to 72 businesses, safeguarding 675 jobs and creating 186 roles.

Child benefit crackdown: Paislei Godley

To the limit: The BCRS loans team increase business support

Culinary expert joins Flexeserve

Flexeserve has taken another step forward in growing its support for the Americas with the appointment of Sean Landrum, a highly experienced culinary leader and food innovator.

He joins the world’s leading provider of innovative food-togo hot-holding who support global customers from Starbucks and Circle K to Amazon Go, QuikTrip.

Based at Flexeserve’s new TX-based HQ and Culinary Support Center, in Dallas, Sean brings over 30 years of industry experience, having worked in every segment of foodservice.

Furniture manufacturer develops ‘optimal’ chair

Swedish-owned and Farnborough-based global furniture manufacturer and supplier AJ Products, has developed their first office chair, the HURRAY.

Designed and built to optimise comfort and support while being fully sustainable, every part is recyclable and its high-quality components can be replaced if needed, making it an environmentally responsible choice.

By collaborating with the Italian manufacturer, Linea Fabbricaspecialists in form and functionand ergonomics experts to fully research the anatomy and fundamentals of sitting, AJ Products’ say their HURRAY chair integrates relevant, user-friendly features, a comfortable seating experience and an appealing design.

Managing director Helen Beebe said: “Our goal in designing our first office chair was to create an optimal ergonomic office chair for the future. With many offices now sharing desk space, the HURRAY

Are you sitting comfortably?: The

chair also needed to be simple to adjust, allowing for maximum comfort for everyone.

“Importantly, we wanted to create a sound long-term investment through our seven-year guarantee and ensure all parts are fully recyclable. We hope our HURRAY chair will become a modern icon in time.”

The HURRAY chair's tapered upper back shape is designed to allow full shoulder movement,

claimed to promote better blood circulation. The backrest shape follows the natural S-curve of the spine, providing extra support.

The new HURRAY benefits from quick and straightforward adjustments to ensure proper posture. Two levers control the mechanism to allow for optimum sitting positions and correct alignment for knees with a 4D adjustable armrest to allow tense shoulder and neck muscles to relax.

Bigger offices for engineering firm

Tamworth-based engineering firm Excitation Engineering Services (EES) has expanded into a larger office in Amber Business Park.

The expansion doubles its floor space from 106m sq to 212m sq, allowing the business to install more engineering facilities, expand its testing laboratory, hire more staff and increase throughput to better serve its clients. The company has already recruited five new team members, with plans to create more jobs as it expands further. In line with the move, EES has inspired and co-sponsored the installation of a public community access defibrillator (CPAD) outside its new property.

Founded in 2011, EES started with a small team of three. Today, it operates across six continents and 39 countries, expanding to 21 members of staff. Since completing the renovations, EES has added five team members.

“To go from a small local business to a company with such a large global footprint is a remarkable achievement,” said Douglas Cope, director and founder of EES. “This expansion marks a significant milestone in our growth, and will allow us to enhance capabilities, improve our service delivery and continue growing the team.”

All welcome: Current and former employees at the official opening

Culinary class: Sean Landrum (left) with chef JP Felix

HURRAY range

Appointments

European law firm Fieldfisher has appointed Tom Rish as a corporate partner in a bid to continue their expansion in Birmingham.

Tom, who joins from Gateley Legal, has over 15 years’ experience in public company transactions, private equity investments, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

National law firm Weightmans has welcomed a new partner to its built environment team in its Birmingham office.

John Gregory is a specialist planning lawyer with almost 20 years' expertise and ranked by Legal 500 as a "leading individual" for planning in the Midlands.

Brownfield site owners are missing opportunities

A leading commercial property lawyer has alerted brownfield site owners that they may be missing opportunities to transform their land by adding energy generation technology and storage facilities to raise additional income.

The alert has come from Phil Hunt, a senior associate at Midlands law firm mfg Solicitors. He has been advising on UK-wide brownfield sites and the rental income landowners can receive from an energy-generating tenant on their land, while also promoting the latest green technology.

Phil, who advises on all aspects of commercial property, said that the current energy crisis, and fears around climate change, mean now is the perfect time for landowners to consider developing an otherwise underused plot of brownfield land into an energy importation, generation, storage or distribution facility.

He said: “First and foremost, the definition of a brownfield site is wideranging, so I’ve been urging landowners to investigate if their parcel of land could be successfully transformed into something more useful to them and the wider community.

“There are untapped opportunities across the West

Midlands on brownfield sites.

“Overall, it’s important to establish early on if the site is viable and think about the conditions which will be required for the development to proceed. Often the tenant will be required to obtain the planning permission for the development, the necessary grid connection and other equipment depending on the type of site.

“Landowners also need to consider adjusting any existing occupational arrangements so that the land can be used for this alternative use.

“Landowners may also want to consider approaching neighbours who own adjoining brown field land to see if there is potential for co-operation in being able to market a larger site.

“The Labour government has declared its commitment to the development of grey field sites, and it will be interesting to see what effect this will have on the area of energy site development.

“Now is the ideal time to get involved with this niche, fastgrowing and fastchanging market.”

Rush to finalise deals before Autumn Budget

Leading law firm Clarke Willmott LLP is reporting that clients who are in the process of selling a business are trying to speed completion deals before the Autumn Budget on 30 October.

Clarke Willmott’s Kim Klahn says with the chancellor warning “difficult decisions” need to be made, one significant area of anxiety is the potential increase in Capital Gains Tax (CGT).

“Among the various alternatives being considered is the abolition of Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) (formerly known as Entrepreneurs’ Relief),” said Kim, a partner in the firm’s corporate team.

“Business owners selling privately-owned firms typically qualify for BADR which allows them to pay a significantly reduced CGT rate of 10 per cent on qualifying business disposals. We are currently seeing a rush to finalise deals

ahead of the Budget on October 30, driven by speculation BADR could be reduced or abolished, leading to higher tax liabilities for business sellers.”

Kim says if the government decides to reduce or scrap BADR, it could affect business owners’ retirement strategies, and reinvestment decisions. “This is proving a strong motivator for accelerating the completion of business sales before any changes come into being.”

Kim represents many privately-owned SMEs and says ultimately the government's decision on changes to CGT will be closely watched as it will have far-reaching implications for taxpayers and the broader economy.

Business Asset Disposal Relief is applicable to various disposals, including assets of a sole trader, interests in a partnership, trust assets, and shares in a private trading company.

Go-to adviser: John Gregory

Expansion plans: Tom Rush (left) with Andrew LawtonSmith

Seeing a rush: Kim Khan

Untapped opportunities: Phil Hunt

Arcadis partners with Heineken to support carbon reduction

Heineken, the world’s most international brewer, has achieved a new milestone in its journey to net zero, by signing Arcadis, Chamber Premier and Global members, for its global programme.

Along with additional partners NIRAS and Royal HaskoningDHV, it will bring technical expertise to support Heineken’s global ambition to reach net zero in scope 1 and 2 by 2030.

Heineken’s strategy to reduce emissions in its operations focuses on reducing the energy demand at production and logistics sites and transitioning to renewable energy.

It will collaborate with Arcadis, NIRAS and Royal HaskoningDHV on longterm decarbonisation programmes, building on the company’s previously announced collaboration with Siemens that identified significant energy savings at a typical Heineken brewery.

Heineken will work with Arcadis across four key project phases, initially focusing on sites in countries where Arcadis has a significant presence, including the UK and France.

Arcadis’ role will include the development of a roadmap to assess immediate opportunities at key sites, for example the impact of solar panel installation and transitioning from gas boilers to heat pumps.

Phase two will focus on the basic and detailed engineering needed to implement these changes. In phase three, Arcadis will work closely with partner Honeywell to provide an end-to-end approach to decarbonisation that will realise the proposed solutions, followed by a two-year monitoring phase to assess outcomes.

Magne Setnes, chief supply chain officer of Heineken, said: “Our partners bring us expertise in their field, knowledge of the best available technology solutions and an outside-in view of the problems we are trying to solve –skills that are paramount to helping Heineken achieve our ambition.”

Hans Dekker, chief delivery officer at Arcadis added: “Our approach prioritises scalability by leveraging the expertise of a core team to lead overall roadmap development and engineering, while our local teams work closely with Heineken to implement solutions on the ground.

“Our strategy to accelerate a planet-positive future perfectly aligns with Heineken’s mission to brew a better world. Long-term sustainability and continuous improvement are critical when it comes to achieving these goals, and the cyclical approach we are taking with this programme is key when it comes to evaluating the impact of interventions and ensuring a smooth transition to net zero across multiple sites worldwide.”

New firm to tackle risks in solar energy installation

GenCarbon, a specialist installer of low-carbon energy generation and technology, has launched with the help of Greater Birmingham Chamber members following a surge in demand for the service.

The company, which aims to address risks in the industry around resource availability, quality and performance, has shared its intentions to support apprentices’ and construction teams’ access training for solar panel installation by operating a fully and continually trained workforce.

In conjunction with Moulton College, GenCarbon is hoping to help 40 construction professionals in the company’s first year of business. Once the students have completed the necessary training, they will be guaranteed an interview with GenCarbon.

Started by the team behind a successful solar design and delivery team and with a long history

of delivering rooftop and ground-mount solar installations, GenCarbon Limited continues to recruit through Moulton College’s training course.

Azets is an international outsourcing, compliance, and advisory group. Our 8,200 smart talented people support over 100,000 clients through our network of 189 offices across Europe.

GenCarbon is a start-up business employing trained solar installers from outside of the industry to deliver complex and challenging ground-mount and roof-top solar installations across the UK.

Richard Wakeford, founder at GenCarbon, said: “From our experience and knowledge of the increased demand for solar energy through our work with clients such as EvoEnergy, we know there just isn’t the trained workforce to carry out the work. With the evolution of GenCarbon, we hope to be able to fulfil the

demand for highly skilled individuals who can carry out a range of solar installations, as the UK looks forward to a green future. We want to extend our thanks to the Azets team, including Sue Maltby and Jacob Boocker, without whom we wouldn’t have been so confident in starting our latest venture.”

Joint effort (left to right): Steve King (GenCarbon), Jacob Boocker (Azets), Richard Wakeford (GenCarbon Founder), Sue Maltby (Azets) and Heidi Bucknall (GenCarbon)

Market view report shows improvement

Encouraging signs of recovery are emerging in the construction sector, driven by an improved economic outlook and a strengthening workload pipeline, as detailed in Arcadis’ latest Market View report.

These positive developments align with Arcadis’ earlier predictions, though the timing of a full recovery remains uncertain. Arcadis does not expect a significant increase in on-site work before mid-2025.

The report, titled Reasons to be Cheerful, maintains a low inflation forecast in the buildings market through early 2025, with prices increasing at three-four per cent next year and from five-six per cent from 2026.

Increased activity is noted in London and the south east, and the London region forecast may be upgraded if the trend continues.

Patterns of infrastructure inflation remain mixed, with lower levels in the rail and road sectors and higher escalation affecting work for water and electricity networks due to demand and scarcity as large-scale programmes advance.

Labour costs are likely to drive inflationary pressures in the upcoming construction cycle, due to increasing workloads, tightening competence requirements, and fewer opportunities to source labour from overseas.

The report notes a toughening of contractors’ commercial approach to tenders. Discussions are increasingly focused on risk allocation and contractual terms, though pricing remains a critical negotiation point.

Performance Bonds are more difficult to secure across many projects, yet teams have generally managed to find compromise solutions.

The report includes a focus on the implementation of competence schemes, reflecting on capacity constraints that have affected building control inspection since the end of the transition period in July 2024.

With the end of grandfathering rights for CSCS cards due in December 2024 and with many other building safety related competence schemes in development, the report highlights the need for contractors and clients to track the implementation of these new frameworks to mitigate the risk of skills shortages.

Simon Rawlinson, head of strategic research and insight at Arcadis, said: “The construction sector is facing a more challenging tendering market in 2024.

“Contractors need to adopt a more commercial approach to terms as they navigate an uncertain landscape. However, the improved economic outlook offers reasons to be optimistic as we move into 2025.”

Ian Goodridge, market intelligence lead at Arcadis, added: “The change in the interest rate cycle will be a welcome boost to the sector. However, it will still be some time before the improved levels of new orders begin to feed through to a sustained market recovery.”

Can solar PV pave the way to Net Zero?

The increasing legislative and competitive pressure to deliver true sustainability and a focus on Net Zero puts carbon neutrality high on agendas. This is where solar PV can deliver an immediate impact.

As soon as a solar PV system is commissioned it generates energy and reduces carbon emissions. Even a relatively small 50kWp system will save around 12 tonnes of CO2 a year - it’s clear, it’s measurable and it’s a perfect first step towards your Net Zero commitment.

If carbon savings weren’t enough, there’s even better news - it’s very hard to install solar panels and not save money. During the energy crisis, with spiralling electricity bills, the transition to solar accelerated threefold. Manufacturers embraced the global surge in demand and increased output. The market has cooled, energy prices have stabilised, but material prices have continued to fall and solar is now cheaper to install than ever.

Quite simply, if you haven’t yet investigated solar panels, you should; if you found it too expensive in the past you should look again. With a 25–30-year warranty, solar panels generate free energy for decades, delivering electricity bill savings to invest elsewhere.

‘Xcelerating’ cooking skills

State-of-the-art training facility, Xcelerate with Edgbaston, has launched its new cookery school, offering a range of classes led by renowned culinary expert Steven Lamb.

With almost two decades of experience, Steven has built a stellar reputation as an awardwinning author, consultant, and presenter.

His passion for food shines through in his engaging and fun teaching style, making him the perfect mentor for aspiring chefs and food enthusiasts alike.

Steven said: “From novice to seasoned home cook, there’s an event for everyone at Xcelerate with Edgbaston.

“Located in the heart of the iconic Edgbaston Stadium, it’s a fantastic setting for budding chefs and foodies to pull on an apron, roll up their sleeves, and get stuck in.

“My aim is to share my skills, practical techniques, and even some industry secrets, in a light-hearted way, enabling participants to take home what they’ve learned and wow their friends and family.”

The cookery school is an enjoyable experience for everyone as well an ideal starting point, providing a comprehensive introduction to essential culinary techniques.

For those seeking to specialise, in-depth courses on smoking and curing; bread and baking; and seafood skills offer a deeper dive into specific areas of expertise.

Steven also curates bespoke cookery sessions for special occasions or corporate away days.

The one-million-pound facility boasts 12 cooking stations with the latest technology, and with each attendee allocated their own individual station, a comprehensive and immersive learning experience is ensured.

Global training firm earns seal of approval

Birmingham-based global training provider OTD has been awarded an international quality mark for excellence in training and learning.

OTD has received it from City & Guilds, the world leader in skills development and apprenticeship schemes, for its core suite of bespoke training programmes.

Carpe Diem Coaching, Resilience, Psychological Safety, Power Presenter, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Foundations have all met City & Guilds’ Assured Benchmark.

Each programme has been designed by OTD and is delivered exclusively to a portfolio of regional, national and international customers, which include highgrowth SMEs and multinational corporations. OTD is also developing a series of ‘open’ programmes, with places available to purchase on an individual basis.

Delivery is underpinned by OTD’s investment in benchmarking and cuttingedge technology, including two custombuilt applications which allow users to source material, track progress, and sustain learning.

A quality assurance framework, Assured has been created by global leaders in skills development and training

and builds on City & Guilds’ 144 years of experience.

Ali Barker, head of sales and marketing at OTD, said: “Quality assurance by City & Guilds underscores our dedication to delivering the highest standards.

“We know that skills can make businesses better but it can be difficult for those taking procurement decisions to be sure of the competency of the training provider they’re appointing.

“We made the strategic decision to seek independent assurance for our training, so we could further demonstrate the quality of what we deliver.

“When you invest in coaching and training with OTD, you can be assured of a dynamic learning experience that has the maximum impact on you and your business.”

HS2 helps people get back to work as project creates jobs

More than 4,500 people who were out of work have started jobs helping to build Britain’s new high-speed railway.

The latest data from HS2 Ltd shows that 246 people who were previously unemployed joined the project between April and June 2024.

The total number of formerly unemployed now working on HS2 has reached 4,504.

More than 31,000 jobs are now supported by HS2, with construction continuing at pace between London and the West Midlands.

Among those to have launched a new career on HS2 is Ajmal Nazir, from Birmingham, who was previously an agency worker on a zero-hours contract, working in various schools throughout the local area.

Through the National Careers Service, he was signposted to a pre-employment course with Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), HS2’s construction partner for the West Midlands. He is now an audit coordinator for BBV.

Ajmal said: “Joining Balfour Beatty VINCI has been a major turning point in my career. It’s opened up new opportunities to develop and learn new skills, which I have grabbed with both hands. Now I can look forward to a career full of possibilities.”

Ajmal’s decision to join BBV has inspired his 18-yearold daughter Faryal to do the same. She is set to follow in her father’s footsteps and has joined BBV in as a quantity surveying apprentice.

Natalie Penrose, head of legacy at HS2 Ltd, added: “When Royal Assent was granted in 2017, we forecast that we would create 22,000 jobs as part of programme. Our skilled workforce has now surpassed 31,000 and of these 4,500 are people who were out of work are now benefitting from careers helping us to build HS2. To achieve this, we continue to work closely with local authorities, employment support services and charities. These collaborative partnerships have led to thousands more jobs being supported across the country.”

Major turning point: Ajmal Nazir

Independent assurance: Ali Barker

Production: One of the Cooksongold machines in operation

A pioneering way to use precious metals

An historic Birmingham business has launched a new industrial division to pioneer the use of precious metals in manufacturing.

Part of HM Precious Metals, Cookson Industrial will provide an end-to-end service comprising consultancy, R&D, NPD and production in the additive manufacturing field.

This includes conventional and subtractive manufacturing alongside its additive capabilities, all of which will be managed from its Birmingham head office and manufacturing site in the Jewellery Quarter.

The use of precious metals in additive manufacturing offers organisations a new frontier for performance in extreme environments, where traditional alloys have failed to meet the thermal and material application challenges presented.

Cookson Industrial aims to help organisations looking to explore the technology to de-risk their development, simplify their supply chains and shorten time to market.

The company develops and manufactures a broad range of gas atomised precious metal powders on site, including gold, silver, platinum and palladium powders; all of which are refined from recycled sources where possible.

All precious metal powders are available for purchase in small batches up to 15kg, or for use in Cookson Industrial’s state-of-the-art additive manufacturing facility in Birmingham. This currently comprises six EOS Precious M 080 and M 100 AM machines, alongside a Renishaw AM 500S Flex single laser AM machine.

Cookson Industrial has already partnered with the University of Birmingham to explore the development of precious metal alloys for additive manufacturing applications across the aerospace, healthcare and glass fibre manufacturing industries.

Both organisations were jointly awarded a £750k Early-stage Prosperity Partnership funding from the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Accessible vehicle club for disabled drivers launched

A club for disabled drivers to hire adapted vehicles has been launched by a Birminghambased business.

The Accessible Vehicle Club (AVC), an innovative 12-month subscription service, is the brainchild of Mobility Vehicle Hire Ltd (MVH), trading as Specialist Vehicle Rental (SVR), a leader in the adapted vehicle self-drive hire and leasing industry for nearly 15 years.

AVC offers flexibility for disabled motorists, allowing them to choose from four different plans to suit their budget.

Beginning with just a couple of hand-controlled cars, MVH now operates a fleet of over 350 vehicles, including hatchbacks, MPVs, minibuses, and fully electric models. These vehicles are adapted for a range of needs, from infra-red hand controls to Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), ensuring accessibility for drivers and passengers

with disabilities. The fleet also includes dualcontrol vehicles, designed to accommodate both able-bodied and disabled learner drivers.

The business was founded by Juggy Kudhail, inspired by a friend’s difficulty in sourcing a suitable vehicle for his disabled daughter. After witnessing the poor service and limited availability in the market, Juggy set out to provide a superior, more accessible car hire solution.

Juggy said: “It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come from our humble beginnings with just one staff member and five vehicles. Today, we’ve grown into a dedicated team of 14 with over 20 drivers, serving both corporate and retail clients, including prestigious contracts like the Commonwealth Games.

“With continued reinvestment in our fleet and expansion into Scotland, we’re excited to help even more individuals across the UK.”

Leveraging Cooksongold’s 100-year heritage in jewellery and luxury product manufacturing, the company is also currently working with Bentley Motors to manufacture a series of components for its Batur by Mulliner line.

Nikesh Patel, head of Cookson Industrial, said: “While the use of precious metals in additive manufacturing has largely been confined to the jewellery, luxury lifestyle industries, many more organisations are beginning to explore its potential for use in critical applications.”

Aerospace is seen as a key growth market for Cookson Industrial. The company is actively exploring new developments in satellite thruster design to help de-weight parts and reduce the volume of hazardous materials used in the manufacturing process.

Nikesh adds: “For extreme environments such as aerospace, where there is no room for compromise, the performance characteristics of precious metals can offer a whole new world of design parameters compared to traditional alloys.”

Inspired by a friend: Juggy Kudhail

Precious: Products manufactured in Gooksongold

We are renowned for our superb customer service and while working with you on your metal forming project, our expertise and experience leads you all the way through from the initial metal working process, to the successful delivery of your project.

Education expert joins CBSO board

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) has appointed Sir Mark Grundy, CEO of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, as the newest member of the CBSO board of trustees. Jane Fielding and Gurpreet Bhatia, who have served as trustees, have also been appointed as deputy chairs of the board.

Sir Mark brings a wealth of experience in education and leadership to the CBSO Board. He has been at the helm of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust since 2007.

With a distinguished career in education, he has played a pivotal role as an advisor to the West Midlands Regional Schools Commissioner and was knighted in 2006 for his contributions to education and technology. Sir Mark’s passion for creating outstanding educational environments is matched by his dedication to ensuring that “nothing less than outstanding is acceptable”.

Smash-hits lined up for Birmingham Hippodrome

A stellar line-up of West End and Broadway smash-hit musicals, dance productions and new works has been announced by Birmingham Hippodrome.

One of the highlights will be In August when multi-award-winning Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (1730 August) will return to the Hippodrome for the first time in 14 years. In March 2025, international smash hit SIX (11-15 March) will return following sellout successes. Later that month multi-awardwinning West End actress and singer Carrie Hope Fletcher stars in Calamity Jane (18-22 March).

Renowned lyricist Sir Tim Rice will bring his extraordinary live musical theatre event Sir Tim RiceMy Life in Musicals (13 April) to the Hippodrome. He will reflect on his career at the heart of musical theatre, sharing anecdotes behind the songs, along with stories of his life and live performances from some of the UK’s leading West End singers and musicians.

Star-studded season at Conservatoire

A host of guest artists and exceptional students are appearing live in Birmingham this autumn as events at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire spring back into life.

Among the guest slots are folk music royalty Fairport Convention (20 October), stunning classical strings and African beats from Manchester Collective & Abel Selaocoe’s Sirocco (12 November) and Hans Zimmer’s ‘Interstellar’ soundtracks brought to life by the Mystery Ensemble (1 November).

There are tie-ups with major arts partners in the Birmingham too. Hayley Frances – poet in residence at Birmingham Children’s and Women’s Hospital – launches her debut collection “Administer the Laughing Gas” in an experimental performance of meditative poems and sound, as part of Birmingham Literature Festival (6 October).

And Supersonic Festival guests Bohren & Der Club of Gore (9 November) bring their hypnotic “doom jazz” to the Midlands for the first time since 2012.

Other highlights include a week-long festival to welcome the Conservatoire’s new ‘Juliet’ organ (4-10 November), a whole season of French music from early works to jazz, beginning with a large-scale Berlioz rarity plus Beethoven’s mighty Fifth Symphony played by RBC Symphony Orchestra (25 October).

There’s also a mini-residency by multi-award-winning composing genius and newly-appointed Master of the King’s Music Errollyn Wallen, who joins RBC’s Thallein Ensemble (19-22 November).

The Eastside Jazz Club hosts a multitude of visiting guests, including the Patrick Cornelius Quartet (17 October), and Ronnie Scott’s artistic director James Pearson and leading jazz trumpeter Steve Fishwick (10 October).

During October at The Crescent, the RBC Theatre Company perform contemporary drama and comedy – The Welkin by Lucy Kirkwood, Citizenship by Mark Ravenhill, and Dan Muirden’s The Things Good Men Do – while two of the greatest Shakespearian tragedies, Julius Caesar and Macbeth, follow in December.

For full details of the programme and tickets go to: www.bcu.ac.uk/concerts

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s second company will make its Birmingham Hippodrome debut in May with a new gala production from Carlos Acosta featuring some of the world’s best young dancers.

In June Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby (1114 June) makes a return. Tom

Cassini’s Iterations (29-30 November) looks at his 15-year obsession with the skill and precision of sleight of hand.

10 Nights (6-8 February) will tell the story of Yasser, who decides to take part in itikaf, sleeping and fasting in the mosque for the last ten nights of Ramadan.

harpist from the West Coast of Scotland, will perform at Lichfield’s The Hub on 16 October.

A Navigational Officer in the Merchant Navy, her and innovative music gives a glimpse into the modern mariner’s life.

She received Celtic Music Radio’s Album of the Year for her debut album, Small Voyages and was described on BBC Woman’s Hour as “absolutely incredible”.

Tickets for the show, at £16, are available online at thehubstmarys.co.uk or at The Hub. For more information go to: thehubstmarys.co.uk

Back at the Hippo: The Buddy Holly Story

The Business of Sport

Student scores with Wembley placement

James Stama-Rolfe has taken a step in his ambition to become a director of football after earning a place at the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) at the Wembley Campus.

James, a Level 3 Business student at Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC), earned Distinction Star, Double Distinction in his course at college.

James has taken part in the college’s ‘Your Life. Your Rules’.’ campaign. The series of case study videos showcase the journeys of BSDC students, aiming to encourage prospective learners to consider vocational education as a viable and enriching post-GCSE option.

James chose college because he wanted to concentrate on a single subject rather than juggling three different A-Levels. His decision has paid off, as he has developed critical teamwork and communication skills throughout his time at BSDC.

One of the highlights of James’s studies was a six-month work placement at Forest Holidays. During this time, he spent three days per week working across various departments, gaining a comprehensive insight into how a business operates. James also had the opportunity to expand his horizons with an international work placement in Berlin, Germany.

‘The teachers are great and there’s a lot of support in college’

James said: “It was a really good experience seeing how a business runs. I’ve enjoyed everything about studying here – the teachers are great and there’s a lot of support in college.”

His goal is to become a director of football, handling transfers and recruitment for football teams.

The ‘Your Life.

to dispel common myths about vocational study and highlight the diverse opportunities it offers. By featuring stories like James’s, the College hopes to inspire more students to explore the potential of vocational education and understand the pathways available for achieving their academic and career goals.

Sport Birmingham, marking its 10th anniversary as an active partnership, will host the Birmingham Community Celebration Awards, recognising outstanding contributions to community sport and physical activity throughout the city.

Sport Birmingham appoints new chair Awards to celebrate the power of sport

A West Midlands business figure has been appointed as the new chair of Sport Birmingham.

Mark Taylor, the co-founder of business advisory firm Element45 and former Birmingham managing partner of RSM UK, takes up the role leading the board of trustees and supporting chief executive Mike Chamberlain into the next decade of Sport Birmingham’s growth and development. Sport Birmingham is committed to tackling inequality, promoting diversity and improving opportunity by addressing the barriers to being physically active - prioritising those most inactive audiences and places with the greatest social need and lowest activity levels.

Mark, who co-founded Element45 earlier this year, has more than 23 years’ experience of working in the accounting and business advisory sector. He spent 20 of those years at RSM UK and was managing partner of the Birmingham office from 2016 to 2023. He recently stood down as an elected member of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s Chamber Council after six years of service.

Mike Chamberlain, Sport Birmingham’s chief executive, said: “Mark has both the passion and the proven leadership skills to make a big difference, and he has already proven himself as a committed board member. I’m very much looking forward to the next chapter with Mark at the helm.”

Mark added: “I am very proud and honoured to have been chosen by a panel of my fellow trustees to become the new chair of Sport Birmingham.”

The event at the Edgbaston Stadium on 21 November will reflect on the past decade of achievements and set the stage for future ambitions.

Approximately 300 guests, including partners, shortlisted nominees, and their guests, will

honour individuals and organisations that have excelled in promoting sport and physical activity across Birmingham.

The evening will feature a welcome drinks reception and performances, followed by a twopart awards ceremony with a hot buffet during the interval.

Senior partnerships manager for community Hayley James said: “This event is not just about recognising achievements in sport; it's about celebrating the heart of Birmingham—our diverse, dynamic, and dedicated community.

“We believe in the power of sport to bring people together, inspire change, and create lasting impact.”

The Birmingham Community Celebration Awards presents an opportunity for businesses and organisations to support the local community and gain visibility through sponsorship.

With packages starting at £1,000, sponsors can play a vital role in making this event a success.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Dan Smith at dan.smith@sportbirmingham.org and for more information go to: sportbirmingham.com

Your Rules.’ campaign by BSDC aims

Support: James Stama-Rolfe

Next chapter: Mike Chamberlain (left) and Mark Taylor

Power of sport: Hayley James

Chamber Insight

Focus on a member

Name: David Knight

Company:

Aberrant Group Limited

Job Title: Owner and chief executive officer

What does your company do?

My company is a restaurant services group which owns and operates nine McDonald’s DriveThru Restaurants in Cannock, Wolverhampton, Stafford and Leek.

How did it all start?

After building a successful marketing communications group in London, I needed to work closer to home in Sutton Coldfield. I was looking for new investments with private equity companies and by chance I was introduced to the McDonald’s franchising opportunity.

What’s your greatest achievement so far?

Without doubt my two children, Isabella and Charlie. On a professional level, building the fastest growing franchising group in the McDonald’s UK & Ireland market to date.

What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken – and did it work out?

Investing in my first ever media company at the age of 25. Unfortunately, the venture did not work out, but I learned a lot and it did not deter me from future investments in start-ups.

What keeps you awake at night?

Apart from my dog, very little keeps me awake a night. I am a good sleeper. However, what always plays on my mind is running an organisation that does the right thing by its people and stays true to our values.

If you could turn the clock back, what would you do differently?

I would have sold out of my marketing communications group earlier and started my journey as a McDonald’s franchisee. It was the best decision I have made.

What has surprised you most in your job?

Just the amount of talent that is out there in the most unobvious places. I am in awe of what people can achieve if they are given the opportunity, careful mentoring and correct training.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Just do it. Don’t procrastinate and don’t be deterred by others. If you spot an opportunity or a gap in any market, move quickly and be ambitious. Surround yourself with the very best people, both personally and professionally. Don’t suffer fools or people that don’t add any value to your life.

Which business do you most admire?

Amazon. They have disrupted every market and industry they have entered, simply by always focusing on what matters most to their customers.

What exciting projects is your business working on?

We are currently working on several restaurant reimaging projects, future restaurant acquisitions and many layers of initiatives aimed at driving our culture for our 1,200 strong team.

What made you join Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and how are you making use of your membership? Networking is very important to me as I value the introductions and partnerships it offers. The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has afforded me the opportunity to grow my professional network in this great city of Birmingham.

Tel: 07496 170911

New Members

Your guide to new sign-ups

A E Beckett & Sons Ltd

Adrian Beckett

01564 823402

beckettsfarm.co.uk

Activities of agricultural holding companies

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

BTV.UK

Jake Barrett

0330 229 4145

www.btv.uk

Video production activities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Charles Martin Watches Ltd

Martin Cleaton 01889 560002

www.charlesmartinwatchcompany.com

Retail sale of watches and jewellery in specialised stores

Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce

Cranmore Park

Kelly Smith 0121 713 4450

cranmorepark.co.uk

Activities of exhibition and fair organisers Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Disability Resource Centre

Tracey Bennett 0303 040 2040

www.disability.co.uk

Social work activities without accommodation for the elderly and disabled

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Eevolution Limited

Tim Mahoney 0844 818 2818

Other information technology service activities www.eevolution.co.uk

Burton and District Chamber of Commerce

Eurovacuum Products Ltd

Adrienne Houston 01299 253220

www.eurovacuumproducts.com

Engineering design activities for industrial process and production Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Flaming Ltd

Sab Khatri 0121 655 2730

flamingltd.com

Information technology consultancy activities

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Growthinnk Associates Ltd

Jo Birch 07436 111913

www.growthinnk.com

Management consultancy activities other than financial management

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Hampton Key Solutions Ltd

Ahmer Nawaz 07306 853502

Management consultancy activities other than financial management

Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

LMB Procurement

Lorna Baker 07957 742338 lmbprocurement.com

Management consultancy activities other than financial management

Burton and District Chamber of Commerce

LTSB (Leadership Through Sport and Business)

Adella Brown 07921 336957 ltsb.charity

Sports and recreation education Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Marston Holdings

Mark Eddowes 0330 094 7800 www.marstonholdings.co.uk

Justice and judicial activities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Mattioli Woods PLC

Karamjeet Singh 0333 034 4110

mattioliwoods.com

Financial management Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Stuart Lilley 01332 417222

www.wearemint.tech

Other telecommunications activities

Burton and District Chamber of Commerce

Mobility Vehicle Hire Ltd

Juggy Kudhail 01922 624967 mobilityvehiclehire.net

Other business support service activities n.e.c.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Optima UK

Louise Allatt 0116 303 3560 optima-uk.com

Other human health activities Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Performing Perfectly Clare Patterson 07891 953970

christopherkeyltd.com

Artistic creation Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Practice Plus Group

Paul Byrne 0330 173 2860

practiceplusgroup.com/birmingham

Hospital activities Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Production LX Ltd

Dermot Finnegan 07972 920425

www.productionlx.com

Support activities to performing arts Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Synergise HR

Jo Jinks 0121 750 0382

synergisehr.co.uk

Human resources provision and management Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

University of Warwick Science Park

Limited

Victoria Lynch 024 7632 3000

www.warwicksciencepark.co.uk

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Valise TTC Limited

Dipesh Mistry 07730 603312

www.valise-ttc.com

Travel agency activities

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Vu Ai Limited

Phil Webb 07792 940327

www.vu.co.uk

Information technology consultancy activities

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

White Star Studios

Rebecca Dignan 07460 626748

www.whitestarproductions.co.uk

Renting and leasing of media entertainment equipment

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Youth on Stage

Deb Lowe 07824 552431

www.youthonstage.org

Support activities to performing arts Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Mint Technology East Ltd

...any other business

A roundup of news from Chamber members

Choir to bring workers together

B:Music has for many years provided opportunities where everybody is invited to make music with the organisation. It offers a range of performance opportunities, workshops, and creative projects throughout the year for everyone from amateur enthusiasts through to established touring artists.

The organisation has now announced a new choir, B:Music Workplace Voices, offering the chance for workers from across the city to enjoy the benefits and joy of group singing. B:Music Workplace Voices is an un-auditioned choir based at Symphony Hall in Birmingham and offers the opportunity for employees across the city to meet weekly and experience the rejuvenating effects of group singing on Tuesday evenings.

Originally established in 2013 by choir master Gareth Malone for the second series of the BBC television show The Choir: Sing While you Work, Birmingham City Council Choir became one of the country's best workplace choirs and enjoyed ten successful years, growing its

membership and performing to audiences nationwide including for Heads of State and Royalty.

In order to secure its future and enable further development, the choir is now embarking on a new chapter by joining forces with B:Music. In this new phase, the successful choir has become a part of B:Music’s broad engagement programme and transitioned into the new B:Music Workplace Voices, which is open to anyone who works in Birmingham.

‘As a charity, our mission is to inspire a love of live music’

The choir will be an important part of B:Music’s extensive community and participation programme, with the charity excited to grow the membership and take on even more ambitious performances and projects.

Rachel Cranny, head of development and impact at

B:Music, said: “As a charity, our mission is to inspire a love of live music through performance, participation, and learning. We passionately believe in the power of music and especially singing to boost wellbeing and bring people together.

To find out more, contact workplacevoices@bmusic.co.uk or visit: bmusic.co.uk/makemusic/communitygroups/workplace-voices

Sip on a Brum-inspired cocktail at luxury hotel

The 1565 Bar & Terrace at Park Regis Birmingham has announced that they have released a new range of signature cocktails that have been inspired by a love of Birmingham – including a Brummie Bellini.

From the city’s abundance of canals and its rich history of chocolate to Ozzy the Bull at New Street Station, the new menu pays tribute to Brum’s most iconic spots, through luxury liquors and expertly mixed ingredients.

Designed to inspire a city break for visitors to remember, and for locals to sip in style as they toast to their favourite landmarks, new additions include:

• ‘Botanical Garden Punch’ packed with gin, apple, elderflower liquor and fresh fruit

• ‘New Street Strawberry Sunset’, a tequilabased drink with orange and fresh strawberry puree

• ‘Bournville Velvet’ featuring a giant chocolate chard

• ‘A Brummie Bellini’, a sparkling drink with a glittering cloud of candyfloss

These new cocktails are designed to create ”wow” moments for customers with oversized garnish, fresh ingredients, and Park Regis Birmingham’s signature sparkle.

Tej Uppal, food and beverage at manager at Park Regis Birmingham, said: “The new Birmingham inspired cocktail menu was crafted through our love for the city as we want our guests to feel inspired by the landmarks surrounding them as they sip on our latest beverages. We have also included a QR code on the menu which takes customers to our blog where they can find more information about each of the locations to help them plan the perfect Birmingham trip.”

The full menu can be found at parkregisbirmingham.co.uk

Cheers: A Brummie Bellini

In full voice: Workplace Voices in action

Gold & Wassall are the UK's No 1 manufacturer of hinges.

We provide a fully comprehensive manufacturing service, which enables us to offer any hinge, for any application.

Our impressive stock range boasts over 25,000 continuous hinges and over 120,000 other hinges.

Our Hinge products include:

• CONTINUOUS HINGES

• BUTT/BACKFLAP HINGES

• LIFT-OFF HINGES

• HEAVY DUTY HINGES

• SPECIAL PURPOSE HINGES

All our hinges are manufactured at our premises in Tamworth, UK.

T: 01827 63391

E: sales@goldwassallhinges.co.uk

W: www.goldwassallhinges.co.uk