Business catalyst - Supporting Small Investors

BUSINESS CATALYST Local support package for small & medium-sized enterprises setting up in Greater Birmingham

WELCOME TO GREATER BIRMINGHAM STRONG FOUNDATIONS & VISION FOR THE FUTURE Home to world-class company headquarters, innovative entrepreneurs, international centres of excellence and one of the youngest populations in Europe: Greater Birmingham is a thriving, business-focused region. Centrally located in the UK, and with a highly skilled talent pool, the region provides the scale and size to service the largest of business functions. This is reflected in the decisions by HS2 Ltd and HSBC to locate substantial operations here.

Birmingham is constantly evolving, and through its 20-year Big City Plan aims to create a world-class city centre and become one of the top 20 most liveable cities in the world.

Significant progress has already been made and major investments include the £600 million New Street station scheme and the £129 million extension of the Metro line. Opened in 2013, the new Library of Birmingham is the largest in Europe and the new City Park is the first urban park to be developed in Birmingham for 125 years.

We are a city that is bucking the trend, attracting more foreign direct investment and more visitors than ever despite challenging economic conditions and increasing competition. In 2016 we generated a 26% increase in inward investment projects compared to a 12% rise across the UK, while our visitor economy is now worth £6.2billion, supporting over 69,000 jobs.

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HOW CAN WE HELP? BUSINESS BIRMINGHAM Business Birmingham is the city’s official inward investment agency, tasked with raising the city’s profile as an attractive business destination. The programme sits within the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), which works to attract new businesses to the region.

Business Birmingham acts as a single point of contact for potential inward investors and delivers a comprehensive support package. This includes bringing together a project team of relevant organisations, such as property agents, recruitment consultants, public agencies and universities.

Business Birmingham’s bespoke support programme can include: Information to support business case development for expansion Benchmarking against other potential investment destinations Location & labour cost analysis Solutions to training & recruitment support Information on access to finance Showcasing the commercial real estate available and short listing Introductions to local support partners & programmes Introductions to R&D centres of excellence & academia Brokering introductions into the Greater Birmingham business community Tailored familiarisation visit programmes PR and communications An investor development programme

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BUSINESS CATALYST Business Birmingham understands that establishing a presence in a new location or expanding your existing operations requires expertise and support across a whole range of business needs.

To help reduce the associated risks and challenges, we have developed Business Catalyst – a comprehensive support package for SMEs looking to locate in Greater Birmingham that provides you, as an inward investor, with a comprehensive suite of products & services to speed up the process of setting up your business.

In addition to our own bespoke support programme, our Commercial Partners can provide you with tailored offers to support your growth plans.

Each partner brings different skills and support for your business across the following categories: •

Recruitment

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Business, Professional and Financial Services

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IT & Creative

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Skills, Academic Research & Collaboration

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Property

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Employee Incentives & Transport

Combined with our comprehensive support services, Business Catalyst will help to provide your business with the foundations you need to succeed in the country’s most dynamic region .

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RELOCATION SERVICES The West Midlands Growth Company has a dedicated Relocation Services team to help with every step of the relocation process - helping staff, companies and individuals to discover and find their feet in Birmingham.

Created by both the West Midlands Growth Company and Birmingham City Council, the Relocation Services programme provides relocation support to the staff of organisations moving into Greater Birmingham and the city’s Enterprise Zone. The service facilitates the relocation process for inward investment clients across all sectors by providing support tools and a wealth of information to assist those moving to the area. In addition it challenges outdated perceptions of Greater Birmingham, and promotes the region’s multi-layered propositions around business and lifestyle.

These services are the first of their kind, and as the strategic marketing partnership for the region.

We are the experts of all that is happening in and around Birmingham. This includes having a strong information network of strategic partners spanning across business and industrial sectors, the tourism industry, education and a channel of local specialists. Using this wealth of local knowledge, we offer services that are specialised and tailored to those who are moving to Greater Birmingham.

Relocation Web Portal A website showcasing Birmingham area guides, lifestyle and business offers.

The Relocation Tool A bespoke digital tool unique to Birmingham, which provides users with information about property, quality of life, education and travel Enquiries Service A telephone and web-based concierge service designed to help individuals relocating to Birmingham across the key themes of property, education, lifestyle and careers. The service is operational between 0900hrs and 1700hrs Monday to Friday.

Familiarisation Events Our team organise bespoke visits to Birmingham to help introduce staff and their families to the region, its lifestyle, culture and diversity. We aim to give all delegates a fulfilling, informative and overall enjoyable experience consisting of a variety of activities and events throughout the city.

Marketing Collateral In addition to the services above, our team can provide a range of media to support relocation including area guide booklets, lifestyle magazines and maps of the city.

Contact us +44 (0)121 202 5060 enquiries@relocatetobirmingham.co.uk

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BUSINESS CONVENTION BUREAU Business Convention Bureau Does your organisation host events, meetings, training days or dinners? Aligned to our Meet Birmingham programme, the Business Convention Bureau (BCB) is our in-house events and accommodation booking team.

Whatever your requirements, whatever your sector, BCB will work with you to create a successful, memorable event, while saving you time and money. We have partnerships with accommodation providers, venues, transport providers and wider event support suppliers, to ensure you have everything covered. We are here to take away the stress of organising an event, plus most of our services are free of charge.

Accommodation booking service We offer a complimentary service for all your corporate accommodation needs: from one-night and single bookings to long stays and group bookings. Our services are flexible and can be adapted to meet your requirements. Let us assist in securing corporate rates, liaising with providers and offering online booking systems to make things easy for you and your colleagues.

Venue-finding service From global events and exhibitions to smaller meetings and dinners, our free venue-finding service will help you navigate the city’s event offering. We will liaise with venues that suit your requirements and come back to you with their proposals within four hours of your initial enquiry.

Social programme planning Excursions, team activities, incentives…however your employees want to spend their spare time, the BCB team will efficiently handle all the arrangements to ensure their experience is a memorable one.

The Birmingham Welcome – support package BCB’s support package offers a range of further benefits to event organisers, including welcome branding, literature, sourcing special offers, a website and PR & marketing, particularly helpful if you have delegates from outside of the city – let us give them a great Birmingham welcome!

Our team would be delighted to talk with you about how we can work to support your accommodation and event needs, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Contact us +44 (0)121 202 5051 bcb.conferencing@wmgrowth.com

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REGIONAL OBSERVATORY Those companies relocating to the West Midlands get access to the Regional Observatory’s unique, cutting edge business and market research services. First established in 2004, we are particularly renowned for our in-depth knowledge and expertise in areas such as: Deep dive market research on key sectors and industries. Recent projects include: Research on the digital media and film/TV/radio sectors for the Creative City Partnership Research on low carbon, life sciences and digital sectors for Birmingham City University Research on the food sector to underpin the development of the Birmingham Food Hub Skills and labour market intelligence - recent projects include: A Skills Action Plan for the Southern Staffordshire Employment and Skills Board Intelligence to inform new apprenticeship provision at University College Birmingham Research to inform course development at South and City College and Birmingham Metropolitan College Bespoke analysis to address specific business issues and challenges.

Recent projects include: Assessing the commercial viability of new services to China for Birmingham Airport Research on the issues and challenges for fast growth SMEs for the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership We are passionate about providing high quality analysis and genuine insights to inform business planning and investment decisions. While we can mine a rich seam of official and other published data alongside our own proprietary databases, surveys and analysis tools, we also carry out surveys, develop in-depth case studies and run interactive focus groups to help get to the heart of the issues at hand.

If you become a West Midlands Growth Company commercial partner, you get free access to some of our research services, notably: Our Quarterly Economic Briefing Deep dive reports on key sectors such as tourism & leisure and ITEC Our monthly hotel market trends report Up to 15 hours of free consultancy time

Contact us +44 (0)121 202 5073 research@wmgrowth.com

CONTENTS

9 RECRUITMENT

12 14 PROPERTY

52 SKILLS, ACADEMIC RESEARCH & COLLABORATION

61 EMPLOYEE INCENTIVES & TRANSPORT

IT & CREATIVE

36 BUSINESS, PROFESSIONAL & FINANCIAL SERVICES

58 PROFILE

RECRUITMENT

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LORD SEARCH & SELECTION Recruitment without Compromise We are a Birmingham-based specialist in search & selection, that has partnered with out SME clients for over twenty years, to determine their requirements, leverage our expertise and secure them the very best talent available – creating a competitive advantage through superior talent acquisition is what we do.

Talent is your most important asset and it is ours as well – our experienced consultants are grouped into practice areas defined by sector and organisational function, providing you with a focused group of experts who will bring the most relevant knowledge, resources and expertise to each assignment.

We have specialist expertise in the following areas: • Board and CEO • Accountancy and Finance • Human Resources • Information Technology • Manufacturing and Engineering • Procurement and Supply Chain • Sales & Marketing • Interim Management

Sectors within which we recruit: • Advanced engineering • Business, Professional and Financial Services • Environmental Technology • Food and Drink • Information, Technology, Electronics & Communications • Life Sciences

In an increasingly candidate driven market, optimised opportunity and client positioning is essential.

Our thorough approach to requirement definition and client positioning is supported by in-depth sector knowledge, a meticulous market mapping process and superior candidate contact expertise, ensuring that, as your trusted ambassador, we only engage with and secure the very best talent available. It’s the quality of our process and the candidates it generates that defines us.

The range of roles we recruit for is broad, both permanent and interim, from highly experienced CEOs and CFOs to thought leading technical specialists and newly qualified ACAs. W: www.lord.co.uk

OUR OFFER We would like to offer you a free resourcing needs analysis consultation, supporting you to align your resourcing strategy with your business strategy and define your optimum organisational structure, giving best advice on employer branding, talent availability, salary package requirements and routes to market.

Plus 10% off all our recruitment fees should you use us as your resourcing partner.

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SF GROUP SF Group is a leading professional service recruitment business, based on Gas Street in Birmingham. We began our journey in 1997 as a finance specialist with two staff; we now have over 150 staff company wide and are listed within The Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For. While finance remains a strong discipline for us, we now have established, regionally aligned teams that specialise across all professional service disciplines including human resources, procurement, supply chain & engineering, marketing & sales and office support. Since formation we have successfully placed over 33,000 professional service staff into employment with over 11,000 SME & Multi-National clients.

We are experts in delivering a versatile range of recruitment assignments – Chief Financial Officers through to Purchase Ledger Clerks – fully operational shared service centres through to one-off retained recruitment exercises. We have talent pools of both permanent and interim candidates, all of whom we have personally met, which also supports our long-term resourcing solutions and will satisfy demand with our clients.

To offer a truly exceptional service we strive to form long-term partnerships that will aid our clients’ recruitment processes. We want to understand our clients’ objectives and assist with wider recruitment strategies. This approach is why we are our clients’ first call for market advice; whether that’s trends within their local area, business sector or the discipline that they’re recruiting into.

Ultimately, this partnership approach cultivates mutually beneficial, successful business relationships.

W: www.sfgroup.com

OUR OFFER SF will exclusively offer Business Catalyst investors the following services, depending on requirements: Option 1: Recruitment Discovery Document (FOC & Sector Specific) • In-depth insight into relevant market trends • 1 Board room and 4 interview rooms • Full Wi-Fi, screen and projector use • Recruitment advice and Hiring Strategy guidance • SF Group can hold interviews, facilitate • Full use of brand new state of the art offices on Gas Street, open/training days/assessments Birmingham Option 2: Personalised and Bespoke EVP expertise (Employee Value Proposition) • Partnership approach • Increased brand awareness • Recruitment Strategy, timeline and execution guidance • Information Portal • Branded Advertising • Social Media advertising • Fully branded HTML candidate communication • Regional PR 11 • Creation of a bespoke microsite solely for your business • On-boarding collateral • Industry best engagement tools and processes • White Label activity if required

IT & CREATIVE

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LIGHTBOX We are digital specialists for ambitious businesses. We create and market bespoke products that drive growth and make life easy for our clients, their teams and their customers.

Making Digital Human means speaking your language, never using jargon and designing solutions for the people that matter most: your staff and your customers. We spend the time to get to know what you need, collaborate on the whole journey, and create easy to use products and experiences that make life better. From research and strategy to design to launch, human-centred technology drives business outcomes.

Current partners include Seven Capital, Bira, Wesleyan, Elta Group, Associated Architects, Clearabee and Speller Metcalfe.

Making Digital Human is what makes Lightbox different. It’s not just about our technology, or the way we approach projects. It’s how we treat our clients and each other. When it comes to business, our people make all the difference.

We Build...

Beautiful, bespoke, multi device websites, ecommerce websites, systems and apps. We create consumer driven digital experiences.

We Attract...

The people that want to buy your product through targeted SEO, paid advertising and digital marketing campaigns.

We Convert...

Website traffic into customers, sales or subscribers by leveraging your biggest asset...your brand.

W: www.lightboxdigital.co.uk

OUR OFFER We would like to offer you a free digital audit, this would include an overview of your website's current performance in Google & recommendations as to how you can improve your exposure online. Plus 10% off any future work

PROPERTY

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ARGENT LLP Argent has been instrumental to two landmark development schemes in Birmingham: Brindleyplace and Paradise, as well as the £2 billion, 67 acre King’s Cross development in London.

Helping to transform the historic heart of Britain’s second city, Argent’s role as developer-manager for the £700 million Paradise Joint Venture sees it delivering 1.8 million square foot of world class office, retail and leisure space.

Phase one of the scheme, which includes new public realm and 355,000 square foot of commercial space in One Chamberlain Square and Two Chamberlain Square, is rapidly moving towards completion.

Phase two, which includes the striking 280,000 square foot One Centenary Way overlooking Centenary Square, is due to start later in 2018, while a 250-bedroom four star hotel will follow.

The Paradise location is rich in British heritage and overflowing with historical charm. In the past it was a place where arts, learning and commerce flourished side by side, while its latest transformation sees Paradise inspiring a new generation of visitors, residents, thinkers and doers.

It is a thriving business location, a culturally rich community and an enhanced location for some of Birmingham’s finest attractions.

Connecting north and south as well as east and west, Paradise opens up new pedestrian access to Centenary Square, the Library of Birmingham, the REP and the ICC as well as bringing other parts of the city like the Jewellery Quarter, Westside and Colmore Business District closer together.

Home to leading international businesses like PwC who rub shoulders with Birmingham’s Museum & Art Gallery and Town Hall, Paradise Birmingham seamlessly mixes the old with the new, the cultural with the commercial.

W: www.argentllp.co.uk

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BALFOUR BEATTY Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group.

With 30,000 employees, we provide innovative and efficient infrastructure that underpins our daily lives, supports communities and enables economic growth. We finance, develop, build and maintain complex infrastructure such as transportation, power & utility systems, plus social and commercial buildings.

Balfour Beatty’s UK Construction Services business is a leading integrator of complex, sophisticated and innovative projects that improve the UK’s and Ireland’s national infrastructure and an experienced provider of local and regional projects that help build lasting communities. The company firmly believes in investing in the skills of its local workforce and works with a supply chain that includes a substantial proportion of local businesses; in 2016, Balfour Beatty spent over £1.4bn with just over 10,000 SME suppliers.

The company’s association with the north and midlands developed following George Balfour’s decision in 1912 to register a company that supplied electricity for the area, a business that eventually became the Midlands Counties Electric Supply Company. Since then, the company’s north and midlands regional business has developed key relationships with clients in the universities, private rental, local authorities as well as flood and coastal sectors. In particular, it has developed expertise in Early Contractor Involvement and delivering multi-year frameworks. Today, the company employs around 700 individuals in the region.

In and around Birmingham, Balfour Beatty has delivered projects including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, high-spec office development Two Snow Hill, University of Birmingham’s Chamberlain Halls, Metro extension from Snow Hill to New Street and works within Birmingham Gateway station.

With our local knowledge and national expertise, we can help you finance, build, develop and maintain your building and infrastructure.

W: www.balfourbeatty.com

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THE BIOHUB BIRMINGHAMֿ® The BioHub Birmingham® is a purpose built, fully equipped building that provides communal laboratory and office space for medical innovators and early stage life science companies.

The BioHub is staffed by qualified laboratory technicians and provides a sense of community for researchers who would otherwise work alone or in small teams, with a mixed tenant base comprising University researchers and R&D teams from established biomedical companies.

BioHub tenants may also wish to join the University of Birmingham’s business incubator, the BizzInn, which delivers business training and regular networking events to introduce newly arrived tenants to the support services that are present in the region.

The BioHub is a short walk from both the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the University of Birmingham, a research-intensive university with translational expertise, facilities and equipment, and a medical devices testing pathway that can help accelerate market access.

The BioHub is situated in the Birmingham Research Park, which has its own meeting and conference facilities, an on-site café, and secure parking.

The BioHub is managed by University of Birmingham Enterprise. For more information about University of Birmingham Enterprise visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/enterprise.

OUR OFFER The BioHub Birmingham is a purpose built, fully equipped bio-incubator that provides:

Tenants at the BioHub benefit from: •

Dedicated bench and desk space at inclusive, flat monthly rates

Proximity to the research and translational expertise at the University

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Access to additional equipment and facilities

Bespoke flexible terms

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Purchasing consortia, regulatory advice

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Meeting rooms, hot-desking and grow-on space

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Access to a medical devices testing pathway

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BIRMINGHAM LIFE SCIENCES PARK Birmingham Life Sciences Park (BLSP) is a 10 acre development at the heart of Birmingham Health Partners’ (BHP) campus in Selly Oak. (BHP is a strategic alliance between the University of Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham and Birmingham Women’s & Children’s NHS Foundation Trusts) Birmingham Life Sciences Park (BLSP) will deliver cutting edge facilities, collaboration spaces and technology platforms to provide a bespoke physical home for collaborative research and dataenabled healthcare innovation: a place where life sciences businesses can thrive.

The Park will allow businesses to harness the power of Birmingham’s unrivalled healthcare infrastructure. It will integrate commercial power with our region’s research and clinical strengths to accelerate life sciences research, taking innovative new healthcare treatments and technologies from early development to real life application.

BLSP will provide commercial space for innovative Life Sciences businesses seeking to co-locate within the Birmingham and wider West Midlands Life Sciences ecosystem.

This prime location also benefits from excellent transport links; the University has its own railway station with journey times of under 10 minutes to Birmingham City Centre, and 30 minutes to Birmingham International Airport.

W: www.blsp.co.uk

OUR OFFER Phase 1 Innovation Building: Will deliver circa 18,000sqm of facilities to support accelerated innovation, from concept to clinic with a focus on diagnostics, data platforms and advanced therapies.

The facilities, will contain wet laboratory, computational laboratory, office, and communal spaces, and enable co-location of businesses and entrepreneurial health technology innovators Phase 2 Commercial Buildings: Will deliver circa 36,000 sqm commercial pre-let and rental space for innovative biomedical businesses seeking to co-locate within the BHP ecosystem.

The facilities will comprise laboratory and office space for new start-ups, business scale-up and relocation. It will also provide opportunities for businesses to develop their own facility spaces.

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BIRMINGHAM RESEARCH PARK The Birmingham Research Park offers a prime location for companies that want a foothold in the University of Birmingham’s established innovation ecosystem.

Situated on the edge of the University campus, the Research Park provides commercial office space for technology companies and social enterprises, and meeting and conference facilities.

Commercial tenants are a mixture of University spinouts and research-based companies who benefit from the close proximity to a world-ranking, research-intensive university and the translational expertise that is embedded around it. Tenants can also access the services of the BizzInn business incubator on the same site, which provides training for innovative technologyfocused entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs. The Research Park also has a purpose-built, on-site bio-incubator, the BioHub Birmingham®, which provides fully equipped laboratory space for early-stage life science research, or established companies that wish to locate their R&D in Birmingham.

The Research Park is serviced by the University’s dedicated train station, making it highly accessible by public transport, and has its own meeting and conference facilities and secure parking.

For more information about the Birmingham Research Park see www.birminghamresearchpark.co.uk.

The Birmingham Research Park is managed by University of Birmingham Enterprise. For more information visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/enterprise.

OUR OFFER Birmingham Research Park provides: •

Commercial space for technology companies and social enterprises

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Business incubation and bio-incubation facilities

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Meeting and conference facilities

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Virtual tenancies

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A convenient meeting location at the on-site cafe

Birmingham Research Park is highly accessible by public transport and has its own parking facilities

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BIZZINN The BizzInn is the University of Birmingham’s small business incubator, and provides training for innovative technologyfocussed entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs that wish to scale.

Typically our members are seeking investment or partnership with larger companies as part of their planned growth. Membership of the BizzInn is a fertile ground for larger companies or investors that are scouting for partnerships with entrepreneurs or business with validated business ideas or investment-ready technologies.

Most of our members are attracted by the well-connected and established innovation ecosystem at the University of Birmingham, which is a world-ranking, research-intensive University.

BizzInn membership is by selection. It is staffed by mentors, sector-specific entrepreneurs-inresidence and business trainers and its training programmes are purposed to support four key value inflexion points: idea validation, business growth, scale-up; and talent acquisition.

The BizzInn is situated in the Birmingham Research Park, which is on the edge of the University campus and is the location for the University’s bio-incubator, academic consultancy, technology transfer and Business Engagement functions. The Birmingham Research Park provides commercial office space for technology companies and social enterprises, as well as meeting and conference facilities.

The BizzInn is managed by University of Birmingham Enterprise. For more information about University of Birmingham Enterprise visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/enterprise.

OUR OFFER The BizzInn provides intensive start-up and growth programmes that are run by experienced commercialisation professionals and business trainers. Members benefit from a rolling programme of training and networking events, 24/7 access to hot-desking space, parking, WiFi and meeting rooms. Membership is available to eligible entrepreneurs and businesses. Some training and networking events are open to non-members, and all are free to attend.

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BRUNTWOOD Bruntwood is a family-owned and -run property company the goal of which is to create the right places for people to succeed.

For our customers, we focus on creating the right environments for their businesses to thrive, no matter what sector they operate in. We develop, let and manage all our own buildings, combining an innovative approach to property development with a single-minded focus on the needs of our customers: if it doesn’t work for them, then it doesn’t work for us.

This approach is nowhere more evident than in our latest development: Cornerblock, situated in the heart of Birmingham’s Colmore Business District. Designed to meet the needs of contemporary work culture, Cornerblock presents a unique opportunity for businesses to shape their workplaces in a building which promotes vibrancy and employee wellness.

In the cities that we operate, we always keep an eye on the bigger picture, as our goal is always to create growth that is sustainable in the long-term. If our cities improve and grow that helps us to do the same. For our business to be successful, we need our communities to be both good places to do business and good places to live.

We work closely with public sector partners and other stakeholders to make the most of opportunities for growth and development, as well as investing a percentage of our profits into cultural, community and charitable endeavours that make a real difference to people’s lives.

W: www.bruntwood.co.uk

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CBRE CBRE is the world’s largest commercial property consultancy, with more than 80,000 employees in 450 offices, based in more than 60 countries around the globe.

In Birmingham, the firm employs more than 130 people, working from its offices at 55 Temple Row. An award-winning full-service consultancy, the Birmingham teams work across the Midlands, enjoying dominant market positions in capital markets (investment), office and industrial & logistics agency.

CBRE’s teams offer a broad range of integrated services, including strategic advice and execution of property sales and leasing; tenant representation; property & asset management, facilities and project management; appraisal and valuation; development services (including residential); investment management; energy and sustainability services, and research and consulting, capital advisory, town and country planning, retail and corporate services.

The firm works with occupiers, investors and developers of office, industrial and logistic, mixed-use and residential land and property.

Recently CBRE have successfully marketed two of Birmingham’s premier office developments, Paradise and Arena Central, including the delivery of a 25-year pre-let to HMRC on a 238,988 sq ft location at 3 Arena Central Row. In the last 18 months, CBRE Birmingham have advised on numerous headline-making investment deals including the sale of 2 St Philips Place for £26.625m, and of One Eleven Edmund Street for £22.545m. CBRE were also responsible for securing £125m of funding for 3 Arena Central and for the £260m sale of the mixed use development, Brindleyplace.

CBRE also acted for the purchaser of 19 Cornwall Street, at a price of £35.65m.

W: www.cbre.co.uk

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COURT COLLABORATION Birmingham property developer Court Collaboration and its residential sales arm Court Living, are pushing the boundaries of city living to cater to an increasingly discerning range of customers moving to the city.

Court prides itself on developing luxury apartments across Greater Birmingham ranging from first time buyer starter homes, through to ideal investment opportunities and luxury city centre penthouse apartments, with prices ranging from £170,000 to £800,000.

With Court developing in excess of 5000 apartments by 2020, the Court Living sales team have a selection of available properties and off-plan investment opportunities, to suit either businesses or individuals looking to relocate and invest in Birmingham.

The Court Living team take the time to understand each individual customers’ requirements. Some want location, for some it is excellent specifications or with the launch of HS2, some customers are looking for the ideal home within commuting distance to the capital.

When purchasing a property through Court Living, the team not only help secure the perfect home or investment property, but they are also on hand to assist from the point of reservation until up to completion.

And such is our commitment that the journey doesn't end there, as Court Living will stay in touch for 12 - 24 months after completion to help with any queries, providing one single contact from start to finish.

W: www.court-living.com

OUR OFFER •

Deal direct with the developer

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Legal incentives paid*

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Attractive incentives available*

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Stamp duty paid*

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Furniture packages available*

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*Varying depending on development

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Relocation tours of developments

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DIGBETH ESTATE

The Digbeth Estate and Custard Factory covers 16 acre in the heart of Digbeth and is home to over 500 eclectic business spanning the creative, media and tech sectors.

Our buildings include : The Custard Factory (offices, leisure, retail), Gibb Street – newly refurbished Green House (opposite the Custard Factory) –office suites and retail units – newly refurbished Fazeley Studios (Fazeley Street) – workspace, event space, restaurant all in a converted church and warehouse.

The Bond (Fazeley Street) – the Old HP Sauce Factory. Canalside offices, events and a café.

The Arch – modern offices suites in a converted dairy.

Digbeth is having its moment in the sun. This part of Birmingham is getting its own Metro Station, thousands of new homes and is 700m from the Bullring, a short walk to Moor Street Station and will be the closest district to HS2 in the mid-2020s.

W: www.custardfactory.co.uk

OUR OFFER Attractive incentives are available depending on term and space required.

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GLEEDS Gleeds is a global property and construction consultancy that has built its reputation on delivering award-winning projects around the world. Gleeds helps businesses and investors achieve best value from their assets by providing advice that is reassuringly free from conflict of interest. With over 130 years’ experience, our impartial intelligence is key to helping clients realise their projects on budget, on time and to an exceptional quality.

We provide specialist advice, safeguarding our clients’ best interest from the complexity of construction and property projects. This includes support from establishing funding opportunities and business plans, to technical team appointment and management, through to the implementation, construction and delivery stages of projects. Our extensive range of services fall into four main categories: •

Programme & project management

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Commercial & contract management

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Property & asset management

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Advisory services

Gleeds operates a partnering principle with clients and project teams, offering impartial advice across an extensive range of services to provide solutions for every stage of the property lifecycle.

With 65 offices across six continents, handling a multitude of prestigious property and construction projects, we’re always looking for the best people to join our team. The combination of our global experience and our understanding of local markets means that we provide an outstanding service to our clients. In fact, no other independent and multidisciplinary consultancy has the same history, resource and financial strength to handle complex contracts on both a multinational or local basis.

W: www.gleeds.com/

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GLENN HOWELLS ARCHITECTS We are an award-winning design studio with national and international reach. With offices in Birmingham and London, underpinning our practice is an approach rooted in the constant exploration of ideas about how buildings and cities are made built and how they can improve the lives of individuals and communities.

In keeping to these core principles, we have secured a reputation for delivering high quality buildings across all sectors and masterplans which have transformed large parts of UK’s largest cities, including Birmingham.

We are fortunate to work with creative people who share our vision. We have built long-lasting and trusting relationships with our team, clients and collaborators. These relationships have allowed us to push boundaries to develop transformational and bespoke design solutions.

History The practice was founded by Glenn Howells in 1990, with the idea of working on exciting projects for like-minded clients. Our first breaks were being invited to work on the Custard Factory in Birmingham and in winning the competition to design Hereford Theatre – both of which we are now revisiting and remodelling. Since then we have grown steadily and won some remarkable commissions. We are now fortunate to be working on projects of all sizes and types that are pushing us to explore and stretch ourselves.

Ideas We test our designs through a vigorous and open design review process. We have learnt that for our design teams to excel they need equally strong and committed support and we have our own inhouse visualisation, model-making, interior and graphic designers and technical teams which provide a multifaceted examination of design concepts and details.

Buildings and Places We work throughout the UK in sectors including residential, masterplaning, office, culture, education, retail, health and leisure. Our projects have won a diverse range of awards including the RIBA, BCO, Housing Design, RICS, Civic Trust, Concrete Society and Brick Awards. The Savill Building was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2007.

W: www.glennhowells.co.uk

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GVA GVA’s specialist knowledge of the Midlands real estate market is forged on a heritage that dates back to 1820.

Today, GVA is recognised as the leading property adviser in the Midlands with nearly 400 directors and staff based in Birmingham.

GVA always seeks to deliver solutions that bring tangible results to people, business and communities. Its specialist knowledge ranges through the property life cycle from planning, development and regeneration consultancy into the construction process to valuation, asset and property management through to agency and investment transactions.

Advising both public and private sector clients we have played a key role in helping to bring forward many of the region’s most significant regeneration projects including Paradise Birmingham, Brindleyplace, the Curzon Master Plan Area, Smithfield, Arena Central, Eastside, Friargate Coventry and Arden Cross.

GVA works closely with other key stakeholders in the region including Greater Birmingham and The West Midlands Combined Authority in order to maximise economic benefits of greater devolution powers.

W: www.gva.co.uk

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HARRIS LAMB Celebrating 25 years of operating in Birmingham, Harris Lamb is one of the UK’s largest independently owned property consultancy businesses.

With a firm foothold in the Midlands, more than 60 employees are based at its Francis Road office, with a further 20 employees operating from Harris Lamb’s additional offices in Worcester, Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent, to offer a comprehensive range of property services to a UK-wide client-base.

The business specialises in a wide range of cohesive services including: commercial and industrial agency sales and lettings; investment; planning; property management; residential & affordable housing; development; valuation; rating; retail; licensing and leisure; building consultancy; recoveries and receivership; lease advisory and corporate support.

The award-winning commercial and industrial agency team has been cited by industry experts CoStar as the sector leader within the Midlands industrial market, beating competitors across the region in 2016 in terms of availability, number of instructions and number of deals.

W: www.harrislamb.com

OUR OFFER Partners to Business Birmingham are offered a complimentary introduction meeting with our specialist team. This meeting will help you understand the full extent of Harris Lamb’s service offering and enable us to advise on the various aspects of your business where we may be able to offer support, increase your productivity and save you money. With so many strings to our bow, our teams are used to working together to provide a cohesive end-to-end service for all of our clients.

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INNOVATION BIRMINGHAM CAMPUS The largest campus in the UK dedicated to digital technology businesses, Innovation Birmingham is the leading location for Birmingham’s digital and tech community; providing office suites, meeting and conference facilities and co-working opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs and investors looking to develop or fund innovative digital start-ups with high growth potential.​ With over 280 start-ups incubated to-date, and over £18 million in start-up funding raised so far, the region’s leading location for digital and technology businesses provides innovators, entrepreneurs and investors with opportunities to collaborate, grow and successfully disrupt markets.

Campus facilities include the Entrepreneurs for the Future (e4f) incubator, a specialist nine-month programme located in our Universities Centre. Stimulating the creation of innovative digital technology ventures in the West Midlands, e4f provides free hotdesking space, access to in-house experienced mentors, workshops, showcases and investment days. Start-ups also have access to a purpose-built Test Lab containing the latest digital software to test their apps.

The Innovation Birmingham Campus is also home to the Serendip Smart City Incubator, accelerating the growth of digital tech start-ups by co-locating them with large, existing commercial partners. With free office space for six months at the heart of our iCentrum building, the incubator’s close partnerships include large organisations such as Tata Motors, Barclays, West Midlands Academic Health Science Network and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

W: www.innovationbham.com

OUR OFFER With a robust support offering for digital technology businesses, we provide bespoke business support to help start-ups launch, develop and grow their companies from day one.

For technology companies that are a little more established or aren’t quite suitable for one of our structured programmes, Innovation Birmingham also offers co-working packages from just £118 per month (exc. VAT) and offices from just £225 per month, where you’ll become a member of our growing community of over 1000 digital entrepreneurs and techies.

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JLL If you are looking to invest in the Midlands, JLL is the market leading investment group advising clients on a full range of real estate investment products including offices, industrial, retail, alternatives, hotels and residential.

We advise every type of real estate owner and investor from private individuals to the largest institutions. As a result of our global network we have strong links with international investors and are highly successful in developing buy and sell side-relationships with clients seeking to invest in the region.

We combine financial expertise with unparalleled property knowledge to help you creatively shape your real estate strategy and give your property decisions the edge.

We have acted on some of the largest most prestigious schemes in the region including the £140m acquisition of The Colmore Building for Ashby Capital, Birmingham Business Park for Canmoor/Blackrock and the letting/forward funding of the new 525,000 sq ft Dunelm distribution unit in Stoke-on-Trent for Wittington/Prologis.

For occupiers, a successful real estate strategy goes beyond finding space. It also improves your productivity and enhances performance. When you’re equally strategic about your space and your business, you can: • Reduce your costs • Uncover opportunities • Attract the best talent • Easily adapt to changes in legislations • Mitigate risk • Gain sharper insights from data Working in partnership with you, we will ensure your property strategy supports your business’ objectives. We have recently acted on behalf of Advanced Computer Software on a pre-let of 45,000 sq ft at The Mailbox and for Pinsent Masons on over 40,000 sq ft at 55 Colmore Row. W: www.jll.com

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KIER GROUP Excellence in all aspects of construction is at the very heart of Kier.

We meet the most demanding quality and efficiency standards over and over again. As a provider of a comprehensive building and civil engineering service, we work with private and public sector clients across the UK and internationally.

We have the flexibility and expertise to build anything, anywhere – from a £250k extension to a strategic asset costing hundreds of millions of pounds – making full use of our capabilities to benefit as many people and organisations as possible, and maximise the return for our clients and partners.

We operate across a range of sectors including: defence, education, housing, industrial, power, transport and utilities.

Our regional presence across the UK enables us to deliver all types of projects. We believe in localism and typically draw on local talent and suppliers to help us complete our schemes. This approach ensures that your local community benefits from your activity. We work hard to be a responsible corporation and strive to minimise environmental impacts on every job we do. Every project is an opportunity for us to offer training and work experience to the next generation of designers, engineers, builders and technicians.

W: www.kier.co.uk/

OUR OFFER Kier Group is a leading property, residential, construction and services business, which invests in, builds, maintains and renews the places where we all live, work and play. From engineering the tunnels, bridges, motorways and railways that connect our cities, maintaining street lights, utilities and mobile phone masts, to building hospitals, homes, offices, laboratories, power stations and schools and more, our job is to keep our world working.

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MAILBOX BIRMINGHAM As Birmingham’s premier shopping and lifestyle destination, the Mailbox is the ultimate location for designer fashion, luxury home furnishings and beautiful canal-side restaurants in the Midlands.

Built in 1988, former Royal Mail sorting office now presents one of Europe’s largest mixed-use buildings, and in addition to its strong retail offering also boasts an assortment of leisure, offices and residential spaces, housed in an expertly-managed and security-patrolled complex which has been finished and maintained to the highest quality.

Retail therapy The Mailbox is home to over 200 of the world’s most desirable brands across fashion, home furnishings, beauty, food and wine, including Harvey Nichols’ stunning 45,000 sq ft flagship store and a range of high end menswear and womenswear retailers including Emporio Armani, BOSS and Tommy Hilfiger. Last year also saw some of the biggest names in furniture and home accessories take residence at the Mailbox, such as flagship stores, Heal’s and MADE.com, as well as BoConcept, Calligaris, and Harvey Jones, consolidating the centre’s status as the ultimate destination for homewares in Birmingham.

Relax and unwind Whether it’s a catch up with friends or a leisurely lunch, after-work drinks or celebrating a special occasion, the Mailbox’s selection of bars and restaurants provide the ideal dining destination and offer a range of cuisines from around the world. Guests can also sample the very best in mixology, from classic cocktails to more adventurous recipes, as well an as an extensive range of champagnes and Prosecco, wines, beers and spirits. The Mailbox also benefits from a range of luxury hotels, including boutique hotel brand, Malmaison, and Marriott’s AC Hotels brand.

Those looking to indulge in a spot of relaxation can enjoy luxury treatments from high-end spa and beauty brands including Flint + Flint, Malmaison Spa, James Bushell Hair, TONI & GUY and Nicky Clarke.

W: www.mailboxlife.com

OUR OFFER The Mailbox offers a wide range of inspiring spaces to host meetings and events, from networking to private dinners, corporate presentations and celebrations to award ceremonies. With flexible options for catering and AV support, our dedicated team are on hand to make sure your event runs as smoothly as possible.

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MILLENNIUM POINT Millennium Point is the iconic building in Birmingham’s Eastside, which fronts Eastside City Park and is located opposite the future site of HS2’s Curzon Street Station making our building conveniently located with on-site parking and a short hop to the City Centre and major transport links.

Owned by the Millennium Point Trust, this 360,000-sq. ft. building provides start-up workspace, offices and studios to tenants, most with interests in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

The building also features 10 versatile public & private meeting & events spaces, including a 350seat auditorium, which means we can deliver almost any event, any way you want making Millennium Point the ideal location for exhibitors and networking, launches and banqueting, interviews and performances.

New to our portfolio is Work Point consisting of brand new flexible co-working and private office space, with a dedicated reception, high speed Wi-FI, free tea & coffee and much more at an all inclusive monthly price.

That’s not all, during the past four years, commercial activities in the building have enabled Millennium Point Trust to donate more than £4m to organisations, projects and initiatives that support access to STEM related education in the region.

W: www.millenniumpoint.org.uk

OUR OFFER Attractive incentives available depending on space required.

Please speak to us directly with your requirements and quote ‘businessbrum’

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RIDER LEVETT BUCKNELL Are you looking to make an investment in the UK property industry?

Whether property is your core business or a non-core business asset, you may be making an investment in an industry that is not in your home territory. You need to understand the key challenges of the UK property and construction industry and develop an effective strategy to navigate through them.

HOW MIGHT THESE ISSUES IMPACT YOUR BUSINESS? Whether or not you are experienced in property, you may not be familiar with the UK property industry. From statutory compliance to the regulatory regime that governs development, you will need a trusted advisor that understands what is needed to deliver your project and will take the time to understand your business and the way you have delivered your projects in the past.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU WITH THESE ISSUES? Rider Levett Bucknall is an award-winning, independent practice with 450 staff in the UK and over 3,600 worldwide. This means that we have a truly global reach and can offer a local presence to our clients almost without exception. We are committed to our core services of quantity surveying, project management, building surveying and specialist advisory and pride ourselves on our dedication to customer care and leading edge service provision. Clients can rely on us for our deep understanding of the global business drivers in the context of the UK property market.

W: www.rlb.com

OUR OFFER •

Free initial meeting to scope your requirements and explore your options

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Access to a full range of services including quantity surveying, project management, building surveying and specialist advisory

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Use of the firm’s central Birmingham office meeting rooms, video conference facilities and other infrastructure

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Introductions to the firm’s strategic network of contacts, influencers and other clients

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SKANSKA Skanska, a leading construction company and developer, is an inclusive and responsible business that is helping to build for a better society.

Known for major projects like the Gherkin, Crossrail and the Northern Hub, we are creating, upgrading and maintaining the country’s buildings and infrastructure, working with private and public-sector organisations around the UK. Drawing on our Scandinavian heritage, we are green, innovative and progressive. We bring together people and technology, helping to make our industry safer and more collaborative.

And, as a truly values-driven business, committed to our customers, employees and the societies where we work, we always want to build for a better society.

W: www.skanska.co.uk

WHAT WE DO Investment

Construction

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Public-private partnerships

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Ceilings and partitions

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Public-private partnership projects

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Civic buildings

Development

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Commercial offices

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Development partnerships

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Custodial

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Property development

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Defence

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Maintenance

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Education

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Facilities management

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Energy

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Highways maintenance

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Healthcare

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Rail maintenance

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Highways

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Street lighting maintenance

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Mechanical and electrical fit out

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Mixed use and residential

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Pharmaceutical and research facilities

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Piling and foundations

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Public spaces

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Rail

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Tunnelling

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Water

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WILLMOTT DIXON INTERIORS The home of high quality fit-outs and interior refurbishments.

As the specialist interior and refurbishment arm of the Willmott Dixon Group, we have the experience, expertise and resources to fulfil every kind of project nationwide.

Willmott Dixon Interiors’ approach is very simple. We put our customer and partner relationships at the heart of our business. The long term relationships we build with customer and partners are testimony to our professional and inventive approach to every fit-out or interior refurbishment project.

You can choose Willmott Dixon Interiors with complete confidence. We always deliver on our promises, and we always put your needs first. Whether taking the lead on a fit-out or interior refurbishment project or acting as a guide, we are unstinting in our pursuit of excellence.

Whatever the project, be it private or public, large or small, our professional processes unlock the advantages of local delivery on a national scale.

Sectors we focus on: •

Commercial

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Education

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Health

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Hospitality

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Science & Technology

We also recognise the importance of smaller projects; with a dedicated specialist team concentrating solely on projects below £2million.

W: www.willmottdixoninteriors.co.uk/

BUSINESS, PROFESSIONAL & FINANCIAL SERVICES

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ADVANCED Business transformation Advanced is currently undergoing one of the largest transformations of any UK business today, and our regional HQ in Birmingham is a vital part of this.

As the third largest provider of software and services to the UK market, our enterprise and marketfocused solutions positively impact millions of people’s lives. Employing over 2,000 people and supporting 20,000 customers, we are well positioned for continued growth and success.

Our office in The Mailbox, officially opened in January by the Rt Hon Greg Clark, demonstrates our commitment to attracting and fostering new talent, and forging exciting business partnerships in key areas of the country.

Working together True partnership is the defining aspect that sets us apart – we don’t sell theory, but work closely with our customers to deliver focused software solutions providing immediate value. We are uniquely placed in Birmingham to offer local support and networking with the vibrant, connected business community here, underpinned by a culture of innovation and growth.

Every member of our team cares about the little things that collectively make a huge difference to the success of our customers and their end customers. We deliver market-leading, right-first-time software solutions for public sector, enterprise, commercial and health & care organisations that simplify complex business challenges, and evolve with the changing needs of the markets. We can help you unleash the full potential of your business with modern, integrated architectures, infrastructures and managed services with access to the Cloud so you can drive efficiencies, savings and growth.

Re-imagining your business When you re-imagine how things are done and think digitally you increase productivity and improve performance by unlocking the potential of employees. Birmingham already has one of the UK’s strongest performing digital economies and we are excited to be part of this digital transformation, helping organisations working in new environments advance their competitive position by using disruptive technology to become more agile and responsive.

W: www.oneadvanced.com

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ANTHONY COLLINS SOLICITORS LLP Anthony Collins Solicitors is a specialist Birmingham-based law firm with a clear purpose: to “improve lives, communities and society".

For over 40 years, it has successfully combining market-leading legal expertise with a commitment to excellence and long-term relationships underpinned by a strong set of values. We have grown to 30 Partners and 280 staff helping to influence national policy in key areas such as housing, procurement and social care. Our efforts were recognised by the Birmingham Law Society where we were selected 'Firm of the Year - 16+ Partners'​, 'Business Team of the Year'​ and 'Private Client Team of the Year'​ for 2018.

In addition to awards, we have been recognised nationally for delivering pragmatic advice to the following sectors: Ranked ‘Tier 1’ by Legal 500 in 2018 as a top national law firm for our work with Charities and Not for Profit organisations along with our Family Law and Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence work; The only Midlands-based law firm ranked ‘Tier 1’ by 2018 by Legal 500 for our Social Housing work; We also have deep expertise across other sector areas including Local and Regional Government; Health and Social Care; Education and Social Business organisations including cooperatives and mutuals.

W: www.anthonycollins.com

OUR OFFER • • •

• •

Company formation including innovative structures • and joint ventures; • Governance and compliance policies adhering with • relevant laws, governing bodies and regulators; • Employment and pensions advice including TUPE, gender pay reporting, National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage issues; • Property development, construction, regeneration and commercial property; Procurement and State Aid including delivering Social Value in commissioning and contracts;

Our sector focus covers a broad range of legal areas including:

Judicial Reviews; Complex finance and funding advice; Litigation, dispute resolution and mediation; Freedom of information and data protection advice including intellectual property and IT issues; Personal estate and asset planning and management (e.g. wills and trusts, marriage and relationship dissolution).

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ARUP Arup is a global firm of designers, planners and engineering consultants specialising in all aspects of the built environment. With 850 people in Midlands, we have 50 years of regional understanding and know-how. We specialise in the built environment across multiple markets including energy, water, highways, rail, commercial property, healthcare, education, science and industry.

By working with local, national and international clients, collaborators and investors, we bring the value of our global capability and apply to local context. We actively listen to our clients to understand their needs and combine the best of our multi-disciplinary capabilities to meet their needs. From strategic advice and planning through to design, managing delivery and operation – we engage in the full lifecycle.

Shaping Birmingham and wider Midlands region – our experience includes regeneration of Brindleyplace, redevelopment of Bullring shopping complex, creation of sustainable campus for Birmingham City University and design of M6 Toll Road. We are an integral part of the design team for Paradise Circus and Snow Hill redevelopments.

Optimising Assets and Creating Value – our collaboration with Birmingham City Council shaped the award-winning Eastside City Park, first major Birmingham park for 130 years. Working alongside large UK asset owners Highways England and National Grid, we actively support and inform their strategic direction. Our advice to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and University of Birmingham helps underpin their emerging estates transformation.

World Class Technology and Innovation – from fire strategy design at Birmingham’s Grand Central station to programme managers for UK Autodrive autonomous vehicle programme where we bring technical and management insight to innovative sustainable forms of transport.

Future Proofing Transport – we are UK’s leading engineering, environmental and transport planning consultants in high speed rail supporting High Speed Two since 2009.

Developing Places of the Future – we support UKC Growth Company via our urban strategy, planning, infrastructure economics skills which underpin a regional master plan which supports the establishment of 77,500 jobs and helps contribute up to £4.1bn GVA. W: www.arup.com

copyright Craig Holmes

copyright Arup

copyright CityScape

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BECKFORD JAMES Moving into a new region can take considerable effort with a critical requirement to hit the ground running. We understand this having gone through a similar process expanding to different regions. There remains a constant need to meet current targets and plan for the day to day business needs. At the same time, many business owners also have an eye on the future in terms of building financial success.

Beckford James is an independent, chartered financial planner with offices in Birmingham, Bath and London. We are one of the only chartered firms in Birmingham and one of only a few hundred in the country. This reflects our commitment to professionalism and ethical standards, all of which translate into high quality financial planning for both corporate and private clients.

We work with business owners to create a balance between ensuring they can enjoy a financially independent future personally, whilst not compromising the current potential of their business. This could involve: •

Personal lifetime planning sessions for you and your directors

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Business risk assessment; including keyperson/shareholder protection

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Provision of employee benefits

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Auto enrolment compliance

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Tax efficient business succession planning

As professionals in our field, we naturally work with other like-minded, high-quality professionals, particularly in the legal and accountancy fields, to complement our planning and ensure the right advice is provided to our clients, whatever the circumstances.

W: www.beckfordjames.com

OUR OFFER We firmly believe that the Greater Birmingham region is the place for you to build a successful business. To demonstrate this and ensure that you can access all the assistance you may need, Beckford James is offering a no cost, no obligation financial planning review meeting to help you develop the strategy that is right for you, your business and your employees.

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BROWNE JACOBSON LLP Browne Jacobson is a national law firm offering a comprehensive range of legal services, across the private and public sectors. Our clients choose and stay with us because of our sector expertise, straightforward advice, pricing and product innovation and exceptional client service.

Our sector specialisms include: technology, financial services, retail, brands, education, health, local and central government, mid-market companies, high net worth individuals, international and insurance. Our lawyers offer clear opinions and straightforward legal advice, whenever and wherever you need it.

Our Victoria Square office in Birmingham is a key part of our network of offices which also includes London, Nottingham, Manchester and Exeter. We are founding members of Pangea Net - an international network of independent law firms – and advise and assist both UK and international clients on domestic and overseas investment and growth opportunities.

Quality underpins everything we do, from the quality of our people, our work and our client service.

We were the first UK law firm to be accredited by Investor in Customers, achieving their three-star exceptional rating in 2014 for our client service. We are also Lexcel and ISO 27001, providing you with assurance of the quality of our work and that we operate to the highest standards of information security.

“Browne Jacobson have an impressive and extremely well-connected international network of associate law firms, which has been key when we have had multi-jurisdictional matters.”

Chambers 2015 W: www.brownejacobson.com

OUR OFFER We offer a full range of legal services and products to suit your needs, one of which is our complimentary ‘checker’ service. This gives you access to a diverse range of legal experts, who can offer you a clear and straightforward second opinion on your legal issues.

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DLA PIPER UK LLP DLA Piper is a world-leading global business law firm located in more than 30 countries throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. We are positioned to help companies with their legal needs anywhere in the world.

Whilst our reach is global, our focus is local.

With an office located in Birmingham city centre, and 80+ offices worldwide, we are perfectly positioned to advise you on your investment in the Midlands region and anywhere else in the world.

Our services are delivered by leading local specialists with sector focused knowledge who act for many of the Midlands’ top businesses, as well as serving the needs of national and international clients.

We are committed to building trusted mutually beneficial relationships with our clients; we listen to their needs, anticipate problems and provide pragmatic solutions; and most importantly deliver consistent quality across each of our jurisdictions through straight forward, approachable partner-led relationships.

Each of DLA Piper’s global offices provides advice on key business areas including: corporate; employment; finance and projects; intellectual property and technology; litigation; pensions; planning; real estate; regulatory; restructuring and tax. Our full service offering allows us to support you through one globally-integrated relationship.

DLA Piper is highly regarded within the Midlands region: having received a number of tier one rankings in its key disciplines by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 legal directories. DLA Piper ‘leads the way in terms of its cross-border capability’ mentions Legal 500 and, amongst many other accolades, the office is continuously regarded as a ‘regional heavyweight’.

RECENT PROJECTS •

Advised Synergy Health on its US$5.2 billion merger with Steris Corporation

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Acted for PwC as administrators of the Caparo Industries Group, the trading of the business in administration and the eventual sales of the businesses and assets by TDR Capital.

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Advised Tattershall Castle Group on the disposal of its business and assets to Stonegate Pub Company backed

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Advised Intertek on the multi-jurisdictional acquisition of Moody International Group from Investcorp

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Advised Dignity on its acquisition of 36 locations from Laurel Funerals and its conditional acquisition of five crematoria from Funeral Services Ltd (trading as Co-op Funeralcare)

W: www.dlapiper.com

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EBS LIMITED EBS is a one stop shop for the companies setting up in the United Kingdom. We specialise in providing a complete service from company establishment to a physical or virtual location, back office administration and finance services in the UK market.

EBS has helped to establish subsidiaries of many types of businesses in the UK, from small family owned companies to members of publicly quoted groups. At EBS we treat each client as an individual case, each with their individual needs and individual solutions.

EBS are accepted as trusted advisers by many organisations, such as Department for International Trade, the UK Advisory Network, University of Warwick and Santander Trade Network, and has access to a network of complementary suppliers to provide a seamless customer journey.

Services provided We offer UK Market Entry Support services allowing the companies to enter the UK market in an efficient and cost-effective way. Our low cost accounting plans, free consultancy, short term service agreements and ability to speak foreign languages, makes EBS team more responsive to the clients’ needs.

We can help with: •

Company Establishment

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Accounting and Payroll

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Registered Office and Legal Compliance

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Advisory services

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Virtual Office Services

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Brokerage services

W: www.ebs.ltd.uk

OUR OFFER EBS works exclusively with foreign owned companies wanting to set up in the United Kingdom. We are dedicated to support SMEs in their UK market entry and would like to offer a free consultation as well as 50% discount on formation of your limited company.

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EVERSHEDS SUTHERLAND With the founding roots of our global business reaching back to Birmingham 100 years ago, our world class city has a world-class team that has made its name through strategic developments in the city, including the £1 billion+ Bullring shopping centre, Mailbox and recent developments such as New Street Station/Grand Central and the mammoth £500 million redevelopment project at Paradise Circus.

Our full service legal team advised on the £307m acquisition of the NEC Group and we were the legal team behind the relocation of HSBC’s UK ring-fenced bank to Birmingham. The infamous Trojan Horse Inquiry was held in our Birmingham offices and led by our lawyers.

We were voted the Birmingham Law Society Large Law Firm of the Year in both 2013 and 2015.

We are also the lead sponsor of the Midlands Engine International Conference.

Globally we support businesses wherever they trade through our global network of offices. We support some of the region’s biggest businesses to help them achieve their business aims, whether it relates to global M&A work or international contracts. We also act on inward investment into the region and work, with West Midlands Growth Company, to identify and showcase the region’s investment opportunities and its credentials as a place to live and work.

With the country’s leading lawyers, working in all disciplines, our advice is valued by our clients and helping to transform the region. We are proud of our Birmingham roots, international reputation and being the leading law firm in Birmingham.

W: www.eversheds-sutherland.com

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FREETHS Freeths is an award-winning firm and one of the UK’s leading full service law practices. We are business people first and lawyers second, committed to a varied client base of emerging local businesses. As well as achieving another consecutive year of growth – with this year’s turnover increasing to £72 million – Freeths are rated in the Top 50 in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For. We offer bespoke commercial products to help businesses at all levels grow sustainably: supported by dynamic lawyers dedicated to providing cost-effective creative solutions. With 11 offices across the UK, our Birmingham office is now our third largest by turnover. We are committed to delivering high-quality results for our clients.

We have been recognised by Experian as being one of the most active law firms in the UK for corporate deal completions. Last year, in Experian’s national rankings of corporate deal activity in the Midlands, our Birmingham office achieved second position, with 41 deals completed in 2016.

We are in it for the long term – investing our time to understand you, your business objectives and to make sure you are in the best position to pursue the right opportunities.

W: www.freeths.co.uk

OUR OFFER At Freeths, we have the expertise to help you get to where you want to be.

Whatever your business, we can guide and support you. Please come and visit us at our Colmore Row offices.

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GOWLING WLG Gowling WLG is an international law firm with more than 1,400 legal professionals in 18 cities across the UK, Canada, Continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Gowling WLG represents a natural evolution for its founding firms – Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co and Canadian firm Gowlings – which, throughout their histories, have continually adapted to better serve their clients' needs.

Our clients are provided with top-tier legal advice with access to in-depth expertise and experience in key global sectors including: manufacturing; energy; financial services; infrastructure; life sciences; natural resources; real estate; and tech.

We see the world through our clients’ eyes, collaborating across sectors and services to help them succeed. Our culture is, above all, about people and teams, based on our belief in the power of relationships in delivering tangible business results.

Our long history in Birmingham means over 400 of our market-leading lawyers based in the region are well placed to assist our clients in making the most of a thriving and evolving local economy.

Making a real connection with our people and clients, we use commercial and innovative thinking to provide the legal solutions clients need to prosper, wherever they are in the world.

W: www.gowlingwlg.com

OUR OFFER At Gowling WLG we're committed to exceptional service. Our Birmingham office has a nationwide and international reputation where insight is always backed up by people with a resolute focus on commercial results. A base in the City and close connection with our international offices means clients get the first class advice they need on UK and global matters of any nature. Visit us at our Two Snowhill offices and speak to our lawyers to get the support and advice your business needs.

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THE JMB PARTNERSHIP Exploring or entering a new market presents a wealth of opportunity. However, capitalising on these opportunities in a competitive marketplace when a brand has little or no market presence is a challenge many SMEs face.

Award-winning agency, The JMB Partnership, supports international companies in overcoming these barriers to growth and taking those vital first steps to creating profitable and sustainable international operations.

As a Queen’s Award winner for International Trade and Government-appointed Export Champion, JMB is globally-recognised for services to international trade, having undertaken projects on behalf of Austrade, Canada Trade and Enterprise Ireland.

With over 90 years’ combined cross-sector experience, JMB has developed the FirstStep Approach – an initiative specifically designed for ambitious SMEs seeking international expansion.

To date the FirstStep approach has supported over 600+ organisations to achieve their growth ambitions. So, whether looking to explore the UK market, strengthen your existing client base or identify international partners, JMB provides a flexible approach to enable you to achieve your business growth objectives.

FirstStep offers: •

Specially designed programme for SME UK expansion

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Low-risk, soft-landing approach

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Accelerated sales, through identification of qualified sales leads & meeting programmes

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Access to market entry consultancy, insight & analysis

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Access to local representation to enhance UK visibility

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Formulation of a UK business plan

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Inward investment recruitment services

W: www.thejmbpartnership.co.uk

OUR OFFER The JMB Partnership is committed to supporting SMEs achieve their international growth objectives. As an organisation working with Business Birmingham we are delighted to offer a 10% reduction in service rates in addition to 1-hour complimentary consultation.

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HOLDER BLACKTHORN LLP Based in Central Birmingham Holder Blackthorn have been providing specialist accountancy, tax and business advice for over 25 years.

We realise that setting up, managing or growing a business can feel a daunting and often lonely experience. Knowing where to turn for the most up-to-date trusted financial and business support is vital.

Here at Holder Blackthorn our team are handpicked to give you that peace of mind and help you realise your business goals.

We are an independent firm of Chartered Certified Accountants who have the ability and experience to work across all industry sectors. From fledgling companies who are at the very start of their journey, to multinational or global organisations, our team have the depth of knowledge, skills and proven track record to deliver.

Each client is unique and so is our service - tailored to match your business needs. For some we provide traditional accountancy including book-keeping, VAT returns, tax planning and preparation of management and year end accounts. We can act as part of your integrated team and participate at management meetings to steer the design and help accelerate the delivery of your business plan.

Others may wish to benefit from our broader European connections. Using our extended network of trusted associates, we can guide businesses wanting to expand into the UK from conceptual ideas, through to their initial first sale and beyond. We can help you tackle the complexities of setting up the business, finding the office location, sourcing suppliers and even recruiting your dream team!

From fledgling through to multinationals, Holder Blackthorn has the experience to support your business whatever its growth ambitions.

W: www.holderblackthorn.co.uk

OUR OFFER In order to demonstrate our passion for the growth of Birmingham, Holder Blackthorn are offering a complimentary ‘business health check’ for all new SMEs establishing themselves in the area. This free of charge consultation will last a maximum of 4 hours and focus on the key areas required for the business’ financial growth.

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KPMG At KPMG, our expert Enterprise team can help your business prosper, whether it be by growth in profitability, digital transformation or international expansion.

We help privately owned businesses achieve their growth ambitions by combining deep business and industry expertise with a dedicated focus.

Specifically designed for mid-market businesses, including entrepreneurs and start-ups, KPMG Enterprise offers you a private business advisor, who works alongside you to help your business succeed.

Passionate about getting to know you and your business, we have a simple philosophy; we look to add value both through the insight we bring and via our extensive broader network and resources, connecting you to market-leading insights, ideas and people.

Rooted in local communities across the Midlands, we can provide you with a team led by a senior advisor, experienced in supporting the unique needs of privately owned businesses. We’ll challenge your thinking and ensure we deliver the full capability of KPMG for you, no matter where you are or what your stage of development.

W: www.kpmg.co.uk

OUR OFFER We have the experience to help you to get to where you want to be. Whatever your plans, get the support you need for your business by visiting and talking to us at our One Snowhill office.

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LLOYDS BANKING GROUP Lloyds Banking Group is the UK’s largest Financial Services group. Our vision is simple: to be the best bank for customers. We have been voted Business Bank of the Year at the FDs’ Excellence Awards for fourteen years and through our portfolio of iconic brands we play a vital role in supporting the people, businesses and communities we service and in creating a thriving UK economy.

Our business is focused on retail and commercial financial services and in 2017 we supported more than 124,000 startup businesses and 27 million customers. Founded in Birmingham in 1765, we’re proud of our roots in the UK’s manufacturing heartland and are committed to supporting its future success. Our aim is to support our clients with a combination of a local coverage team, sector specialists and product experts, where we strive to add true value and become a long-term strategic partner. We have relationship teams across the West Midlands who together with the support of product and sector specialists will take the time to understand your business and provide support specific to your business needs.

With over 250 years of experience, we have a strong reputation locally in the Midlands and an excellent track record of working together with local clients. By offering a full range of services from risk management and international trade to funding and daily banking, we’ll work with you to provide the right mix of products and guidance to help your business prosper. Our expertise includes: •

Financing

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Risk management

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Cash Management

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Deposit products

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International trade

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Card solutions

W: www.lloydsbankinggroup.com

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SMITH COOPER Entering a new market can be daunting and finding the right business advisers can be difficult. We always start by thoroughly understanding your objectives and business issues so that we can work with you to create innovative and specifically tailored opportunities to guide you through the process.

Smith Cooper is one of the Midlands’ most progressive independent firms of accountants and business advisers. We have 30 years of experience in helping businesses with business advice, tax planning and inward investment advice. Over the years we have gained a good reputation for serving the needs of our clients and ensuring that we evolve to provide the services that they require.

Our team is made up of highly experienced and well-trained experts, many of which have big 4 backgrounds. These dedicated experts have professional experience in Accountancy, Corporate finance, tax, business recovery and insolvency, banking and other services such as IT, financial advice and communications services.

Although we work with businesses of all sizes across numerous sectors, our experts understand that industries have unique needs and challenges. Our combination of industry and service specialism ensures we’re able to offer you the best strategic advice specific to you and your business.

Smith Cooper continues to support the local market place, through support and activities with the Birmingham Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Colmore Business District and the West Midlands Growth Company to name a few. Through our network of contacts we are able to offer our clients the service of a local partner who really understands the Birmingham market working with you holistically to provide a solution that best fits your business.

The range of services and advice we offer are: • Tax compliance and bespoke advisory • • • Investment target search • • Funding support • • Restructuring

Business strategy HR services including payroll Corporate finance Accounting, auditing and compliance

W: www.smithcooper.co.uk

OUR OFFER We are prepared to offer any firms, investors, businesses or individuals that enquire a free initial meeting with one of our experts.

SKILLS, ACADEMIC RESEARCH & COLLABORATION

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ASTON UNIVERSITY Founded in 1895 and a university since 1966, Aston is a longestablished research-driven university known for its world-class teaching quality and strong links to industry, government and commerce.

We have a strong reputation for helping businesses to grow and improve, providing services to many organisations each year. We work with businesses to offer advice on how to attract industrial and commercial research funding, provide information about graduate recruitment, and offer specialist training through professional development programmes.

Aston has a particular strength in working with SMEs: the Aston Centre for Growth offers leading growth programmes and other opportunities for SME owners looking to grow their business. Aston Business School has held the Small Business Charter since 2014, reflecting its expertise in SME engagement. We have experience of working with hundreds of SMEs to support their business growth, with investment-ready pitching competitions, through our student-focused start-up support and incubation centre and on programmes such as the Aston Programme for Small Business Growth.

Our Advanced Services Research Group has brought servitization, a theory that sees manufacturers focusing on offering services, rather than simply manufactured products, to over 80 Midlands-based SMEs, leading to an increase in Gross Value Added (GVA) of over ÂŁ6 million.

W: www.aston.ac.uk

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BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY Birmingham City University (BCU) is a dynamic, business-engaged institution with over 24,000 students.

BCU has built practice-based learning and international opportunities into every programme, and offers around 50 courses that have internationally recognised accreditations.

The University works with in excess of 5,000 businesses, regionally, nationally and internationally and has extensive linkages and detailed intelligence to input into future innovation, driving thinking around smart specialisation, the creative economy, advanced manufacturing and health-related life sciences.

In 2015 BCU launched ‘BCU Advantage’, a business growth service enabling entrepreneurs, SMEs and larger organisations to get connected with academic knowledge, skills and funding to support business enterprise.

In 2018 we launched Phase 1 of STEAMhouse, a ÂŁ5m collaborative space for businesses, artists and academics to work together on new innovative projects. High-tech facilities can be accessed for free by eligible SMEs, ranging from 3D printers and laser cutting machinery to virtual reality technology and printing studios. By connecting Arts and Design thinking into STEM approaches (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) STEAMhouse aims to facilitate new ideas, products and services to create up to 10,000 regional jobs.

Innovation is at the core of our work. Working in partnership is at the core of our approach to business.

W: bcuadvantage.co.uk | steamhouse.org.uk

OUR OFFER Business growth products and services: Including business analysis and consultancy; funding to support innovation activity; business innovation workshops to identify opportunities and create growth strategies; and access to graduate talent and academic expertise through part-funded business projects such as KTPs. Support to recruit highly skilled work-ready talent: Driven through placements and internships; higher and degree apprenticeships; and Graduate+ - an awards programme turning high calibre students into work-ready graduates.

Access interdisciplinary specialist knowledge: Three dedicated Innovation Institutes (creative innovation, sustainable futures, and health and quality of life), driving research and innovation through interdisciplinary thinking with academic experts and specialists.

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BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE Training for results.

As a leading training provider, Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet) specialises in developing high quality, results-driven training programmes to support firms to look after their strongest asset - their people.

Whether it is apprenticeship programmes, recruiting new talent or embedding training programmes to support the training of a current workforce – we pride ourselves in providing a service that exceeds our client’s expectations.

With colleges across the Birmingham and the Black Country , as well as specialist sites throughout the UK, we are well positioned to work with employers on a regional and national basis.

We have been working with the training sector for over 20 years and we use this experience to help our clients grow and develop their workforce. We take great pride in working in partnership with employers to ensure that programmes are flexible and tailored to meet the exact requirements of each individual business.

As a not-for-profit organisation we are able to provide employers with a significant return on investment for their training budgets - ensuring that every pound invested has a direct impact on the training of staff.

We understand the commercial pressures on all organisations - we are flexible in our delivery models and reactive to market changes and requirements.

Just as with any other service provider, we provide you with an account management team to look after your business needs whilst providing high quality training and development programmes .

W: www.bmet.ac.uk

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COVENTRY UNIVERSITY In 2018 Coventry University celebrates 175 years of providing education in the city. Starting life as the Coventry School of Design in 1843, the university has been continually changing and adapting to meet the needs of the historic city and remain a vibrant and ambitious place of learning ever since.

We teach in campuses across the UK, and have partnerships in countries across the world. We continue to be innovative and are always looking for new ways to lead, to teach, and to bring new opportunities to the communities we work with.

Our research, education and business units work with a wide range of sectors globally. Innovation plays a large part in what we do and we will continue to deliver the skills needed for tomorrow, the detailed and relevant research to increase the region’s industrial capabilities and to provide business support in line with the West Midlands’ growth strategy.

W: www.coventry.ac.uk

OUR OFFER We offer consultancy, research, executive education and graduate internship programmes to businesses regionally, nationally and internationally. Our services to business include executive education, Higher and Degree Apprenticeships, Continuing Professional Development courses and we focus on research with impact. We solve real-world challenges, pioneering new technologies and making a significant contribution to how businesses and their staff are prepared for the future.

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UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM The success of businesses is vital for economic growth.

At the University of Birmingham, we are keenly aware of the impact that agile SME’s can have on the regional and national economies. We want to collaborate with you to find innovative solutions to your business’ challenges.

There are a number of ways in which we can work with you, including: Access to Equipment: Utilise our state-of-the-art scientific equipment or train members of your team on a particular technique. Our researchers are on hand to offer technical support and problem solving.

Funding Support: We have a number of funding support programmes that SMEs can utilise to bring exciting and innovative products and solutions to market.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP): Create dynamic connections between businesses and the University’s knowledge base to deliver strategic innovation projects. The KTP embeds vital new expertise, stimulates business growth and powers innovation excellence.

Business Club: Join the members of our networking club and meet academics and other companies that could transform your business.

W: birmingham.ac.uk/sme

OUR OFFER Our Business Engagement team can pair you with the University’s academics and resources to help grow your business. Whether its funding support, expert consultancy or a collaborative project, we will work with you to understand your individual requirements and create a bespoke response.

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UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK Warwick is a leading university, somewhere forward-looking and ambitious, where the starting point is always ‘anything is possible’. Nowhere is this ethos more evident than in our work to support SMEs. We’re renowned for being a home to academics who are some of the most distinguished in their field, and have links with many sectors including automotive, advanced manufacturing, food, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. We also provide access to our state-of-the-art scientific equipment and expertise through Warwick Scientific Services, with 300 investigations carried out last year. Through university-business collaborations, our knowledge and connections provide impact beyond academia.

Our students are intelligent, dynamic and ambitious, armed with the knowledge they’ve gained from studying at a world-class university. We work with businesses to help them hire the brightest new talent, providing opportunities for graduate recruitment, internships, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and work experience.

Through our leading departments WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group) and WBS (Warwick Business School), we also deliver outstanding tailored professional development to ensure an organisation’s current employees evolve to meet the ever-changing demands of the business world.

WMG is also at the forefront of advancing UK manufacturing through its specific programmes to support SMEs in the sector, and WBS plays a key role in the Enterprise Research Centre, a hub for research, knowledge and SME growth.

The University of Warwick Science Park offers services to businesses in need of external funding, destination space or development support. It recently introduced Business Ready, a new support programme part-funded by WCC and the European Regional Development Fund. The scheme is designed to help companies achieve and exceed their growth potential, and will boost the region’s economy through the creation of highly-skilled jobs. Warwick’s Science Park also manages Minerva, the largest network of business angels outside of London, providing investment to startups in need of funding.

W: www2.warwick.ac.uk

OUR OFFER Talk to Warwick’s advisors to find the service you’re looking for. We understand that SMEs and their needs are as individual as we are, and we tailor our services to suit – whether that’s for recruitment and skills, advice and support, or research and development.

PROFILE

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CM BRAND When you’re starting or expanding a business, you need to capture attention We can help – by providing effective promotional products that take your brand and marketing campaigns to the next level (while boosting your return on investment).

Let’s Make Your Brand Unforgettable For over 25 years, we’ve provided memorable branded products, print, packaging and point of sale materials. Our aim has always been to deliver value, quality and creativity – at an affordable price.

With our extensive product range and ability to manufacture bespoke items, together we can develop the perfect marketing vehicle for your business.

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, take advantage of our offer for ambitious West Midlands-based SMEs 1. Do you want to ‘make a noise’ about your company, products and services?

2. Do you want to simplify procurement and spend less time on marketing-related admin?

3. Do you want to save money on marketing campaigns and event materials?

W: cm-brand.co.uk/SME

OUR OFFER To welcome you to the West Midlands’ vibrant business community, we’re giving you 2 great value offers: 1. A free, no-obligation print and merchandise audit – to determine where we can save you money and maximise the effectiveness of your marketing spend.

2. 15% off your first order Let’s start by discussing your goals. After all, the West Midlands is a friendly place, and success is all about collaboration.

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TRINITRY MIRROR MIDLANDS LTD Trinity Mirror Midlands is one of the largest and most well-established multi-media publishers in the Midlands. With a portfolio incorporating daily and weekly newspapers, an ever-increasing range of websites, e-editions and apps, plus some of the largest community and business events in the region, we provide both readers and advertisers with cost effective products and solutions however they access information.

MULTI-MEDIA PUBLISHER Our media options are as varied as our audience! We produce the leading daily titles in Birmingham and Coventry, the Birmingham Mail and the Coventry Telegraph, the Birmingham business title Birmingham Post, weekly papers such as the Loughborough Echo and Solihull News, alongside sector-specific websites such as fish4jobs.co.uk. We also produce fully interactive companion sites to our newspapers, including birminghammail.co.uk, coventrytelegraph.net and birminghampost.co.uk. Packed with up-to-the-minute news, sport, blogs and what’s-on listings, they are an invaluable addition to our portfolio, opening our media and your advertising to online audiences. In addition to our print and digital titles, we produce events such as the Pride of Birmingham Awards and Birmingham Post Business Awards.

LARGE AUDIENCE Trinity Mirror Midlands can guarantee extensive reach and coverage across the Midlands. Our print products alone reach over 700,000 people every week whilst use of our digital portfolio has seen massive growth in the last 12 months. Proof of our website’s popularity can be seen by the 4.1 million unique users that visit every month.

MEDIA EXPERTISE With separate divisions dedicated to Greater Birmingham, Coventry & Warwickshire and Loughborough, Trinity Mirror Midlands provides the unique combination of positioning within the heart of local communities plus the sales and editorial expertise of a global media corporation.

W: www.trinitymirror.com

EMPLOYEE INCENTIVES & TRANSPORT

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BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT For the last two years, Birmingham Airport has been awarded the world’s most punctual airport of its size, satisfying the air travel needs of 13 million passengers annually.

Currently, it serves 150 direct global destinations plus a further 340 one-stop worldwide flights with 50 airlines, including double daily operations with the impressive Airbus A380 aircraft. It is one of the West Midlands’ largest employers, creating jobs for 7000 people and adding £1.4bn in GVA to the regional economy.

In recent years, it has had unprecedented passenger growth, particularly in long-haul traffic, as passengers realise the ease of getting to and through the airport. This has led the Airport to invest heavily in its infrastructure to improve the facilities on site for an enhanced customer experience.

It is the largest airport in the Midlands and the third largest airport outside of London, with 35 million people residing within its two-hour catchment.

Sitting in the centre of the country’s road and rail network means that it is one of the most accessible airports, particularly by rail, thanks to its on-site rail station, with trains every few minutes to Birmingham city centre and several hourly to London, just an hour away.

In 2026, this will reduce to around 30 minutes as Birmingham becomes the UK’s first and only highspeed connected airport, increasing the two-hour catchment to 45m people.

W: www.birminghamairport.co.uk

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STAYING COOL AT THE ROTUNDA Our stylish, serviced apartments are the perfect place to stay in Birmingham. Ideally situated at the top of the Rotunda, handy for New Street station, the business district and the Bullring shopping centre, the best of Birmingham is right on your doorstep.

They are rated 4* and 5* and all have a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi, Sky TV and the best views in the city. We have been rated number one on TripAdvisor throughout 2016 (and year to date) so you know you will be well looked after.

Staying Cool is pleased to offer Business Birmingham’s investors reduced rates for short visits to Birmingham, or longer stays while setting up in the city: W: www.stayingcool.com/birmingham

OUR OFFER INWARD INVESTOR RATES INCLUDE: •

Super fast, free fibre optic broadband for all of your devices

•

SkyTV and a Blu-ray DVD player

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BOSE speaker dock

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A top of the range espresso machine with Illy coffee and local milk

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Oranges for the juicer and complimentary Rude Health breakfast cereals

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Breakfast tea, green tea and hot chocolate

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A leave-and-retrieve service (leave any items you like from week to week and we will safely store them for you)

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Complimentary gym membership at The Gym just 100m away

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Secure underground parking at The Bullring for just £10.50 per night

EVENTS/MEETINGS •

Our penthouses, with their open balconies, have the WOW factor in spades (perfect for entertaining clients) and also offer a great space for events. Rates available on request.

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TRANSPORT FOR WEST MIDLANDS Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) – part of the West Midlands Combined Authority - is responsible for delivery of public transport and promotion of sustainable travel in the West Midlands, working in partnership with the region’s seven metropolitan councils. This ensures that everyone in the West Midlands benefits from an effective transport system that meets the economic and environmental needs of the region, as well as providing access to jobs, finding innovative ways to help reduce congestion and offering seamless connections for people and goods to home and overseas markets.

TfWM’s business and employers’ team provides a free, bespoke travel planning service to companies across the region. It helps employees save money on their journey to work and helps businesses to meet environmental and staff retention objectives and address any car parking issues at their premises.

The team provides a personal travel consultation service to businesses relocating to the region to ensure that staff have the most up-to-date information and incentives they need to travel to work as easily as possible, while reducing their carbon footprint.

More than 140 businesses across the West Midlands are being supported and over 90,000 employees have been helped including a number of high-profile organisations relocating their premises to Birmingham and Solihull. These include Resorts World Birmingham at the NEC, John Lewis at Grand Central and Jacobs in Birmingham city centre.

W: www.tfwm.org.uk

OUR OFFER •

Free travel consultation meeting with one of the team

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Advice and tools to help you produce a customised travel ‘action plan’ for your company

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Discounted local public transport ticket offers for your staff

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A free travel event for your employees, with staff on hand to recommend the best ticket and travel options

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Information on local cycling and walking support available and on running a car-share scheme for your employees

•

Free travel maps and timetables and online travel information for your website

TALK TO US Find out more about how the Business Catalyst Programme can speed up the process of setting up your business.

+44 (0) 121 202 5022

invest@businessbirmingham.com

@business_bham Business Birmingham