Chamberlink June 23

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Editor: John Lamb 07814 539329 lambjohn@mac.com

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

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

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

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60 Finance: R&D tax relief revamp questioned

62 Legal: Platform supports in-house lawyers

64 Manufacturing: Historic firm celebrates 50th anniversary

66 Property: Space snapped up in Stirchley

68 Skills: New trustees for educational charity

70 Technology: Safeguarding children online

72 The Arts: George Michael tribute comes to Birmingham

74 Sport: Hospitality expert joins Edgbaston Stadium

Member Section

75 Chamber Insight Rebecca Mander, GuruYou

76 New Members Chamber welcomes new members

Birmingham You can now read the latest issue of CHAMBERLINK and view back issues online at: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com

The Contents Chamberlink June 2023 June 2023 CHAMBERLINK3

Editor’s View

By John Lamb

Caring as a key to success

We have often talked about business as a force for good and this issue of Chamberlink highlights some of the examples where companies are going all out to safeguard the welfare of their employees.

Take our front page story as an example. Here we have a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping personnel who must balance their working life with caring for a family member or dependent.

Many businesses already take a caring attitude to employees who are struggling to cope in these circumstances. But soon, government legislation will force companies to grant leave to those colleagues.

Government legislation is due to give carers the right to five days unpaid leave a year and a Bill is in its second reading stage in the House of Commons.

The Carers Leave Bill 2022-23 is a Private Members Bill introduced by Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife Wendy Chamberlain.

But a non-for-profit organisation, Forward Carers in Birmingham, is already ahead of the game (see the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce pages 34 and 35).

This issue may be a lot bigger than you think – because, as we report, one in seven workers are having to act as an unpaid carer to family members and dependents. And that will inevitably have a possibly detrimental impact on many businesses.

It’s difficult to imagine how granting carers five days a year unpaid leave will have much impact on their dilemma. At least it will give them the RIGHT to be away from work for a short amount of time but is it enough to make much difference?

However, most businesses already take a caring attitude and grant when they can if an

employee is in this sort of trouble. And there are many people who are extremely grateful for that. Business is facing change in many ways, and another issue is highlighted in Solihull president Eileen Schofield’s column on page 10.

She looks at how businesses could be impacted by the introduction of a four-day week. The principal of Schofield & Associates, a specialist employment law practice based in Knowle, says the move can have benefits all round but warns it is not necessarily a panacea for business success.

It’s an idea that has become a focus for many businesses not only to improve the work-life balance for employees but also to boost productivity and profitability.

Business must take a long hard look at how such a move will affect them. Four-day weeks are certainly not for every type of business and, as Eileen points out, reducing the working week to four days may require hiring additional staff to maintain productivity levels which can be costly for businesses.

But the fact that business are considering it alongside lessons learned during the Covid-19 crisis, shows many are prepared to look at the largely unpopular issue of imposing change.

So there can be benefits all round as the whole pattern of working life goes under the spotlight.

Business may well be a force for good. But it also has to be a force for change. Thankfully, most businesses are embracing these issues and will be taking steps to ensure all changes are for the good of everyone, employers and employees.

And that is especially true of Artificial Intelligence and is why Chamberlink will be taking a close look at this phenomenon in future issues.

FRONT COVER: Help for carers (left to right): Omar Rashid, Simon Fenton and Anjum Khan

See page 34

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Business News

Latest news from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Chamber to move into Hagley Road home

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) has announced plans to relocate to new premises at 54 Hagley Road, in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham, by the end of the year.

Following a diligent process and close engagement with its employees, board and committee members, the GBCC has agreed to lease office space at 54 Hagley Road - a stone’s throw from Chamber of Commerce House, which has been home to the region’s largest and longest-running business membership organisation since 1960.

The GBCC will continue to operate from Chamber of Commerce House in Harborne Road until completion and a relocation date have been finalised.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of the GBCC, said: “I’m delighted to announce that 54 Hagley Road has been chosen as our new premises.

“Over recent months, we have worked closely with partners and key stakeholders to identify premises which will help fulfil our ongoing

mission to connect, support and grow local businesses. I’d like to thank my colleagues, our board, presidents and committee members for their vital input during this exciting process.

“We have exchanged contracts on the new premises and will be formally completing the move to our new building by the end of the year. Watch this space, we look forward to sharing further information over the coming months as details are finalised.

“Until then, I’d like to remind our customers and those firms that use our on-premises services on a regular basis that Chamber House remains our main location.

“The move is part of our ambitious three-year business plan and strategy.

“It is a privilege to lead this organisation, which celebrates its 210th anniversary this year, as we continually evolve and grow our work with and on behalf of the city-region’s business community.”

Established in 1813, the GBCC moved to Chamber of Commerce House in 1960 from the New Street headquarters it had occupied since 1916.

The offices were formally opened by the then paymaster general Lord Hills and a new reception area was opened by Prime Minister John Major in 1996.

The GBCC has nearly 2,500 members, ranging from start-ups to multinational corporations.

It supports businesses in building their profile and networks, finding opportunities and learning from best practice locally, and trading internationally.

It acts as the voice of local businesses, working in partnership with stakeholders across the region to make Greater Birmingham the best possible place to work and do business.

Labour selects new City Council leader

A new leader holds the reins of Birmingham City Council after the Labour Party selected councillor John Cotton to replace the outgoing councillor Ian Ward.

Cllr Cotton, previously Cabinet Member for social justice, community safety and equalities, was confirmed following an interview process with Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC).

And Councillor Sharon Thompson was appointed deputy leader, succeeding councillor Brigid Jones.

The changes came following the release of a report last week which was highly critical of the city council.

Cllr Cotton said: "This is a huge honour, leading the city that has always been home. These are not the circumstances I would have wanted to take over in, but I feel I have a duty to serve. I will do all I can to unite the Birmingham Labour Party and deliver for our citizens.

“I want to pay tribute to Ian Ward who has not only led Birmingham City Council through a cost-of-living crisis, pandemic and delivered the greatest ever Commonwealth Games, but has given a lifetime of service to our movement.”

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), said: “We congratulate cllr John Cotton and cllr Sharon Thompson on their appointment as leader and deputy leader of Birmingham City Council.

“The GBCC has a long track record of working with the leadership of Birmingham City Council.

“We look forward to continuing that relationship as Birmingham’s businesses navigate the challenges of the current environment, while capitalising on the opportunities ahead for the city.”

Cllr John Cotton

Delighted: Henrietta Brealey

‘This is a huge honour, leading the city that has always been home’

Mayor calls on energy firms to do the right thing

West Midlands mayor Andy Street says data from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) shows that British energy providers have a “moral responsibility” to renegotiate agreements with companies stuck on high fixedprice deals.

This follows a historic spike in prices last autumn and the call echoes a warning from the GBCC that thousands of companies were struggling because they signed fixed contracts in the second half of last year when energy prices were at their peak. They have therefore failed to benefit from the downward trend in prices.

The government spent nearly £6bn subsidising business energy costs through the winter but has since switched to a much less generous successor scheme.

Mayor Street said data from the region’s Chambers showed that one in 10 companies in the West Midlands were now spending more than 20 per cent of their turnover on energy costs.

“That is not sustainable. So we need to say to the retail supplier,

what is your moral responsibility to this?”

He urged energy companies “do the right thing and offer to renegotiate those contracts” and if not he said the government should intervene again and provide businesses with generous targeted subsidies later this year.

“Our local Chamber of Commerce is saying that up to a third of our businesses could be

The price of wholesale natural gas has fallen by more than 80 per cent since last autumn from a peak of more than £6 a therm to about 80p a therm. But an estimated 93,000 companies face closure or cutbacks because their energy bills are still marooned on prices struck six months ago, according to the Federation of Small Businesses.

energy costs continue to spiral. The findings were used in our latest report, ‘The ongoing energy crisis –what does this mean for businesses in Greater Birmingham’.

paying up to five times as much as the market price.”

Industry body Energy UK has said that while suppliers often support restructuring contracts where feasible, many energy companies have bought gas and electricity in advance — at the higher rate — when agreeing fixedterm contracts with customers.

Musicians are sought for lunchtime shows

Local artists are being invited for the first time to perform at Symphony Hall during B:JazzFest between 7 and 11 August.

Jazz soloists, duos and groups are being asked to submit a link to a recent performance to the B:Music team. Five will be selected to perform lunchtime concerts at B:Eats in Symphony Hall during B:JazzFest.

All jazz artists and groups aged 16+ located in the Midlands are invited to apply. Applicants should send a link to a recent performance on YouTube, Soundcloud, Spotify or other social platform to programming@bmusic.co.uk with B:JazzFest Open Call in the subject line. Successful artists will receive a payment of £150 per group or artist per day. The closing date is midday, Friday, 23 June.

B:Music is the music charity responsible for Town Hall and Symphony Hall. During the week, Symphony Hall again opens its doors to young musicians aged 11-19 from Birmingham and the surrounding areas for a free, non-residential course.

The artists announced for this year’s festival include headline shows from multi-award winning composer, conductor and improviser Olivia Murphy with her ensemble of 20 musicians (Wednesday, 9 August) and Birmingham’ s own drummer, composer and producer Romarna Campbell with her trio Chaos (Thursday 10 August).

Mr Street said it was hard to argue against the government’s support reduction given the need to protect taxpayer finances. But he added there was an opportunity for the ministers to use existing schemes in a more targeted way for the most needy companies.

Raj Kandola, director of external affairs at GBCC, said: “Chambers across the region collected feedback from over 400 businesses in the region in order to gauge the challenges they are facing as

“We are pleased to see the mayor has backed our call for the Government to offer targeted support for those firms that are suffering from huge cost pressures as they struggle to pay their energy bills. Time is of the essence and we are calling on the Government to act decisively in order to give those businesses that are facing the prospect of job losses or even closure the support they need to emerge from this crisis on a surer footing.”

‘The ongoing energy crisis – what does this mean for businesses in Greater Birmingham?’ Is available at: www.greaterbirmingham chambers.com

Plans in motion to build a greener city of the future

Leaders in Greater Birmingham are pressing for business needs to be put at the forefront of ambitious plans to transform Birmingham city centre.

Birmingham City Council has launched a new 20-year plan to deliver “unprecedented” levels of new jobs, homes and green space.

Council chiefs say their publication “Our Future City: Central Birmingham Framework 2040” would double the city’s green spaces to a level comparable with Vienna and double Birmingham’s network of active travel routes to 200km.

The plan also includes a change to the city's ring road, transforming it into a "green way," reducing reliance on cars and improving public transport options.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) said that while there is much to admire about the plan, the council must consider the practical impact on businesses who are battling against significant economic challenges.

Raj Kandola, director of external affairs at the GBCC, said: “In short, there’s a lot to admire in principle. However, the practical ramifications for the business community will need to be

Vision: How the city centre could look

scrutinised, especially for those firms that have been knocked from pillar to post over the last two years as soaring inflation, rocketing energy bills and ingrained labour shortages have all piled on the pressure for businesses in the city.”

Jobs impact: Mayor Andy StreetBacking: Raj Kandola

‘Time is of the essence and we are calling on the Government to act decisively’

easyJet to open aircraft base at Birmingham Airport

easyJet’s decision to open a base for three of its aircraft at Birmingham Airport (BHX) has been described as “a huge vote of confidence in the West Midlands”. This major investment will create around 100 direct jobs, including pilots and crew, and will support 1,200 indirect jobs in the region.

Basing three of its 186-seat A320 aircraft at BHX will significantly enrich the offer for both business and leisure customers flying out of the Midlands travel hub.

Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, said: “We are delighted to be announcing our new base in

Birmingham, the UK’s second largest city which creates around 100 direct and many more indirect jobs.

“Having already served Birmingham for many years, the decision to open a base and grow at the airport now is testament to the strong demand we see, coupled with the importance of the UK market in supporting our profitable growth.

“The UK is easyJet’s largest market with 55 per cent of all easyJet passengers flying to and from UK airports so this move will not only reinforce our leadership

position as the UK’s largest airline, but also demonstrates our confidence in the resilient strength of demand for travel, with customers choosing us for our trusted brand, unrivalled network and great value fares.”

Nick Barton, chief executive of BHX, said: “This landmark investment by easyJet is a huge vote of confidence in the West Midlands.

“Basing three aircraft at BHX will create many more jobs for local people and many more options for customers. Years of hard work have led to this. Together we look forward to years of future success.” easyJet already serves key domestic connections and international routes from BHX, including Amsterdam, Geneva, Milan, Naples, Lisbon, Faro and Palma de Mallorca.

Cheers! Rotunda gets its own beer

When it comes to raising a glass to celebrate its 15 years in Birmingham, Staying Cool is doing it in style by turning its iconic Rotunda home into a limited-edition beer.

The “Rotunda Pale” collaboration with Birmingham Brewing Company is part of Staying Cool’s Creative Heights II celebration of city architecture, art, food and drink, in support of local charities including LoveBrum.

The independent aparthotel at the top of Rotunda is marking its 15th birthday with its second year-long programme of events to showcase the wealth of talent in the city’s creative industries.

The first Creative Heights celebration took place in 2018 to mark Staying Cool’s tenth birthday, with events selling out immediately.

Creative Heights II was launched with the unveiling of a sky-high piece of ‘COOOOL’ window artwork in a Staying Cool penthouse, featuring Birmingham’s post-war architecture designed and illustrated by city-based Window Artists.

The Window Artists illustration features Brutiful Birmingham buildings including Smallbrook Ringway, Alpha Tower, New Street Signal Box and Rotunda itself.

Working with fellow indies from across Birmingham, Creative Heights II is giving a sky-high platform to talented artists, local designers and food and drink providers. Residents and visitors to Birmingham will have the opportunity to visit Rotunda and take part in workshops drawing the skyline, listen to literature talks or see new art against the stunning backdrop of the Brum cityscape.

Food and drink pairing events with long-term collaborators the Wilderness will showcase local independent venues from the city’s booming dining scene and will shine a light on restaurants, with the support of creative drinks providers.

Gavin Burns, Staying Cool at Rotunda general manager, said: “What better way of celebrating 15 fantastic years in Birmingham than with our very own beer – the Rotunda Pale.

“Partnering and promoting Birmingham’s brilliant independent businesses has been at the heart of our thinking since we welcomed Staying Cool’s first guests back in 2008.”

For the full programme visit: stayingcool.com/blog/creative-heights-2023

Heady brew: “Rotunda Pale” limited edition beer will be part of Staying Cool’s 15th birthday celebrations

Easy does it: An easyJet 186-seat A320 takes to the air

‘What better way of celebrating 15 fantastic years in Birmingham than with our very own beer’

Royal appointment for growth expert who gives back

By Jon Griffin

Chamber House-based Deepak

Pathak has received Royal recognition for years of selfless charity work – by being named one of just 500 Coronation Champions nationwide.

Deepak, Innovate UK EDGE senior innovation and growth specialist, was among a select group of 500 chosen as a Queen’s Consort Coronation Champion as part of the national celebrations surrounding King Charles III’s accession to the throne – and even found himself partying at Windsor Castle.

Deepak says he was “surprised and delighted” to be selected for the honour, in which 500 out of 5,000 nominees nationwide become official Coronation Champions for dedication to voluntary work. The once-in-alifetime honour enabled Deepak to take his place among the guests at the special Windsor Castle concert featuring the likes of Katy Perry, Take That, Lionel Ritchie, Andrea Bocelli and Bryn Terfel.

Chamber takes on new heights for charity...

A team from the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) will be hurtling down a zipwire in aid of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS - Your Trust Charity.

In the event riders will whizz past the length of the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick from the top of a crane positioned on site, reaching exhilarating speeds of up to 35mph on 1 and 2 July.

The Chamber team will include executive administrator Francesca Thomas, innovation and growth advisor Jon Gamble, marketing and events executive Demi Philbin, management accountant Abigail Shellis, ABCC director Anjum Khan and press & PR executive Feron Jayawardene.

years and during Covid I was managing 4,500 volunteers in 42 towns and cities. We supplied 80 foodbanks across the UK and provided 40 hospitals with PPE for free. We got craft groups of mainly elderly people to knit items of clothing, including items for hospital baby wards and scarves, gloves and hats for the homeless and vulnerable elderly.

The Midland Met is Sandwell and West Birmingham (SWB) NHS Trust’s multi-million pound development and will boast the latest technology. All money raised across the two days will go to the Midland Met appeal run by Your Trust Charity, which is the registered charity for SWB NHS Trust.

Team leader Francesca Thomas said: “We are proud to support the NHS Trust and the development of the Midland Met Hospital.

“The team is up for the challenge and looking forward to taking part in recognition of the incredible work in providing essential healthcare services to local community.” To donate, go to: www.justgiving.com

Deepak was chosen for the oneoff Royal tribute in recognition of his years of work as Global Lead with the Sewa Day charity, which he launched 20 years ago while as university and has since developed into an international aid organisation entirely run by volunteers.

The charity’s work was particularly prominent during the Covid crisis, delivering millions of meals, providing supplies to food banks and hospitals and organising the shipment of thousands of items of PPE.

Deepak said: “I feel very humbled that I have been chosen. It was a real surprise. I was not expecting it. I started the charity 20 years ago when I was at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. It is all about giving and was originally based on a day to inspire people to give,

“We later changed it to four times a year. It developed over the

“I worked with international agencies and we sent eight container loads of PPE overseas to countries including Guyana, Kenya, Colombia and others. We ran the charity every day during Covid and it hasn’t stopped since.”

The Covid campaign was launched as a Help A Neighbour initiative in March, 2020, and produced an “incredible” response on social media, according to Deepak. The charity’s work even caught the attention of Sarah, Duchess of York, who has twice donated truckloads of food.

Deepak described the Windsor Castle musical concert as a “very memorable day.” “It was a proud day for me. I took along my sister Seema Sharma and she really enjoyed it. Everyone was really friendly and the crowd was electric. To be in front of the Castle and on those grounds was very special.”

Sewa Day was originally founded on the Hindu principle of giving without expecting reward, with a lot of its work often taking place in the background without publicity. The name Sewa is a Sanskrit word embedded in the traditions of ancient India.

...and tackles AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run

A team from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) donned their running shoes at the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run to raise money for individually chosen charities.

They took part in the Great Run business challenge where the finishing times of the fastest four members of the team were used to calculate the overall team time.

The Chamber team included Chris Brewerton, divisional director of Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield and Tamworth Chambers of Commerce, Lillian Elekan, head of membership, Courteney Boden, marketing and client engagement coordinator and press and PR executive Feron Jayawardene.

‘I feel very humbled that I have been chosen. It was a real surprise’

Fully wired: The Chamber team is (left to right): Feron Jayawardene, Francesca Thomas, Demi Philbin, Jon Gamble, Anjum Khan, and Abigail Shellis

Chamber team (left to right): Chris Brewerton, Feron Jayawardene, Courteney Boden, and Lillian Elekan

Memorable day: Deepak Pathak

President’s Focus

Eileen Schofield, president of Solihull Chamber, looks at how businesses could be impacted by the introduction of a four-day week. The principal of Schofield & Associates, a specialist employment law practice based in Knowle, says the move can have benefits all round but warns it is not necessarily a panacea for business success.

The idea of a four-day week has become a focus for many businesses not only to support the work-life balance for employees but also to boost productivity and profitability.

It’s right to say that the four-day week is not an option for all businesses; we have worked through the challenges brought to business by the pandemic and while the pandemic was catastrophic for many aspects of our lives, we all learned many valuable lessons of how to work smarter and for some businesses leaner.

Reduced hours may not be a direct equivalent to increased productivity, but the impact of introducing a four-day week has been proven to show an increase in health benefits by reducing stress and burnout.

This can lead to fewer sick days and a more motivated workforce. Employers can benefit from a reduction in cost of overheads and reduce the carbon footprint of reducing commuting days which has a positive impact on the environment.

Workers of more than 60 UK companies trialled a four-day work week between June and December, 2022. According to the World Economic Forum more than 90 per cent of participating business have opted to continue with the four-day week, with 18 adopting it permanently.

Before and after data shows that 39 per cent of employees were less stressed and 71 per cent had reduced levels of burnout at the end of the trial. Likewise, levels of anxiety, fatigue and sleep issues decreased, while mental and physical health both improved.

As with all emerging initiatives, the four-day working week is not a panacea for a successful business. It will take careful thought and consideration to establish if it is right for a business - for example, reducing the working week to four days may require hiring additional staff to maintain productivity levels which can be costly for businesses.

Additionally, the four-day week may not be acceptable to employees who have become accustomed to working for five days. The prospect of condensing a five-day week into four days could mean that workers get 100 per cent pay for working 80 per cent of their hours in exchange for a commitment to maintain 100 per cent productivity. This may just be too

challenging to ensure that productivity is maintained.

For businesses it is an all-or-nothing option. So ensuring the employees are fully engaged in the process by adopting a transparent and meaningful consultation is essential to the success of the change in terms and conditions for employees.

As part of my commitment to Solihull in my role as president of Solihull Chamber, I will speak to every member to discuss this and other

aspects of their membership in our Personal Invitation to meet the President conversations commencing later this month. Please do sign up to hear our plans.

The GBCC have supported businesses in providing platforms for business to explore these options with the Growth Through People events. The data obtained from these events is accessible at: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com

‘Reducing the working week to four days may require hiring additional staff to maintain productivity levels which can be costly for businesses’

Eileen Schofield

Working to improve skills in the region

Halesowen College is excited to respond to the forthcoming Local Skills Improvement Plan and strive forward in meeting the skills deficit in our area.

A "Local Skills Improvement Plan" (LSIP) typically refers to a strategy or program aimed at enhancing and developing the skills of individuals within a specific locality or region. It is designed to address the unique needs and challenges faced by the local workforce.

‘We will be advertising on our website professional development opportunities and targeted training’

We certainly have challenges in our area at present and this is an opportunity to assess and address the specific needs and challenges of local students and employers. Responding effectively to an LSIP requires us to adopt a collaborative and proactive approach.

We have already reviewed the draft document and made an action plan with clear goals and measurable objectives. We will be advertising on our website professional development opportunities and targeted training in our priority areas including digital, health, business and finance.

Delivery will be in a variety of learning modes including bootcamps, SWAPS, distance learning and traditional classroom based courses.

We will of course continue to deliver GCSE English and maths and offer a range of courses designed to give people the digital skills they need for all types of employment.

We look forward to engaging with employers and learners over the coming month.

Contact Christian Vivash on 0121 602 7784 or email cvivash@halesowen.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

‘Brexit puts the brakes on car manufacturing in the UK’

A leading political economist and authority on the car industry has warned that the UK government’s failure to ignore the danger of major car manufacturers moving production abroad as a result of Brexit will lead to further decline in the British economy.

Professor Alex de Ruyter (pictured), director of the Centre for Brexit Studies at Birmingham City University, and author of multiple research papers on the automotive supply chain, shared his concern following a submission to Parliament by car giant Stellantis which suggests it could relocate after the UK’s departure from the EU led to a competitive disadvantage.

US carmaker Ford has echoed concerns, releasing a statement calling for “current trade requirements to be extended to 2027, to allow time for the battery supply chain to develop in Europe and to meet EV demand”.

Professor de Ruyter said: “The recent warning by Citroen, Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall owner Stellantis that it could abandon UK production of Vauxhall cars should serve as a wake-up call to the Government and the Opposition that Brexit isn’t working and cannot be made to work given the trade barriers that leaving the EU has thrown up.”

Stellantis’ statement to an inquiry into EV production in the UK cited cheaper battery costs from Europe and China, and the potential for tariffs on UK-produced EVs under new legislation.

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour party, said he would look to renegotiate elements of the trade deal with Europe to encourage economic growth.

Professor de Ruyter added: “It is all very well for Keir Starmer to say that Labour “wants a closer working relationship” with the EU but continuing to rule out Single Market membership means the onus is on him to spell out exactly what this would be – for example, a Swiss-style approach of sector-specific bilateral agreements. While Labour – perhaps understandably –are keen to avoid being pinned down on their Brexit stance, they will come under increasing pressure to do so in the lead-up to a General Election.

“With polling evidence suggesting that voters increasingly see Brexit as a mistake, and that Labour’s predicted vote would increase were they to call for rejoining the Single Market, I would suggest that it’s time to bite the bullet and make the case.”

Professor de Ruyter cautioned further turbulence could lie ahead for the country’s car industry and supply chain.

The academic said: “More generally, the UK is in real danger of falling behind in terms of EV production.

“With the US and EU throwing billions at EV production, anything less than substantial assistance from the UK government will most likely see production shift to the US and Europe.”

Care Board’s work success

More than 260 young people in the Birmingham mental health service are now in work thanks to a successful partnership.

A partnership between Shaw Trust and Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB), the city’s mental health service for 0-25year-olds, has successfully helped more than 260 young people into work; supporting their recoveries.

The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model is an employment programme funded by Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) that supports young people who experience difficulties in finding employment because of mental health issues.

Since April 2021, Shaw Trust has been working with those receiving

support from FTB, including those its Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) Service.

Dr Mark Bernard, consultant in the EIP Service at Forward Thinking Birmingham, said: “The majority of young people with first-episode psychosis in Birmingham are not in employment when they initially come to us, but Shaw Trust trains vocational workers to work around these challenges and help on the steps to employment.”

Last year, the National Clinical Audit of Psychosis (NCAP) identified FTB’s Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service as a top national performer for supported employment.

Dr Bernard explained: "There is really good evidence that helping young people return to work will

not only improve th eir social recovery but their long-term clinical and personal recovery. Having a job gives young people a reason to get up every day and engage with the world again.”

Those who participate in the IPS programme are twice as likely to gain employment compared to traditional vocational alternatives. They sustain their jobs longer, earn more money and, importantly, they typically see no deterioration in their mental health as a result of taking up work. Shaw Trust, alongside colleagues in FTB's mental health teams, also supports young people while they are in work.

Visit: forwardthinkingbirmingham. nhs.uk/stick-team

‘Brexit isn’t working and cannot be made to work given the trade barriers that leaving the EU has thrown up’

Helping people, one surplus meal at a time

Two million tonnes of food that is still edible goes to waste in the UK food industry every year. At the same time, 14 million people in the UK face food insecurity. So Simone Connelly pledged to do something about it. Chamberlink’s FERON JAYAWARDENE went to meet the CEO of Fareshare Midlands.

“Everything we do at Fareshare is a challenge,” remarks Simone Connelly in an astute voice coupled with a determined expression of relentlessness on her face.

Simone is the CEO of Fareshare Midlands, the largest surplus food redistributing charity in the UK that operates on a not-for-profit basis. She started working with Fareshare 16 years ago, just after her son was born.

Determined to move away from her established job in the IT field, she tells me that she wanted to give something back to the community.

“I started volunteering for a refugee project with the Church of England. During this time, the refugee charities were saying they needed more help with food. After researching about organisations that could help this crisis, I joined Fareshare Birmingham.”

Now, Fareshare Midlands redistributes 7,000 tonnes of surplus food to more than 500 charities and community groups across the Midlands.

“Fareshare is the largest charitable surplus food redistributor in the UK,” Simone says. “When surplus food occurs on the supply chain in the food industry, we take the food, and we redistribute it to frontline charities and community groups across the country.”

Their distribution model is similar to a normal supply and demand model, the main difference being the demand comes from charities and the supply relies on excess food, making it an ongoing challenge, especially during a cost-ofliving crisis.

Fareshare national statistics reveal that 14 million people face food insecurity in the UK while two million tonnes of food that goes to waste in the UK food industry each year is still edible.

Simone says: “The current cost-of-living crisis and the Ukraine-Russia conflict have caused an unprecedented and unexpected challenge in the food industry which directly impacts our operations. We have sent an open letter to the government to invest £25m into food redistribution, but it wasn’t announced in the

budget. If this investment is made to the food industry, it will make it cost neutral for them to redistribute their food.”

The workforce behind this immense operation comes from volunteering and employability programmes. Simone explains: “We run employability programs for people who are unemployed or who never have been employed.

“Volunteering is also a unique and rewarding experience and I would encourage anyone to come and join us and see for themselves. Corporate volunteering is also a great team day for employees.

“The Chamber helps us to reach audiences that we probably wouldn’t have able to contact and raising the awareness of our charity, especially through newsletters and magazine.”

Saw people going hungry: Simone Connelly

The Griffin Report

When cricket legend Bob Willis tragically died from prostate cancer In December 2019, a fund was set up in his name to aid the fight against the deadly disease. In just two years over three-quarters of a million pounds has been raised by The Bob Willis Fund and has even attracted the patronage of his singer/songwriter hero Bob Dylan. JON GRIFFIN looks at the Willis legacy.

More than 40 years later it’s still one of international sport’s most gripping moments – Bob Willis has sent Aussie Ray Bright’s stumps flying and England have won quite possibly the most amazing Test Match of all…

That’s quite a bold assertion considering the cast of immortals –from Bradman to Botham, Sobers to Larwood, Grace to Warne - who have performed heroic matchwinning feats for their countries –but July 21, 1981, saw Robert Dylan Willis write himself into the record books for all time.

Opponent Dennis Lillee, one of the all-time great Australian fast bowlers, later said of Willis’s performance: “It was the greatest one-off sustained effort I ever saw from a fast bowler in the entire time I played cricket. To me, it was Willis’s match, despite the superhero thing about Ian Botham. The undoubted Man of the Match was Bob Willis.”

Nearly 42 years later, Bob’s widow Lauren is reflecting on the astonishing chain of events which saw England beat their biggest rivals by just 18 runs after being asked to follow on 227 runs behind on the first innings.

“It was the most amazing Test Match of them all. Bob’s performance won that match that went on to win the Ashes. Beefy Botham’s performance set up Bob. If Beefy hadn’t got 149 not out, then Bob would not have been Bob Willis to a certain extent.”

So who was this true cricketing legend – the man who took eight for 43 that summer’s day to seal victory at Headingley? And why has his memory helped to raise £750,000 in just two years to fight one of the cruellest diseases facing mankind, a killer which claims the lives of 11,500 men every year in the UK alone, and tragically ended Bob’s own life at the age of just 70 in December 2019?

Bob Willis was an enigma. In his cricketing pomp he was a 6ft 6ins fast bowler extraordinaire, legend of Warwickshire and England, veteran of 90 Tests and 64 one-day internationals, an England captain

for 18 Tests. In 2018 he was named in England’s all-time greatest Eleven by the ECB, later becoming a broadcasting cult figure with Sky. But away from the pitch he was a shy, sometimes curmudgeonly character who suffered from depression, a condition he often fought by playing the music of his

ultimate hero, the equally enigmatic Bob Dylan.

Among his many friends Bob Willis was truly loved and revered, more than most in the cut-throat, highly competitive world of elite sport.

And that probably explains why the Bob Willis Fund – set up to

help research into prostate cancer –has already raised three quarters of a million pounds.

Says Lauren: “We encourage donations, get the money in and say we want it to go to this research project that is hoping to find a quicker and better diagnosis for prostate cancer. He would be horrified to a certain extent – he was quite a shy person who never really liked to be in the limelight.

“Time is a strange thing, people move on, so it is lovely to see him being remembered.

‘He wouldn’t have known how loved he was. But because he was such a good bloke, everybody is so supportive’

Wedding day: Bob Willis and his wife Lauren on their wedding day in Richmond in 2014. Lauren will be at Edgbaston on 17 June for the Blue for Bob Day during the first Ashes Test

“He wouldn’t have known how loved he was. But because he was such a good bloke, everybody is so supportive and I think that says a lot really. He was a really special person – a one-off – and that is why it was so hard to lose him because I don’t think there is another one out there.”

An invaluable ally in the mission to raise awareness of cancer through the Bob Willis Fund is former England Test cricketer and Warwickshire stalwart Tim Munton, who lost his own father to the disease in 2010.

“Sadly, my father died of prostate cancer at the age of 69, very similar to Bob in terms of age. He only really was aware of it and battled it for about 18 months.

“He had been living with it unknown for five or six years. My Dad was a very enthusiastic club cricketer. He played for Buckminster in the South Lincs and Border League. I used to travel the country with dad when I was a youngster.

“He passed his love of cricket on to me. He loved the game and was a massive support in my career and how I came to play the sport.”

Ex-bowler Tim - who would go to play two Test Matches for England against Pakistan in 1992also owes a significant career debt to Bob Willis, winning his first contract with Warwickshire when

he came to their attention after being chosen to join a group of youngsters in a Find A Fast Bowler

life when I was getting into cricket. He was a hero of mine – watching him charging in at Headingley and Edgbaston, he was right up there as one of the key reasons why I was drawn to cricket.

“His media face was challenging and grumpy but actually he was brilliantly kind with a dry sense of humour, very loyal to his close friends.”

viewers.

Says Tim: “Most of the £750,000 comes from encouraging people on the Saturday of the Test Match to text your fiver, text your tenner.

“We want to get as many people as possible being aware of prostate cancer, the Bob Willis Fund and do something to support it.”

Unlikely to be present at Edgbaston is the other Bob in the Willis story – the Minnesota Bard himself Bob Dylan, the fast bowler’s number one hero - who has agreed to become honorary patron of the Fund following a request to the songwriter’s manager by fellow patron Sir Tim Rice.

Says Lauren: “From the age of 15 he added Dylan to his name and was totally devoted. In the late 70s and early 80s he was very stressed about being a cricketer, especially being a captain, and he would go and have a bath each night and listen to Bob Dylan. It was almost like his therapy.”

initiative backed by Willis and former England star Ted Dexter.

“I wasn’t very close to Bob but my life was impacted in many ways. I was born in 1965 and the 1981 Ashes was a key time in my

Both Lauren, Tim and other close associates of Bob will be much in evidence at the First Ashes Test Match in June at Edgbaston, when the third Blue for Bob day will be held to raise cash for the fund, both through collections at the ground and through donations from TV

Dylan’s music was so integral to Bob Willis’s life that he drew his last breath in his hospital bed to the strains of Positively Fourth Street, the ex-cricketer’s favourite track among so many. “His last breath was right at the end of the song, it really felt like that…we told Bob Dylan that. It’s a massive coup for us to have him as patron,” says Lauren.

Legendary double act: Bob and Ian Botham celebrate the famous Ashes victory at Edgbaston in 1981

‘From the age of 15 he added Dylan to his name and was totally devoted’

Firmin sews up global Coronation exposure

By Jon Griffin

Tens of thousands of Birmingham products were viewed by millions of TV viewers worldwide for the Coronation of King Charles the Third – marking the 17th new monarch served by city button and badge maker Firmin and Sons in nearly 370 years.

Firmin first supplied its goods for the Coronation of Charles the Second in 1661 - and is still going strong today as the Royal manufacturer of choice for buttons, badges and insignia, bringing a highly colourful Brummie-style Coronation Day dash to the new Monarch’s accession to the throne.

And the historic Birmingham firm is now gearing up to take on more Royal-related assignments –changing the Royal cypher on its buttons and badges to take account of the new Charles the Third insignia which replaces the late Queen’s long-standing emblem.

The Newtown company has been supplying its products for Coronations and other momentous occasions in world history since its foundation by Ipswich-born Thomas Firmin in 1655.

Tony Kelly, senior sales manager at Firmin, said: “The Coronation was a very proud day for us. The people here have been working very hard over the last six months and they were able to see the fruits of their labours when the King entered Westminster Abbey.

“There were about 7,500 to 8,000 troops on parade and we had to make 46 brand new cap badges for the Army, Navy, RAF,

time for the Coronation – we have only had six months to do all the work. There was a lot of pressure to make sure everything was done correctly - all the tasks we were set were met.”

Mr Kelly said Firmin would now be involved in the switch to the new C111R emblem for its buttons and badges covering a wide range of its customer base.

“In coming weeks, months and years we will start to see the changes of the insignia of state. Any institution of state – such as the Royal Mail, the Yeomen of the Guard, Customs and Excise - will start to change over. It is good for business and gives us a new stimulus.

All change: The new Royal cypher

Charge of the Light Brigade, Trafalgar and Rorke’s Drift to more recent occasions such as the 2012 Olympics and the weddings of Princes William and Harry.

Royal Marines etc. In total we supplied tens of thousands of products for the Coronation.

“Everyone here has done an awful lot of work in a very, very short period of time. It has been quite a challenging time for us, we have been working flat out.

“Firmin and Sons have been the company of choice because we had the ability to turn things around in

“If you think there are 220,000 police in this country, there are 185,000 services personnel, there are smaller numbers of Customs and Excise, Border Force etc. We are talking about lots of items which will change over. We will see the changes city by city, county by county, regiment by regiment etc.”

Buttons, badges and insignia made by the Birmingham company have featured at many events in global history down through the centuries, including Waterloo, the

The order book for the firm, part of the privately-owned Kashket Group, has also included buttons for MCC members at Lords, and products for staff at Claridges, the Dorchester, the Ritz, along with many other prestige customers. Meanwhile, Kashket and Partners –Firmin’s sister company in Tottenham, London –also supplied uniforms for the Coronation.

The firm, which has only had four family owners throughout its long history, employs 55 people in Birmingham.

Economy impacted by labour shortages

By Feron Jayawardene

Failure to address current labour shortages could cost the UK economy up to £39bn every year, delegates were told at a Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) event.

Shazia Ejaz, director of campaigns for the Recruitment and Employment Confederation was addressing the Growth Through People conference. The conference at The Studio was the culmination of a series of events and workshops hosted by the GBCC.

Among the speakers was GBCC chief executive Henrietta Brealey and the event was sponsored by the West Midlands Combined Authority, South and City College Birmingham and Aston University.

The GBCC’s Growth Through People campaign aims to help organisations across the region increase their productivity through improved leadership and people management skills.

The aim of the conference was to explore exceptional perspectives on themes including responsible leadership, attracting and engaging talent, unlocking potential and harnessing resilience, giving business new ideas to drive and inspire positive change.

Shazia Ejaz spoke about current workforce trends and what the future of jobs might look like.

She said: “Our reports have found out that not

addressing labour shortages could cost the UK economy up to £39bn every year.

“Our forecasts for the next five years point to anaemic growth and stagnant productivity - a situation that could be exacerbated if we do nothing to fix labour and skills shortages.

“The real GDP impacts of a 10 per cent uplift in demand in 2023. With a hypothetical but not inconceivable 10 per cent uplift in demand in the economy, we would need 1.7 million new jobs. F irms must now play their part on skills and behave as if

people are their greatest asset - not just say that they are. Increasing investment in skills isn't effective unless it is targeted and integrated with the overall commercial growth plan.

“Any commercial long-term strategy should include a people plan which treats skills spending as investment rather than costs.”

Miss Shazia also revealed the impact Artificial Intelligence will have on recruitment.

She added: “Artificial Intelligence is a brilliant resource but offer ethical responsibilities and it should not replace people.”

Another keynote speech was given by Deborah Hazell, chief executive officer of Unity Trust Bank, who spoke about her personal leadership journey, attracting the right talent and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.

Ms Hazell said: “I like to lead from the middle rather than leading from the top. The biggest transformation I’ve had at Unity Trust Bank is the transparency. Describing the future of the bank and being transparent with our employees has been a gamechanger.

“Information is power and sharing that information is sharing that power.

“Always look for the talent and don’t wait for the talent to come for you. There is so much talent you can find by asking the right questions and looking inside your organisation.”

• Growth Through People picture gallery – page 45

‘Firmin and Sons have been the company of choice because we had the ability to turn things around in time for the Coronation’

AI impact: Shazia Ejaz

Meet the Team

MEMBERSHIP

It’s the engine room of the Midlands premier business group – and adopted Brummie Lillian Elekan is firmly in the driving seat... Lillian, who hails from the Netherlands, took on the role of head of membership of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce in 2021 after working as head of Solihull Chamber of Commerce for three years.

Today she heads up a membership team supporting over 2,500 businesses ranging from start-ups to large multi-national organisations based in Birmingham, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Tamworth, Burton and Cannock.

She also oversees members of the Future Faces Chamber and the Asian Business Chamber in an executive role she describes as ‘threefold.’ “To ensure we deliver our members with the best possible service and membership benefits, to ensure the smooth running of our large membership team and to ensure we continuously improve our membership experience.”

Meanwhile, Sophie Poduval-Morrell, Future Faces manager, says she feels she has “the best job in the world.” “Future Faces is the fastest growing division across the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. We have just over 600 members representing the diversity of the young professionals across Greater Birmingham.

“Future Faces have two events per month. One is a professional development event, which is an opportunity to hear from some of the senior leaders across Greater Birmingham, sharing their career journeys, experience and

inspiring our members. The second event is social networking, which is a great opportunity to meet like-minded, young professionals. Future Faces is a great space to build a network but also a community.”

Richard Brooks,head of Cannock and Burton Chambers, likens his role to that of a “scrum half, fielding passes, creating chances, making the odd tackle and helping to direct the flow of play via defence or attack.”

“A divisional lead acts as a kind of pivot – we all play as part of a wider team and I can sincerely say I’m proud to be in the squad. I head up two divisions, Cannock Chase and Burton and District Chamber of Commerce.

“My role switches week by week, day by day, hour by hour, helping to host events, find venues, promote attendance, looking for new businesses to support, engage with current members, refer, consult and encourage the use of our PR and networking channels, legal advice and other concepts of business support.”

Chris Brewerton, head of Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Tamworth Divisions, said: “I work to encourage engagement across the wider business community with Chamber campaigns, events, membership benefits as well as working with our local executive committees to represent our members in the three districts.

“Our high-profile events, including the annual Royal Business Fair in Sutton Coldfield and our Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Tamworth and Cannock Chase awards, which are now into their seventh year, shine a light on the best and

brightest businesses, highlighting positive achievement, growth and offering opportunities for networking, new connections and sharing best practice throughout the year.”

Samantha Frampton,head of the Solihull Chamber, has worked with the Chamber since 2018. “I take great pride in representing Solihull’s business community and helping them give back to the communities they serve.

“I am fortunate enough to live and work in Solihull, living on the doorstep provides me with the opportunity to liaise with the incredible businesses every day. I am continually learning from their innovation, determination and passion for what they do, as well as the impact they are keen to make within the community.”

Anjum Khan, director of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce, said: “Within my role with the ABCC I am responsible for increasing membership and building upon commercial relationships with clients and members. I brought a fresh outlook to the operation of the organisation and led on a membership increase by making more connections and creating better awareness of the benefits on offer.”

Lillian said more was in the pipeline for members in the near future: “There’s lots on the horizon for members in 2023-24. With our digital transformation project picking up speed, later this year we will launch an online member portal to further enhance the membership experience.”

Clearly, there’s never been a better time to enrol as a member of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce…

are the driving force

behind the well-being of member companies. They are dedicated to ensuring the Chamber continually improves its Chamberlink will introduce the Chamber’s training operations personnel to

Driving force (left to right): Richard Brooks, Samantha Frampton, Lillian Elekan, Sophie Poduval-Morrell, Anjum Khan and Chris Brewerton

Where do you fancy?

Turtle Bay is all about bringing Caribbean good times through their famous mix of rum, reggae and jerk. With vibrant interiors and island bars that are reminiscent of the islands that inspire them, customers can be transported somewhere totally tropical in no time. They can leave their worries at the door and enjoy good times, they say, even for busy business people.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner…

Turtle Bay Brindleyplace

Address: 10 Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2JB

T: 0121 630 3415

E: brindley.place@turtlebay.co.uk

General manager: Guy Clark

Head chef: Suzi Akuany

Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday: 11:00 – 23:00

Thursday: 11:00 – 00:00

Friday: 11:00 – 01:00

Saturday: 10:00 – 01:00

Lunch

Food and drink

Turtle Bay is a Caribbean-inspired restaurant featuring the freshest of flavours and a huge range of totally tropical cocktails (that are 2-4-1 most of the day)

The menu was designed by chef Collin Brown, Jamaica’s most decorated chef. The restaurant is open from early until late for a few drinks and small plates, a big celebration or a chilled-out dinner.

Breakfast

There is a fresh Caribbean-inspired breakfast and brunch dishes, from a vegan Island Beach bowl, featuring incredible scrambled Ackee, to indulgent Big Kingston

Grilldown

For big celebrations, there’s Bottomless Brunch – featuring two hours of unlimited cocktails and any brunch dish, burger or roti.

Sunshine Bowls and Rotis are described as the perfect light, healthy lunch packed with fresh Caribbean flavours. There is a big range of starters and small plates that are inspired by beach-side snacking and sharing. The full menu is available all day and cocktails and mocktails are 2-4-1 until 7pm.

Dinner

Turtle Bay is famous for their jerk chicken, marinated in rich Caribbean herbs and spices, fired on the grill and finished with Chef Collin’s jerk marinade. For those looking for a little less spice, there are dishes like creamy Mo’bay Chicken.

Fresh and flavour-packed dishes are the heart of everything Turtle Bay do so customers can expect to find healthy dishes packed full of incredible veg, like the vegan Jamaican Run Down with butternut squash in a creamy coconut curry sauce.

For an indulgent treat, their Kingston Fried Chicken with a side of mac ‘n cheese is recommended. They say their cheesy jerk fries are “next level”.

Vegetarian, vegan and glutenfree options are available.

City venue joins ICCA

The Eastside Rooms, a leading conference and events venue based in central Birmingham, has recently been accepted as a member of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

ICCA is the global association leader for the international meetings industry and represents the world’s leading suppliers in handling, transporting, and accommodating international meetings and events, with over 1,100 member companies and organisations in over 100 countries worldwide.

Becoming a member of ICCA is a significant milestone for the venue, a state-of-the-art venue that has been setting the benchmark for event space in the region and firmly cements their place as a serious contender within the meetings and events industry to deliver events on a global scale.

The Eastside Rooms has always taken a relationship first approach, which has set them apart from other venues in the City. Even though the venue opened during the pandemic, in the middle of the third lockdown, the venue has gone on to be a great success and this is due to the fact that they always put relationships at the heart of everything they do, the success of their events, is ultimatley their success so they ensure that they have a good understanding of every event and what is of paramount importance to the client to ensure a great event, carrying this ethos with them throughout which has set them up for greatness.

To enquire about hosting your next event at The Eastside Rooms contact the team on sales@eastsiderooms.com

JLR to pick the UK over Spain for battery plant

The owners of Jaguar Land Rover are set to pick the UK over Spain to host a multi-billion-pound electric car battery plant, according to reports.

Up to 9,000 jobs would be created at the site in Bridgwater, Somerset, close to the M5.

The move has been described as the most significant investment in the UK automotive sector since Nissan moved to Britain in the 1980s.

According to media reports, Tata’s chairman is scheduled to fly to the UK next week to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Jaguar Land Rover are patrons of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham described the news as a welcome move to secure the long-term future of electric vehicle production in the UK.

Raj Kandola, director of external affairs at the GBCC, said: “The investment will be very welcome news for the UK, reducing our reliance on imports and providing critical production capability needed to secure a longterm future for electric vehicle production in the country.

“From a West Midlands perspective, our region is home to an extensive automotive supply chain.

“We will need to redouble our efforts to attract a gigafactory into the region.”

Rugby club celebrated in book

Award-winning former business editor John Duckers has edited the 150th anniversary book celebrating the history of Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club.

‘Red & Black’ is a 384-page hardback tracing glories and travails from the 1873 founding by a bunch of cricketers eager to partake of a winter game.

Their pioneering zeal went on to produce a clutch of England internationals and in the 1970s a club that was among the top six in the land. Not quite at those heights today, nevertheless still playing at a good standard in National One, the third tier below Premiership and Championship.

The book was launched at the final home game of the season, against Taunton, and will be promoted at a number of events marking the milestone. It is priced at £35 and available from the club’s offices – see moseleyrugby.co.uk.

Maintaining perspective: Author John Duckers

Journalist and author John has previously published three children’s books, plus a romantic novel, ‘Time For The Polka Dot’, under the pseudonym Alex O’Connor, available via Amazon.

He said: “‘Red & Black’, the club’s colours, took a lot of work in pulling together the mountain of facts and figures prepared by archivist Ewart Patrick and turning them into a readable entity. All done voluntarily as inevitably these things are.”

He added: “The book world is incredibly competitive and it is hard to get noticed. I treat it as a hobby. That way, coupled with being mostly retired these days, I can maintain perspective.”

A former business editor of ‘The Birmingham Post’, John still ghosts a personal finance column that appears in the paper.

A Birmingham Press Club member, he is also treasurer of the local branch of The Journalists’ Charity. He started out on ‘The Press & Journal’ in Aberdeen. And, curiously, John’s playing days were with Aberdeenshire RFC, who also wear red and black.

Coming to the UK: The Jaguar Land Rover battery plant

Elevate your events at eighteen

Birmingham’s newest clubspace is located in the tallest building in town. Situated on the eighteenth floor of 103 Colmore Row, eighteen is an impressive members’ clubspace offering a unique and private space for working, meeting, and socialising.

Whilst membership is reserved for those with an office at 103 Colmore Row, non-members are invited to experience the vibrant bar and food offering, private dining opportunities, and terrace with unrivalled views across Birmingham, by booking a meeting room or events space.

Whether you’re planning a corporate conference, gala dinner, product launch, or a special celebration, eighteen has you covered.

Fitted with flexibility at its heart, eighteen can be tailored to meet your specific needs. The modern and adaptable layout allows for seamless customisation, ensuring that your event vision becomes a reality.

But it's not just the aesthetics that make eighteen, x+why’s clubspace, truly exceptional. The dedicated team of event experts is committed to delivering unparalleled service, working closely with you to curate an experience that surpasses all expectations. From event planning to execution, they will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a flawless and stress-free event.

With its breathtaking design, exceptional amenities, and unmatched versatility, this venue is the ultimate choice for creating unforgettable memories, with an unforgettable view.

For more information, a tour, or even a cocktail get in touch with the team –eighteen@xandwhy.co.uk

Nominations now open for 2024 Tourism Awards

Entries are now open for the 2024 West Midlands Tourism Awards, giving the region’s tourism and hospitality businesses an opportunity to be recognised for their quality, innovation and exceptional customer service.

Now in their fourth cycle, the awards celebrate best practice across the West Midlands tourism industry in 14 categories, including “Tourism Event/Festival of the Year”, “New Tourism Business” and “Taste of the West Midlands”.

The awards highlight the importance of tourism’s contribution to the West Midlands. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, spending by visitors to the region contributed an annual £13.1 bn to the economy. That number is expected to increase significantly following a successful 2022 for the West Midlands in the international spotlight, boosted by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Coventry UK City of Culture.

Supported by the West Midlands Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board (THAB) and the West Midlands Growth Company – which attracts visitors and events to the region – the awards are free to enter and will be independently judged.

The closing date for entries is 16 June, with the 2024 awards ceremony taking place early next year.

Andrew Lovett, chair of the West Midlands Tourism & Hospitality Advisory Board, said: “Awards help to raise standards. They show us what best looks like and inspire us to do better. That’s good for visitors, delegates, clients and customers, and it’s good for business.

“So, whether you’re an events venue, festival, visitor attraction, pub, restaurant or accommodation provider, I encourage you to get involved. Together, let’s celebrate the people and businesses which make the West Midlands such a welcoming place.”

The gold and silver winners of each West Midlands Tourism Awards category are automatically shortlisted for VisitEngland’s National Awards for Excellence, this year being held this month at Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour London.

For more information, visit www.makeitwm.com/wmta

Acorns bubbles over with excitement

Acorns Children’s Hospice will hold their biggest “Bubble Rush” at Walsall Arboretum on 23 July.

To celebrate the launch of the summer extravaganza, which is being held to raise funds towards the charity’s vital care for local children, Acorns is offering supporters the chance to make savings with a special early-bird ticket offer.

Zoe Baggott, Acorns senior manager for Events, explained: “We’re bursting with excitement for this

year’s Bubble Rush. It’s going to be our best one yet, you won’t want to miss it!”

The soapy spectacular will see hundreds of bubblers burst through a 4ft high sea of rainbow-coloured suds. All funds raised from the event will go towards the charity’s care for life-limited and life-threatened children and their families across the region.

For early bird ticket offer details visit www.acors.org.uk

Making a splash at the start of Acorns’ “Bubble Rush”

Raising standard: Andrew Lovett

Unlocking high-skilled jobs to transform region’s economy

Around 45,000 new jobs will be created in the West Midlands over the next 10 years in a huge £3bn boost to the economy centred on the “golden thread” of digital innovation, a report claims.

Forecasts by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) suggest that a new wave of low carbon, 21st century sectors will help transform the regional economy, providing thousands of high-skilled, high-wage jobs.

Research suggests that in 10 years around half of all jobs will be changed by automation in the move towards an increasingly digital, low carbon economy focused on green industries and new technology.

Average wages of more than £50,000 can be expected in aerospace and financial services, between £33,000 and £50,000 in the creative content production, video gaming, health and medical technology and electric vehicle manufacturing sectors and up to £33,000 in the logistics and distribution and low carbon housing manufacture sectors.

The WMCA says the digital sector will prove to be the “bedrock” on which the future of the region’s growth will revolve – based around eight industrial clusters which will give the region a competitive advantage and encouraging new investment.

The upbeat analysis follows last summer’s launch by the WMCA of a regional Plan for Growth designed to ignite the eight clusters, including electric vehicles, solar and wind power technology, factory-built homes manufacturing, professional and financial services, health and medical technology, aerospace, video gaming and the logistics and distribution sector.

Julie Nugent, the WMCA’s executive director for economic delivery, skills and communities, said: “Digital is the golden thread running through the 21st century workplace and it will be the bedrock on which the high-skilled, high wage economy of the future will be built.

“The Plan for Growth brings together the private and public sectors to set out a clear road map for economic growth that is strong, clean and benefits all our communities.

“The priority is to build on our existing strengths and drive forward investment in these emerging industries, so they generate even more high value jobs and opportunities for local people in the years ahead.

“The WMCA and its public sector partners are helping to lay solid foundations for this growth, investing billions of pounds to build new transport infrastructure, unlock more derelict land for affordable, energy-efficient housing and commercial workspaces and to support local people into work by capitalising on our strengths, in particular those future industries that can power a regional and national recovery.”

To find out more about you can learn the skills needed to work in the industries of the future visit: www.wmca.org.uk

Digital overhaul to modernise markets

Birmingham’s Wholesale Markets

predate the digital era by nearly 900 years - and now supply chains to one of the city’s most traditional trading assets are set for a 21st century transformation.

Eddie Price, director of the Witton-based complex, said the new technological revolution forecast by the West Midlands Combined Authority would speed buying and selling across the multiple supply chains serving an institution dating back to the 12th century.

“Because traders are buying in bulk on long-term contracts, the processes can be much more automated. We are talking here about the whole supply chain – the food processing sector, the retail sector, these are the sectors which will be affected by digitalisation.

“Digitalisation will improve global connectivity, the ability to react speedily to demand, deliver operational efficiencies throughout

the supply chain and will be the platform for a more sustainable urban food supply chain.

“Critically, it will reduce waste in the system, drive the introduction of eco-friendly processes and accelerate the delivery of a healthy eating culture.”

The Internet era marks the latest chapter in the story of one of the city’s most cherished institutions, dating back to 1166, when the Lord of the Manor Peter de Birmingham first obtained a Royal charter permitting him to hold a market at his “castle at Birmingham”.

The original market would ultimately provide the impetus for the growth of Birmingham as a commercial centre from the 12th century onwards – and now that growth is set to be turbo-charged further by the digital revolution.

Eddie added: “It will speed up the processes down the line, upskilling employees to meet the challenges of ensuring the West Midlands public has a secure food supply chain that delivers good quality fresh produce accessible to all.”

The city’s Wholesale Markets are one of the largest integrated markets of their kind in Europe, providing fresh produce to restaurants, hotels, fast food outlets and local retailers across the Midlands and Wales.

They moved to their new home at the Hub Industrial Estate in Witton in 2018 from the former base in Pershore Street following a huge Birmingham City Council investment programme.

‘The priority is to build on our existing strengths and drive forward investment in these emerging industries’

Moving into digital era: Birmingham Wholesale Market

Apprenticeship Skills Focus

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

With fantastic links with local NHS Trusts, the team recruited, assessed, and placed the first four Healthcare Science Associate Level 4 apprentices with a focus on Genetics in the country. At the same time, they have increased recognition as being the premier college in the Black Country, and wider Birmingham area, for Healthcare Science apprenticeship training. Halesowen College are also exploring other areas of healthcare, for example, launching their Community Activator Level 2 qualification focusing on getting people active and introducing Healthcare Support Worker Level 2, supporting the care needs across the local area.

During the pandemic many businesses restructured, and this has allowed some employees to progress into management roles. In a bid to support these new managers, the apprenticeship team are looking to refine and relaunch the Operations Manager Level 5 apprenticeship. As well as this support to management, the team are supporting Businesses in general with their Business Administration Level 3 and Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 Qualifications.

This focus will not only provide the skills that the area needs, but it will also provide opportunities for local business to recruit the necessary staff as well as develop and grow tomorrow’s workforce.

For more details on recruiting apprentices or training through apprenticeships contact Gary Johnson at the Halesowen College Skills Shop on 0121 602 7777 choosing option 6.

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Full approval granted to Aston Medical School

given full approval by the General Medical Council (GMC), allowing it to award degrees to graduating students for the first time this year.

The Medical School at Aston University completed the GMC’s rigorous quality assurance process, which began in 2016. The decision, ratified by the GMC’s Council, means Aston Medical School can be added to the list of UK bodies able to award a primary medical qualification.

The approval also means that from this summer, medical graduates from Aston University will be added to the medical register and will be able to join the UK’s healthcare workforce as doctors.

Venue appoints general manager

Kirpal Mehta (pictured) has joined Birmingham's residential events venue, Conference Aston, bringing more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry.

Starting his career in 2002, Kirpal has worked for major brands and organisations throughout the Midlands including Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Twycross Zoo and Tamworth Snowdome.

Kirpal will serve as general manager responsible for overseeing catering and housekeeping services at the venue.

Kirpal said: “Conference Aston is a fantastic venue that has a great reputation throughout the region and beyond, so I am excited to be a part of that and working with the team, who are absolutely committed and great to work with.”

its first students in 2018 and will be graduating its first cohort at its graduation ceremonies next month.

Professor Helen Cameron, dean of medical education at Aston Medical School, said: “This is a really exciting moment for Aston Medical School, and we are delighted for our students, especially our pioneer cohort who will graduate in July with an Aston University medical degree.

“Our focus on providing excellent education and support to a diverse range of students, including those from disadvantaged communities, has been at the heart of our mission since the school’s inception.”

chancellor and chief executive of Aston University, said: "Receiving full approval from the GMC is a significant milestone for the Aston Medical School and Aston University in general, and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students.

“This achievement enables us to continue our mission of developing the next generation of medical professionals, with a particular focus on promoting diversity and inclusion in healthcare education and improving healthcare in the community.”

Work underway on skills centre

Work on the Sustainable Construction Skills Centre for the University College Birmingham (UCB) is making excellent progress.

The centre, located in the James Cond former printworks in the centre of Birmingham, will be home to the university’s specialist courses in modular methods of construction, retrofit and green technologies from September.

The courses will support the region’s growth areas, including sustainable construction methods and renewable energy.

Michael Harkin, vice-chancellor and principal of UCB, said of the site progress: “Having made such a headway with construction, we’re now looking forward to the completion of the site, ready for our first intake of students in September.

“This crucial skills centre is part of our wider plans in developing our provision to meet regional skills demands and deliver future industry-ready graduates.”

Contractors GMI Construction Group PLC is a national awardwinning UK business providing specialist design and build capabilities, spanning multiple sectors, including education.

Gareth Jones, joint managing

director for GMI Midlands, said: “This scheme is an exciting one for GMI’s portfolio in the Midlands. Not only is it located next to our George Street office, it fits with our commitment and values as a business as we build the centre that will house the next wave of young construction talent in our industry.”

Rosa Wells, executive dean of the School of Engineering, Digital and

Sustainable Construction, said: “It is exciting to see the progress on the Sustainable Construction Skills Centre; the building is being sensitively restored to maintain many of the original features and architecture incorporating innovative retrofit ideas alongside heritage building techniques. This makes it a unique skills centre for our construction students to learn in.”

High expectations (left to right): Graham Ashberry, project manager at GMI; Rosa Wells, Professor Michael Harkin, and Gareth Jones

Healthcare diversity: Professor Aleks Subic

Coach firm announces new name

National Express Group PLC has changed its name to ‘Mobico Group’ from this month.

The board of directors of the transport operator says that it believes that the “Mobico name better reflects the group’s international nature and its diverse range of mobility services”.

The National Express name will still be used with the national coach network and “certain other businesses”.

‘We remain focused on providing best-in-class services and delivering our Evolve strategy’

The group’s subsidiaries will retain their brand names including those used across the group’s global operations of Alsa, WeDriveU, Peterman and Durham School Services.

No operational or structural changes are set to be made, with the board promising it will be

implemented “in a cost-effective way”.

A further announcement will be made when the name change becomes effective, at which point the group will adopt a new stock ticker, “MCG”. Until then, trading will continue under the existing “NEX” ticker.

Ignacio Garat, National Express Group chief executive, said: “Whilst National Express is a highly valued consumer brand, Mobico better represents our multi-modal operations, global reach and future ambitions.

“We remain focused on providing best-in-class services and delivering our Evolve strategy, with the intent of establishing Mobico Group as the world’s premier shared mobility operator.”

All change: One of the National Express fleet in the West Midlands

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Mayor visits thriving tech firm

With the Birmingham tech scene gaining more momentum than ever before, Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands, has spent time at thriving Solihull tech business, Wise.

The mayor was given a tour of the software company by chief commercial officer Dan Richards and chief technology officer James Orton. The visit to the firm was an opportunity for the mayoralongside the newly-appointed West Midlands’ tech commissioner Martin Ward - to hear about Wise’s journey so far and its role within the wider region tech community.

Founded in December 2019, Wise has undergone rapid growth to become one of the UK’s fastestgrowing software businesses. The award-winning firm now employs over 90 people and was recently named on Silicon Valley Comes to the UK’s 2023 Scale-Up Club.

The meeting was also attended by Chris Meah, chief executive at School of Code, a free digital skills bootcamp that equips people across the nation with essential coding skills, transforming their career prospects before pairing them with a wide range of employer partners.

Mayor Street said: “Wise are an incredibly impressive business, flying the flag high for West Midlands tech.

“It was fantastic to meet the team, and I look forward to working with them as they continue to grow - and we continue to expand and evolve our tech industry in the region.”

James Orton said: “We were delighted to welcome Andy and Martin to Wise HQ, giving them an overview of what we do as well as introducing him to our amazing team.”

Future of Royal Angus revealed by Switch

Ltd – owners of the Park Regis hotel in Birmingham - have revealed details of Birmingham’s Royal Angus Hotel redevelopment, with the new 'Aparthotel Birmingham’ located in Snowhill set to launch this autumn.

Acquired by SevenCapital in August 2020, the 92,000 sq ft site will be managed by Switch Hospitality as part of its growing asset management portfolio, which includes its flagship hotel, Park Regis Birmingham, Holiday Inn Express Birmingham South and the re-opening of the fullyrefurbished Nite Nite hotel in Central Birmingham.

The redevelopment of Royal Angus into a luxury serviced apart-hotel will now offer guests the choice of 161 studios, one and two-bedroomed apartments and suites across nine floors, in a prime city-centre location.

Whether it’s for work, leisure or family travel – and with the flexibility to book as long or short a stay as needed – Aparthotel Birmingham will provide guests with all the familiar comforts of home, while offering the exceptional service, premium amenities, flexibility and

within the heart of the city’s thriving business district, Aparthotel Birmingham has a dedicated link bridge from the car park, is just a 10-minute walk from the Bullring shopping centre and is less than a mile from Birmingham New Street train station.

John Angus, managing director at Switch Hospitality, said: “From the pre-planning stages of Royal Angus’ redevelopment, we were able to offer expert consultation that would both maximise the asset value for SevenCapital, while responding to the burgeoning demand for high-quality accommodation in the city centre.

“Having successfully managed Park Regis, which received the title of Best UK Hotel for the second year, we pride ourselves on providing best-in-class service that prioritises the needs of both leisure and corporate clients.

“Whether guests choose to stay at Aparthotel Birmingham for a weekend or a month, we are committed to providing all the comforts of a home away from home, with the Switch-standard level of service guaranteed.”

Damien Siviter, group managing director at

Birmingham will prove a fantastic asset to the hospitality provision in Birmingham city centre, with very few of this kind currently in operation in its locality.

“We’re pleased to have Switch Hospitality Management on board to manage its operations, having established a successful working partnership with them already through our Park Regis Hotel and St Martin’s Place residential developments, both of which Switch have been exemplary in providing a first-class service to customers and residents. We look forward to the anticipated opening later this year.”

Award-winning Switch Hospitality Management Ltd offers management and consultancy services across a variety of asset classes.

Aparthotel Birmingham is the latest addition to its portfolio, which includes Park Regis Birmingham, voted as the UK’s Best Hotel in 2021 and 2022 by M&IT Awards, St Martin’s Place, Lyndon House, Holiday Inn Express Birmingham South and Nite Nite Hotel.

Visit: www.swhm.co.uk

Streetwise: Andy Street (second left) with the Wise team

Claritas Tax is top employer

Claritas Tax has been recognised within the top 100 in this year’s Sunday Times Best Place to Work.

Claritas was founded on the principles of delivering excellent quality tax advice while retaining a friendly, collaborative and fun working environment which is often lacking in the financial services industry.

The taste of success as Nimisha wins dispute

National law firm Freeths has successfully saved UK mumpreneur’s “ready to cook” spices and ingredients business after damaging copycat allegations were made by an overseas competitor.

Following several years of disgruntled disputes, Milton Keynes mum Nimisha Chotai finally won her case against spice manufacturer Pravin Masalewale to protect her brand “Masalawaala” after a hearing officer found the Indian-based company held no trademark rights in Britain.

The case began in the UK Intellectual Property Office in March, 2022, and included allegations of

bad faith. The international business argued Nimisha’s company had allegedly sought to hijack the Masalawaala trademark for its own benefit and prevent Pravin Masalewale from trading in Britain under its own name.

Faced with the prospect of losing her business and livelihood, Nimisha fought back.

The Freeths team, led by intellectual property and media partner Martin Noble, successfully argued that Nimisha had developed the Masalawaala name in good faith and could not be prevented from using it as there were no earlier rights and her name was sufficiently different.

Digital agency looks forward to healthy future

Award-winning video and animation agency Stone’s Throw Media are looking forward to a healthy future following a string of NHS successes.

Stone’s Throw Media have worked with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Birmingham & Solihull NHS Trust since 2019 and after developing these relationships, have nowsecured a strong pipeline of digital projects. These have included explaining the role of maternity support workers and promoting the journey of clinical training programmes,

The leading Wolverhampton-based digital agency is delivering further animation projects covering topics from dementia, inclusivity, diversity and equality to patient check-up and maternity videos.

Stone’s Throw Media co-founder Matt Weston said: “We have worked with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS and Birmingham & Solihull NHS Trusts on a wide variety of projects which capture different aspects of the healthcare system. We really enjoy the relationship we have and are thrilled to have secured a number of

Commenting on the win, Martin said: “This was a great victory for Nimisha. The IPO has exonerated the Masalawaala brand from the allegations of fakery and deception made by their opponent and this decision means Nimisha can continue to focus on expanding her brand and growing goodwill through increased sales.”

Nimisha added: “I’m thrilled and most of all relieved that all the hard work put in to create Masalawaala has not gone to waste.

“Building a solid reputation and brand presence is ve ry important to us at this stage, and Freeths understood this completely.”

Following in-depth canvassing of Claritas’ staff, this ranking reflects the success and recognition of their team.

Partner Iain Wright said: “Proud doesn’t even cut it. From a record year in 2022, our team continues to grow and thrive. I would like to say a personal well done and thank you to the whole team, who continue to work tirelessly on delivering the best service for our clients while supporting and encouraging one another.”

Partner Matt Hodgson said: “This is a direct reflection of the culture we work so hard to nurture and maintain. We take the time to recruit people whose personalities we consider will fit our wider values and this clearly shows in this ranking.”

Claritas have welcomed Nikhil Trivedi as their latest member of the full-service tax business.

Nikhil will join Claritas’ rapidly expanding employment taxes team, while being supported to study for the ICAEW and Chartered Institute of Taxation qualifications.

projects for these clients for 2023. No two jobs are the same and we feel honoured to be able to document and communicate vital information on behalf of the trusts.”

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust’s Parent Education Midwife Nicola Hawker said: “Stone’s Throw Media have a unique way of bringing our messages to life in a creative and engaging way. Since our relationship began in 2019 we have worked on a variety of projects and look forward to seeing what innovative ways the Stone’s Throw team can illustrate our important work in 2023 and beyond.”

Stone’s Throw Media co-founder Mike Chinn said: “It’s great to be involved in what the NHS does to help inform the public. The NHS provide an amazing service, so to be part of their world is a great feeling.”

He said “I am very excited and fortunate to be joining a fast-growing, competitive, and reputable firm such as Claritas. I hope to gain invaluable experience while working on employment tax matters, as well as a variety of different areas that Claritas offers which supports clients with practical tax advice, and in turn, helps Claritas achieve its ambitious future growth plans.”

Iain added: “Our team continues to grow in order to meet the demand from clients. Talent is at the core of our business. The firm benefits from having a wide and diverse pool of people, and Nikhil only strengthens and builds upon our full-service tax offering to the mid-market.”

Healthy future: Stone’s Throw Media co-founder Mike Chinn with content creator Tom Williams

Copycat battle: Nimisha Chotai

International Trade

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E: ibh@birmingham-chamber.com

Exploring new ways to tap into Ontario

Positive outlook for German-British business

According to a spring survey conducted by German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce, the outlook for the GermanBritish business community shows a significantly more positive picture than six months ago.

Currently, 55 per cent view their own operations as performing positively or very positively. Their outlook for the coming 12 months has developed in line with these figures, suggesting that companies are managing the current challenges well.

For these reasons, one third of companies plan to increase their investment and an even higher share (46 per cent) expect to employ more staff.

Assessing the development of the UK economy, firms still take a much more cautious view: only 23 per cent expect the UK economy to perform better over the coming 12 months, with 37 per cent expecting it to perform worse.

The shortage of skills, partly because of the new immigration rules, is the largest challenge for companies with the other administrative hurdles as a result of Brexit ranking second. Concerns around energy costs are still high on the agenda, but the supply chain pressures on businesses seem to be easing, creating less cause for concern than six months ago.

The recently concluded Windsor Framework is generally expected to lead to some improvement in the economic and political relationship between the EU and the UK, but only few (two per cent) expect it to have any significant effect on their business activities in the UK.

Dr Ulrich Hoppe, director general of the German-British Chamber of Industry & Commerce, said: "The survey results suggest that the German-British business community is not immune to global trends, but it continues to navigate the current challenges well.”

Ontario’s position as a gateway for trading in North America was explored during an event hosted by Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce.

Sophia Arvanitis, Ontario’s agent-general to the United Kingdom, delivered a keynote address on why companies are flocking to Canada’s most populous province to launch North American operations at the Birmingham city centre offices of PR firm Liquid.

Ms Arvanitis provided an overview of Ontario’s key sectors and areas of opportunity for UK companies, including ways to tap into its talents, and market access to Canada and the United States

She explained how the sector focus in Ontario is aligned with the West Midlands including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean technology and information technology.

‘Among Ontario's trading partners, the United Kingdom ranks No.2 in exports’

In 2021, Ontario and United Kingdom total trade was valued at CAD$16.3bn.

Ms Arvanitis also went on to deliver evidence of Ontario’s economic success and political stability. An area of real synergy with the West

Midlands region was the innovation ecosystem. Ontario has the largest concentration of innovation incubators, and also has a food cluster with 49,600 farms and food and beverage delivers CAD$12.5bn.

Among Ontario's trading partners, the United Kingdom ranks No.2 in exports and has a 5.5 per cent share of the province's total exports.

The event also heard from Elisabeth Lewis-Jones and the work of her company Liquid, a global, integrated and award-winning creative consultancy whose connections with Canada stem from providing marketing and creative consultancy for the Québec Maple Syrup producers.

Flexeserve adds to US team

Leading hot-holding manufacturer Flexeserve is making further inroads in the US – as it marks six months since setting up in North America.

The firm’s latest addition to its Stateside team is office manager, Katie Brewer (pictured), who is assisting with the overall growth strategy and spearheading the creation of the US headquarters in Dallas.

Flexeserve has been developing the presence of its game-changing equipment and expertise across the Americas.

Dave Hinton, a highly respected foodservice executive, has been in post for six months, leading the brand’s strategy for the territory and transforming the way American operators serve and sell hot food.

When Dave’s appointment was announced in November, 2022, it marked a major milestone in Flexeserve’s evolution and a landmark in the brand’s strategy to establish itself in the US.

Since then, the company has made major headway and is in the process of establishing its US HQ in Southlake (Dallas) Texas.

Dave said: “These first six months have flown by – the momentum and level of activity has been fantastic.

“We’ve seen significant progress in many areas, driven by our spectacular team of experts who have delivered straight off the bat. Our VP of technical service, Patrick Walker, and our director of culinary Adam Dyer are now joined by Katie Brewer.

“Collaborating regularly with our team in the UK and exploring the British grab-and-go market –which is more advanced than in the US – has been a major catalyst in helping us understand and communicate how Flexeserve changes the game.”

Katie arrives with a diverse career background in which she has developed expertise in client and financial management.

Katie said: “I’m delighted to join this amazing team, and we have some exciting challenges ahead of us as we establish this incredible brand’s rightful place at the forefront of the American foodservice market.”

Not immune to trends: Dr Ulrich Hoppe

Contact: Mandy Haque

T: 0121 725 8994

Scoring top advice on trading in Vietnam

Vietnam is a key gateway for West Midlands businesses seeking to broaden their overseas trade links post-Brexit, a seminar in Birmingham heard.

The Far East state is ripe for enterprising regional firms looking to take advantage of booming sectors such as technology and medicine, the event at Number 5 Barristers Chambers heard.

The seminar was attended by a wide variety of business representatives, including the Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long, Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier, and Tony McDaid, president of Birmingham Law Society.

And the Ambassador received a taste of the English sporting scene when he watched the Aston Villa-Tottenham match at Villa Park as a guest of Aston University.

The Vietnamese Ambassador said there was ample room for a growth in trading between Vietnam and the UK – its ninth biggest trade partner – with bilateral trade expected to jump to around $10bn over the next three to five years.

Andy Hipgrave, international logistics manager with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), who attended the event, said: “This was an extremely interesting and wellattended event – the growth of Vietnam over the last 10 to 15 years has been phenomenal.”

The UK is currently Vietnam’s ninth biggest importer and the fourth largest among European and American importers after the US, Germany and the Netherlands. The UK is also among the 15 biggest investors in the nation with 500 projects worth $4.19bn.

Unlocking opportunities for young Indian entrepreneurs

Great opportunities open for doing business in India and the UK were spelled out to young Indian entrepreneurs at a gathering at the Indian consulate in Birmingham.

Young Indians (Yi) is one the founder members of the G20YEA (G20 Young Entrepreneur Alliance). The G20YEA is a global network of approximately 500,000 young entrepreneurs and the organisations that support them.

The alliance leads organisations representing the G20 countries who seek to promote youth entrepreneurship as a powerful driver of economic renewal, job creation, innovation and social change. The delegation comprised 6 Yi young entrepreneurs and professionals

Mandy Haque, international director at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “It was a pleasure to be invited by Dr Shashank Vikram, the Consul General of India, to meet the Young Indian Entrepreneurs at the Indian Consulate in Birmingham.

“Along with other key stakeholders, I heard about the great opportunities and innovation across India and the enthusiasm to work with Midlands businesses across all sectors. India is a key market for the West Midlands region and these connections are all important for future trading relationships.”

Support needed in life sciences sector

A new White Paper which calls for a stronger policy that can sustain the UK’s position as a leading global player in life sciences, has been released by transatlantic trade body BritishAmerican Business (BAB).

BAB – of which the Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce is part - says that although the life sciences sector has been a success story for the UK over many years, its foundations are starting to weaken and the sector needs the government to take immediate action to ensure its long-term success.

BAB’s White Paper puts forward a set of recommendations that will support the UK’s position as a leading global player in the field - attract investment from transatlantic companies and help people access medicines, prevent disease and live longer, healthier lives. The report recommends that the UK Government focus its efforts on three areas –commercial environment, clinical trials and trade and intellectual property.

BritishAmerican Business chief executive Duncan Edwards said: “The future of the UK life sciences sector is at stake. Delivering on the recommendations outlined in this report will go a long way to ensuring the UK restores its competitive edge in the life sciences sector.”

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Entrepreneurial spirit: Mandy Haque (front, third left) with Indian entrepreneurs.

East meets west: The Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long at the Aston VillaTottenham Hotspur game with Mark Smith, executive director of business engagement at hosts Aston University, and Mandy Haque, international director at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

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Awards launched with new categories

The Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) announced the launch of the ABCC Awards 2023, taking place at The National Conference Centre on Saturday 18 November.

The headline sponsor of the awards dinner is Doug Wright T/A McDonalds while there are two more headline sponsorship opportunities available.

The ceremony has three new categories, including outstanding male entrepreneur, outstanding female entrepreneur, and outstanding professional service of the year. This brings the total categories that businesses can apply for up to eight. They are;

1. Outstanding Small Business of the Year

2. Outstanding Start-Up Business of the Year

3. Outstanding Young Achiever of the YearSponsored by Staffordshire University

4. Outstanding Female Entrepreneur of the Year

5. Outstanding Male Entrepreneur of the Year

6. Outstanding Tech & Digital Business of the Year - Sponsored by South and City College Birmingham

7. Outstanding Professional Services of the Year

8. Outstanding Charity of the YearSponsored by OTD Ltd

One business out of the eight winners will be crowned as ABCC Overall Business of the Year 2023, sponsored by Aston University.

Speaking about the launch, ABCC president Omar Rashid said: “I am absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of our annual dinner and awards.

“To return to the National Conference Centre is great as last year’s event generated an amazing atmosphere.

“I truly urge businesses to apply for one of our awards, there is something very prestigious in being shortlisted and winning a Chamber award.”

Director of ABCC Anjum Khan said: “We are casting the net wide and applications for the award will be accepted from Businesses in Greater Birmingham including the West Midlands.

“If you can demonstrate what impact your business has had within the Asian community, then we want to hear from you.”

Application and sponsorship details along with ticket pricing information is available on the event website. A platinum table of 12 is priced at £1,500.

For more information, contact ABCCawards@birmingham-chamber.com

Education trust boss steps down after 26 years in role

CEO of Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT) Sajid Gulzar has decided to vacate his position after 26 years of serving children across Birmingham.

Sajid has decided to take on a new role in Dubai with Kings’ Education.

Sajid's journey in education began in 1997 when he started teaching at Cromwell Primary. In 2015, he assumed the position of CEO at Prince Albert Community Trust, having cofounded the Multi Academy Trust alongside deputy CEO, Phillipa Sherlock-Lewis.

In September 2021, Sajid’s dream of providing high-quality secondary education came to life when Prince Albert High School was officially opened by Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai.

In recognition of his services to education,

Sajid was awarded an OBE in 2019. More recently, he has received an honorary fellowship from the University of Birmingham at their Education Leadership Academy in recognition of his outstanding contribution as a school and multi-academy trust leader in Birmingham.

PACT's Board has appointed deputy CEO Phillipa Sherlock Lewis as Sajid’s successor.

Sajid Gulzar said: “Leading the PACT has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. I have led a team of amazing staff who have achieved wonderful things for our pupils.

“Thousands of children have received a better education as result. I will look back with deep satisfaction at what we have achieved together, not least the legacy of a brand new school that is already doing exceptional work.”

Centre stage: Omar Rashid addresses last year’s awards dinner

Greatest privilege: Sajid Gulzar

Forward Carers join as patron

Each year, 1.9 million workers in the UK take on an unpaid caring role supporting a family member or dependant who relies on them. And every day, 600 employees give up work to carry out their caring responsibilities.

And those startling statistics have prompted a not-for-profit Birmingham organisation to work closely with companies in the region to provide guidance to employers and businesses so they can support working carers.

Award-winning Forward Carers have been providing support for carers for eight years and have now become patrons of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) to create more awareness among businesses.

This month, government legislation is due to give carers the right to five days unpaid leave a year and has successfully passed its third

partner, child, parent or other dependant who has a long-term care need due to a disability, physical or mental health illness, old age or injury, that is likely to require at least three months of care.

Simon Fenton, chief executive of Forward Carers, said: “One of the main reasons we decided to become a patron of the ABCC is to strengthen our link with businesses.

reading in the House of Lords, meaning it is now just one step away from receiving Royal Assent and becoming law.

The Carers Leave Bill 2022-23, is a Private Members Bill introduced by Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife Wendy Chamberlain. The Bill would apply to anyone caring for a spouse, civil

Businesses come together for annual Vaisakhi celebration

By FeronJayawradene

The Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) successfully held its annual Vaisakhi celebration, a highlight of the Sikh calendar.

The event was held at Conference Aston, with an attendance of around 100 members and guests. It was hosted by ABCC vice-president Sapreena Kumari.

The significance of the festival involves how the 10th Guru of the Sikhs introduced the “Order of the Pure Ones”, as well as honouring the work of farmers and paying tribute to God for food and praying for future prosperity.

The guests were welcomed by ABCC president Omar Rashid. He said: “It is amazing to see such a great turnout to our first ABCC festival event of 2023. Just as Vaisakhi signifies a new beginning for Sikhs, I like to draw parallels to the business world, who like many in this room also seek to renew and refresh themselves to achieve greater success.

“Moreover, the principles of community, equality, and selfless service that form the foundation of Vaisakhi are also essential for businesses to thrive.”

“Our Carer Friendly Communities Workplace Programme helps employers to provide the right support for Working Carers so business can retain their best staff, reduce sickness absence and improve staff wellbeing.”

Anjum Khan, director of the ABCC, part of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), has joined Forward Carers as a nonexecutive director.

Anjum said: “The reason for me joining this board is that as an unpaid carer, I tapped into support they were offering during Covid for my father. In my role, I want to highlight the free support available to carers and raise awareness of the support available from Forward Carers to workplaces such as Corporate Carer Aware Training, the Carer Friendly Employer Commitment Mark and Carer Friendly Business Awards.”

You can find out further information at forwardcarers.org.uk/workplace-training.

A 10 per cent discount on Carer Aware Training will be available to Chamber members when booking during June and July 2023.

Speakers included Amrit Chandan, CEO and co-founder of Aceleron and Mark Smith, executive director of business engagement at Aston University. Amrit, who is also in the Forbes 30 and under 30 list, spoke about creating a sustainable future. He said: “We’ve got a good market for sustainability and growth. The market for clean tech and clean growth is growing by 30 per cent. This also means that businesses will be designed to be here for the future, creating a long-standing effect on the world.”

Mark Smith said: “Vaisakhi is a time to come together as a community and a time to build bridges and respect everyone. I’d like to thank ABCC for choosing Conference Aston.

“Sponsoring ABCC events is a great way of reaching out to the audience.”

‘In my role, I want to highlight the free support available to carers’

New patrons: Programme managers Anna Smith and Holly Pyke, director of ABCC Anjum Khan, ABCC president Omar Rashid, programme manager Georgina Koceli, project manager Bernie Hutchinson and Forward Carers CEO Simon Fenton

Celebration (left to right) Director of ABCC Anjum Khan, ABCC vice president Sapreena Kumari, executive director of business engagement at Aston University Mark Smith, ABCC president Omar Rashid, CEO & Co-Founder of Aceleron Amrit Chandan, and ABCC vice president Neelam Afzal

Cannock Chase

Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce

Contact: Richard Brooks

T: 07796 242029

Apprentices assist expansion

Two apprentices are helping a disabled fitness company’s expansion of its production and sales of a revolutionary wheelchair treadmill, thanks to Midland training experts Performance Through People (PTP).

Invictus Active, based in Four Ashes, Wolverhampton, was set up by Scott Smith and Paul Cooksey, who are both full-time wheelchair users following spinal cord injuries.

Launched in 2015, the company is now focusing on the market growth of its Invictus Active Trainer, a lightweight, portable fitness machine, similar to a treadmill, which helps wheelchair users to get fit.

With the help of PTP, Invictus Active has recruited Kenzy Wilkins, aged 16, from Wolverhampton, on a Lean Manufacturing Level 2 Apprenticeship, and Michael Hogg, aged 22, of Wombourne, on a Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship.

Scott, co-founder of Invictus Active, said: “The recruitment went really well thanks to PTP, who screened all the applicants so that we had a good list of suitable people for interview.

“Kenzy started with us in December and is already helping with our development of the warehousing and assembly operations.

“Michael joined us in March to assist with the expansion of our administration and sales.”

Invictus Active supplies many disability products across the world, as well as providing online wheelchair fitness sessions, with the aim

of enabling anyone to be as fit and active as possible.

The Invictus Active Trainer has sold more than 1,000 since its launch, and the company is now developing links with gyms and international dealers to accelerate its growth.

Scott added: “The trainer has proved itself as a crucial, life-changing piece of equipment to help wheelchair users.”

Senior promotion for Enoch Evans solicitor

Solicitor Laura Philips, from law firm Enoch Evans, has celebrated her promotion to senior solicitor.

She works in the residential conveyancing department.

Laura’s journey into the legal industry started when she undertook her law degree at Keele University, followed by her legal practice course (LPC) at BPP University in Birmingham.

Alongside her LPC, Laura worked in the residential conveyancing department at a local high street firm where she was then offered her training contract to qualification. She then has specialised in residential property, joining the team at Enoch Evans in 2020.

Her areas of expertise include a range of services in sales and purchases of both freehold and leasehold property, buy-to-let investment properties, re-mortgages, and many others.

Laura said: “I have been working in residential property since I graduated from Keele University in 2013. Until my time here at

Enoch Evans, I had dealt with predominantly transactional conveyancing matters.

“However, the firm has allowed me to broaden my knowledge and experiences in residential property by dealing with more complex cases and non-transactional property work which has helped me grow as a solicitor.”

Managing partner of Enoch Evans David Evans, said: “Laura is a fantastic ambassador for Enoch Evans LLP and our conveyancing department, and this promotion is well deserved.”

Laura added: “I am delighted to have been promoted to senior solicitor within the firm and I am extremely grateful to the partnership for this opportunity.

“I have recently celebrated my three-year work anniversary at Enoch Evans and I knew from the start of my time here that Enoch Evans was the place I wanted to pursue my career in property law. I am excited to continue to progress my career at Enoch Evans surrounded by our wonderful team.”

Invictus Active received grants from the Staffordshire Means Back to Business campaign to recruit the two apprentices who have expanded the company’s workforce to six.

Gill Durkin, business executive with PTP, which is part of the BCTG Group, said: “We’ve really enjoyed working with Invictus Active, which is a fascinating company with a growing reputation for assisting wheelchair users with their unique products.”

Chase Chamber Patrons

Broadened knowledge: Laura Philips

Friends in fitness (left to right): Kenzy Wilkins, Scott Smith and Michael Hogg

Contact: Richard Brooks

T: 07796 242029

Chamber appoints new executive committee

By FeronJayawradene

A new executive committee was appointed at the annual meeting of Burton & District Chamber of Commerce at the Pirelli Stadium.

Shaun Gray, European managing director of Ginho Group, will continue as the president. Newly-appointed vice-presidents are Chris Else, owner of Else solicitors, Nik Hardy, founder and managing director of Hardy Signs and Richard Wileman, appointed representative of Select Car Leasing.

Other committee members include;

• John Beaty – principal of Burton and South Derbyshire College

• Richard Faulkner – director of Alexander accountancy

• Russell Jeans – chief executive and principal recruiter of Sefton & Associates Limited

• Thomas Deery – enterprise manager of East Staffordshire Borough Council

• Paula Senior – fundraising and partnership manager of YMCA

• Andy Johnson – director of HMP Dovegate

• Rob page – founder of Rob Page consulting

• Rohit Parmar –data swami of perfect visual

Richard Brooks, head of Cannock Chase and Burton & District chamber of commerce, welcomed the guests and members while Nik Hardy chaired the AGM.

The Burton Albion Community Trust (BACT) was chosen as the charity for the year. BACT offer a wide range of programmes to inspire, engage and educate the local community.

President Shaun Gray said: “There is so much we can do over the next 12 months to promote actively and visibly what the region around Burton upon Trent and Uttoxeter has to offer as lively and viable commercial districts, while strengthening our ties and connections with the rest of the Greater Birmingham region.”

Chamber member backs memorial game

The Pirelli Stadium hosted a fundraising football match in memory of Brandon Sutton, who was in his second year on The Football and Education Course with Burton Albion Community Trust (BACT) and Burton and South Derbyshire College when he died on 1 January in a road traffic accident.

Chamber member Trent and Dove Housing – where Brandon’s father Nick Sutton worksagreed to cover the cost of the officials, stewarding and other requirements.

The Brandon Sutton Memorial Cup was raising money to support a Young People’s Bereavement Help Point that Burton Albion Community Trust will be running in conjunction with St Giles Hospice.

Brandon’s family said in the matchday programme: “We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to each of you for being here with us this evening and for purchasing a ticket. The proceeds will be donated towards supporting young people who are dealing with loss and bereavement.

“That's something which we know Brandon would have been proud to have been associated with.”

Autism Awareness Week gets support

Burton-based B2B specialists AI Global Media threw their support behind Fountains High School’s Autism Awareness Week.

Every year this special full week of events spreads awareness and education about how autism impacts people in their daily lives as well as their professional lives. This week encourages people to promote inclusivity and help build a promising environment for autistic people, supporting them where they need it the most.

As an employer, it is regarded as important to create an autism-friendly environment to allow for those with the disability to adapt easily and encourage positive development.

AI Global Media openly supports charities and aims to back local initiatives. During Autism Awareness Week, the business raised money for Fountains High School in Stretton, Burton. Throughout the week AI Global Media raised over £1000 for Fountains High School and it will be put towards providing the children with a variety of different trips and experiences.

Head of school Bev Rowley thanked the company for all the help they did raising money. She said: “We are overwhelmed with their generosity, and know our students will really benefit from the opportunities they will have as a result of this.”

After the fun week of funding commenced, AI Global Media employees Natalie Harrison and Patrick Doherty alongside creative director Kathryn

Hall went to the school to speak with the children.

Natalie said: “I feel very privileged to have spent my morning with the wonderful children at Fountains High School, and to work for a great Company, AI Global Media, who support fantastic charity initiatives like this.”

To support the autistic community, donations to the National Autistic Society can be made at: www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/donate

Burton & District Chamber Patrons

Burton Chamber powerhouse (left to right): Nik Hardy, Richard Faulkner, Rohit Parmar, Richard Wileman, Will Evans, Richard Brooks, Stefanie White, Paula Senior, Chris Else

The cup that cheers: Players celebrate after competing for the Brandon Sutton Memorial Cup

Autism friendly environment: AI Global Media staff visit Fountains High School

Contact: Chris Brewerton

T: 0845 6036650

Open call for theatre stories

Lichfield Garrick Theatre is inviting patrons old and new to recall their memories of the theatre as part of plans to mark the venue’s 20th anniversary this summer.

The theatre wants to hear people’s fondest, funniest and proudest stories of visiting the Garrick, whether to watch, perform or to attend a workshop or maybe meeting a friend or loved one for the first time.

Contributors are invited to send in an image or lend a programme to be used in an exhibition being created to tell the story of the Garrick’s first 20 years.

The theatre will be launching its anniversary year with an open house event on Saturday 1 July , with a host of free activities, including behind-thescenes tours, lighting and sound demonstrations, performances by community groups, workshops, and an display of Garrick memorabilia.

Local historian Jono Oates will also be on hand to answer questions and showcase the theatre’s original architectural drawings.

There will also be 20 chances during the day to win tickets for this year’s pantomime, ‘Beauty & the Beast’.

New general manager appointed at hotel

John Hall (pictured) has been appointed general manager at the Best Western The George Hotel in Bird Steet, Lichfield.

The family-owned hotel is a former 18th century coaching inn in the heart of the city. It has been owned by the Webb family since 2000 and has 45 bedrooms, a large banqueting suite for meetings and weddings, a stylish restaurant and a busy lounge bar that is popular for lunch, afternoon tea and drinks.

John has worked in the hospitality industry as a general manager for over 45 years. For the past few years, he has been working as an interim manager at various properties around the country where they have needed immediate support to stabilise staffing or finance issues.

He has now chosen to find a permanent role close to his home and family and joins the hotel at an exciting time. Outside work John’s main passion is golf.

Angela Burns, chief executive of Webb Hotel Group, said: “We are thrilled to have John joining our family-owned hotel and he is a safe pair of hands to develop our fantastic team.”

The theatre is also launching Garrick 20, a year-long project opening the Garrick to Lichfield’s many different communities. They aim to help 20 local groups and artists to realise a creative ambition, offer 20 training placements for young people and take creative opportunities into 20 schools.

To register an interest, email education@lichfieldgarrick.com

CEO and artistic director Daniel Buckroyd said: “Big birthdays like this are a great opportunity to celebrate the past, but as the Garrick continues to bounce back from Covid, we’re also very much looking towards the future”

People with memories or memorabilia of Lichfield Garrick are asked to email them to marketing@lichfieldgarrick.com

HR experts share insights over business breakfast

HR experts from four key employers across the Lichfield and Tamworth area shared their experience and recruitment lessons at a speaker breakfast event hosted at Lichfield Garrick Theatre.

It was chaired by Fiona Rouse, president of Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce and operations director at PI-KEM, an advanced materials supplier based in Tamworth.

The discussion included expert opinion from Sarah Findlay-Cobb, chief executive of the Landau Forte Academy Trust, Jennifer MoselyBradley, HR director at Palletways, Ian Pettifer, partner at Keelys Solicitors and Kate Wass, business and operations director at Premium Sales Consultancy.

Fiona said: “As part of the Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber’s ongoing campaign to offer

advice and support to our members as part of our series of ‘Business at Breakfast’ events it was a pleasure to welcome such well qualified and experienced speakers who shared their challenges and success with attendees about HR.”

Sarah Findlay-Cobb spoke of her experience in the education sector of making the right decision when hiring staff, linked to alignment with culture at work.

Jennifer Mosely-Bradley, speaking of her experience of setting up a wellbeing support structure at Palletways since November 2019, also referenced the importance of supporting the mental health of employees.

Ian Pettifer summed up many of the discussion points during the round table, especially with his decades of experience of advising businesses in employment law.

Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber Patrons

Speakers all (left to right): Kate Wass, Sarah Findlay-Cobb, Fiona Rouse, Jennifer Mosley-Bradley and Ian Pettifer.

Memories wanted from the Garrick regulars

T:

Family man elected as Sutton’s mayor

Sutton Coldfield family man Tony Briggs has been elected as mayor of the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield.

Councillor Briggs, who represents the Reddicap ward, has lived in the Royal Town with his wife Pamela for 25 years. Together they have two sons, Jonathan and David, who both studied in Sutton Coldfield.

The new mayor was first elected to the council in 2019 and has served on the planning and highways committee, allotment sub-committee as well as the council’s active Travel working group.

While the role is non-political, the mayor presides over meetings of the council and attends events across the town. He also

represents Sutton Coldfield at functions outside of the town involving local residents and organisations.

Councillor Briggs said: “I am delighted and honoured to serve as mayor for our wonderful community in Sutton Coldfield. As mayor, I plan to celebrate everything that is great about this town and look forward to working with as many different groups as possible to do this.”

Assisting Councillor Briggs as this year’s deputy mayor is Councillor John Perks, who represents Walmley and Minworth ward.

To invite the mayor to an upcoming event email: enquiries@suttoncoldfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk

School breaks quiz hoodoo

Talented students from Sutton Coldfield’s John Willmott School proved winning debaters in a speaking event which has been part of the town’s calendar for more than 20 years.

Members of Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce were tasked with judging the annual Sixth Form School debating contest, in a fascinating evening of argument and ideas.

Vice-chairman Gary Phelps hosted the event, with executive committee members Tina Swani and Dennis Kennedy acting as judges.

Students from John Willmott School won first place in the contest, which has been organised by Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell for more than 20 years and returned after a three-year break caused by the pandemic.

During the competition’s two-decade history, John Willmott had been the only local school to never lift the top prize of Best Debating Team, but students Hunor Veres and Tatenda Mutonga changed that this year.

The duo impressed judges Tina, of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, and Dennis, of community games organisers Inspire Activity, with persuasive debates on Post-Brexit Britain and the Royal Family.

Mr Mitchell was unable to attend the debates for the first time in years, due to urgent Ministerial duties brought about by the crisis in Sudan, so head judge Gary Phelps stepped in to chair the event.

Mr Mitchell said: “I was so very sorry not to be able to attend Arthur Terry school for the annual parliamentary debating competition, which always promises to be a highlight in my diary.

“This was because I was detained in London due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan threatening many including British citizens, which I was dealing with in my ministerial role in the Foreign Office. However, it’s clear that a wonderful evening was had.”

“Many congratulations to Hunor Veres and Tatenda Mutonga from John Willmott School for their first ever win of the debating competition in the 20-plus years it has been in existence.”

Nicola Gould, headteacher of John Willmott, which is part of the Arthur Terry Learning Trust, said: “We are so proud of Hunor and Tatenda for winning the debating competition.

“We’ll be bringing the trophy back to John Willmott, and hope it inspires our students to go on and aim ever higher.”

Charity of the Year

Major facelift for Sutton Almshouses

A second phase of work has been completed on Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust’s Almshouses, paving the way for a major £870,000 refurbishment.

The extensive facelift provides upgrading of the residents’ facilities, the guest room and the wardens’ accommodation.

The Almshouses are a combination of bungalows and maisonettes located at Lingard House in Walmley, Sutton Coldfield, typically designed for individuals over 60 years old. Currently, the properties house a total of 52 residents and create a safe and welcoming environment for both single and married couples.

The project has been fully funded by the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust and has provided the refurbishment of 46 homes.

Pam Johnston, Almshouse manager at Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, said: “We are delighted to announce the completion of the second phase of the Almshouse refurbishments.

“The Trustees are consistently looking to maintain the estate to the highest quality and the provision of upgraded kitchens and bathrooms will allow our residents to have a functioning, welcoming space to call home.”

Contact: Chris Brewerton

0845 6036650

Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber Patrons

Celebrating the town: Mayor Tony Biggs

Refurbished: The Sutton Coldfield almshouses

Champion debaters: Hunor Veres and Tatenda Mutonga from John Willmott school with judges Dennis Kennedy and Tina Swani and chairman Gary Phelps (left)

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

Contact: Samantha Frampton

T: 0121 678 7488

A breath of fresh air for Solihull

A specialist oxygen and cryotherapy clinic has opened in Solihull in an expansion of their revolutionary treatments across the Midlands. Active Clinics, the first skin and cryotherapy clinic in Solihull, was opened by Councillor Karen Grinsell, deputy leader of Solihull Council, at a special launch event.

After bringing a range of innovative treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cryotherapy and nitrogen facials to Edgbaston in 2015, people of Solihull will now get the chance to try these cutting-edge treatments at a new store at the MK Health Hub in Solihull.

Councillor Grinsell was joined by 30 people from the local community who were invited to a special ribbon cutting event where they were given free trials of these techniques.

The multi award-winning Active Clinics are the only clinic in the Midlands who specialise in hyperbaric oxygen therapy – a pioneering treatment which enhances the body’s natural ability to heal by breathing in 100 per cent oxygen at pressures lower than sea level to help repair and enhance cell function.

The clinic also offers customers cryotherapy, which has been medically proven to help people find relief from injury, muscle strains and pain as well as promoting skin rejuvenation and weight loss.

Owner and founder Tammy Takkar said: “We’re so delighted to offer the people of Solihull a diverse range of state-of-the-art health and wellbeing treatments after a big surge in demand from our customers. Our aim is to offer a unique and unforgettable experience to help people, whether it’s to recover from injury or to look and feel the best they ever have.”

Contractor invests in a brighter future

A family-run Midlands contractor is reducing its emissions and energy usage with the installation of 292 solar panels at its managed site in Northamptonshire, supported by a £167,000 funding package from Lloyds Bank.

Headquartered in Shirley, Solihull, SSG Contracts provides a range of commercial services, including construction, refurbishment, maintenance, facilities management, warehousing and logistics. The business serves customers across all sectors, including Amazon, Savills, and Jaguar Land Rover, domestically, as well as in Europe, America and the UAE.

The contractor purchased the Nene Business Centre in Wellingborough in December 2021 with the support of a £2.6m loan from Lloyds Bank, to provide office and warehousing space for its customers.

Now, as part of sustainability focused upgrades to the building, SSG Contracts secured £167,000 of new funding and is installing a system of 292 solar panels on the roof, capable of producing 120 kilowatts of electricity each hour.

The panels are the result of a Carbon Insight Report conducted for SSG Contracts by Lloyds Bank, which helped the business calculate its carbon footprint and identify where investment can have the most significant impact on reducing emissions. The new solar panels are expected to save the business 24 tonnes of CO2 per year, and up to £38,500 in energy.

The new system will produce enough electricity throughout the summer to meet the site’s full energy demand and generate enough surplus to return to the grid. The business eventually hopes to install batteries on-site

Cllr Grinsell added: "Supporting and enabling new business growth is critical both for creating new employment and selfemployment opportunities. A vibrant business economy is critical for Solihull and one of our priorities is to develop a more entrepreneurial economy and support the growth of small businesses. I wish Active Clinic Solihull the very best of luck with their new business venture.”

to store the energy produced for use overnight or in winter, allowing the site to become 100 per cent energy self-sufficient.

The solar panels have been funded via Lloyds Bank’s Clean Growth Financing Initiative, which provides customers with access to discounted lending for green purposes. The loan will also fund the planned installation of solar panels at its head office in Solihull.

John Fitzgerald, director of SSG Contracts, said: “We are focused on the future and driving sustainable growth of the business. The Carbon Insight Report from Lloyds Bank has helped us identify where our investments can have the most impact on cutting our emissions, setting us on a clear path to reducing our environmental impact.

“As we work towards net zero, we’re facing increasing demand from customers to demonstrate our sustainability credentials. By investing in carbon reduction initiatives, we hope to be able to demonstrate compliance with BREEAM, to help our customers meet their own carbon reduction targets.”

Solihull first: Guests at the Active Clinics opening, including, pictured on the left, Councillor Karen Grinsell and Jas Rohal, Solihull Chamber board member and presenter at On Your Radio – Solihull, and (extreme right) owner and founder Tammy Takkar

Supporting solar: (left to right): Tom Fitzgerald, Paul Warrington and John Fitzgerald

College works to end mental health stigma

Solihull College & University Centre’s mental health team has been working hard to reduce the stigma around mental health and encourage male students to access and engage with the service they offer.

The team’s hard work is yielding impressive results, observing an increase in referrals from a wider group of students, especially male.

Mental health lead Fathima Ashraff-Ali said: “One of our effective tactics to end the stigma has been training three of our male heads of school as mental health champions. Training senior members of staff is an effective way to increase recognition of early signs of mental health deterioration.”

The college has also observed an increase in service users from particular protected characteristics. Fathima explains: “We’ve seen a lot more British Asian Pakistani and Black African Caribbean students access our service.

“We work closely with the student enrichment team and Birmingham Healthy Minds (BHM) to raise the profile of different cultures and backgrounds, providing students from ethnic minorities to be more visible and offering them a sense of belonging. That safe space opens routes to services like ours.”

The mental health team also maintains close ties with external organisations such as Birmingham LGBT to support students from the LGBTQIA+ community who battle with significant challenges.

Inspired by the growth of her service, Fathima decided to build on her skills and completed a Level 5 Apprenticeship in Leadership and Management, obtaining a distinction. She is grateful for the support she received throughout and has already begun implementing the knowledge she has gained to inform the mental health service delivery at the College.

Solihull Chamber Patrons

Reducing mental health stigma: Fathima Ashraff-Ali

Future Faces

Contact: Sophie Poduval-Morrell

T: 0121 274 3276

How to build a personal brand

In line with this month’s Future Faces theme of personal branding, SOPHIE MAE BOURNE (pictured), Future Faces member and brand engagement and growth Exec at EAST VILLAGE, shares some valuable insights on developing and nurturing a personal brand.

your business is powerful, it comes with responsibility. Having an entwined personal and business brand may complicate separation in the future, especially when expanding your team or considering stepping away.

5. Explore PR and marketing opportunities to foster the development and growth of your brands.

DON'Ts:

A brand encompasses a business’ identity, personality, and lasting impression. It includes the values put into practice, memorable slogans, distinctive visual elements, and the voice associated with the business.

Often, this voice is attributed to an individual, highlighting the significance of personal brand in today's context, where “Cancel Culture” prevails. Examples like Elon Musk, Kanye West, and the Kardashians demonstrate how personal branding can either make or break a business.

Personal branding allows people to recognise you and your professional identity when you enter a room or appear on social platforms like LinkedIn. Here are some essential dos and don'ts for developing your personal brand:

DOs:

1. Decide early on if your personal and business brands should align. Establish boundaries to allow for differentiation if needed. While being the face and voice of

2. Embody your brand values and treat your social media channels as a platform to showcase them. Your business’ worth lies in its core values, and your audience will perceive what you share on social media as a reflection of your brand. In today's climate, brands that demonstrate their commitment to doing good are highly sought after.

3. Be honest and authentic. Avoid claiming expertise or promoting ideas you don't possess or believe in. People crave authenticity, so don't pretend to be an ecowarrior if you don't practice what you preach.

4. Seize opportunities to showcase your expertise and network. Your personal brand is shaped by how people remember their interactions with you, so be mindful of how you present yourself.

1. Don’t obsess over your visual brand too early. While strong colours, fonts, and logos contribute to memorability, they can be refreshed or changed later, offering PR opportunities.

2. Avoid mixing personal and business content on your social media, even if your brands are aligned. Keep personal matters separate from your business social channels. Maintaining separate personal and business accounts can help with this.

3. Don’t overlook important details that define your brand, such as history, provenance, or name. Consider how you can leverage these elements to set yourself apart.

4. Remember that you are the face of your brand, both in public and online. The internet never forgets, so be cautious about what you share. The old advice of not posting anything on Facebook that you wouldn’t want your mom, nan, or teachers to see now applies to your boss, brand team, and customers.

Chamber

partnership to uplift women in technology

By Darby Newman

Birmingham Tech, the organisation at the heart of the West Midlands’ technology ecosystem, has partnered with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) to offer tailored support to women working in the sector.

Through this new partnership, 10 women will receive a Future Faces membership and get access to a range of events, business support, and profile-raising opportunities.

Successful individuals will have full access to a myriad of benefits that come with a Future Faces membership, including monthly personal development and social networking events with some of the best in the business.

There will also be the opportunity to be mentored by a more experienced Chamber

member or to become a mentor themselves, plus profile opportunities with the Future Faces committee and annual awards to recognise the talent the region has to offer.

The partnership aims to support and uplift more women in business, particularly in the tech industry. By pooling their resources and collaborating on this shared goal, Birmingham Tech and the GBCC hope to maximise the impact they can have on the sector and help the region reach its ambition of becoming a global tech hub.

Yiannis Maos, founder of Birmingham Tech, said: “The West Midlands has big ambitions to become a true global tech hub, and diversity sits at the heart of us achieving that.

“Women remain under-represented and underfunded when compared to their male counterparts in tech, so we’re proud to partner

with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce to deliver tailored support and advice that’s really going to improve access and opportunities for women who want to thrive in the tech sector.”

To find out more about the Birmingham Tech, visit: birmingham.tech

Future Faces Chamber Patrons

Uplifting women in tech: Yiannis Maos, founder of Birmingham Tech

The

Future Faces announces sponsors for awards night

The Future Faces division of the GBCC have announced mfg Solicitors and Common Purpose as category sponsors for the Greater BYPY awards and dinner, in September.

Mfg Solicitors will sponsor the GBYPY - Startups, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship award, and Common Purpose will sponsor the Future Faces Ambassador 2023 award.

Common Purpose will also provide a place on The Common Purpose Programme for High Potential Leaders for the FF Ambassador award winner.

Louise Teboul, UK partnerships director at Common Purpose, said: “I’m really pleased that we can support the FF Ambassador Award again this year. As an international leadership organisation we support leaders at all levels, and this is part of our social purpose – supporting future leaders, so they can learn to be agile, self-aware and able to work with others, in this increasingly complex world of work.

“The Future Faces Ambassador Award winner will not only win the recognition of the award but also a place on The Common Purpose Programme for High Potential Leaders, worth over £3,000. The programme brings together a cross-sector diverse peer group to learn from, and with each

other, with guest contributors, peer coaching groups and life-long alumni benefits.”

Yung Lau, senior strategic consultant from Jacobs, the 2022 Ambassador award winner, said: “It was an absolute pleasure being part of the programme – a fantastic environment to help learners further understand themselves while providing the opportunity to connect and build relationships.

“It is incredible the way that the team creates a safe space, in participation, with both other course members and guest speakers, who give insights through a myriad of perspectives around each topic, providing diversity and inclusion of thought.

“It has allowed me to reflect more on my own values and understand who I am as a leader while providing the tools and mindset to approach challenges.”

To enter the awards, view the application form by scanning this QR code. Personal nominations or those of another person are accepted

To apply for the Future Faces Ambassador Award, scan this QR code. Applications for the awards will close at midnight, Monday 10 July.

New Members

Philip Costin (Correla Limited)

Lauren Kelly (Mosaic Pubs and Dining)

Money Chopra (Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre)

Sanya Bi (Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre)

Andrew Horkan (CyberTzars)

Emily Slack (Darren Langley Limited)

Alexandra Coleman (St Basils)

Jack Cook (MFG Solicitors)

Lauren Goode (MFG Solicitors)

Alastair Hughes (The Curry Design Studio)

Chloe Langridge (The Curry Design Studio)

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

Winners all: Celebrations at last year’s awards

Take a look at yourself

...personal branding in spotlight at Future Faces event

The June calender for events across all divisions of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is again full of variety and interest. Alongside several invaluable networking events, one of the highlights is the Future Faces Professional Development evening in which Sophia-Mae Bourne, brand engagement and growth expert at East Village, will talk about personal branding.

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

Social Networking Burton and District

Date: 1 June 2023

Time: 8:30am – 10:30am

Venue: TBC

Division: Burton

Cost: Members: Free

Future Faces Members: £15+VAT

Non-members: £20+VAT

Networking Lunch Birmingham

Date: 1 June 2023

Time: 12pm – 2pm

Venue: Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

Division: Birmingham

Cost: Members: Free

Future Faces Members: £15 +VAT

Non-members: £50 +VAT

Future Faces Professional Development: Personal Brand

Date: 6 June 2023

Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Venue: Liquid PR

Division: Future Faces

Cost: Members: Free

Pro Networking Solihull

Date: 15 June 2023

Time: 3:30pm – 7:30pm

Venue: Yakinori Solihull

Division: Solihull

Cost: Members: Free

Future Faces Members: £15 +VAT

Non-members: £50 +VAT

Premier Members Networking Business

Date: 23 June 2023

Time: 8:30am – 10:30am

Venue: Edgbaston Park Hotel

Division: GBCC

Cost: Members: Free Future Faces Members: Free

Non-members: Free

Speed Networking Cannock Chase

Date: 27 June 2023

Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Venue: TBC

Division: Cannock Chase

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

Non-members: £50 +VAT

Solihull Networking Lunch

Date: 28 June 2023

Time: 12:30pm – 2pm

Venue: KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar

Division: Solihull

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

Non-members: £50 +VAT

Future Faces Lunch Time Social Networking

Date: 29 June 2023

Time: 12pm – 2pm

Venue: The Distillery

Division: Future Faces

Cost: Members: Free

Royal Business Fair 2023

Date: 30 June 2023

Time: 10am – 1pm

Venue: Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Division: Sutton Coldfield

Cost: Members: Free

Making a point: Chamber chief executive Henrietta Brealey speaking at the Growth Through People event (more pictures opposite)

Growth Through People off to vigorous start

1. Keynote speaker Shazia Ejaz, director of campaigns for Recruitment and Employment Confederation

2. Guests engage in a quick networking session while grabbing a cuppa

3.Raj Kandola, GBCC director of external affairs with senior policy advisor Emily Stubbs

4. Organisation resilience discussion : Regional managing partner and Birmingham office managing partner at RSM UK Mark Taylor, chair of Performances Birmingham Ltd, Anita Bhalla, and senior teaching fellow at Aston Business School, Sukhwinder Salh

5. Delegates to the Growth Through People event took part of a vigous warm-up

Pictures: Jas Sansi

Annual turnover increases to 1.2 billion euros

generation with his brother Hendrik. "We succeeded in this because, as a family-run company, we act very flexibly and quickly and have made courageous investment decisions - especially in our own paper production and the expansion of renewable energies," says Schumacher.

Through the acquisition of the Kaierde board mill, the majority stake in the Italian corrugated base pa per manufacturer Cartiere Modesto Cardella SpA and the purchase of the Leipzig Land GmbH board mill, the corporate group has significantly increased its own production and processing capacities.

the packaging specialist is developing intelligent combination products together with its joint venture partner Verpa Folie.

European packaging regulation: shaping the legal framework

In this context, Schumacher Packaging is also concerned with the new draft of the European Packaging Regulation (PPWR), which the European Commission presented in November 2022.

The Schumacher Packaging Group, one of Europe's largest manufacturers of customised corrugated and solid board packaging (www.schumacherpackaging.com), has successfully continued its growth trajectory in 2022.

Despite high volatility and difficult economic conditions on the world markets, the company was able to increase its annual turnover by almost 40 percent to around 1.2 billion euros compared to the previous year after sales deductions.

Decisive factors for the strong growth were the development of new product fields as well as strategic decisions. Nevertheless, Schumacher Packaging is concerned about the development of Germany as an industrial location. The familyowned company is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

The sales target of 1 billion euros was clearly exceeded across all areas of the group of companies. Against the backdrop of increased energy prices, strong inflation and falling consumption, which shaped market events with the outbreak of the war against Ukraine, the packaging specialist's sales remained almost constant compared to the previous year. No growth was achieved in the primary business areas.

The growth in sales was mainly achieved through the acquisition of additional plants and the development of new product fields in the area of plastic reduction, especially for the food industry, but also for online retail. The number of employees rose from 3,700 to 4,111 in the past calendar year.

Top priority: security of supply and production capacities

"Last year, our top priority was to secure supplies to our customers," explains company boss Björn Schumacher, who runs the company in the third

In addition, part of the 700 million euro investment programme was already brought forward to last year in order to make energyintensive production increasingly independent of natural gas.

Nevertheless, the high energy and labour costs are of great concern to the business leaders. "Industrial companies based in Germany are under immense strain. Some of our customers have already informed us that they will no longer make investments in Germany or that they will relocate their production facilities abroad, where the political framework conditions are different. As a result, we are also having to critically question our planned investments in Germany at the moment," says Schumacher.

Trend: intelligent solutions and combination products

"The turbulent year led to less consumption and caused the demand for corrugated and solid board packaging to shrink compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, the trend towards paper-based packaging and intelligent combination products continues among manufacturers and in the trade," says Hendrik Schumacher, Managing Director of Schumacher Packaging.

The food industry in particular has proven to be crisis-proof in terms of packaging over the past year. Products such as HALOPACK®, which reduces plastic by up to 90 per cent, and Stackpack, which is made of solid board and can completely replace conventional plastic trays for fruit and vegetables due to its bio-based protective barrier, were in high demand.

The company is also developing paper-based solutions for polystyrene parts in packaging, which can even be used for sensitive and heavy electronic products. In areas where plastics still have their place due to their technical properties,

Schumacher Packaging supports the objectives of the regulation, which is intended to reduce the volume of packaging, ban overpackaging and further develop the circular economy in Europe. However, the family-owned company considers the fact that the regulation provides for the use of reusable packaging for household appliances and in non-food mail order to be worthy of criticism, although according to a recent study by McKinsey, these can cause up to 200 per cent more emissions in online retailing.

"Flexible solutions that reduce air in packaging are important to further reduce CO2 emissions," Björn Schumacher emphasises. The company also relies on this, for example, in its cooperation with the software provider Skrym. Based on existing data and artificial intelligence, packaging sizes and thus emissions and logistics costs can be reduced by up to 15 per cent. "Packaging made of corrugated and solid board already offers many advantages in terms of volume reduction and material efficiencyacross all industries. We hope that these important aspects will be taken into account for the elaboration of the PPWR."

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

A paws-itively perfect partnership

It is a difficult time in the animal welfare sector as with all business sectors, as the economic climate we are all living and working in affects every part of life, including people’s decisions around dog ownership. The average number of dogs entering rescues in the first quarter of 2023 showed a dramatic increase across the country and is being attributed to both the rising costs of living and the unprecedented number of dogs being purchased by first time owners during 2020 and 2021.

During challenging times, the support of businesses is more important than ever for Birmingham Dogs Home. As a business itself, with staff to look after and rising operational costs to meet, the BDH team understand the importance for companies to work smart. That is why their fundraising and communications team works hard to make their relationships with businesses a partnership, to give back as many benefits to their supporters as they can. BDH offers ways for businesses to find unique and cost-effective ways to reach new markets, offers

unique opportunities for networking with potential clients, as well as ways to attract and retain the best employees by demonstrating their community credentials.

Birmingham Dogs Home is on the frontline of the current dog welfare crisis here in the Midlands, with full kennels at both its rescue centres near Solihull and Wolverhampton. The charity has served the Midlands community for over 130 years, through world wars, times of economic hardship and more recently the pandemic lockdowns, and their team

Birmingham Dogs Home has launched a Business Patrons Club to help local caring companies stand out from the pack in competitive times.

Charitable Causes, Promotion & Partnership

continue to work tirelessly 24/7 caring for and rehoming the many dogs that are abandoned and found as strays across Birmingham and the surrounding region. With no government funding and escalating operational costs for their centres (including life-saving veterinary costs of around £300,000 each year) the support of the local community and from businesses is vital, to ensure they can keep their doors open and continue to deliver the highest standards of animal welfare to the most needy dogs, here in the heart of our region.

The charity’s new Business Patrons Club has been developed so that Birmingham Dogs Home can give back to the businesses that support them by, offering a range of partnership benefits. Being a member of the BDH Business Patron Club means access to unique networking events across the year, with other like-minded companies; commercial partnership opportunities; use of great meeting room spaces; advertising in their publications and across their popular social channels, reaching loyal supporters across the Midlands. With brand boosting sponsorship programmes, great PR benefits and opportunities to boost staff

engagement through rewarding volunteering, working alongside their team and the dogs in their care, the charity ensures they deliver excellent value and support to every organisation they work with.

Fi Harrison, BDH’s head of fundraising & communications, said: “We are offering a range of Business Patron membership levels starting at just £50 a month to ensure businesses of all sizes can enjoy benefits from teaming up with BDH. We work with sole traders, family businesses, groups with offices across the Midlands and global brands too, delivering measurable and targeted benefits to help our supporters stand out from the crowd. We work hard to ensure there are lots of waggy-endings for our business supporters as well as our dogs too!”

The global security company, Yale, based in Willenhall, has been supporting BDH for the last two years. Yale’s marketing director Jo Rush said: “Working with Birmingham Dogs Home has perfect synergy for Yale. We share so much with this lovely Midlands charity. Our UK HQ is based here in the Midlands and just as we provide the very best security and safety through protected

homes, Birmingham Dogs Home provides the highest standards of shelter, safety and care for their canine residents. We are proud to be BDH Business Patrons and play in part in the local community, supporting homeless dogs here in the Midlands.”

‘During challenging times, the support of businesses is more important than ever for Birmingham Dogs Home’

By The West Midlands RFCA

Transferable skills, military and civilian life

West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) is a governmental ‘arm’s length body’ established by an act of Parliament.

The Association helps to promote the Reserves and cadets within the community through liaison with local authorities, employers and other influential groups. They also own, manage and maintain some 30 Reserve Centres and over 200 Cadet Centres, promote the Armed Forces Covenant and act as a bridge between Reservists and their employers.

Championing the benefits of employing Reservists and the wider Armed Forces community, including veterans, military spouses and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, is a key part of their work.

The Reserve Forces make up approximately one third of the UK’s Armed Forces, with men and women from all backgrounds training in their spare time, often alongside their civilian careers. Drawn from the Royal Naval Reserves, the Royal Marines Reserves, the Army Reserve and the Royal Air Force Reserves, they can be deployed anywhere in the world to support the Regular Forces.

Reservists receive the same world class training as their Regular counterparts, have the opportunity to take part in adventurous training and gain new skills; which are transferable to the civilian workforce.

West Midland RFCA spoke to Lieutenant Victoria Duffield-Smith (pictured inset), a Reservist at HMS Forward, Birmingham’s Royal Naval Reserve unit, about her experiences in the Reserve Forces. The Royal Navy has six values at its core; courage, commitment, discipline,

respect, integrity and loyalty. Whilst immediately applicable to military service, I had underestimated just how valuable and transferable those skills would be in the civilian world.

“When things are tough, and they have been tough for all during the pandemic, it is these core values that I fall back on. Having the courage to make brave and effective decisions, the commitment to see those decisions through. Maintaining the discipline to preserve procedures to protect ourselves and the public.

immediate actions and the emergency situationthis is important because it sharpens your abilities rapidly.

“As the training develops you experience the routine 95 per cent of the role; the people development, the parental figure, setting the example. These blended aspects have allowed me to reflect on my own personal style. I know that as a result of my Navy training, I am much more of an agile leader in my civilian life and I have a much smoother transition between incident and crisis management, and the longterm development of those in my care.

“In overall reflection, much of my civilian success is thanks to the foundations and teaching of military service. I am extremely fortunate to have a very supportive employer that is engaging and welcoming of innovation.

“Officer training within the Royal Navy is a hugely influential development programme. You find and nurture skills throughout the course of training that may have been inherent, but you had never really paid any great attention to previously.

“Honing those organisational skills has proven particularly useful outside of the service. In the Royal Navy, ensuring that you have the right people, correctly briefed, with the right kit, in the right place, at the right time is fundamental to the success of your operation - and the same is true in my civilian life. Translating those skills across to everyday life has made me more efficient and effective.

“Much of the initial training is focused on the five per cent of being an Officer, which involves crisis leadership. The battle responses, the

“The opportunities for personal development in military service are vast and that has only increased during my time with the Reserves.”

Having recently assumed the role of Unit Training Officer, she is helping to develop the leaders of the future. Victoria is part of the Amphibious Warfare branch and has experience of UK Maritime Enforcement Operations. In her civilian employment, she is an Inspector with Warwickshire Police, where she is part of the Force Incident Manager Cadre.

To find out how your organisation could benefit from supporting the Armed Forces community, please contact our Regional Employer Engagement Director, Graham Whitehouse, on wm-reed@rfca.mod.uk or visit www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk.

Learn more about the Reserve Forces at www.wmrfca.org/reserve-forces

‘In overall reflection, much of my civilian success is thanks to the foundations and teaching of military service’

The evolution of traditional British restaurants: from comfort food

to culinary excellence

Traditional British restaurants have undergone a remarkable transformation over the years, evolving from establishments that primarily served hearty, home-style comfort food to culinary destinations that celebrate the diversity and sophistication of British cuisine. This evolution is a testament to the changing tastes of diners, the influence of international culinary trends, and the relentless pursuit of culinary excellence.

Explore the fascinating journey of traditional British restaurants, tracing their evolution and the factors that have shaped them into the vibrant culinary scene we know today.

Traditional British restaurants in and around Birmingham were once synonymous with the cosy pub atmosphere, where customers could enjoy a pint alongside classic dishes like fish and chips, steak and kidney pie, and Sunday roasts. These establishments provided a warm and inviting environment for locals and tourists alike, offering simple yet satisfying meals. However, as

culinary tastes evolved, so did the concept of British dining.

From 1977 the original Jonathans Restaurant altered the course of British cuisine by reintroducing extremely tasty dishes from the Victorian era, using top quality produce coupled with exceptional customer service and front of house skills it is easy to see why just about every A lister and top celebrity visited Jonathans to enjoy the unique dishes, fine wine and ambience of Jonathans.

In the 1990s a new dining concept emerged— the gastropub. Combining the conviviality of a traditional pub with the culinary finesse of a fine dining establishment, gastropubs elevated the standard of British cuisine. They focused on using high-quality ingredients, often locally sourced, and introduced innovative twists to traditional dishes. The gastropub movement gave rise to a new generation of chefs who were passionate about showcasing the rich flavours and culinary heritage of British cuisine.

The transformation of traditional British restaurants gained momentum with the rise of culinary innovation and the pursuit of Michelin stars. Talented chefs began to experiment with flavours, techniques, and presentation, pushing the boundaries of traditional British cuisine. Renowned super chefs like Gary Rhodes and Marco Pierre White to name a few brought international acclaim to British restaurants by securing multiple Michelin stars. These accolades demonstrated the newfound excellence and sophistication of British gastronomy.

Another significant factor in the evolution of traditional British restaurants has been the infusion of international influences. Britain's multicultural society and its historical ties to

By Paul Havelin, chef patron of Jonathans in the Roundhouse

various regions of the world have contributed to the diversity of flavours and culinary techniques found in modern British cuisine. Restaurants began incorporating global ingredients, spices, and cooking methods, resulting in fusion dishes that showcase the best of both British and international flavours. This blending of cultures has added depth and excitement to the dining scene, appealing to a wider audience and reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of contemporary Britain.

In conclusion the evolution of traditional British restaurants reflects a shift in culinary preferences and a desire for culinary excellence. From humble pub fare to the emergence of gastropubs and the pursuit of Michelin stars, British restaurants have reinvented themselves to meet the evolving tastes and expectations of diners. The infusion of international influences has added a new dimension to British cuisine, celebrating the diversity and multiculturalism of the nation. Today, traditional British restaurants offer a wide range of dining experiences, from rustic and comforting to innovative and refined. With an emphasis on quality ingredients, creativity, and a commitment to culinary excellence, these restaurants continue to captivate diners and contribute to the vibrant culinary landscape of Britain.

Paul with his brother John

‘The transformation of traditional British restaurants gained momentum with the rise of culinary innovation and the pursuit of Michelin stars’

An industry in recovery

By Tanita Gill

Like most industries, the conference and events industry was hugely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many events being cancelled or moved online, bringing the industry to a standstill. However, as restrictions are now completely lifted, the industry is starting to recover and organisers are planning more and more in person events.

One of the key factors driving the recovery of the conference and events industry is the pent-up demand for events. After more than a year of lockdowns and social

distancing measures, people are eager to connect with others and participate in live events again. This has led to a surge in demand for both events and travel, in the business and leisure markets.

The recovery of the industry is also being driven by the innovation and adaptability of event organisers and venues. Many organisers and venues have embraced new technologies and formats, such as hybrid events and virtual events, which have allowed them to reach a wider audience and provide new and exciting experiences for attendees. The industry has also adapted to the changing needs and preferences of attendees, such as offering more flexible cancellation policies and providing enhanced safety measures.

The recovery of the conference and events industry is not just about the return of large-scale events and conferences. It is also about the recovery of the small and mediumsized businesses that support the industry, such as event planners, caterers, and vendors. These businesses were hit hard by the pandemic, with many seeing a significant reduction in demand for their services. As the industry recovers, it is important to support these businesses and help them to rebuild and grow.

Another factor driving the recovery of the industry is the support of government and local authorities. Many governments and local authorities have recognised the importance of the conference and events industry to the economy and have provided financial support and incentives to help the industry recover. For example, in the UK, the government has launched a £1.3 billion support package for the arts and culture sector, which includes support for the events industry.

One of the key challenges facing the industry as it recovers is that due to the uncertainty and unpredictability of the pandemic, organisers are working to much shorter lead times when organising events, making it more difficult to find available venues and suppliers.

Despite these challenges, the industry is starting to see some positive signs of recovery.

In conclusion, the pandemic has had a significant impact on the conference and events industry, affecting everyone from event organisers and venues to attendees and suppliers. The cancellation or postponement of events had a major impact on the industry, leading to the closure of some venues and a significant reduction in revenue for others. However, the industry is slowly recovering from the impact of the pandemic, driven by the pent-up demand for events, the innovation and adaptability of event organizers and venues, and the support of government and local authorities. While there are still challenges and difficulties ahead, there are also signs of hope and optimism for the future of the industry.

‘One of the key factors driving the recovery of the conference and events industry is the pent-up demand for events’

, marketing manager, Eastside Rooms

Libraries aren’t just full of books!

Whether you’re a Birmingham ‘local’ or visiting the Heart of England, start your day with a trip to Tourist Information at the Library of Birmingham for the best tips to maximise your time in Birmingham, the City of a 1,000 Trades!

Your first stop should be exploring the Library of Birmingham! This is a RIBA award-winning building, designed by Francine Houben, founder and creative director of Mecanoo. See how Francine’s vision to create ‘A People’s Palace’ has created an iconic landmark development for Birmingham that integrates and complements the surroundings.

The impressive Book Rotunda, at the heart of the Library, houses tens of thousands of volumes and symbolises the importance of the book for learning, information and culture. A walk around the Book Rotunda balconies gives further views through the building.

The Terraces on Level 3 and Level 7 are beautiful elevated outdoor garden spaces, the ideal places to meet friends and enjoy the views of the city. The planting is designed to give colour, scent and interest throughout the year and includes herbs, fruit and vegetables. The garden on Level 7 is more densely planted and has a more secluded feel, with quiet places to sit high above the bustle of Centenary Square below.

The Shakespeare Memorial Room on Level 7 is the original feature from the city’s Victorian library, designed by John Henry Chamberlain in 1882. The Room is wood panelled with glass

printed shelves inspired by the Elizabethan age with carvings, marquetry and metalwork representing birds, flowers and foliage.

The Level 9 Skyline Viewpoint is the pinnacle of the Library of Birmingham, with stunning panoramic views across the city. At this point, visitors are now 51 metres above street level and on a clear day can see as far as Shirley to the South, Corley Hills to the East and Clent Hills to the West.

Any visit to Birmingham should include speaking to our team of local Tourist Information experts, receive insider knowledge and suggestions on how to plan your ultimate visit; from where to find a mouth-watering Balti, the city’s top attractions, galleries and hidden gems, our team will create a bespoke experience to suit your needs.

As well as revealing Birmingham’s best-kept secrets, the team will provide you with maps, leaflets and directions from our large collection of printed resources. Our helpful team are always happy to answer questions or point you in the right direction to ensure you have an enjoyable visit.

Not only will you have the chance to take in a tour of the incredible street art, explore the vast canal network or indulge in the amazing array of delicious food; you can take a piece of the city home with you by visiting our exclusive Library of Birmingham Shop where you can browse our crafted unique gift items created by the city’s top artists, businesses and creatives, at prices to suit all pockets.

Run and managed by the Business & Reception team, the Library Shop concentrates on selling Birmingham related souvenirs with over 70 per cent of merchandise having a Birmingham connection through design, production and development. One key aspect of the Library Shop is to offer a platform for any new business established through the BIPC Centre or Enterprise for Success project. With over 4,000-6,000 visitors per week, the Library Shop provides an ideal opportunity for new businesses to enter the marketplace, with the full support of a business team to advise on how to develop their business further.

To fully explore the Library of Birmingham takes approximately one hour and is FREE – The Library is designed to be highly accessible to all. Getting around the building is easy, with a step free entrance and lifts to all floors in addition to ramps, escalators, travelators and stairs.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/buslearn

Twitter: @BIPCBirmingham

Sector Focus

The latest news from the sectors that matter to business

Have your say on rail project

Midlands Connect have launched an online business survey and are urging firms to “make their voices heard” over plans for the flagship rail improvement project, the Midlands Rail Hub.

The survey closes on Friday, 16 June, with results to be announced soon afterwards.

Midlands Rail Hub is Midland’s Connect’s biggest and most ambitious rail improvement scheme – a £900m to £1.5bn blueprint for faster, better and more frequent connections across the Midlands.

Passenger rail usage in the Midlands is growing faster than anywhere in the UK, but without investment, the region's rail network can't keep pace with this record demand, and many services remain slow and infrequent.

Midlands Connect senior rail programme manager Andy Clark said: “We want to know what the impact the Midlands Rail Hub could have on businesses and specifically if it could lead to more jobs being created and increased growth in the local economy”

Access the survey: midlandsconnect.consultation online.co.uk/midlandsrailhub

Beryl chosen to deliver new e-scooter scheme

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has appointed leading UK shared transport operator Beryl to deliver the region’s new e-scooter hire scheme to the streets of Birmingham.

Under the first phase of the scheme, e-scooters will be seen in the city this month, with further phases to be rolled out during the rest of 2023 and beyond.

The UK-based operator was awarded the contract following an open tender process.

TfWM, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), supports a well-run and regulated e-scooter hire scheme as an affordable and environmentally-friendly alternative to the car for shorter journeys around towns and cities.

Once on the streets, the e-scooters will be available to hire alongside the West Midlands Cycle Hire under the Beryl app, providing an integrated sustainable transport scheme for the region.

Full details of the scheme, including pricing, parking locations, safety measures and launch date, are yet to be announced.

Beryl CEO and co-founder Phil Ellis said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected to deliver an e-scooter hire scheme in the West Midlands and look forward to bringing our experience and innovation to another of the UK’s major city regions.

“When delivered alongside other sustainable modes of transport under the same scheme, e-scooters can really play a vital role as part of integrated urban transport systems.”

Mike Waters, director of policy, strategy and innovation with TfWM, said: “E-scooters have proved popular in Birmingham over the last few years, so we know many users will be pleased to see the new Beryl hire service on the streets in time for the summer. There’s an added benefit as those who are already

signed up for West Midlands Cycle Hire will conveniently be able to use the same app to rent an escooter.

“Making it easier and safer for people to walk, cycle and scoot, especially for those shorter journeys, is a key part of our emerging Local Transport Plan and will assist with improving both our health and the wider environment.”

People are also reminded that only e-scooters hired from the approved trial scheme can be ridden on the highway and public places.

Tap and Cap reaps over £5m in savings

More than £5million has been saved by National Express West Midlands bus passengers since multi-day contactless capping was introduced.

Tap and Cap was introduced on 19 July, 2021. Tap and Cap means that bus users can tap their contactless card or device every time they get on a bus in a week and their payment would be capped at £4 for one day, or £11.50 for three days and £15 for seven days - no matter how many journeys people make.

Since then, 340 million journeys have been made on National Express West Midlands buses, with a big increase in the number using contactless. Contactless Tap and

Cap means never overpayingsaving the travelling public more than £5m.

Three-day and seven-day capping is calculated for journeys made between a set time period of Monday to Sunday. Passengers save 50p on a three-day cap and £13 on a seven-day cap.

David Bradford, National Express West Midlands managing director, said: “With Tap and Cap, you can make as many bus journeys as you like using the same contactless card or device and we'll cap your fare so you don't pay more than you should. And with the West Midlands having the cheapest bus fares in England, it’s unbeatable value too.”

Leave the car at home: A Beryl e-scooter in action

Drone team tackles congestion

Regional transport managers will have an eye in the sky to help them beat traffic jams thanks to a new Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) drone team.

The drones will fly over congestion hotspots and traffic queues at accident scenes or road closures and send live footage to transport managers enabling them to plan better diversions and keep the public informed

TfWM’s state-of-the-art Regional Transport Coordination Centre (RTCC) brings together a wide range of transport authorities, agencies and operators to work together on keeping the region moving during major events and incidents.

It played a crucial role in successfully moving millions of people around during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The RTCC and Safer Travel Command Centre, based in Birmingham, receives images from more than 2,500 fixed CCTV

cameras covering the West Midlands major road, rail and tram networks, as well as some town and city centres.

But there are gaps in the coverage, meaning they are unable to view traffic building up around some incidents.

Now, thanks to the new drone team, live images can be relayed back to the command centre filling those gaps in coverage at a fraction of the cost of installing

BHX receives global carbon accreditation

Birmingham Airport (BHX)’s decarbonisation plan has been benchmarked by an international aviation body.

Securing Level 3 (Optimisation) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) from Airports Council International (ACI) is an important step in BHX’s journey to become a net zero carbon operation by 2033.

This brings BHX’s decarbonising activities and reporting under ACI’s framework of scrutiny, including comparison with other airports worldwide.

Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI EUROPE, said: “I warmly congratulate BHX for joining the global carbon management standard for the airport industry directly at Level 3 Optimisation.

“This is a significant achievement, which recognises the airport’s achievement in reducing those carbon emissions under its control but also its engagement with third parties using the airport carbon reduction efforts. The airport’s participation in Airport Carbon Accreditation will be a springboard for more structural carbon management, eventually leading to their achieving a net zero operation.”

Simon Richards, chief finance and sustainability officer for BHX, said: “Cutting greenhouse gas emissions is the singular challenge of our age. Failure is not an option. Future generations will not thank us for avoiding this.”

In 2022 BHX published its carbon roadmap outlining its intended path to net zero by 2033.

and maintaining static CCTV cameras.

It not only means that traffic can be better managed around incidents, but more accurate and timely advice can be given to the travelling public – including via the @WMroads social media channels.

The team is funded and managed by TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). TfWM works

with police through the Safer Travel Partnership and the drones could be made available to emergency services during incidents to improve public safety.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said: “Since it was launched three years ago, our Regional Transport Coordination Centre has been at the forefront of innovation in transport management - playing a major role in the success of last summer’s spectacular Commonwealth Games.

‘The drones will fly over congestion hot spots and traffic queues’

“Now we’re building on the existing provision of hundreds of CCTV cameras covering our road, rail and tram networks by bringing drone technology into our repertoire to further improve coverage.”

Campaign launched to save BRCW units

Varamis Rail has launched a crowdfunding campaign to rebuild units from the Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company (BRCW).

The original BRCW ran from 1854 to 1963. Initially, they rented wagons to private users on the rapidly growing rail network.

The company gained such an enviable reputation for the quality of their products that they were asked to build coaches for heads of state around the world. Most notable of those customers were Queen Victoria, the King of Egypt, Juan and Eva Peron and the President of Brazil.

After going into administration, the new BRCW started in 2014 as a not-for-profit enterprise with the aims of creating a museum to celebrate the history of the original company and to build replicas of prototype diesel locomotives and multiple units that were lost to the scrapman.

An agreement was also reached to secure the sole surviving Class 210 coach in mainline service as part of a Class 455 electric unit out of London Waterloo, along with two driving trailers which are as close to the correct layout.

The only other units to use these coaches were Class 317 units built at the same time for the London St Pancras to Bedford electrification scheme. These trains have now been retired and very few still exist with the final examples ready to go to the scrapyard by May.

A crowdfunder has been launched on the Just Giving website. Anyone wanting to get involved should get in touch through social media or email simon@brcw.co

Powerful unit: One of the BRCW items

Breathe easy: Birmingham Airport

High fliers set to beat traffic jams

School’s out for summer

With school holidays approaching, the long break provides a great opportunity to review financial plans before the new term starts.

As a leading investment management firm, we increasingly see the need for intergenerational wealth planning. Parents, and grandparents, often invest part of the family wealth to meet future expenses (education, weddings) or provide a head start (house deposit).

Tax allowances, wrappers and structures are important considerations. A trade-off between tax-efficiency and accessibility can exist. This tax year, £9,000 can be subscribed to junior ISAs and £3,600 to junior SIPPs. A general investment account, in the donor’s name, is accessible but taxable. A bare trust can be drawn upon, for a child’s benefit, but if created by a parent and the income exceeds £100, it will all be treated as that parent’s income. £3,000 can be gifted tax-free and under the seven-year rule, other gifts become exempt if the donor survives.

The benefits of investing are most pronounced over the long-term so starting early helps. For initial amounts that don’t require bespoke management, our innovative Managed Portfolio Service can provide an effective solution.

R&D tax relief revamp questioned by experts

Government proposals to streamline the research and development (R&D) tax relief system have been called into question by top 10 accountancy firm Azets.

The plans would mean merging the two current schemes and potentially revamping permissible qualifying activity and claimant criteria. A consultation on the proposals by HM Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs has concluded land could be implemented next April.

Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy and specialist business advisor to SMEs, surveyed 42,000 client businesses as part of its response to the proposals.

Just 12.8 per cent of respondents thought the proposals for a single scheme to be positive, 51.3 per cent considered it negative and 35.9 per cent were undecided on its potential impact.

Tim Croft, Azets’ national head of R&D Tax, has written to the Government detailing the results

of these two surveys and adding the firm’s own technical queries.

He said: “The reason we sent in the letter was severalfold. We are a significant player in this field of tax advice and we should let the government know our own thoughts.

“Also, because we are the largest firm in the country with access to the SME market, we went out to our SME client base

and polled them to garner their important opinions. Their feedback is important.

“To be effective in its primary purpose of encouraging innovation, any single scheme needs absolute clarity on permissible qualifying activity, clear compliance guidance on claimant criteria, sufficiently attractive financial reward to both encourage claims and avoid overseas migration and be simplistic to administer.

“There is some doubt as to whether what is currently proposed will achieve this. It is hugely frustrating. The scheme needs to be set out in a better way than the Government is proposing.

“It is unlikely that the scheme as it is described will encourage the SME market to innovate. That 74 per cent of Innovate UK funding awarded to SMEs demonstrates that in a competitive environment (which the Innovate UK application process largely is), SMEs are deemed to be undertaking crucial R&D activities.”

Funding secures London office

Funding from Birmingham-based Unity Trust Bank has helped a five-year, multi-million pound development in Hackney, London, to open its doors, driving new business and creating job opportunities.

The finance has enabled Hackney Co-operative Developments CIC (HCD) to refurbish Bradbury Works in Gillett Square, Dalston, providing over 1,000 sqm of affordable office space to social enterprises and start-ups.

stakeholders in mind, and we are confident that it will help them feel comfortable and productive.”

Capital at risk. Quilter Cheviot Ltd does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. Quilter Cheviot Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, IRN 124259. Approver Quilter Cheviot, 15 May 2023

Unity Trust Bank part-funded the project with a £2.8m loan, safeguarding 135 jobs and creating 150 new employment opportunities.

Anthonia Onigbode, chief operating and finance officer at HCD, said: “It’s an honour to celebrate the opening of Bradbury Works after five years filled with challenges brought about by Brexit, the pandemic, lockdowns and project slippages. This new space has been designed with the health and safety of our

Rod Campbell-Taylor, chair of HCD, commented: “This building would never have got off the ground without the unwavering support of our funders. We see this building as a community asset, a part of the common good. Our company is not in the business of squeezing tenants to increase company profits. As a Community Interest Company, every penny of any surplus that we generate from this project will go to other projects.”

Andy Ledger, relationship manager at Unity Trust Bank, added: “At Unity, we only lend to organisations that create a positive difference to local communities. With Dalston being one of the most deprived wards in the UK, this redevelopment will breathe new life into the area and create business and employment opportunities.”

Open for business: Bradbury Works

Warning: Tim Croft

To speak to Investment Manager, Andrew Cartwright (pictured), or the team, on how we can help with your investments, call 0121 212 2120.

Ridge secures £40m in funding

Multi-disciplinary built environment consultancy Ridge and Partners LLP has secured more than £40million from Horizon Capital LLP, a specialist private equity investor in technology and professional services, with the help of Birminghamheadquartered law firm Shakespeare Martineau.

Horizon’s investment supports Ridge in delivering the next phase of its “Quality, Innovation and Growth” vision, which sets a strategy for expanding expertise and nurturing talent.

The success of this strategy is clear in Ridge’s recent expansion from 577 people and £61m turnover in 2020 to 1,000 people and a forecast £105m turnover in 2023. Strategic acquisitions in the past three years have included Scott Hughes Design and Projex.

Ridge’s broad multidisciplinary offering to clients –which includes depth in architecture, building services, engineering, planning, surveying, sustainability and transport – will be expanded by investing in talent across its core disciplines as well as through new acquisitions.

Ridge senior partner Adrian O’Hickey said: “This is a transformational deal for Ridge – a catalyst for some of the most ambitious changes in our strategy. We’ve already been successful in turning up the dial on this business, introducing new initiatives and developing our people.”

Leading the deal, Shakespeare Martineau corporate partner Michael Stace, said: “It was a privilege to have advised on such a significant investment for Ridge, a quality business that has enjoyed significant growth in the recent past. I am sure this investment will continue that trend and make a positive impact on its people and innovation.”

UK & Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson has re-imagined its successful in-house lawyers programme with the launch of Ascensus, a new resource and connectivity programme that offers in-house lawyers and business leaders a more holistic forum to network and develop in.

The Ascensus programme is aimed at in-house lawyers and business leaders, and focuses on the needs of general counsel, data protection officers and business owners.

It builds on Browne Jacobson’s in-house offering but now fully endorses its official partnership with the O Shaped, an innovative movement with a mission to drive positive change within the legal sector, spearheaded by former Network Rail general counsel (GC) Dan Kayne. Ascensus also gives clients access to industry-

aligned experts and qualified executive coaches from the firm’s Space + Time offering in partnership with consultancy firm 10Eighty.

The programme is designed to support, educate and connect its members across the UK and international professional services sector.

‘There are now over 2,000 participants on the current in-house lawyers programme’

Partner and in-house lawyer specialist Richard Nicholas, who founded the firm’s in-house lawyers forum in 2006, said: “In the 17 years since we launched the forum, we have learned what GCs truly value. That is having a team they can tap into that is an

extension of them, having access to up-to-date, legal information relevant to the diverse sectors they operate in, having the opportunity to learn more about what their peers are doing and career development support, particularly when it comes to leadership. This is what the Ascensus programme offers.”

Partner Declan Cushley, who leads the firm’s strategy for the corporate sector, added: “There are now over 2,000 participants on the current in-house lawyers programme and that’s a huge network of GC experience, knowledge and expertise to utilise.

“I believe the new strands available under Ascensus offer the in-house lawyer and GC community real added value which will just elevate and support our ambitions to grow this already brilliant network.”

Ascensus to offer help to in-house lawyers Support for the health sector

Law firm Browne Jacobson has launched a new offering designed to meet the information and networking needs of the independent health and care sector.

The initiative, Health and Care Connect, is focused on ensuring operators, suppliers, developers, investors, and advisers to the sector are kept abreast of the changing legal landscape as well as having the opportunity to better connect with each other.

The offering is aimed at those specialising in areas such as:

•Later living – care homes, domiciliary care and integrated retirement communities

•Specialist care and specialist clinics – children’s services, leaving care, learning disabilities, mental health, specialist clinics and fertility services

•Digital, diagnostics and pathology

•Private acute hospitals and private primary care services

Vicky Tomlinson (pictured), partner in Browne Jacobson’s independent health and care sector team, said: “We are committed to forging strong, long-term relationships with key stakeholders in the sector by providing them with the insights and

connections that will help them to navigate the challenges and opportunities they face.

“Health and Care Connect will build on our extensive experience and knowledge of the sector and bring like-minded people together so we can all learn from each other about the challenges and issues the sector faces, discuss and develop creative solutions and open up new business opportunities.”

Members will receive regular legal and sectorspecific updates from the firm’s dedicated in-house team of health lawyers as well as invitations to attend specialist round table discussions, the firm’s exclusive in-house lawyer events, external health and care sector events and the firm’s annual Health & Care Connect drinks and networking event.

Browne Jacobson’s 50-strong independent health and care legal team is one of the largest in the country, supported by a wider, multidisciplinary group of over 200 lawyers. The team has considerable experience advising sector clients on business-critical areas such as corporate transactions, commercial matters, regulatory, procurement, funding, employment and real estate issues and developments.

For more information go to:

www.brownejacobson. com/health-and-careconnect

Privilege: Michael Stace

Talbots Law moves into Coventry with acquisition

An ambitious employee-owned law firm has increased its presence in the Midlands with the strategic acquisition of Coventry-based Sarginsons Law.

Talbots Law, which has seen fees accelerate to £22million in 2022, will retain all of the company’s 20 legal professionals, including managing partner Ian Cox, finance partner Lynne Robson and partners Chris Bailey and Simon Booth.

Plans are already in place to invest in the refurbishment of its city centre office on the Quadrant and build on the practice’s longestablished local heritage to grow the business from £1m to £3m between now and 2025.

The acquisition is the latest part of Talbots Law’s rapid expansion in which it has opened a new office in Edgbaston and embarked on a recruitment drive that has almost doubled its workforce to nearly 400.

Dave Hodgetts, who joined as chief executive in 2021, said:

“We’ve been looking to establish a presence in Coventry for a while, so when the opportunity to bring Sarginsons into the Talbots family came up, we knew we had to act.

“I’m delighted that everyone, including the senior management team, have agreed to stay on for the next part of the journey and we’ll look to use our scale and expertise to build on its well-

established reputation in providing legal services in Coventry.”

Ian Cox, managing partner of Sarginsons Law, said: “This is a fantastic deal for both businesses and means we can embark on ambitious growth plans with all the backing and strengths Talbots Law will bring.”

The acquisition was arranged by independent M&A brokering specialist Millbourn Ross.

Digital overhaul for Thursfields

Thursfields, a leading Midlands law firm, has announced a major digital transformation initiative aimed at modernising its operations and enhancing its service offerings to clients.

The law firm will be investing in a comprehensive suite of the latest digital tools and technologies, including cloud-based software, artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions, and enhanced cybersecurity measures.

Richard Webb, Thursfields’ IT director, said: “Our digital transformation has enabled us to adapt to the changing needs of our clients. We can now offer our services in a way that suits their lifestyles and work schedules, which is crucial in today's fast-paced and ever-changing environment.”

Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity, dedicated to funding diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure of the disease.

Courtney Litwinko-Smith, a trainee solicitor in the Family Law department and chair of Thursfields’ Junior Law Committee (JLC), explained that after receiving more than 150 applications, staff voted on who should be the company’s chosen charity for 2023-24.

Sh e said: “Everyone at Thursfields is really pleased to be offering our support to Alzheimer’s Research UK for the next 12 months.

“Almost everyone knows a relative or friend or suffers from dementia, which can be such a debilitating and distressing disease for both victims and their families.

“The JLC will organise our fundraising efforts and I am excited to lead on this and support the

wonderful work Alzhe imer’s Research UK does.” Penny Dyer, Regional Fundraising Officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said “We’re so grateful to Thursfields Solicitors for choosing Alzheimer’s Research UK as their Charity of the Year. Right now, dementia affects almost one million people in the UK. Yet there are no treatments available in the UK to slow or stop the diseases that cause it.

“With the support of Thursfields, we ca n discover life-changing preventions, tests, treatments and, one day, a cure. Together, we can change the lives of everyone affected by dementia. We can’t wait to see what the next year brings for Thursfields Solicitors and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Thank you!”

Dani James, Thursfields’ business development and marketing partner, said: “We are so proud of our staff who in the last 12 months have raised more t han £6,000 for charity.

“We are now looking forward to helping Alzheimer’s Research UK in its efforts. Our team across Thursfields’ offices will strive to raise as much funds as possible, providing volunteers to help on projects and raising awareness of the important role the charity plays.”

Committed: Richard Webb and Michelle O’Hara

New partners (left to right): Dave Hodgetts (CEO of Talbots Law), Simon Booth and Lynne Robson (Sarginsons Law)

Leading Midlands law firm Thursfields Solicitors has selected Alzheimer’s Research UK its charity of the year for 2023-24.

The Junior Law Committee with Penny Dyer (representative from Alzheimer’s Research UK)

Historic firm celebrates 50th anniversary

D&C Engineers, a turnkey provider of concrete batching plants for the UK’s major infrastructure projects, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Founded in 1973 by John Dale and Geoff Chatterley, D&C Engineers specialises in concrete plants, which is equipment that combines various ingredients to form concrete, for large-scale infrastructure projects.

Starting with just two people carrying out maintenance and servicing to the concrete, quarry and asphalt industries, D&C Engineers branched out to construction of concrete batching plants, then evolved to encompass both the design stages and the electrical elements of projects to deliver turnkey solutions to its broad customer base.

The business has now grown to more than 40 staff members and has worked on major projects including HS1, HS2, Hinkley Point, the Elizabeth and Jubilee lines of the London Underground, Thames Tideway and several motorway infrastructure projects.

Several D&C Engineers’ staff have surpassed their 25th anniversaries, with company director Bryn Dixon

having joined from school now celebrating over 43 years. In fact, a large number of employees have worked at D&C Engineering for more than a decade.

Managing director Geoff Chatterley is still at the helm 50 years later, and is thrilled to be celebrating this milestone.

He said: “Things certainly have changed since I started out in the early 1970s, but I’m so proud to be celebrating D&C Engineers’ 50th anniversary. Looking back at what has been achieved, its actually quite startling to see the evolution of the business over the decades “While there’s little chance of me slowing down anytime soon, I do have my grandson Oscar on board. Perhaps one day I’ll retire, but for now, I’m looking forward to what the projects in our pipeline have in store.”

Flexeserve wins Queen’s Award

Flexeserve, the world-leading hot-holding manufacturer, has been awarded its second Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire visited Flexeserve to present the award for its flagship heated display, Flexeserve Zone, which transforms how people consume hot food around the world.

The presentation of the Queen’s Award was marked with a reception and formal ceremony attended by Michael Kapur Esq OBE, His Majesty’s LordLieutenant of Leicestershire, at Flexeserve’s global headquarters in Hinckley. Last year, Flexeserve’s Global chief

executive, Jamie Joyce, visited Buckingham Palace, where he was received by the Princess Royal and the now monarch, King Charles III.

Mr Kapur said this highlighted Flexeserve’s “success as an exceptional achievement within the local business community”. This ceremony marked the very last of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, as they move forward under the new name of the King’s Awards.

Jamie said: “It is a great honour for us to receive the most prestigious accolade for UK businesses again, and we are incredibly proud to be recognised for continuing to advance within our industry.”

Roof firm makes sure care home blends in

Burton-based Russell Roof Tiles have successfully completed a contract to provide concrete roof tiles for a 59-room care home ensuring the project fitted in with the local architectural style.

The design of Squires Mews, the new care project in Northampton, was managed by Avery Healthcare in Northampton. The tiles fitted were Lothian, a thinner leading-edge tile that has a mock joint and hidden interlock.

Iain Simmons, area sales executive at Russell Roof Tiles, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been specified for this wonderful care home project in Northampton. The team collaborated with Seagrave Developments to understand their specifications, and carefully assess and suggest the best package for the site.

“Less than two years on, we’re pleased to see that our roof tiles suit the care home perfectly and are proud to have collaborated in creating a safe, secure, and aesthetically pleasing location.”

Russell Roof Tiles is a leading independent pitched roof tile manufacturer supplying products for the top housebuilders and high-profile social housing and commercial projects.

The Russell Roof Tiles team worked collaboratively with Seagrave Developments, and roofing contractors, Pebbleford Roofing to carry out this project, which needed a tile that fitted in with the local architectural style.

Adrian Doyle, director of developments at Avery Healthcare, said: “We are pleased to have collaborated with Russell Roof Tiles and their team on this successful project. The aesthetic of the roof tiles fits in with the local area and surroundings, and the home looks modern, and timeless.”

Finished in style: Squire Mews

Proud of award (left to right): Mark Manley, director of manufacturing operations; Richard Birkin, director of supply chain & operations; Warwick Wakefield, director of customer experience; Jamie Joyce, global CEO; Michael Kapur Esq OBE, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire; Mick Steele, technical director

Company dynasty: Geoff Chatterley with his grandson Oscar

Stirchley is now city’s hot spot

Leading West Midlands commercial agency Siddall Jones has been busy selling and renting out properties in one of Birmingham’s most sought-after suburbs.

The recent activity has been taking place in the ever-more popular south city suburb of Stirchley, recently highlighted as one of the Midlands’ best locations in The ‘Sunday Times’ list of Best Places to Live 2023.

Siddall Jones has sold 1257 and 1259 Pershore Road, which was marketed for offers more than £425,000, but went for over the asking price after going to best and final offers.

With a total space of 2,239 sq ft, this property includes interconnecting mixed-use buildings with two open-plan retail premises on the ground floor, extra

space to the rear and plans for a pair of two-bedroomed apartments upstairs.

Div Singh, from Ashley James Solicitors, advised the seller, while Michael Eyre from Hadgkiss Hughes and Beale advised the purchaser.

Siddall Jones has also let the two units opposite, at 1266 and 1268 Pershore Road, which had space totalling 2,450 sq ft and had initially been marketed together at £40,000 per annum.

Ryan Lynch, a director at Siddall Jones, explained that number 1266

Growing firm takes up industrial unit

Burton upon Trent commercial property agents and consultants, Salloway, have completed the sale of a 2,500 sq ft (232.25 sq m) modern industrial unit to MNE Hydraulics.

Salloway associate partner Anwar Hussain said: “The unit is located on the Albion Gateway development on Derby Road, Burton upon Trent.

“The site was developed in three phases by St Modwen Developments and has proved to be a very popular location with both purchasers and tenants, with direct access to the A38 major trunk road being so close.”

MNE Hydraulics managing director Alex Wallis said: “With our business continuing to grow, the decision to purchase Unit 21 Albion Gateway was totally logical as this unit is located on the same development as our existing premises.

“This additional capacity now allows us to offer our customers full design and manufacturing services in house in our dedicated 5,000 sq. ft facility.

“Our thanks to Anwar and the Salloway team for helping the sale to go through swiftly.

“MNE Hydraulics was established in 2016 and specialise in hydraulics, filtration, and hydraulic hoses.”

For further information of this sale, or to find out how Salloway can assist with your commercial property matters, please contact Salloway Property Consultants on 01283 500030 or email burton@salloway.com

had been let to Bar Ikigai, a business which had one of its concoctions voted Best Cocktail at the Birmingham Cocktail Weekend 2022.

He said that number 1268 had been let to Thai street food specialist Buddha Belly, which has expanded from Digbeth into its now permanent home.

Mr Lynch said: “These are just

the latest of numerous transactions that Siddall Jones has carried out in Stirchley, which is fast becoming a hotbed for independent food and beverage operators.

“We are thrilled to have helped Buddha Belly and Ikigai to get their foothold into this marketplace, and we are now looking forward to seeing what emerges at the property we have sold across the road.”

Office space demand hits new heights

The Birmingham city centre office market hit a respectable 153,550 sq ft of take-up during Q1 despite economic challenges, say Solihull-based property experts KWB.

Despite just 18 deals taking place, the total square footage achieved was in line with average take up.

The two largest transactions of the quarter were both to occupiers in the education sector, which has been growing in Birmingham over recent years.

The largest deal saw QA Higher Education (QAHE) take 45,180 sq ft of Grade A space at Louisa Ryland House on Newhall Street, which has recently undergone a multi-million-pound refurbishment.

The second largest letting was to Aston University. They took the last 27,006 sq ft at The Citadel building in Corporation Street, which is being refurbished.

The flight to quality continues to be a key trend in the Birmingham city centre market, as employers look to attract and retain the best staff by relocating to higher quality offices.

Malcolm Jones, head of office agency at KWB, said: “This trend

for high quality stock remains and fortunately there are commercial property landlords and investors bringing forward more refurbished high quality office space to help meet demand.

“This includes the 171,834 sq ft Colmore Gate which was purchased by Ashtrom Properties in September and will be refurbished inside and out.

“A total of 200,000 sq ft is also planned at the former John Lewis store at Grand Central, and Lendlease has plans for a £1.9bn regeneration project at the Smithfield site, where 330,000 sq ft of office space would be delivered in the first phase.”

‘These are just the latest of numerous transactions that Siddall Jones has carried out in Stirchley’

Teamwork: Salloway Agency Surveyor Simon Walker (left) and MNE Hydraulics managing director Alex Wallis

Hot Stirchley: 1257 and 1259 Pershore Road were sold for over the asking price

Can we eliminate single use plastic in UK biotech?

In October 2021 the UK Government published their 10-point plan to achieve Net Zero by 2050. It is one of the most ambitious programmes of its type in the world, and promises to change our country for the better by promoting a green sustainable future and stopping the environmental damage caused by our carbon-addicted economy.

As a scientist I have always felt that carbon has always needed a better PR manager. It is one of the fundamental building blocks of life and for all the negativity surrounding carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs (chloroflurocarbons), we sometimes overlook that it is a vital part of all the proteins, DNA, fats and carbohydrates that make up all life on earth.

Carbon is also a vital component in plastics, another chemical with some bad press issues. Plastics like polystyrene, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and polyethylene have been as important to the building of the modern world as gas and oil. They are incredibly cheap and easy to produce in huge quantities and possess a whole range of amazing properties, the most useful being a total impermeability to moisture and liquids.

This combination has seen plastic replace glass as the container of choice for biotech and life science research. Plastic can be moulded into any format required, stored forever, trusted to hold liquid for years, if not decades. It is so cheap and easy to acquire that it can be thrown away without a second thought. Or at least that is what we assumed.

Plastic, famously, does not degrade. Singleuse plastics that have been used for only a few seconds can last centuries in the natural environment. Many types can be recycled, and there are now hundreds of products designed to be compostable in landfills, while still giving the user all the benefits they are used to with conventional plastics. However these products

are being adopted for food packaging, with only a few examples available for laboratory use.

Change is coming to our laboratories, whether we like it or not. In 2018, the Government set out its plans for an equally ambitious, yet less well known, target of eliminating avoidable plastic waste by 2042. This immediately led to banning plastic microbeads, and soon after tackling prolific single use products like plastic drinking straws. Single use plastic shopping bags are now a thing of the past, and we are seeing more produce in the supermarket come in minimal, paper based packaging.

Government-backed, tax-based initiatives to eliminate single use plastic waste have been incredibly successful so far, so expect to see many more for in the future as we get closer to 2042. So, when is the taxman going to come after our centrifuge tubes and pipette tips?

There is a strong case for them to take a closer look at our labs. A study in Nature estimated that for institutes and SMEs, each bench scientist generates around a tonne of plastic waste per year. In 2014 around 5.5 million tonnes of lab plastic waste were generated

globally. That is equivalent to the combined tonnage of 67 cruise liners, and equal to 83% of the plastic recycled worldwide in 2012.

At CryoLogyx, we don’t greenwash. Our products use the same single use plastic everyone else is using, because right now it is the best solution. Our assay ready, cryopreserved, pre-plated cells come in polystyrene multi-well plates because they are robust, sterile, long lasting and fit seamlessly into our customers’ workflows.

What our products can help you do is significantly reduce the volume of plastic your lab generates. To prepare just five plates of cells for an experiment, we estimate that bench scientists use and throw away a minimum of 37 different pieces of single use plastic. If you used our assay ready plates, you would only need to use six – five of those being the assay ready multi-well plates, and just one pipette tip to add warm media to thaw the cells. That equates to an 86% reduction in single use plastic waste in your lab.

We have designed our product to fit seamlessly into whatever your current cell culture workflow is; you don’t need any other special media or thawing equipment. Plates are made ready to use in less than a minute of bench scientist time, compared to the hours required for conventional cell culture. And since our plated cells can be stored frozen and used on demand, they can help reduce the time-toexperiment from several days to less than 24 hours.

Single-use plastics are used on a daily basis

Learn how to be a leader

The Leadership Coaches have announced topics for their next series of online workshops this year.

Director of coaching Zoé Lewis says that workshops between July and December will cover topics including The ROI of Coaching, Teaching Managers to Coach, An Introduction to Team Coaching and Leadership Coaching for Performance Management.

Zoe said: “I love these workshops. With over 20 years of leadership and management development under my belt, I offer some thoughts, insights and models. Some are from the past and others from the latest thinking on the workshop topic. They also encourage group participation to learn from one another and inevitably I come away with new learning too.

“I love how people feedback on the value they get from just 60- or 90-minute sessions with us and that they can take something tangible straight into the workplace.”

Since 2021, The Leadership Coaches have been facilitating complimentary workshops that have covered topics including “how can coaching grow talent and bridge recruitment challenges?”, “developing a coaching culture”, and “choosing and engaging stakeholders”.

Feedback has included: “The Leadership Coaches workshops provide an excellent way to connect with others in a similar situation, giving you the opportunity to share with people you wouldn’t normally come across”.

The workshops will be held monthly via Teams, with multiple dates and times offered to ensure The Leadership Coaches can cater to the needs of national and international attendees.

Anyone interested in learning more should email zoe@the leadershipcoaches.co.uk

Trio of new trustees for educational charity

A school head teacher, the chair of an influential think-tank group, and a senior policy advisor to Defra, have been appointed as trustees at Services For Education, the Birmingham-based charity that brings music and learning to life.

The three new trustees join seven others at the award-winning charity which employs 250 staff, teaches music to 32,000 children a week in Birmingham and delivers professional development and school improvement for teaching and support staff - as well as creating and delivering several innovative programmes to improve the lives and lifestyles of adults and children.

The three new trustees include Jamie Barry, head teacher of Yew Tree Primary School in Walsall, Dr Peter Borg-Bartolo, chair of The Lunar Society, the Birminghambased think-tank and former GP, and Dr Jory Debenham, a committed instrumental teacher and assessoras well as being senior policy advisor for Defra - The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Services For Education chief executive Sharon Bell, said the three new trustees would play an important role in supporting the development of the charity, which has significantly increased its work supporting schools and communities.

She added: “We have a commitment to Birmingham and the West Midlands and further afield by fostering a love of learning and the arts, providing inspirational and innovative learning to improve educational attainment and wellbeing - particularly for disadvantaged groups - as well as improve life opportunities for everyone by connecting healthy living, education, and lifelong learning.

“Our board of trustees now better reflects the skills and contacts we need as a charity in order to support the city-region and I look forward to working with them.”

Training firm wins commissions

Training firm 3Spirit has been commissioned by the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Suffolk County Council to deliver a suite of adult safeguarding courses.

3Spirit will provide 10 cohorts of Level 3 safeguarding training to staff members working in nursing homes in the Black Country. They have also been commissioned by Suffolk County Council to ensure their team can further develop their skills to identify and tackle any safeguarding concerns that may arise to better support those in their care.

Sarah Ramsey, learning and development advisor at Suffolk County Council, said: “This is the second contract 3Spirit has held with us to deliver adult safeguarding courses; we have found them to be accommodating and flexible with any requests and their training is delivered to a high standard with excellent feedback from learners.”

The Black Country ICB is responsible for developing and implementing a coordinated approach to health and social care across the region, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for people with complex needs and

those who are most vulnerable. The partnership organisation also plays a key role in shaping the wider health and social care landscape in the region, working closely with national bodies such as NHS England and NHS Improvement to ensure that local priorities are reflected in national policy and decision-making.

To support this direct commission, director of training and consultancy, Jenny Stanley, has mapped the learning outcomes to the intercollegiate document, with the goal of promoting consistency and standardisation across the nursing homes. She said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with the Black Country ICB to promote excellence in safeguarding.”

Great to listen: Zoé Lewis

Delighted: Jenny Stanley

Jamie Barry

Dr Peter Borg-Bartolo

Dr Jory Debenham

Providing Assistive Technology in the Workplace, at Home, in Education

Safeguarding children from online radicalisation

Traditional methods of safeguarding children online are no longer effective and schools should make more use of the latest technology, according to cybersecurity experts, Nowcomm.

The Derby-based company, now part of FourNet and one of the select few Cisco Master Security Gold Providers in the UK, is hosting a key webinar highlighting the best ways to protect students from radicalisation.

students better and pupils online by gaining early visibility with the relevant protection, using the latest technology.

through to access radical content and sites can often seem like a losing battle.

Adapt-IT are specialist I.T and gaming solution and service providers for people with disabilities.

Disability comes in many forms with a lot of conditions not even visible. However, the term disability is mistaken for incapable, and this is far from the reality. A disabled person is 50% more likely to be unemployed than an ‘abled person’. With the removal of ‘dis’, you can open a whole new abled, and accessible talent pool.

Adapt-IT has been helping companies with individuals with disabilities and individuals with disabilities for 20 years, from management awareness training to complete assessments, solutions and through life support.

FOLLOW US on all social media for support and guidance.

CONTACT US to enhance your business and learn how to provide access to people with disabilities.

VISIT US at the Disability Expo at ExCel London 6th/7th July

ASK US about our 45-minute Awareness Presentation on Assistive Technology, that could inform and support you, your business and/or your clients with neurodiversity and physical disabilities.

T: 03300 564079

E: support@adapt-it.co.uk

W: www.adapt-it.co.uk

The 17 September webinar will explore how educational institutions can safeguard

Software firm secures contract

Severn Trent Water has entered into an 18-month contract with software firm STC INSISO to protect people and the environment through the delivery of e-learning modules.

The agreement covers two significant software agreements with water utilities covering the Midlands, South West England and Wales.

Severn Trent Water has signed a SaaS (software as a service) contract to use STC INSISO’s audit and investigation tool, COMET Investigate, and this could potentially be extended to a threeyear deal.

Meanwhile South West Water, has renewed its contract for the product, with both deals totalling over £70,000.

Steve Holmes, chief operating officer at STC INSISO, said: “Supporting the UK water sector through two of the largest suppliers is a real positive for STC INSISO.

“Growing our presence in the water and the broader utilities sector is a strategic goal of ours.”

Kevin Prone, chief security architect and Cisco security ambassador at Nowcomm, said: “The internet is one of the most widely used routes to radicalisation. Eliminating the multiple avenues that radical groups or vulnerable children go

“Without the right technology in place, sophisticated routes to infiltrate schools often go undiscovered. By utilising that technology, as we recommend, schools and other educational institutions would have much stronger safeguarding protections in place for our young people.”

During the webinar, Mr Prone will explain how radicalisation happens, why traditional ways of safeguarding online are no longer effective and what schools should do now to safeguard your children.

Wavenet celebrates latest acquisition

Birmingham-based Wavenet Group Holdings Limited (Wavenet) has announced the acquisition of AdEPT Technology Group plc (AdEPT) – creating a new £200m combined business.

AdEPT Technology Group is a UK-based provider of managed technology and communications services, with a specialism in delivering solutions to the public sector and education.

The acquisition creates a combined business with more than £200m pro forma annual revenues, operating as one of the UK’s leading IT support and managed service providers, serving thousands of small and mediumsized businesses and public sector bodies across the country.

Bill Dawson, chief executive officer at Wavenet, said: “This acquisition is a hugely exciting step for Wavenet, creating a combined business with over £200m of revenue. AdEPT’s business is complementary to Wavenet and enhances its position in attractive end sectors such as education.

“Over the next six months we will look to thoroughly integrate AdEPT, following the blueprint developed with previous acquisitions, into the Wavenet business.”

Adam Joseph, head of private equity for Macquarie Capital Principal Finance Europe, said: “The acquisition of AdEPT is transformative for Wavenet,

creating a combined business of significant scale in the UK IT managed services market.

“Completion of this transaction, the fifth in less than two years of Macquarie Capital ownership, demonstrates the extent to which we use our flexible capital to invest at pace behind our portfolio companies.”

‘The internet is one of the most widely used routes to radicalisation’

Delighted: Steve Holmes

Exciting step: Bill Dawson

Professor lends expertise to improve oral health

of Birmingham (UoB) is to investigate the impact of a technology described as one of the biggest innovations in preventative dentistry since fluoride.

Professor Iain Chapple’s pioneering research concentrates on the link between oral health and noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes.

His research group at the University’s School of Dentistry will work with Sigrid Therapeutics to identify and develop further applications for a technology that limits oral bacteria’s access to sugars and their ability to form the dental ‘biofilm’ that causes gum (periodontal) disease.

Periodontal disease has been linked to at least 57 different medical conditions.

Professor Chapple, currently Professor of Periodontology at Birmingham’s School of Dentistry and head of Research for the Institute of Clinical Sciences, is well-known for pioneering research that helped establish the connection between periodontal disease, low level inflammation in the rest of the body, and non-communicable diseases including diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

His research helped push the School of Dentistry to 13th in the QS world league tables in 2018, and resulted in Professor Chapple being awarded an MBE in the 2022 Queen’s honours list for services to oral and dental health.

healthtech company Sigrid Therapeutics will investigate the potential beneficial impact of a technology that consists of precisely engineered micron-sized silica particles on both the oral microbiome and systemic inflammatory conditions. Tasteless and odourless, the particles are approved as a food additive, and can be added to oral health products.

Sana Ajamovic, Sigrid’s co-founder and CEO, said: “It’s an honour to welcome Professor Chapple and his team. In recent years Professor Chapple and others have shown the links between poor oral health and other systemic metabolic diseases.”

Professor Chapple said: “This was a very easy decision. Having seen the technology, scientific portfolio and safety data, it was clear that the potential oral and systemic health benefits of SiPore® are tangible and could be field changing.

“I was particularly drawn by the physical rather than chemical mode of action of the technology, its flexibility and broad functionality, which could significantly impact the oral as well as the gut microbiome in a positive manner.

“Taken together the arguments for significant health benefits are compelling and there is some exciting science to be done.”

Easy decision: Professor Iain Chapple

George Michael tribute comes to Birmingham

‘Fastlove: A Tribute to George Michael’, the world’s favourite George Michael celebration, is arriving at The Alexandra, Birmingham, on Sunday, 25 June.

It will celebrate the late superstar’s life on what would have been his 60th birthday with the new “Everything She Wants” tour. Fastlove: A Tribute to George Michael is the UK’s most successful and spectacular George Michael tribute and has toured over 21 countries, selling more than 300,000 tickets worldwide. The lavish new tour will make new memories while re-living old

classics. This production was especially created for the fans to celebrate one of the greatest singer/songwriters the world has ever seen.

‘The lavish new tour will make new memories while reliving old classics’

Audiences will be treated to classics hits, including all the number ones - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Too Funky, Father Figure, Freedom, Faith, I Knew You

Celebrating Bob’s long career in TV

It was truly a night to remember – as the stars came out to celebrate Bob Warman’s 50 years in television.

Bob, who is president of Birmingham Press Club, took centre stage at the Birmingham Rep Theatre as a string of celebrities came forward to reminisce about his successful career as anchorman for ITV Central News.

Press Club chairman Llewela Bailey, who for a number of years copresented the news programme with Bob, said: “It was a fabulous evening – brilliant in every way - and a marvellous tribute to one of the ‘greats’ of Midlands television.”

The “Night of Stars,” organised by Jasper Carrott and friends, was a sell-out event which featured tributes, anecdotes, music and laughter, a few embarrassing escapades – and a trawl through all our yesterdays.

Helping to provide the entertainment were personalities such as Alistair McGowan, Bobby Davro, Chris Tarrant, Don Maclean, Des Coleman, Gary Newbon, Nick Owen, Ruby Turner, Tony Christie, the Abba Tribute band, Strictly Abba, – and, of course, Jasper himself.

There was also a “Christmas” dance routine coupled with a tribute from Roy Wood of Wizzard, who pointed out that his hit song, I Wish It Could Be Xmas Every Day, was recorded 50 years ago.

Bob, who started his journalistic career in Walsall, retired last summer after becoming one of ITV’s longest-serving news anchors and having presented regional news in the Central region since 1973.

The Birmingham Rep event was in aid of charity, raising funds for The Journalists’ Charity, of which Bob is a life vice-president and Acorns Children’s Hospice, for whom he is a patron.

Were Waiting, Careless Whisper, Outside, Jesus to A Child, Everything She Wants, and many more.

Canvey Island-based show producer James Taylor said: “Fastlove: A Tribute to George Michael is packed with crowdpleasing anthems, performed

beautifully, respectfully and with dynamism live on stage

“Starting with the beloved Wham classics of the early 80s, to the award-winning 1987 album Faith (one of the best-selling albums of all time), to Patience, George’s last album in 2004, this is a spellbinding experience.”

Wicked reunites West End cast

Wicked, regarded as one of the most successful musicals of all time, will fly back into the Birmingham Hippodrome next year and producers have confirmed that the previously announced Laura Pick (Elphaba) will be joined by Carl Man as ‘Fiyero’, reuniting these two former Wicked West End cast members.

Carl said: “When I first got to play ‘Fiyero’ in the West End, it was opposite Laura Pick, so I’m incredibly excited to be reuniting with Laura, and with this phenomenal show. To be given the opportunity to play Fiyero at ten of the UK & Ireland’s most prestigious theatres is a great honour and I can’t wait to get started.”

The West End and Broadway musical phenomenon, that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, continues its open-ended run at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it is already the 12th longest running production in West End history.

Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s musical, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum's beloved characters from ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’.

Wicked will run at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 5 March to Sunday, 7 April. Tickets can be booked at www.birminghamhippodrome.com or by calling 0844 338 5000.

Birthday tribute: George Michael

In the spotlight: Bob on stage with other star guests

Spectacular production: Wicked on stage

The Business of Sport

Hospitality expert joins Edgbaston Stadium

Experienced hospitality professional Angela Sanders has joined Edgbaston Stadium as the new head of conference and event sales.

First signings for The Hundred

The first signings in The Hundred women’s competition have been confirmed with Erin Burns, Abtaha Maqsood and Sterre Kalis heading back to Edgbaston.

Burns, a World Cup winner with Australia, returns to Phoenix having played in the first year of the competition, while 23-year-old Maqsood will play her third consecutive season in Birmingham. They’re joined by Chloe Brewer.

Across the eight teams, 26 signings have been announced with six stars of England Women’s U19 World Cup team among the list, as well as WPL break-out star Tara Norris and two-time finalist Georgia Adams.

Through the retention window and The Hundred Draft, powered by Sage, held in March, each team signed eight players, leaving seven slots to fill in the Open Market Stage. The final 30 signings in the women’s competition, including the last three members of the Birmingham Phoenix squad, will be confirmed alongside The Vitality Wildcard picks in the men’s competition, due to be announced between 6-7 July.

Birmingham Phoenix will travel to Headingley on 3 August for their first game of the competition, two days after a double-header at Trent Bridge between Southern Brave and Trent Rockets kicks off the third year of The Hundred – the first of 34 matchdays that promise high-octane men’s and women’s sporting action, live music, and a host of family-friendly entertainment.

More than half a million people attended games during The Hundred’s second year in 2022, including a record-breaking 271,000 watching live women’s fixtures across the competition and more families buying tickets than in 2021. Tickets are available at www.thehundred.com/tickets?matc hes=group

Angela, from Halesowen, was previously at Gloucester Rugby and replaces Mario Flello, who left earlier this year after more than 10 years at Edgbaston.

She is focused on growing Edgbaston’s non-matchday business and already has a busy calendar of events lined up.

Angela said: “Having worked in stadia previously, I know it’s the environment I want to be in. The ‘family’ feel and atmosphere that can be created in a stadium is very hard to create elsewhere.

“I’m not a cricket fan at the moment…but I wasn’t a rugby fan before joining Gloucester and now

I love the game so I’m sure it won’t be long before I catch the cricket bug.

“I’ve attended a few industry events here at Edgbaston before and always been hugely impressed. There’s great variety of spaces available, from small business meetings to large

exhibitions and entertainment halls. And for daytime corporate clients there is no stopping that pull to the windows overlooking the pitch and that feeling of seeing a backstage area of somewhere that holds world class events.”

She added: “We’re already planning for the fireworks spectacular and masqueradethemed Christmas party nights, plus there are lots of other events in the pipeline soon to be announced. It’s an exciting time to join.

“Previous teams I have led have won Department of the Year and ensuring my team here are engaged and excited about coming to work – knowing how their efforts enhance the customer experience – is really important to me.”

Rockets tickets available

City of Birmingham Rockets Basketball Club have launched season tickets for 2023-24 as the club prepares for its first campaign in National Basketball League Division One.

Both Rockets men’s and women’s first teams will compete in the top division of the English basketball pyramid next season after winning their respective National League Two sections last term.

The men went on to be crowned overall national champions with a stunning play-off final victory over St Helens Saints at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester.

Attention is already turning to the 2023-24 campaign, with top level basketball returning to Birmingham for the first time since the glory days of

the Birmingham Bullets, the professional British Basketball League franchise who went into liquidation in 2006. Priced at £120 for adults and £70 for concessions, season tickets will include entry to all 13 regular season home games for the Rockets men and another 11 for the women’s team.

CEO and founder Rob Palmer said: “Last season was an unprecedented success for our men and women and we can safely say that Birmingham once again has a basketball club to be proud of.

“The support from the people of Birmingham has been fantastic and we look forward to building on this success in the coming season and beyond.”

Visit: www.cobrockets.co.uk

Rocketing to the top: The men’s team celebrate after being crowned overall national champions

Back at Edgbaston: Australian World Cup winner Erin Burns

Impressed: Angela Sanders

Chamber Insight

Focus on a member

Name: Rebecca Mander

Company: GuruYou

Job Title: Founder and executive coach

What does your company do?

95 per cent of the time we are helping leaders to be more efficient, more compassionate, better communicators or we are supporting future leaders in their journey. However, our point of difference is in supporting senior leaders through personal setback.

How did it all start?

In 2007, I was on the board of a large organisation when we lost our youngest son. A year later the company lost their CEO, my mum and I were asked to step into the role of MD… in a recession! I learned all about setbacks in leadership then.

What’s your greatest achievement so far?

Finding good from the horror of losing a child. Charlie’s Legacy and everything I learned about choice - victim or victor? - is at the heart of my work.

What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken – and did it work out?

Leaving a well-paid role with security and spending what money we had left on a coaching diploma and website. It definitely paid off and I now work with passion every day.

What keeps you awake at night?

I sleep like a log but if you are asking what fears or worries I have, it has to be running out of clients or letting a client down in some way.

If you could turn the clock back, what would you do differently?

I would have believed in myself sooner. I played small at the beginning, feeling an imposter amid amazing coaches. Eventually, I was so cross at getting in my own way, I decided to experiment and play big… I wish I had done that sooner.

What has surprised you most in your job?

No matter where people are, or how much they seem to have it all worked out, everyone is dealing with insecurities of some description. I am privileged to hear the vulnerabilities of people so that we can work through them and come out the other side.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Don’t play small if people around you are endorsing what you do. If your results are good, you owe it to your potential clients to make your offering more readily available.

Which business do you most admire?

I think that has to be Absolute Collagen, the skin treatment specialists. The Birminghambased team know their passion, they care deeply about their people, and they have upscaled quickly in an innovative way.

What exciting projects is your business working on?

Most exciting has to be entering into our third year with Birmingham Chamber Patrons Wesleyan with our Bounce Forward Career programme, featured in last month’s Chamberlink

What made you join Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and how are you making use of your membership?

I wanted greater visibility in Birmingham. I put in as much as I can to get the best outcome and I do make some incredible connections. Gary Birch, our Chamber relationship manager, is always making valuable introductions.

Contact: 07930147799

New Members

Your guide to new sign-ups

Whatever your business size and requirements, the Chamber has a membership scale to suit your needs.

For more information visit:

www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/membership

43 Legal

Melissa Danks

07931838776

www.43legal.com

Solicitors

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

A E Williams 1779 Ltd

Stephen Johnson

01216434756

www.aewilliamspewter.com

Other manufacturing n.e.c.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Axiom DWFM

Guy Barnett 0121 758 6533

www.axiomdwfm.com

Solicitors

Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Community Advocate for Fostering

Tazim Parmar

07931911810

CAFF.ORG.UK

Other residential care activities

n.e.c.

Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Cosmik Carrot Ltd

Ben Bradley 01543 624368

www.cosmikcarrot.com

Information technology consultancy activities

Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce

Crowww

Ian Covey 07769 681176 crowww.co

Advertising agencies

Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce

Crystal HR and Payroll

Jonathan Pitt 01902 275 038

www.crystalhrandpayroll.co.uk

Accounting and auditing activities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Fazenda Bar and Grill

Patrycja Sliwa 0121 728 5656

www.fazenda.co.uk

Licenced restaurants

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Good Business Sustainability Ltd

Gareth De Gante 07355999740

www.gbsustainability.com

Management consultancy activities other than financial management

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Greenarc Vehicles Limited

Marc McLoughlin 01772 737383

greenarcvehicles.co.uk/ Renting and leasing of cars and light motor vehicles

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Greenheart Learning Partnership

Philip Scott 01543 756340

www.uwmat.co.uk

Technical and vocational secondary education

Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce

Halal Gelatin Ltd

Muhammad Umair 0203 059 826

halalgelatin.com

Manufacture of other food products n.e.c.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Healthy Steps with Julia Mitchell

Julia Mitchell 07548 251234

www.yourhealthysteps.co.uk

Other human health activities

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

I.S. & Co Limited

Yitzchok Boruch Schaechter 020 7242 5994

www.isandco.uk

Retail sale of watches and jewellery in specialised stores

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Mosaic Pub and Dining

Lauren Kelly 02070995173

mosaicpubanddining.com

Public houses and bars

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Moseley Golf Club

Gary James 0121 4444957

www.moseleygolfclub.co.uk

Activities of sport clubs

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

National Telehandlers Limited

Lee Rigby 03330062011

www.nationaltelehandlers.co.uk

Renting and leasing of construction and civil engineering machinery and equipment

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Pertemps Network Group

Richard Bourne

01283 512225

www.pertemps.co.uk

Temporary employment agency activities

Burton and District Chamber of Commerce

Peter Fowles Surveyors Ltd

Peter Fowles

07747 101189

www.peterfowles.co.uk

Real estate agencies

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Phoebus Software Limited

Warren Gorman Brooks 0121 636 1100

www.phoebus.co.uk

Business and domestic software development

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

R Techsol Limited

Vijay Inamdar 07438 515058

www.rtlconsortium.com

Other engineering activities

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Randox Laboratories Ltd

Fathama Parbin 028 9442 2413

www.randox.com

Other human health activities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Recruit123

Karen Eyke 01216744123

www.recruit-123.co.uk

Advertising agencies

Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce

She Beasts CIC

Sadie Jones 07762354995

www.shebeastscic.co.uk

Physical well-being activities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Strat House Rachel Clarke 07733 262642 strathouse.co.uk

Other business support service activities n.e.c.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Tame Cleaning and Maintenance Ltd

Richard Evans 0121 313 2212

www.tameltd.co.uk

General cleaning of buildings

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

The Do Club Limited

Steve Dixon 07796141325

www.thedoclub.co.uk

Event catering activities

Burton and District Chamber of Commerce

The Great Run Company Ollie Griffiths 07583 036328

www.greatrun.org

Other sports activities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

UB Healthcare Uko Umotong 0121 6631048

www.ubhealthcare.co.uk

Other human health activities

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Vialto Partners

Nicky O'Reilly 07740 242680

vialtopartners.com

Other professional, scientific and technical activities n.e.c.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

WCS Environmental Ltd

Liz Walls 01530 830020

www.wcs-group.co.uk

Water collection, treatment and supply

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Westbourne Leisure Ltd t/a

Regency Hotel

Nick Windsor 0121 745 6119

regencyhotelsolihull.co.uk

Hotels and similar accommodation

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Woodhurst Innovations Limited

Joy Wood 07769 737762

woodhurst-innovations.co.uk

Other professional, scientific and technical activities n.e.c.

Burton and District Chamber of Commerce

...any other business

A roundup of news from Chamber members

Book urges young women to get behind bus wheel

A new children’s book launched in the West Midlands is aiming to encourage women and young girls to take to the steering wheel of buses.

Matt takes on Sahara challenge

West Midland entrepreneur Matt Jones (pictured), a Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Council member, is gearing up for the trip of a lifetime –across the Sahara Desert.

Matt is taking on the Trek of the Sahara challenge to further his support for Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Matt, the founder and managing director of Birmingham-based online college Oxbridge, has supported Acorns for many years and was recently invited to become a Business Ambassador.

He said the Sahara trek would test his limits physically and mentally but he was determined to remain resolute in his commitment to the charity’s cause.

“Their work is vital to so many families, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to contribute in my own way to help ensure that they can continue to provide their crucial services.”

The Acorns Sahara Trek starts on 14 October and volunteers taking on the challenge will spend five days hiking over the Moroccan sands and camping in the desert. In the last two days of the trek the group will be supporting a local charity caring for vulnerable people who require care outside of a hospital setting in the community. To take part, a minimum sponsorship of £2,300 must be raised, part of which will be used to cover the costs of the trip.

Matt is raising money via JustGiving at: oxbridge.click/sahara

‘The Wonderful Women Bus Drivers’ of the West Midlands was launched by National Express West Midlands on International Women’s Day.

One hundred and twenty Key Stage 1 children at Acocks Green Primary School received an exclusive visit and book reading from local bus driver, Leona Kirwan.

Aimed at children aged 3-7, the book explores the female colleagues at National Express West Midlands and their important roles in the local community.

Set across Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country, the book is a colourful, heartwarming tale of women bus drivers and colleagues

- Leona, Diane, Saba, Joanne, Lynne and Sharon - coming together in their quest to help save the annual family fun day.

Kate Reynolds, UK director of Corporate Affairs and Communications at National Express, said: “The transport industry is sometimes perceived as male-dominated and we want to tackle gender stereotypes.

“We have a fantastic group of women bus drivers and training

officers who are great ambassadors for the profession and we hope that by sharing their stories more women and young girls will be inspired to consider a fulfilling career in bus driving.

“The sector has a huge opportunity in terms of attracting women to be drivers and we’re making great strides to provide a welcoming and inclusive culture to help our women drivers flourish in their roles.”

Leona said: “I’m so proud and really grateful to have played a part in this book and hope it

Businesses can put their bosses behind bars by signing up to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s corporate fundraiser, Jail or Bail, taking place on Friday, 7 July.

Companies across the region are being asked to lock up their CEOs or senior managers, to fundraise for the lifesaving charity as part of its Jail or Bail event.

Sponsored by Aico, the event is the ideal chance for Midlands-based business employees to sentence their boss to a night behind bars at HM Prison Shrewsbury’s ‘The Dana’, a former jail and execution location in the 1800s.

Once incarcerated, inmates have 24 hours to raise £600 much-needed fundraising “bail” to secure their release with a few surprises along the way.

Emma Wood, head of fundraising and engagement for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: "During our inaugural Jail or Bail event in 2021, inmates took part in a number of challenges which made their stay as unpleasant as possible but thankfully they all met their jail terms and were released the following day.”

encourages the younger generation to consider driving a bus as a career choice - and more fabulous women too.”

Written and funded by National Express West Midlands, The Wonderful Women Bus Drivers of the West Midlands was initially shared with colleagues across the business to mark International Women’s Day. The bus operator is now visiting primary schools for a book reading by its women bus drivers and has plans to sell copies in the future, with proc eeds going to the charitable National Express Foundation.

Collectively, “prisoners” raised more than £30,000 which helped fund 32 of our daily lifesaving missions, including ten air ambulance missions and 22 in our critical care cars.

Registration costs just £25 and to find out more visit the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity website.

Driving home the message: Leona Kirwan visits Acocks Green Primary School for