Chamberlink Oct 22

Picture: Marc Kirsten

Business News

4 Editor’s View

John Lamb reflects on a month of change

5 Business News

Mini-Budget: More measures needed

10 President’s Focus

Deb Leary, president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

14 The Griffin Report

Shaun Adams, owner of Birmingham Case Makers

28 Where do you fancy?

Saint Paul’s House

Chamber Patrons

40 New chief welcomed at Aston University

1813 Club and Premier Members

42 Finance team aids merger

Chamber Group

44 International Trade: Chamber backs trade plans with Ukraine

46 ABCC: Vice-president expands business

48 Cannock Chase: Scheme to boost numeracy launched

49 Burton & District: Burton brewers in historic move

50 Lichfield & Tamworth: New office for growing law firm

51 Sutton Coldfield: New vice-president welcomed

52 Solihull: Awards shortlist announced

54 Future Faces: New manager welcomed

Events & Training

56 The latest comprehensive list of Chamber training courses and events

Features

59 Enterprise & Innovation: What are the benefits of bespoke software development?

64 Quick ways to refresh your workspace

67 Health in the Workplace: The benefits of flexible working

68 First aid in the workplace – what you need to know

Sector Focus

70 Business Travel: Community projects backed by WMR

72 Finance: Over-50s spending to help families

74 Legal: Law firm launches food and drink sector

77 Manufacturing: Start-up aids JLR’s digital skills drive

78 Property: Demand for small industrial units grows

80 Skills: Chambers invited to shape skills plan

83 Technology: Surgical robot delivered

84 The Arts: Panto line up announced

86 Sport: New images reveal Villa vision

Member Section

87 Obituary: Alan Nuttall

88 New Members Chamber welcomes new members

90 …any other business News from Chamber businesses

Editor’s View

By John Lamb

Reflecting on a month of significant change

Whata difference a month makes. King Charles III accedes to the throne following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Liz Truss is installed in No 10 as the country’s third female Prime Minister.

And what a contrast those two events demonstrated in the constitutional processes we have in the UK. While the constitution allowed King Charles to succeed his mother immediately, it took six weeks for the Conservative Party to find a new leader following Boris Johnson’s resignation.

The Truss era was described as a “new government” even though there has not been a General Election. But when the Truss regime

an ailing business but of one man’s resilience in spotting an opportunity and taking it.

Shaun Adams provides Chamberlink (see pages 14 and 15), with a classic case study of one man’s – and one company’s – fight against the odds.

He turned a corporate disaster into a viable enterprise which won a contract to produce 2,000 Birmingham Commonwealth Games medal cases in just two months.

And, talking of one company’s rapid success, we highlight another which has largely been prospering for 120 years (see page 21).

Cutlery manufacturer Arthur Price are celebrating a remarkable 120 years at the top table – with customers varying from the Titanic to the Beckhams, the Royal Family to Concorde, the Savoy to Claridge’s.

finally got its feet under the Despatch Box, they had just enough time to squeeze in a so-called mini-Budget before going off to party conferences.

It turned out to but anything but a miniBudget with a reversal of some policies the government had been pursuing for 12 years.

Afterwards, business leaders in Greater Birmingham, including the Chamber of Commerce, said the Government must keep a variety of options on the table to ensure businesses from all sectors are supported through the cost-of-living crisis (see page 5).

Our main story this month is not so much about relying on government help to turn around

And they’re still family-owned, a constant presence in the West Midlands since the early days of the Edwardian era, predating the start of World War One by 12 years.

And they are that rare breed of company that is still in existence after 120 years with no outside shareholders - 100 per cent owned by the family and still trading.

Maybe these two companies are a similar yet contrasting example of a description of the Queen offered by Chamber president Deb Leary in her column (see page 10).

She says: “As the Queen herself said ‘life is one of first meetings and final partings’. Her Majesty was the ultimate businesswoman. She understood soft power and she knew when to use it and when to use “a look.”

FRONT COVER: Shaun Adams – a

case study See

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‘Her Majesty was the ultimate businesswoman’

Business News

Latest news from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Mini-Budget: More measures needed

By Dan Harrison

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham say the Government must keep a variety of options on the table to ensure businesses from all sectors are supported through the cost-of-living crisis.

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget included some measures to reassure businesses – such as the reversal of planned National Insurance increases and an emphasis on stimulating growth.

Mr Kwarteng also cancelled the planned rise of corporation tax, which now stays at 19 per cent, and revealed “early discussions” to create investment zones, which will have tax incentives for businesses.

Other announcements included:

• The 45 per cent higher rate of income tax will be abolished

• A cut in stamp duty. Nothing will be paid for first £250,000 of property's value - double the current amount allowed

• Household bills to be cut by an expected £1,400 this year with aid from energy price guarantee and £400 grant

• Total cost of energy package, including business support, over next six months estimated at £60bn

• Cap on bankers' bonuses to be lifted as part of efforts to "reaffirm" the UK's status as a financial services hub

• New legislation to cut restrictions on building new roads, rail and energy infrastructure

• The introduction VAT-free shopping for overseas visitors

• Making permanent the temporary £1 million level of the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), which was due to expire after 31 March 2023

• Planned duty rises on beer, cider, wine and spirits cancelled

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) said that while moves to stimulate investment and reduce overheads were welcome, more measures are still required to help firms in hard-hit sector such as hospitality.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of the GBCC, said: “Depending on the business in question, there will be very different views on the Chancellor’s Growth Plan.

New global trade date sought

A new date for the Global Trade Conference, due to have been hosted by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), is urgently being sought. It was due to have taken place at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire last month but was postponed following the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

It was regarded as inappropriate for the event to carry on when Birmingham City University, home of the Conservatoire, were observing a period of mourning.

Mandy Haque, the Chamber’s international director, said: “We apologise to all delegates who were booked to attend the event. However, we are urgently seeking a new date, which we hope to announce soon.”

Updates will be announced in the Chamber news bulletin ChamberlinkDaily, which goes out by email to nearly 15,000 business and individuals every morning. It can also be access by following Latest News

“On one hand, there were quick actions to help businesses with their overheads and stimulate investment through the reversal of the increase in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) - a key action called for by the Chamber, increase to the annual investment allowance threshold, and eye-catching moves on Investment Zones.

“VAT-free shopping for overseas tourists is also a welcome move to support the visitor economy post-Covid restrictions. Reducing the burdens of IR35 legislation is also a welcome focus for encouraging self-employed people back to the jobs market.

“Though the Government is hoping that keeping Corporation Tax at 19 per cent - rather than the planned rise to 25 per cent - will drive further foreign investment, this measure will do

little to help those firms that are struggling to turn a profit and still dealing with debts accrued during the pandemic.

“A number of our hospitality members tell us that even with the energy price cap and reduction of NICs, they are facing unsustainable overheads this winter. It is imperative that more steps are taken to support businesses of all sizes and across all sectors as record levels of inflation continue to bite.

“Government must keep a number of options on the table. We urge the Government to swiftly introduce VAT relief for struggling hospitality businesses and non-essential retailers, continue reform of the business rates system and expand the Shortage Occupation List to directly help those businesses most impacted by the current economic environment.”

Chambers at the heart of major skills drive

Businesses in the West Midlands are being placed at the heart of major initiative in the region in what is being described as a “gamechanging shift” to help solve the skills crisis.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce have been selected by the Department for Education to lead on the region’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).

Differences: Henrietta Brealey

‘It is imperative that more steps are taken to support businesses of all sizes and across all sectors’

WMCA invests in engineering HQ

The first phase of a new UK headquarters for Swedish engineering company Sandvik Coromant has been competed following a £5m investment by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

The purpose-built HQ, which includes an 18,015 sq ft high-tech innovation centre for metal cutting, is on a self-contained plot on the A456 Manor Way in Halesowen, where Sandvik has been based since 1958.

Constructed by Birminghambased developer Stoford, it will become a hub for manufacturing innovation and customer interactions, forming part of the established Sandvik Coromant Center global network, and is now ready for immediate occupation.

The scheme, unlocked by the WMCA’s investment, benefits from strong sustainability credentials, including BREEAM ‘Very Good’ and an EPC A-rating, with features including photovoltaic roof panels and rainwater harvesting.

It replaces an existing warehouse building with office accommodation that is being demolished as part of the second phase of development, which will deliver 130 new car parking spaces, including an initial 26 EV car charging points. Work is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

The investment by the WMCA has been made from its nationallyacclaimed, devolved housing and regeneration programme which is providing new homes, jobs and commercial floorspace across the West Midlands, helping the region’s economic recovery.

Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “It’s great news that a £5m investment from the WMCA is helping to regenerate yet another brownfield site – supporting valuable jobs for local residents. This scheme also supports our #WM2041 net zero commitment given its strong sustainability credentials.

“We remain as committed as ever to brownfield-first development which of course helps protect our precious greenbelt. It’s also fantastic that this scheme will ensure that Sandvik Coromant’s rich history of operating in the Black Country will continue in the years ahead. I cannot wait to see this scheme come to fruition.”

David Harbon, UK sales director at Sandvik Coromant, said: “This is a state-of-the-art facility designed to advance metal cutting machining knowledge and innovation. We are delighted to complete the first phase of this development working together with Stoford and the WMCA.”

Young jazz musicians win B:Music commissions

B:Music, the music charity responsible for Birmingham’s Town Hall and Symphony Hall, has launched two new commissions for young Birmingham-based jazz musicians.

They will premiere in a double bill on the Symphony Hall stage this month. Baritone saxophonist Alicia Gardener-Trejo and guitarist Steve Saunders are the successful applicants in this year’s annual Jazzlines

to showcase the breadth of talent that Birmingham has to offer and place it at the forefront of the UK jazz scene, as well as giving the up-and-coming musicians the platform to showcase their music.

This year Alicia Gardener-Trejo works with Scottish bass player Brodie Jarvie, and Steve Saunders links with Danish alto saxophonist Asger Nissen. Alicia and Steve will be supported by the B:Music team and given use of spaces in Symphony Hall and Town Hall for rehearsals and development. Alicia is a Birminghambased multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator.

As a composer, she has been commissioned to write for the Greater Manchester Jazz Orchestra and Surge Orchestra, and has featured on recordings played on BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 6 Music.

Commission, and they will perform their new compositions at Symphony Hall on Sunday, 30 October.

The B:Music Jazzlines Commission, now in its third year, is a talent development opportunity that pairs two individual Birmingham jazz artists with artists of their choice from outside Birmingham to each co-create a 45-minute set of new music. The two newly formed groups or pairs will produce new collaborative projects

Steve Saunders is regarded as one of the most exciting young players on the Birmingham jazz scene. In June this year, he performed his brilliant composition Abstract Visions for a Foreign Land for an eleven-piece band on the Symphony Hall stage.

Steve’s chosen collaborator for the B:Music Jazzlines Commission is Asger Nissen, a Danish alto saxophonist based in Berlin.

High levels of bad debt in region

West Midlands has the highest number of companies impacted by bad debts outside of Greater London and the North West, latest research from the Midlands branch of national insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 reveal.

The R3 report also indicates that the 382 bad debts held by West Midlands companies in August is the highest number for the region since the start of 2022 and a 61.9 per cent increase on the July figure of 236. Further findings from the R3 statistics, which are based on an analysis of data from business intelligence provider Creditsafe show that over 51,000 West Midlands companies had invoices overdue for payment in August, a figure which has risen steadily since April of this year.

However, the region’s entrepreneurial spirit appears not to have been dampened as there were 5,726 start-ups in the West Midlands in August, a 1.5 per cent increase on the July figure of 5,643 and a significant 258 per cent increase on the 1,599 at the beginning of the year.

R3 Midlands Chair Eddie Williams (pictured), a partner at PwC in Birmingham, said: “These statistics highlight the tremendous challenges that are faced by local companies trading in this current economic climate. While the increasing number of startups in the region is positive, it is obvious that late payments and bad debts are likely to be a significant threat as businesses deal with the significant inflationary challenges ahead.

“It is crucial for local business owners, whether in start-ups or established companies, to be on top of their invoice ledgers and tackle late payments and the impact of bad debts as soon as they become evident.

“For those businesses which are already struggling, or whose directors may be worried about its situation, the sooner professional advice is sought, the more opportunities may be available for finding the best possible outcome. Many R3 members offer a free consultation to those who are looking for such help and want to explore their options.”

In tune: Alicia GardenerTrejo and Steve Saunders

Picture: Johnathan Williams

‘Groups or pairs will produce new collaborative projects to showcase the breadth of talent that Birmingham has to offer’

Hundreds of firms expected at Chamber Expo

By Feron Jayawardene

Preparations for the Greater Birmingham Business Expo are on the way with hundreds of business contacts set to attend.

The Expo, organised by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, is set to take place at the Edgbaston Stadium on Friday, 14 October.

impact it can have on wellbeing and mental health by Will Crawford from quietnote and an introduction to creating a coaching culture by Zoé Lewis from The Leadership Coaches.

The event is scheduled to start at 10 am with many opportunities to build networks, promote businesses, find new suppliers and increase business knowledge.

Two seminars will be held on mindfulness and the positive

The Expo will also be hosting a speed networking session and is scheduled to finish at 3pm.

Speaking about the Expo, head of marketing and events at the GBCC Paula Bates said: “The

Greater Birmingham Business Expo is a great opportunity for delegates and exhibitors across the region to showcase their businesses.

“Attendees will have a fantastic platform to obtain new connections, raise business profiles, and extend the network of contacts which will ultimately lead to new business opportunities.

“The spring expo proved to be a

massive success and we are sure this too will prove equally successful. We are looking forward to welcoming businesses from the greater Birmingham area for the Expo.”

General admission to the expo is free while stands are available to book now at www.greater birminghamchambers.com

‘Attendees will have a fantastic platform to obtain new connections’

Hive of activity: The busy spring expo earlier this year

Paula Bates

Awarding bodies join in merger

Open College Network West Midlands has merged with the AIM Qualifications and Assessments Group and will operate under the AIM Group name.

The merger means that colleges, centres and training providers have access to a much wider range of regulated qualifications for their learners and employers will have an expanded network of support when looking for an end-point assessment organisation for their apprentices.

The two awarding bodies develop qualifications, and award certificates to learners

Former footballer joins Pertemps Network Group

Former professional footballer Callum Reilly has joined Pertemps Network Group as a PR and communications executive.

His addition reflects the Warwickshire-based organisation’s renewed focus on communications following the launch of a three-year strategy earlier this year.

He will work alongside James Wilde, PR and communications manager, and Charlotte Durham, PR and communications executive.

Callum has a background o f 12 years in professional football, playing for Birmingham and Coventry, among others, so has taken a less common route into PR.

However, he has been working in the discipline for some time alongside his career on the pitch, completing a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting, and assisting media departments at several clubs in recent years, including Leyton Orient and AFC Wimbledon.

Callum said: “I am excited about playing my part in what is already an extremely successful company, working alongside talented individuals to shout about all the good work that is done here.

“When assisting media teams in the football industry, I have seen first-hand how important PR is in

addressing all stakeholders and the positive impact it can have. My background is, of course, different, but I believe that my experiences in football will offer a different perspective to the group. There are parallels to be drawn between the two as they are both resultsorientated, fast-paced environments and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

in schools, colleges, and centres across the UK. They share an experience of over 40 years in developing regulated high-quality qualifications for the education and training sector and have been recognised as a specialist in the delivery of end-point assessments for apprentices.

As well as developing regulated qualifications, the unified organisation provides a national quality kitemark which endorses an organisation’s own internal training and development programmes and systems. This is ideal for companies who are developing courses and training programmes tailored to meet the needs of their employees or customers.

The merger was led by group CEO Kevern Kerswell, a staunch supporter of lifelong learning. Kevern, who has built his career in education and training over the past 25 years said: “This is a merger of two closely aligned organisations who share the same ethos and hold similar values and philosophies on furthering education.”

The new organisation will continue to operate from sites in Wolverhampton and Derby. For more information visit www.aimgroup.org.uk or email marketing@aimgroup.org.uk

A new art installation in the form of a monumental red balloon dog has been unveiled by its artist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital for brave patients, families and staff to enjoy.

“Stretching Balloon Dog” is a 14ft tall sculpture by artist Whatshisname, otherwise known as Sebastian Burdon, and has been gifted to the hospital by its longterm charity partner and supporter Castle Fine Art.

dog statue unveiled

The aim of Sebastian’s canine creation is to spread joy and happiness by mixing the childlike colours of party balloons with the natural yet hilariously exaggerated and mischievous behaviour of dogs.

Mark Brider, chief executive at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We’re absolutely overjoyed to be the new home for Sebastian’s magnificent monumental ‘Stretching Balloon Dog’ and are incredibly grateful to

Castle Fine Art for its generosity in gifting us this terrific sculpture for everyone at our hospital to enjoy.

“We know that art plays such an important part in brightening up our hospital environment, making it less intimidating, as well as acting as a welcome distraction for our young patients and their families. We also understand the important role it plays in helping with their physical, mental and emotional recovery.”

Excited: Calum Reilly

‘This is a merger of two closely aligned organisations who share the same ethos’

President’s Focus

In this month’s President’s Focus, Deb Leary, president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, presents a reflection on a momentous period of history and her meetings with the Queen – the “ultimate businesswoman”.

Five hours travel, 28,339 steps, 11.39 miles in chilly winds between the narrow streets, brilliant sunshine, and evening chill; new friends chatter, sharing stories and life moments.

Then… then sublime serenity, dignity, respect, a courtesy, a bow, a tear and yet more tears, such was mine and my daughter’s journey for the Lying in State.

Two days later from the comfort of the sofa, a sense of immense pride, some smiles and more tears as our Monarch was laid to rest following what could only be viewed as the very best of British pageantry.

A display of military precision, respect of tradition, coupled with a sense of newness, a vision of what is to come.

Both days were complete reflections of life in general. As the Queen herself said “life is one of first meetings and final partings”. Her Majesty was the ultimate businesswoman. She understood soft power and she knew when to use it and when to use “a look”.

It has been said that she wasn’t just a figurehead, but was a player, someone who knew when and how to use the skills that she had honed over the years in order to achieve a goal.

I had the honour of meeting the Queen on a number of occasions, as I have with King Charles, and for all those who had the pleasure of meeting her, comments are universal.

All have commented on her wisdom, humour, curiosity, her smile, her laughter, her steely look, her faith, devotion, public service and sense of duty. Every word is true. I can bear witness to that.

As we grow our businesses our thoughts must focus on the impact of what we build and reflect on the business leaders we aspire to be. The attributes of Her Majesty are ultimately the attributes of the best of leaders, indeed the best of being human, though never claiming to be perfect.

Building business takes resilience, faith, devotion, curiosity, reinvention, innovation, humour and the ability to communicate and listen. It isn’t entered into lightly, but if we choose to do it, then it should be with a sense of duty to be the best that we can be.

In August we were blessed to have had the Commonwealth Games and this has ensured Birmingham has shone bright to a global audience reflected in the international

delegations that show significant interest in developing relationships with businesses across the region. It has shown the best of what we can be and something we should be proud of.

The month ended on a high with the Future Faces awards held at the ICC with the after party at the Albert Schloss. Rumours of the President of the Chamber being asked to stop dancing on the table cannot be confirmed nor denied, but suffice to say it was definitely an evening to celebrate.

In September we were due to stage the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Global Trade Conference. Naturally this was postponed at short notice due to the Queen’s death.

However, I have had the pleasure of a number of first meetings, along with the Chamber’s international team. They included the Mexican Ambassador to London Josefa González-Blanco; Dmytro Bespalov, from the export promotion Center for Ukraine; a delegation from the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Vojvodina, Serbia and the British-Serbian Chamber of Commerce and a delegation from the South Carolina Department of Commerce, all focussed on developing opportunities for trade and investment.

There is a real sense of many more first meetings in the offing. As a Chamber we will continue to build on these relationships and create opportunities for those first meetings to happen for businesses with an international trade focus. The world is open to us.

In addition, September marked the launch of Cordia Blackswan’s new flagship development –The Gothic on Great Hampton Street. Fourteen bespoke apartments, situated in three Grade II listed heritage buildings.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys (HCR Law) launched their new offices on the rooftop of Cornerblock, Cornwall Street, and the Women in Tech Awards judging process was completed ahead of the awards being held on the 11 October.

As head judge, I can report that the level of talent and creativity was off the scale. I’m also sure many of us are also looking forward to the launch of Birmingham’s latest restaurant – Orelle – on 13 October.

We need to take notice of those moments of celebration and reflection. The future, as ever, is full of change and uncertainty. The cost-of-living crisis, an unsettled government, a war which threatens Europe, global market uncertainty –there is a great deal to absorb and much to adapt to.

The Chamber will continue to provide support, information, opportunities to join together in debate and will continue to lobby government on its members’ behalf.

In the words of Her Majesty: “I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.”

This we must do.

‘The attributes of Her Majesty are ultimately the attributes of the best of leaders, indeed the best of being human’

Ukraine visitor: Deb Leary (right) with Ukraine official Dmytro Bespalov and Mandy Haque, the Chamber’s international director. More international news on pages 44 and 45

If only leadership was easy…

There is a tendency to think that leadership is reserved for the leader of a team or organisation – the person at the front who provides the vision, clarity and direction. That’s only one leadership role in a team. I often hear people tell me they are not a leader; they stick their head down and do their job. But if that’s all you do, you’re not taking responsibility for the team’s overall success, and you may find yourself working in silos or at odds with each other.

relationships in the team, the commitment to working together in alignment, the willingness to continually have those difficult conversationsthese all determine the team’s ultimate ability to achieve.

When you find your flow in a team, you can achieve anything together. Whenever teamwork feels awkward and clunky, there is a tendency to keep pushing through and judge others for not being in alignment with you. Instead, reflect on what needs to happen to bring back the state of flow. Avoid silos and divides in the team and make space for different ways of thinking, behaving and doing things. This requires skilful, emotional and relational intelligence.

Everybody in the team matters. Whilst leading from the middle is often seen as a lesser leadership role, in fact it’s where the power truly lies in a team. It’s the place of execution, commitment, support and communication. The middle sets the pace and resolves differences of opinion. Or not, as the case may sometimes be.

The middle is where teams often fall apart. At times of fast-paced change, the complexity of communication takes time, something teams often don’t give each other. The balance of sticking your head down to achieve what you need to do versus working with the whole team is often not recognised. The strength of the

Make time to work through differences of opinion and seek common understanding, even if you disagree. You may not always resolve all the differences, but you can create clarity around where you are not aligned and the impact of that.

With the best will in the world, people will always go off track. Keep providing clarity of direction and keep refocussing the team on where you are going. Avoid getting stuck in the detail of fire-fighting issues. Let go of control and focus on the solution and the end goal, rather than the detail of the problem or who did what.

Be clear what you are asking people to do and hold the team accountable for collective success.

Above all, results are created by people. Engage, motivate and energise the team without burning them out, and you’ll achieve results together more easily.

Jude Jennison is a bestselling leadership author and Founder of Leaders by Nature, a leadership and team development company. She works with a herd of horses to reveal nonverbal communication in leaders and teams and creates dramatic changes in leadership and team behaviour that transform business results.

Working with horses can improve communication

Fond memories of the Queen

President Deb Leary led tributes from presidents and officials of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce with heartfelt messages of sympathy for the Royal Family and the nation.

She said: “My admiration and respect for Her Majesty will remain with me forever.

“Her sense of duty and her commitment to her country are an example to us all.

“Having been awarded an OBE, I am eternally grateful. God bless her and I send my deepest condolences to the entire Royal Family. God save the King.”

Henrietta Brealey, the GBCC’s chief executive: “The Queen’s 70 years of loyal and dedicated service to this nation as our Monarch is unrivalled. She was the Patron of the British Chambers of Commerce and most recently wrote of her pride at the business community’s civic response to the pandemic. Our sincere condolences and thoughts go out to the Royal Family and those close to her as the nation joins them in mourning her passing.”

James Tait, president of the Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce: “Queen Elizabeth II has been a symbol of stability and permanence in otherwise challenging times and has had a key role in cementing relationships between the UK and the rest of the world. The significance of her role in the transatlantic alliance that exists between the UK and the United States and the legacy she has left is unquestionable.”

Phil Arkinstall, president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce: “The Queen has been a constant in all our lives who embodied duty, integrity and was deeply respected for her service to the UK and the Commonwealth.”

Tony Elvin, president of the Solihull Chamber of Commerce: “As we mourn our longest serving sovereign, we reflect on the tremendous impact she has had on the world, as well as our small community of Solihull when she attended the opening of Touchwood in 2001.

“We thank Her Majesty for her service to our country, may she rest in peace.”

By Jon Griffin

It was my very own ‘King and I’ moment – way back in September, 1977.

For a few seconds it was just me – all of 21 years-old –and the future King, then a 28-year-old bachelor, chatting away in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.

I was introduced by a press aide as “Jonathan Griffin” of Peterborough newspaper “fame”. HRH said: “Which paper is that?’ I replied “The Peterborough Evening Telegraph.”

“Oh,” came the reply, “I have never read that.” I suggested: “Well, I could send you a copy. We covered

The Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree (pictured), OBE, sent a letter of sympathy to the King. The former president of the GBCC says:

“On behalf of the County of West Midlands we send our deepest sympathy to The King. There is great sadness across the West Midlands, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth at the death of The Queen. Our thoughts are with His Majesty and the Royal family at this time.

“As an expression of our sadness, flags are flying at halfmast and many books of condolence are being opened at locations throughout the County of West Midlands.”

The King and I…

the Burghley Horse Trials at the weekend.”

Charles said: “Oh, did you go?” I replied: “No, I was working elsewhere.”

As I later recalled in the Evening Telegraph: “That was that. My moment of personal glory with the future monarch was over… without a hitch, to my relief.”

The memories of my one and only encounter with the Prince 45 years ago came flooding back as the nation reflected on the extraordinary 70-year reign of his mother and Charles’ accession to the throne.

I had been summoned to Windsor Castle to interview the Prince about the Queen’s Silver Jubilee along with three other young journalists chosen for their successes in that year’s National Proficiency Test for trainee journos.

My story was circulated throughout England’s evening titles, many of which are now sadly non-existent. And we were treated to lunch afterwards at the Punch table in London, home of the now defunct satirical magazine. It was a different world back then…

Mr Crabtree paid tribute to The Queen and her work during her 70-year reign.

“I am sure I speak for all of the citizens of West Midlands when I say that our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this very sad time.

“Her Majesty was a frequent visitor to the West Midlands and the people of this County always welcomed her with great warmth. During Her extraordinarily long reign, the longest of any British Sovereign, she served us faithfully and whilst her support will be deeply missed, her contribution and outstanding service will be long remembered.”

Deb Leary

Henrietta Brealey

James Tait

Phil Arkinstall

Tony Elvin

Jon Griffin’s article in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph, Friday, September 16, 1977

The Griffin Report

“My wife left - she couldn’t cope with the stress. I eventually became homeless and went to live in a local park. I did a bit of sofa surfing and moved in with my grandfather. I was 27,28.” So says Shaun Adams, now 59, who provides Chamberlink with a classic case study of one man’s – and one company’s –fight against the odds. He turned around a corporate disaster into a viable enterprise which won a contract to produce 2,000 Commonwealth Games medal cases in just two months. Jon Griffin went to meet him.

ShaunAdams is living proof of the old saying “I liked it so much I bought the company” – but that hardly scratches the surface of the extraordinary rags to riches saga of Birmingham Case Makers.

He’s the driving force behind a 43-year-old firm which counts the Royal Family, governments, the Premier League, Harrods, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin and many others among its clients. He’s also a genuine survivor, overcoming bereavement, redundancy, company failure, sixfigure cash losses and the crippling effect of Covid-19 to establish the Aston-based company as UK market leader in its field.

The story of Shaun Adams and Birmingham Case Makers is a classic case study of one man’s – and one company’s – fight against the odds to turn around a corporate disaster into a viable enterprise which recently won a contract to produce 2,000 Commonwealth Games medal cases in just two months.

The case makers may operate out of humble premises in the back streets of Aston but their influence is worldwide, producing bespoke, hand-crafted products for the Royals, the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Wimbledon, the British Museum, the Vatican – and even a case for a Faberge egg for the late Queen.

It’s a story that has never been fully told – as Smethwick-born Shaun admits “we are the untold story, the hidden maker” – and it all

began back in the 70s when a promising career as an apprentice with West Bromwich Albion was cut short when he suffered two “catastrophic” leg injuries.

“That was my first epiphany and my father said: “You had better get a trade.” I left school at 16 and apprenticed as a research and development toolmaker with Hadley Industries, a very successful company. I was there for five years and then we hit a recession and I was made redundant.”

Undeterred, Shaun bounced back and set up his own recruitment agency, Diamond Recruitment Ltd, but saw the operation fold when a construction firm suppling temporary labour to Sandwell Council “did a moonlight flit”, owing him up to £80,000.

“My wife left - she couldn’t cope with the stress. I eventually became homeless and went to live in a local park. I did a bit of sofa surfing and moved in with my grandfather. I was 27, 28.”

After several years in industrial and commercial recruitment, Shaun was appointed

senior lecturer/new business manager at Matthew Boulton College followed by three years as sector manager at Sandwell Training and Enterprise Council, working closely with employers across the West Midlands.

But personal tragedy struck when his second wife Jayne was diagnosed with lung cancer aged just 34 and died in his arms in 1999.

“The day she died with her head against my chest was the lowest point for me. We had been married for six months.”

He fought back once more to throw himself into further roles at Praxis Solutions, the private training arm of Bournville College working with

the likes of BMW, JLR and MG Rover, and later launched a freelance management consultancy with his own Adams Perry Ltd operation.

But he lost out to the tune of £115,000 when MG Rover collapsed with debts of over £1bn in 2005. “I eventually got back £1,800 a few years later. It had been a sinking ship from day one.”

He then turned his attention to consultancy work with smaller businesses and in 2012 came across a case-making company in the Jewellery Quarter “with a very good product, very good workforce and very good client base”. But it was also “the worst commercially managed business I had seen in 25 years”.

‘I eventually became homeless and went to live in a local park’

Shaun Adams: ‘I liked the company so much I bought it’

“I bought it out of liquidation for the best part of £20,000. It needed a full-time captain and I turned it around. It was hard work, you have an existing workforce and a client base, all of whom were used to doing things in a different way.”

Slowly but surely Shaun returned the casemakers – once one of around 30 specialist casemaking firms in the Jewellery Quarter – to profitability working alongside the likes of Dean Reilly, now commercial director, and production director Dean Chamberlain.

“We had controlled growth over the last 10 years up until the pandemic. When Covid hit, we lost 80 per cent of our business in two weeks. We had just got a very large contract to supply the American market with a gin product which would have turned us into a £1m turnover business.

“It was a massive blow, we managed to retain the majority of the workforce but had to make two redundancies.” With turnover now around £500,000 and a 13-strong workforce the UK’s leading case-maker has fought its way back from Covid with a £90,000 investment in new technology and CNC (computer numerical control) equipment.

“It was supported by Birmingham City Council grant – the council has been excellent. Without the support of the city council, we could not have moved the business forward. 18 months before, I had decided that I needed to diversify the business – we needed new markets and new products.

“We have just started on a new journey and it’s a positive journey. It’s a new era for the business. We are on an even keel now, we have our core business back allowing us the opportunity to find pastures new, new markets, new products.”

Today Birmingham Case Makers supplies a vast range of handmade display and presentation

cases for a client base covering the Royals, worldwide sporting events, blue chip firms from Rolls Royce to Aston Martin and many others.

jewellers and the egg was being given to Her Majesty. The inside of the case was lined with the fabric from her coronation coach.”

The firm completed the contract to produce 2,000 Commonwealth Games medal cases in just two months. “Our products are handmade –it is skilled work across the board. Everybody but Dean (Reilly) makes the products.”

Products are lovingly crafted from plywood, real timber, oak, mahogany and other materials.

“The quirkiest was a case to hold a Faberge Egg – we were contacted by one of the Queen’s

Shaun, now 59, says an exit strategy is in place for the firm. “It’s currently all hands on deck and we have two younger directors (commercial director Dean Reilly and production director Dean Chamberlain) with the get-upand-go to take the business into the future. We have paddled hard but are making headway.”

‘Our products are handmade – it is skilled work across the board’

Blue chip clients: Shaun Adams with a selection of his handmade products

Could you retain more cash through tax relief?

Capital allowances are at the forefront of the Government’s incentives for business investment, but don’t neglect your historic expenditure!

Some key points to consider:

• There is no time limit. If you still use the property, you may still have a claim.

• You don’t need to be the freeholder – a leasehold may be sufficient.

• Commercial property can include offices, factories, warehouses, care homes, pubs, retail, Holiday Lets, etc.

• Don’t assume your accountant has dealt with this. This is very specialist area of tax and valuations usually require chartered surveyors.

If you have some unclaimed tax relief, it may even be possible to secure a cash repayment.

Research & Development (R&D) Tax Relief is another of the Government’s key investment incentives.

Companies often fail to claim as they don’t realise that they qualify. However, if your company has incurred expenditure through innovation and sought a scientific or technological advance, then you may be entitled to claim.

This ‘advance’ may be as simple as a new or improved way of going about your business, whether you’re a tech giant or a small building contractor.

R&D Tax Relief could result in a significantly reduced tax liability or even a payable credit.

Be safe in your claim –Braemar Frankland is a regulated firm of Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Tax Advisors and Chartered Accountants with over 20 years’ experience.

Money-saving plans to cap transport fares

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is working with the UK’s principal bus operators to launch a major fare capping project to offer passengers best value and greater convenience when using their credit or debit card on public transport.

Over the next two years, a system will be developed to allow passengers to use their contactless cards across a range of transport modes and operators, which will mean ‘best value’ fares are applied automatically.

This will effectively enable any debit or credit card for multi operator travel which will offer visitors and those who are not

regular public transport users the benefits of seamless travel by simply tapping on and off buses in the region.

This scheme is one of several innovations being delivered over the next two years after TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), secured £18m funding from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.

Bus fares are among the lowest in the country – including multioperator daysaver, which at £4.20 is the same price it was in 2013. TfWM is working with operators and Government through the region’s Bus Service Improvement

Plan to further improve value for passengers.

The multi operator contactless fare capping project being pioneered by TfWM and the national bus operators could also be rolled out further afield through partnerships with Midlands Connect meaning that the scheme could cover the wider region of Midlands.

West Midlands mayor Andy Street said: “Given the cost of living pressures facing local residents right across our region, the pay as you go options, flexible tickets and season passes offered via Swift have an important role to play in reducing household outgoings during these challenging times.”

Selfridges reaches for sustainability

Retail giant Selfridges launched its first project Earth report highlighting key targets to be achieved by 2030.

The report by the store, which has a base in Birmingham’s Bull Ring, pledges to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 while using 45 per cent of transactions to derive from circular products by 2030.

Other commitments include stocking products that meet with strict environmental and ethical standards and building an inclusive retail culture by putting the wellbeing of the people and the planet on the forefront.

This will be done by making a commitment to ensure 50 per cent of director roles will be held by women by 2025 along with a closed gender pay gap and a 16 per cent senior leadership being made up of ethnic minorities.

with teams, partners and customers to inspire a shift in mindsets.

The project was initially launched in August 2020 with the aim to achieve transformational sustainable energy and reach new zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Net zero target: Selfridges in Birmingham

For a free consultation, contact us at office@BraemarFrankland.co.uk or call us on 01905 886444.

The report also aims to change the ways people shop in three ways; by addressing the materials used in products, launching and exploring new retail models (such as repair and resell) and engaging

Andrew Keith, Selfridges’ managing director, said: "In creating our store of tomorrow we must commit to a fundamental shift in the way that we do business and use the Selfridges platform for change. Our vision is to reinvent

retail and create a more sustainable future, and Project Earth and our new targets underpin this.”

“We recognise that we need to challenge ourselves to accelerate change and our ambitious circular and materials targets do just that. We don't have all the answers, but we are committed to finding solutions through a continued imaginative approach to retail innovation. We are inspired by what lies ahead and how we bring this to life for customers.”

(all

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Battery expert joins gigafactory

West Midlands gigafactory joint venture has appointed Richard Moore, a global battery industry and technology expert, to spearhead its strategy and global contact with leading cell manufacturers.

This key appointment will support the investment and development of what will become the UK’s largest gigafactory.

Gigafactories are strategically critical to the UK’s automotive and domestic energy sectors, job creation, future economic growth and achieving Net Zero targets.

Mr Moore has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. He was previously a board member and executive engineering director of Lotus, where he led the engineering of all sports cars, including the Evija electric hypercar. Previous high-profile industry roles include chief engineer at Jaguar Land Rover.

The factory is a public private joint venture between Coventry City Council and Coventry Airport Ltd. It is already in advanced discussions with global battery manufacturers to occupy the site which can be production ready from 2025 to begin supplying high-tech batteries for electric vehicles. At full capacity, it could create up to 6,000 direct jobs, with thousands more in the supply chain.

Richard said: “I am hugely excited to be joining the team behind the West Midlands Gigafactory. This is a significantly important project for the region, the British automotive and domestic energy industries and the UK as we transition to an electrified economy.”

Mike Murray, West Midlands gigafactory project director “As the world rapidly moves towards an increasingly electrified future, Gigafactories have been identified as essential to the survival of the UK’s automotive and energy storage sectors as well as its future economic growth. We are looking forward to working closely with Richard and harnessing his worldclass expertise.”

Top architects to work on BBC Digbeth move

A leading firm of Birmingham architects have been appointed to work on the multi-million pound scheme for the BBC’s relocation from its current Birmingham home in The Mailbox to the historic Typhoo Tea factory in Digbeth.

Glenn Howells Architects will be working with leading developer Stoford, who are spearheading the project.

The BBC has committed to signing a deal with the developer to deliver the 84,001 sq ft purposebuilt broadcast centre, which will house editorial teams including BBC Asian Network, BBC Newsbeat, as well as BBC Radio WM and Midlands Today.

The transaction is the largest office pre-let in the city for the past three years.

Stoford is also working with The Gooch Estate and Turley and a number of public sector partners to deliver one of Birmingham’s first net zero carbon buildings in construction.

The scheme will also benefit from a new tram stop and is just a couple of hundred metres from the planned HS2 Curzon Street terminus.

‘The Typhoo Tea Factory will provide the BBC with an unrivalled location’

Sandeep Shambi, partner at Glenn Howells Architects, said: “The announcement of the BBC’s move to the Typhoo building signifies an important change and reinforces Digbeth as the city’s emerging cultural epicentre.

“The Typhoo Tea Factory will provide the BBC with an unrivalled location within minutes of HS2, flexibility to adapt and grow, and presents an opportunity to create a unique, sustainable workplace whilst reinvigorating a piece of Digbeth’s heritage. The building itself dates back to 1929 and has

been derelict for over 40 years. By opting for adaptative reuse over new build, we are bringing it back to life for the next 100.”

Gerard Ludlow, director at Stoford, said it was working with the BBC to deliver a building that will be a new benchmark for sustainability in Birmingham.

The building, which fronts Bordesley Street, is also on target to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘outstanding’, an energy performance certificate (EPC) of ‘A’, a ‘gold’ WELL Core score, and three-star Fitwel healthy building certification.

He said: “The BBC will be the centerpiece of a transformative development in Digbeth and its 20year lease commitment will help to drive much-needed further private sector investment in Digbeth.”

A public consultation on the scheme is now open and, should Birmingham City Council give it the go ahead, construction is expected to start on site in early 2023.

Apprentice goes back to school

A retail apprentice working with Midlands training company Performance Through People (PTP) overcame his concerns about taking tests to complete a retail course with distinction.

Jamie Nixon, a self-confessed “workaholic” from Snodland in Kent, has worked at Parkfoot garage and convenience store in nearby West Malling from when he was still at school.

He completed the Retailer Level 2 course with a distin ction mark and was immediately offered a Level 3 Manager apprenticeship by A.F. Blakemore, which he began in August.

He was offered a full-time job at Parkfoot while still at sixth form and has since gone from shelfstacker to supervisor at the independent family-run store, which operates a petrol station, jet wash, grocery, butchers and bakery. He has now set his sights on successfully completing a mana ger’s

apprenticeship with his newfound confidence. The apprenticeships were provided through a partnership that PTP has with A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, the Black Country-based national grocery supplier.

Jamie explained that his knowledge of office procedures was now at a level where he understood what things affect the business financially.

Vanessa Langford, learning and development tutor at PTP, said: “Jam ie is a perfect example that you can take on an apprenticeship at any age.

“Despite the experience he has gained from 15 years in the retail trade, there was still plenty for him to learn through his Level 2 Retailer apprenticeship, and I am delighted that he did so well.

“We wish him every success on the Level 3 Manager course he has just begun.”

Important project: Richard Moore

Vision: How the BBC’s new home will look

A longstanding taste of success for Arthur Price

By Jon Griffin

They’re celebrating a remarkable 120 years at the top table – with customers varying from the Titanic to the Beckhams, the Royal Family to Concorde, the Savoy to Claridge’s.

And they’re still family-owned, a constant presence in the West Midlands since the early days of the Edwardian era, predating the start of World War One by 12 years.

years working for cutlery companies in the Birmingham area before setting up his own business.

Simon recalls: “In those days there were more spoons and forks made in Birmingham than Sheffield. My greatgrandfather was a very successful man, he just wanted to better himself in a world where there were no middle-classes.

“The first factory was at Gem Street in Aston. He employed 12 people including his eldest daughter, my great aunt Maud, who was the company’s secretary from 1905 until the outbreak of the Great War.”

Or, as the current chief executive of Lichfield-based cutlery manufacturer Arthur Price, Simon Price, says today: “How many companies are still in existence 120 years on with no outside shareholders, 100 per cent owned by the family and are still trading?”

The multi-million pound international company designs and produces the most extensive range of cutlery in the UK, with customers stretching far and wide across the globe. And it all started on October 3, 1902 in the front room of a terraced house in Aston…

The original Arthur Price, greatgrandfather of Simon, had spent 20

The firm paused its activities during both World Wars and grew into a worldwide operator following the defeat of Hitler. Third generation John Price opened a factory in Sheffield enabling the company to produce all tableware items – knives, forks and spoons –in the UK.

In 1982 John created a new company HQ in Lichfield, strategically positioned between its two manufacturing sites in Sheffield and Birmingham.

“2022 is also the 40th anniversary of me joining the fold and one of the first things was to open our Factory Shop which today

is the UK’s largest cutlery outlet,” says Simon.

More recently, the firm had to shut its doors when Covid struck –but Simon’s son James, now international catering sales director, said online sales had helped the firm recover.

“The investment in our online offer helped us through the dark times of Covid and when restrictions allowed, we had a huge order book and since then our online business has grown beyond our targets.”

Simon added: “Our online business was 14 to 15 per cent, now it is 30 per cent.”

Today, the family factor remains integral to the Arthur Price story, with the sixth generation of the Price family, James’ son two-yearold George, often seen at the Lichfield HQ.

Says Simon: “I love not having to satisfy shareholders. Arthur Price is 100 per cent family-owned and so we can be light on our feet and react to customers’ needs with that personal touch.”

Safari trail in heart of Solihull

Touchwood is bringing a taste of the Savannah to Solihull this autumn, with a safari-style animal trail around the centre.

Until Thursday, 20 October, Touchwood’s famous resident topiary cows, Daisy and Dotty, will be joined on a safari with their friends from the zoo including a hippo, lion, giraffe, gorilla, baby elephant and zebra.

With each resident animal nestled in and around the centre, families can take part in their very own safari as they follow the trail in search for the six new visitors. Simply head into the centre with the little ones and pick up a trail sheet from the ranger at the Touchwood Information Desk to set off on safari and find out who’s escaped from the zoo.

with a prize for those who complete the trail, available to claim from the ranger at the end.

With plenty of activities on around the centre throughout the autumn, including a sustainable fashion show, talks from natural beauty experts and free wellbeing sessions for the ‘Be in love with you campaign’, and lots of Halloween fun, you don’t want to miss out!

On the trail: Touchwood’s gorilla

On top of the new temporary additions to the centre, families can also keep an eye out for hidden surprises along the way as they seek out the clues to solve a zoo-tastic anagram;

Lucy Burnett, marketing manager at Touchwood, said: “We’re so excited to be bringing our safari to Solihull this October with a zoo-themed animal trail around the centre. Following the success of our Easter trail with our now permanent residents Daisy and Dotty, we wanted to create something even bigger and better this autumn and provide families with an opportunity for adventure.”

To discover everything Touchwood has to offer, visit www.touchwoodsolihull.co.uk

‘Investment in our online offer helped us through the dark times of Covid’

Little and large: Simon Price (left) with his son James and grandson George Inset: A diary and agenda from 1902, when the company was founded

Apprentice follows in father’s footsteps

Trainee engineer Michael Bulzacchelli knew all about the advantages of taking on an apprenticeship – his dad was an apprentice before him.

Michael, aged 24, from Rugeley, Staffordshire, has just completed a Level 3 apprenticeship in Product Design and Development via top Midlands training company Performance Through People (PTP), part of the BCTG Group.

After setting his sights on a career in engineering following school, he is now looking to further enhance his prospects with a degree. Michael was offered the chance of an apprenticeship by his employer, lawnmower manufacturing company Allett Ltd, based in Hixon, near Stafford.

He said: “Since high school I knew engineering was the career path I wanted to choose and that’s what attracted me to take up the offer of an apprenticeship.

“My father, John, has worked in the engineering industry for more than 30 years since he was also an apprentice. I chose the apprenticeship route so I can gain essential experience in a real work environment.”

Michael, who is a trainee product design and development engineer, joined Allett straight from school at Fair Oak Academy in Rugeley.

He began PTP’s Level 3 course in 2019 but delays caused by Covid-19 meant he only completed it earlier this year.

He said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the apprenticeship and I’m pleased with the progress that I have made along the way, and thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given.

“The apprenticeship enabled me to further expand on my personal development, seeing improvement both on my skills and knowledge.”

Michael said the course also helped him to gain confidence, adding: “You’re not just considered the apprentice, you are given your own key role to play within the business, not just benefitting yourself and your department but the whole business.”

“Apprenticeships offer a foot in the door in terms of getting the opportunity to have access to a job when lacking a practical workplace experience. It’s possibly the best way to start your professional career, and learning whilst earning on the job is a big help so I would highly recommend this career path.”

Michael now hopes to go on to higher education, and is looking at universities offering a Level 6 product design and development engineering degree to further expand his education and fulfil his professional ambitions.”

HS2 brings a massive jobs boost for West Midlands

The HS2 Interchange near Solihull will bring in 1,000 jobs to the region, West Midlands mayor Andy Street has announced.

And longer-term plans led by the Urban Growth Company will support 30,000 jobs, up to 3,000 new homes and 70,000m2 of commercial space.

Twenty-two new apprenticeships will also be available through the contract, providing opportunities for local people along with many supply chain contracts up for grabs for regional businesses.

HS2’s Interchange Station will be the catalyst for huge growth plans in Solihull, creating an economic transformation for the region.

This forms part of the wider UK Central Hub area plans for 70,000 jobs, 8,000 new homes and 650,000m2 of commercial space, generating £6.2bn GVA per year and bringing 1.3m people to within a 45-minute public transport commute of the station.

In 2023, after an initial 12 month planning stage, Laing O’Rourke will start the detailed design. HS2’s main works contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI are currently preparing the site ready for construction to start in 2024. The station is due for completion in

2027 in advance of the railway opening between 2029 and 2033.

West Midlands mayor Andy Street said: “When we think of Levelling Up in action, HS2 epitomises the potential we can and must unleash by backing the right schemes. HS2 will reinforce our region’s place at the heart of the UK economy when it starts operating but it is already delivering for the West Midlands today.

“This announcement demonstrates once again that HS2 is a flagship Levelling Up project for the UK and will continue to catalyse investment into the West Midlands.”

Mark Thurston, HS2’s CEO, said: “Interchange Station will be transformational for the Midlands, with fantastic opportunities for people and businesses in the region

being created right now, years before the station is open.

“The design of Interchange will make it one of the most sustainable stations anywhere in the world. Harnessing the latest green technology and designs will provide exciting jobs, training and supply chain opportunities, as we begin to build a world-class transport hub for the UK.”

Declan McGeeney, director of UK Infrastructure at Laing O’Rourke said: “We’re proud to have been appointed to such a significant project for HS2 and for the Midlands region. Our teams have delivered major rail projects across the UK and we’ll be drawing on our experience of using modern methods of construction (MMC) to ensure project certainty.”

Children’s hospice boss departs

The chief executive of Acorns Children’s Hospice, Toby Porter, spoke of his “total honour” at leading the charity as he bowed out after six years.

Mr Porter, who has been CEO of Acorns since 2016, will be taking up a role as chief executive of national charity Hospice UK in mid-September, supporting the work of the country’s entire network of adult and children’s hospices.

Acorns, a charity which cares for hundreds of children and families across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire every year, has announced an interim CEO who will take the reins between Toby’s departure and the appointment of the charity’s permanent CEO.

Toby said: “It has been a total honour and privilege to lead Acorns and the wonderful people working and volunteering here. This charity continues to work alongside some of the most vulnerable young members of our community through some of the most challenging times we have experienced in recent memory.”

‘Demonstration once again that HS2 is a flagship Levelling Up project for the UK’

Job creators: HS2’s Declan McGeeney, Mark Thurston, Andy Street

Honour: Toby Porter

New title for pioneering ballet director

Forty-five years after Sir Peter Wright was appointed director of Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) has announced that his title will change from director laureate to founding director laureate of the company.

This recognises Sir Peter’s role moving Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, (the touring company of The Royal Ballet), from London to Birmingham in 1990, and changing the company’s name.

More than 30 years before the levelling-up agenda, Sir Peter Wright (now aged 96), had the ambitious vision to relocate one of the country’s largest arts organisations from the capital to Britain’s second city. With this new title, the company recognises Sir Peter Wright’s central role in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s history. To celebrate, BRB will perform three of his most important ballets that he created for Birmingham Royal Ballet in the 2022/2023 season.

Sir Peter Wright said: “I am delighted to be honoured in this way. Birmingham Royal Ballet remains very close to my heart.

“In 2020, the Company had plans to mark the 30th anniversary

of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s bold move to the West Midlands, so this moment feels like a delayed celebration of that to me.

“And what better way to mark the occasion than by reviving three

of my productions, two of which will tour and all three staged in our home city.”

Sir Peter’s body of work continues to be performed by companies all over the world and

he is undisputedly one of the most eminent names in ballet.

This autumn Birmingham Royal Ballet will stage his Coppélia at Birmingham Hippodrome followed by the £1m refurbished production of his Nutcracker this Christmas and Swan Lake in spring 2023.

Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet Carlos Acosta said: ‘It is an honour and a privilege to recognise Sir Peter in this way. He has been a constant inspiration to everyone he has worked with during his tenure and ever since. I particularly want to thank him for the support he has offered me as I took over during the challenging pandemic. I am very proud to be following in his footsteps and to be upholding the classical values and traditions manifested in his repertoire.”

Peter Wright was born in 1926. At the age of 16, his mother took him to a performance of Les Sylphides, and it was this experience that led him to pursue dance as a career. His father was an accountant and, being a Quaker, was also very religious. He did not approve of his only son wanting to pursue a career in dance, which led to Wright leaving both home and school at the age of 17 to build his outstanding career.

Celebration: Sir Peter Wright after receiving his knighthood in 1993

Meet the Team INNOVATE

By Jon Griffin

NEXT MONTH: Meet the Press and PR team, who are responsible for this magazine and many other media matters.

universities, growth hubs and business accelerator programmes.

Business

support based at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce headquarters is helping create a new generation of success stories for innovative firms across the wider West Midlands.

Innovate UK EDGE is a service of Innovate UK (part of UK Research and Innovation) and is delivered by a consortium of organisations. Innovate UK EDGE is aiming to help cuttingedge firms across the UK to grow and scale through bespoke advisory business support.

Avalon Maison, innovation and growth specialist in the team, said: “We are a key provider of bespoke innovation and advisory support funded by the Government. We want to help innovative firms grow domestically and internationally.

“Our remit is to provide bespoke support such as coaching and mentoring to innovation-based companies. We have a good network of contacts in the local business ecosystem which has been developed through our relationships with local

“I have been here since January 2021 focusing on providing support to early-stage businesses.

“Our remit is to support innovative SMEs across the wider West Midlands region, this includes The Marches, Stoke on Trent and

by making clients aware of relevant funding opportunities locally and enhancing client investor appeal and getting clients investment ready to propel business growth.

“The final key area is supporting SMEs to break into international markets and scale with help from our connections and expertise.”

Avalon added that innovative ideas were not necessarily all IT-based. “It could be based on different areas such as Net Zero. It just needs to have a level of being new to the market.”

He said contacts with clients were a mixture of online and in person. “There is no charge for clients because it is government-funded support.”

Staffordshire, Coventry and Warwickshire and Greater Birmingham and Solihull.

“There are a few key areas we support SMEs with – the first is supporting SMEs to exploit business innovation, by helping businesses to identify, protect and harness their intellectual property.

“Another key area of support is helping SMEs to source funding and finance. This is achieved

Avalon works with senior innovation and growth specialist colleagues Amerdeep Mangat, Sunny Claire, Deepak Pathak and Adam Bev and Courteney Boden, who co-ordinates marketing and events.

Contact: Avalon Maison, Email: Avalon.Maison@innovateukedge.ukri.org Tel: 07815952456

In the second of Chamberlink’s Meet the Team series we introduce you to INNOVATE UK EDGE, part of the government UK Research and Innovation initiative designed to support to growing businesses.

Growth specialists (left to right): Deepak Pathak, Courteney Boden, Amerdeep Mangat, Avalon Maison and Adam Bev

‘There is no charge for clients because it is government-funded support’

Where do you fancy?

Saint Paul’s House offers a warm welcome across its many functions. For a coffee and a catch-up, relax on the sofa or set a laptop up at one of the desk tables. The restaurant is a blend of classic table service in a buzzing atmosphere. For something more formal, Saint Paul’s Private dining room can host a business meeting and a sit-down meal. Once business is done, there is a terrace for a cocktail or two.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner…

Food and drink

Classic British dishes blended with dishes from around the world. Guests can enjoy a classic club sandwich, share a charcuterie board or feel nourished with a bowl of rainbow salad and sea bass.

Breakfast

Served everyday – choose from avocado smash, full English or pick favourite omelette fillings, paired with a freshly ground coffee.

Lunch

A wide selection including a classic club sandwich with fries or a small plate of tempura prawns. For something more filling there’s a buttermilk chicken burger accompanied by wines, beers, and a range of soft drinks and mocktails.

Dinner

The menu is served all day, but a big hit after 5pm is hoisin glazed pork belly with hoisin sauce served on pickled vegetables or the vegan Thai red curry, sweet potato, squash, and coconut curry with charred tender stem broccoli and steamed rice. To finish, sticky toffee pudding is always winner, paired with an espresso martini.

There are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Wines

There is a range of guest favourites, starting from £20 a bottle. Pre orders of wine and welcome drinks can be arranged.

Business facilities

The private dining room (PDR) holds 30 in a formal seating arrangement. Available to hire every day.

Saint Paul’s also has a sun-trapped terrace, with retractable roof. The terrace is often hired alongside the

Saint Paul’s House

Address 15-20 St Paul's Square, Birmingham B3 1QU

T: 0121 472 0999

W: www.saintpaulshouse.com

Owner: Suburban Inns

Head Chef: Derrick Morgan

Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday: 7am – midnight Friday – Saturday: 7am – 1am

PDR offering a way to move a meeting from business to informal. With seating for 60, its own bar and a TV, the terrace has played host to many a cocktail making class, networking event and product launches. A range of food and drinks packages are available from nibbles, hot fork, afternoon tea and cocktails. Plans can be a flexible as possible.

With a 34-room boutique hotel upstairs, packages are available for delegates staying over in the city.

Exclusive offer for Chamber members

Twenty per cent off food MondayThursday. Please show proof of Chamber membership. Not to be used in conjunction with any other.

Building on the legacy from the Games

An overwhelming 90 per cent of people say the Commonwealth Games had a positive impact on Birmingham – and now businesses are eager to back a long-term legacy from the city’s biggest ever sporting event.

Results from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s Quarter 3 survey show that nine in 10 respondents believe the summer sporting spectacular was a major boost for the region, with 48 per cent strongly positive.

And 72 per cent believe that the Games will continue to have a positive impact on the region over the next three years, with 12 per cent strongly positive and 60 per cent positive.

Meanwhile, businesses are keen to support a future legacy, with 72 per cent of respondents identifying areas of Games-related activity to take part in over coming months and years.

Henrietta Brealey, Chambers chief executive, said: “Top among them were supporting a social legacy for the Games such as supporting youth employment and development, diversity and

inclusion (34 per cent), attracting future major events to the city-region (33 per cent) and trading opportunities between their business and partners in Commonwealth nations (23 per cent).

“The door is very much open to those looking to work with us to harness this willingness to

business, we are about business in this great place (from start-ups to multinationals). To us, successful, connected businesses sit at the heart of vibrant communities.

“The challenges facing businesses are very real. We continue to navigate a time of unprecedented events as the biggest change in the UK’s political and trading relationships for a generation (Brexit), the fallout from the COVID19 pandemic and energy crisis catalysed by the shocking Russian invasion of Ukraine, coincide.

“With the Games we have had a unique opportunity to showcase Greater Birmingham to the world and demonstrate to it, and ourselves, the excellence that we are capable of.

engage as we continue to develop our programme of activity.

“At the Chamber, we’re an independent organisation that exists for, and because, of our members. While many business membership organisations are about a size or sector of

“We look forward to continuing to be critical friend and proactive partner to city and region stakeholders in making sure we grasp this opportunity, build on this success to ensure this place and its business community are in the best possible place to tackle the challenges and embrace the opportunities ahead.”

Half of UK tune in to Commonwealth Games

Nearly half the entire population of the UK tuned in or turned up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, new figures show.

And 80 per cent of those polled for a new report on the summer sporting spectacular said it had given the country the chance to celebrate.

The findings, in a survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of DCMS, means the Games drew an estimated overall UK audience on TV, online and in person of more than 20 million.

Meanwhile, Birmingham 2022 pulled in an estimated global TV audience of hundreds of millions as the city shone on the world stage.

The survey also reveals that two in three people from Birmingham and the surrounding area engaged with the Games, with a quarter of those polled saying they turned out to watch the Queen’s Baton Relay as it travelled through the city.

The statistics are published in a new report Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games: The Highlights which shows the positive benefits the event has had on sport and cultural participation, job creation and the regional economy.

Ian Reid, CEO of Birmingham 2022, said: “These results are testament to a lot of hard work by an incredibly dedicated team.

“Birmingham and the West Midlands did itself proud and there was a real feeling of renewed opportunity right across the city and region.

“Venues were packed, spectators had a fantastic experience, and local businesses felt the real-time economic benefits as tills were ringing thanks to increased visitor numbers.

“The legacy of these Games is just getting started and these results demonstrate the positive impact and benefits that major events deliver.”

Games gold: One of the medals manufactured by Toye, Kenning and Spencer in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter

The Raging Bull: The famous sculpture from the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in the Alexander Stadium is currently grazing in Centenary Square

‘We have had a unique opportunity to showcase Greater Birmingham to the world’

Support to cut winter fuel bills

Residents across the West Midlands are being encouraged to reach out for support in helping to cut their fuel bills before the colder months and weather return.

Organisers of the Warmer Homes West Midlands website offer an impartial, free-to-use service that aims to give personalised energy advice to households.

doubled the size of his organisation following a major acquisition.

David Knight, managing director of the Aberrant Group, now owns and operates eight drive-thru restaurants in the West Midlands with an annual turnover of £45m and a workforce in excess of 1,000 people.

The group previously operated restaurants in Cannock Chase before expanding to Stafford in March 2021 with the opening of a new restaurant at Junction 13 of the M6.

He has now acquired four more restaurants across the West Midlands.

David said “This is a proud moment for me and an exciting step on the Aberrant Group journey as it really is the first big milestone in our development and growth.

we start the management process to merge the leadership teams, business processes and 1,000strong workforce together into one group that will delight our customers and drive strong sales growth.”

McDonald’s franchisee and business partner to the most iconic brand in the world has been an exciting, rewarding and a huge personal development over the last five years.

“We have had to navigate exceptional circumstances and challenges presented by the pandemic and now by the cost of living crisis.

The programme forms part of a wider regional fuel poverty and retrofit programme being led by Energy Capital at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) which also provides jobs and support for local people as part of the region’s green recovery.

West Midlands mayor Andy Street said: “With the rising energy bills and cost of living pressures we’re facing in our region, we need to do all we can to support local residents through the upcoming winter months and beyond.

David puts the success of his company down to a “people-first” approach.

He said investments in customer experience, automation, digital, delivery and Drive Thru systems are key to the Aberrant Group’s future growth and success.

Ambitious plans are also in place to grow his restaurants portfolio to 15 over the next five years.

“However, we have navigated this better than our competition, staying true to our values and being led by a strong and progressive business plan which sees us continue to evolve as a true omnichannel business and grow market shares.

“I am truly excited about what the future holds for the Aberrant Group and McDonald’s, as my journey continues as a franchisee with this amazing brand.”

Growth for franchisee Ex-Chamber executive in Assay Office role

A Burton businessman has been named as the new chair of Birmingham Assay Office.

Russell Jeans, the former chief operating officer of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, will succeed Carol Brady this month.

Mr Jeans, a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and a postgraduate of Warwick Business School joined the Assay Office as a Guardian in 2020, followed by his appointment as a Warden in April 2021.

He spent 12 years at the GBCC and went on to become the founder and CEO of Sefton & Associates, a recruitment and management consultancy business that operates in the UK, Europe, and the US.

Carol Brady joined the Birmingham Assay Office as a Guardian in 2014 and was elected chair in 2018.

She said: “I want to thank everyone at the Birmingham Assay Office for their hard work, commitment, and dedication in making the office the success it is today.”

Doug Henry, CEO and assay master, said: “Carol will be greatly missed, and we thank her for the enormous contribution she has made to this business. We also welcome Russell to the role and are confident that his skills and experience will enable us to continue our progressive journey to become the global choice for assurance.”

“That’s why I’m grateful that the Warmer Homes West Midlands programme will provide a welcome support line for those seeking to keep costs down whilst keeping warm in the coming months.”

Residents can call a freephone number 0808 196 8298 to talk to advisors who also book in home visits for more complex cases.

The service also has outreach workers who can deliver energy training in the community for groups and work directly with other organisations supporting vulnerable households.

Community outreach staff can offer help with budgeting, access grant funding, and install free energy saving measures such as draughtproofing, heat reflective radiator foils and energy efficient lightbulbs.

The service is also starting to train local community volunteers as energy champions who will deliver energy advice and support for the benefit of their local communities.

The reminder to get in touch with the Warmer Homes West Midlands programme follows the announcement from Ofgem that it will be increasing the energy price gap this month, resulting in higher bills for many consumers.

‘This is a proud moment for me and an exciting step on the Aberrant Group’

Rewarding journey: David Knight

New chair: Russell Jeans

Flybe launches Geneva route

Flybe has added a new route –taking less than two hours - from Birmingham Airport to Geneva, launching this winter.

From 17 December, the airline will operate twice weekly flights on Saturday and Sunday to the Swiss city from Birmingham.

Those looking to visit the picturesque old town or go skiing in the Alps will be able to fly direct to Geneva Airport in under two hours.

Dave Pflieger, Flybe’s CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be able to further build on our schedule by adding this fantastic new destination to flybe’s winter schedule.

“Birmingham Airport is our home base, with flights operating to a host of other destinations including Belfast and Amsterdam.

“We are committed to providing consumers with more choice, everyday great value, and more ways to connect to the people and experiences that matter.”

See Business travel – page 70

Zipwire thrills: Zoe Lewis

Software tool designed to tackle air pollution

Aston University has joined forces with transport safety specialists Agilysis Limited to create a sophisticated new software tool to help tackle air pollution.

University experts are linking up with the safety group through a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) to pave the way for a predictive Air Quality (AQ) tool.

The tool will use live data to promote safe and sustainable travel with improvements in air quality, by allowing local authorities to strategically plan and assess the benefits of network improvements.

Back in 2010, the House of Commons Environment Audit Committee stated that the cost of health impacts of air pollution was likely to exceed estimates of up to £20 billion.

This project will help to improve transport planning decisions by being the first to apply predictive models to measure the impact of interventions - such as low traffic neighbourhoods and school zones - on reducing emissions.

A KTP is a three-way collaboration between a business, an academic partner and a highly qualified graduate, known as a KTP associate.

Agilysis Limited is an awardwinning specialist consultancy in transport safety and road-user behaviour.

Completing the team will be Dr Maria Chli, reader in informatics and digital engineering at Aston University whose research is in the artificial intelligence field, with particular interest in applying machine learning techniques to intelligent agents and multi-agent systems with a focus on smart cities applications.

The Aston University team will be led by Dr George Vogiatzis, senior lecturer in informatics and digital engineering, who has expertise in machine learning techniques, including deep learning neural networks and deep learning methodologies for indexing large video and image collections.

He will be supported by Dr Lucy Bastin, senior lecturer in informatics and digital engineering, who focuses on urban ecology and green infrastructure and its impact on quality of life in our cities.

Daniel Campsall, executive chairman of Agilysis Limited, said: “This partnership with Aston University allows us to adopt the latest research and expertise from a world-leading academic institution to develop a novel sophisticated air quality model.

“We are looking forward to establishing a close working relationship that will bring an exciting skillset to our company.”

Dr Vogiatzis said: “We are very excited to get started on this KTP with Agilysis.

“The key objective, a powerful predictive AQ model, will be of great benefit as a tool for improving living conditions in our cities. It will also hopefully unlock exciting research avenues on new smart cities applications.”

Zoe takes on biggest fear to raise funds for charity

Coaching expert Zoe Lewis is taking to the world’s fastest zipwire to raise funds for Women’s Environmental Network.

The director of coaching at The Leadership Coaches is to take part in the daring fund-raising initiative at Penrhyn Quarry, North Wales, in October.

Each year, The Leadership Coaches select a charity to support with financial donations, fundraising, and pro-bono coaching. This year, The Leadership Coaches charity of the year is the Women’s Environmental Network (Wen), and fundraising has now commenced.

Zoe said: “I’m delighted to be able to fundraise for Women’s Environmental Network. I’m in awe of the work they do supporting women and particularly women of colour and those who have been oppressed, victims of domestic violence, and abuse, to name just a few of the areas in which they make a difference.

“I’m attempting (so long as I have the guts to go through with it) the world’s

fastest zip line and my biggest fear is having my hands strapped to my sides throughout. If you’d like to donate to help the charity reach more of its impressive objectives, all donations, no matter how small or large, are most welcome”

Zoe heads a team of coaching experts at The Leadership Coaches helping individuals, teams and organisations reach their potential.

With a mission to inspire, connect, and mobilise people to act on issues connecting gender, equality, health, and the environment, Wen’s projects and campaigns include community food growing and creating a local circular food system, therapeutic horticulture in women’s refuges, promoting eco-friendly period products for all, ensuring gender and racial equality are at the heart of plans to tackle climate crisis, and amplifying women and marginalised voices in climate debates.

‘We are very excited to get started on this KTP with Agilysis’

The real cost of recruiting nurses overseas

Detailed calculations and comparison

Article by Liza Moroz

The Covid19 pandemic combined with the effect of Brexit heavily impacted the care sector, causing severe staff shortages. Traditionally the UK healthcare sector relies on foreign workers to fill about 15% of the positions, and the care industry may use the same path to find quality talent from abroad. Still, for many recruitment and home managers, overseas recruitment remains a complex operation related to too much uncertainty, especially regarding its cost. In this article, we will try to answer how much it costs to hire an overseas nurse.

FINDING THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Finding the right people could be complex and cost your organisation a lot of effort and time. Unless the organisation has dedicated personnel who deal with the task, you may seek external help from agencies who will connect with the right candidates. The fee often is equal to one month salary, starting at about £2K to £3.5K.

Issuing the Visa will cost, £232 plus a TB health check for £55. To transport then to UK the place ticket will cost around £500-£700 depending on the country of origin.

GETTING LICENSED

The primary and more complex step is getting the Certificate of Sponsorship that covers four years of sponsorship but could be extended. Under this license, the employer may recruit for all their roles, and the chosen recruits are getting their visa to come and work under a multiyear contract. The cost of the Certificate of Sponsorship is £536 for small businesses and charities and £1,476 for medium and large organisations.

Additionally, the government charges Sponsors an Immigration skills fee for each overseas employee. The sum depends again on the size of the organisation and the length of the contract.

• small or charitable organisations pay £364 for the first year and £182 for every additional six months after

• medium and large organisations pay £1000 for the first year and £500 for every additional six months after.

MANDATORY TRAINING

Upon arrival overseas nurses have a strict timeline to cover the mandatory UK training and take exams: three months for OSCE and CBT, six months for OET. In total, candidates have eight months to obtain their PIN and become Registered nurses. When an employer pays for these courses, OET and OSCE may cost between

£1000 to £2000 each depending on length, personalisation, and quality of the coaching.

The actual exam also costs you as CBT is £130, OET £315 and £794 for OSCE. It is important to know that during the period of training, candidate nurses can work limited hours under supervision. The employer has an obligation to provide time for study and the opportunity to attend the exams.

OTHER RELATED COSTS

NMC Application Fee of £140 is paid to Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) when a new nurse applies to the register. Upon receiving the PIN another £153 are paid to the same organisation. Health Surcharge Fees of £200 per year are paid for access to free NHS healthcare.

Recruiting foreign personnel also increases the time load on people dealing with HR, compliance, and welfare as it will require monitoring, reporting and regular counselling. The whole process is time-consuming and requires specific knowledge. The sum of all related indirect costs will affect your bottom line with an additional £300 to £500 as working hours.

DRAWING THE LINE

After adding up all the related costs, the total sum may reach an impressive number over £10K. It could be 'money well spent' to guarantee long-term employment and access to a broader talent pool for some organisations. The cost will also spread if the organisation recruits and trains more nurses at the same time.

With With Agent QAQF Difference Approx.

Summary of costs 10.6K 3.9K 62%

Still, the cost is significant, and can be reduced with the QAQF Discover – Train Deploy scheme, by an astonishing 62% as the expenses related

to selection, transportation, training and registration are covered entirely by the candidates during the initial period of their training in the UK. When introduces to the employers they are already Registered nurses ready to work.

In this case, the main expenditure will remain the licence and paying the compulsory government charge. The cooperation with QAQF will also reduce the indirect cost offering Legal, Compliance and Welfare support to the trainees before they settle successfully in the country.

QAQF partners with UK care and nursery homes in recruiting talent from all over the world directly from our training courses avoiding complications and reducing the related costs more than half.

You can connect with Liza for more information about Discover – TtrainDeploy via elisaveta.moroz@qaqf.co.uk

Liza Moroz (pictured) is part of QAQF BD Department. She likes connecting with people, solving problems and finding new opportunities.

An overseas nurse in the UK

Firms still waiting for share of Covid relief fund

Thousands of businesses promised business rates relief through the £1.5bn Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) are still waiting to receive support despite government promises over a year ago - as distribution of the fund continues to descend into a post code lottery.

According to latest figures revealed by the government, to the end of June 2022 only £419.3m (or 28 per cent) of the £1.5bn fund announced in March 2021 has been allocated to businesses, with only 82,573 hereditaments (properties) awarded relief across England.

Of this £420m, £144.7m has been distributed to businesses in the offices sector, £112.4m to those in factories/industrial and £94m for warehousing, storage and distribution.

The CARF scheme was

announced in March 2021 following the government’s announcement that businesses impacted by Covid-19 would not be able to appeal their business rates on grounds of a Material Change of Circumstance (MCC).

problem and the capability of local authorities to pay out in an efficient and consistent way.

Listening for a better treatment

A new method of examining the brain’s electrical signals could hold the key to better treatment and understanding of conditions like epilepsy and schizophrenia.

Instead, the new £1.5bn relief fund was announced to be for those affected by Covid-19, outside the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, and would be distributed by Local Authorities to “get cash to affected businesses in the most proportiona te and equitable way”.

But real estate firm Colliers said the new fund vastly underestimated both the size of the

Colliers head of rating John Webber said this move created “carnage” and a “postcode lottery”; “Of those the 169 LAs who do have an application process, a good number have not spent their allocation since their application processes were either too complicated, restrictive or not well publicised enough. They are now either looking to re-launch their schemes, introduce additional application rounds or to identify and award relief to recipients based on the business rates data they hold.”

“The picture is a disgrace. Fifteen months on from the time businesses were denied their right to appeal their business rates, less than one third of the allotted £1.5bn has been allocated to such businesses.

Longstanding staff members honoured with service awards

We Clean, a Birmingham-based commercial cleaning company, has awarded eight of its employees with 10 years of service awards.

They work across the West Midlands, covering We Clean’s large client base from Solihull to the Black Country.

The employees awarded were Christine Mitchell, Linda Sheldon, Sandra Garbett, Kerry O’Rourke, Yvonne Orme, Julie Madigan, Joyce Strawford and Pauline Strawford.

Christine has spent the majority of her 10 years with We Clean at Solihull School.

The company’s new contracts for Glide Utilities in Stoneleigh Park (Kenilworth) and more recently Pragmatic Consulting will allow Christine to continue her cleaning career with the company.

Congratulating Christine on a decade of work, Richard Wharton, contract manager, said: “Christine is a real character and a very genuine person, she is hard working and diligent in her cleaning roles and I can honestly say that she has never let me down.

“Our clients at both Glide and Pragmatic Consulting cannot speak highly enough of Christine and this is testament to the service she

provides – nothing is ever too much trouble, and she really is a pleasure to work with!”

Julie, Joyce and Pauline also work at the school’s George Hill Building.

Robb Paton, contract manager for the Solihull School, said: “I cannot speak highly enough of these three very dedicated cleaning

operatives who have provided ‘We Clean’ with 10 years of committed service and have been such a pleasure to work with. They have provided me with genuine support to ensure that we meet the client expectations for delivering consistently high standards of cleanliness within this very modern school building.”

Researchers at Aston University are exploring new ways to “listen” to and record electrical signals emitted from brain cells, which could be used to help treat the conditions.

Dr Petro Lutsyk, lecturer in electronic engineering and systems in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and member of Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT), together with Dr Stuart Greenhill, senior lecturer in neuroscience in the College of Health and Life Sciences and member of Aston Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment (IHN), have been awarded £100,000 by the Royal Society to conduct the project nanomaterial webs for revolutionary brain recording.

Currently, epilepsy patients who can’t be helped by drugs may undergo brain surgery in order to prevent seizures, removing the part of the brain that is the ‘focus’ of the seizures.

Dr Greenhill said: “The research project will use newly developed nanomaterials to keep samples of brain healthy and active for far longer than current technology allows, whilst recording the activity of the tissue.

“This allows more understanding of what generates epileptic seizures and opens new avenues for drug development, meaning fewer surgeries may be needed in the future.

“Eventually, the technology may lead to new and better ways of recording from patients’ brains before surgery.”

The two-year project will see materials and electronic engineering applied to translational neuroscience research.

The grant is from the Royal Society APEX Awards scheme (Academies Partnership in Supporting Excellence in Crossdisciplinary research award) which offers researchers with a strong track record in their area an opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary research to benefit wider society.

‘This move created carnage and a postcode lottery’

Honouring 10 years of service (left to right): Paul Concannon (director), Richard Wharton (contract manager), Christine Mitchell (cleaning operative), Kelly Mitchell (cleaning operative) and Robb Paton (contract manager)

Store closures at lowest rate

Net store closures in the Midlands are at their lowest rate since 2018, according to new data from PwC and the Local Data Company.

In the first half of the year, 266 shops opened across the West Midlands compared to 516 closures. This creates a net decline of 250, down from 566 in H1 2021. The East Midlands saw 223 openings, with 359 closures, creating a net closure of 136.

With the overall reduction at -1.4 per cent, the West Midlands closure rate has improved and is in line with other regions in the UK. The spread of closures across Great Britain at its lowest for over seven years.

One segment that has had an improvement has been leisure, with operators making up three of the four fastest growing categories in Great Britain.

Takeaways have been boosted by the growth of home delivery and their ability to operate throughout lockdowns and the pandemic. While restaurants have been one of the worst performers in the past three years, new chains have been able to expand quickly into empty spaces and take advantage of lower rents and pent-up demand post-lockdown.

While not categorised as leisure, DIY shops have taken advantage of home improvement trends formed during lockdowns.

Elsewhere, banks and financial services have continued to decline and have featured in the top 10 fastest declining outlets for the past seven years except in 2020. With more consumers opting to use online banking and digital services, it is likely that this trend will continue.

“Highstreets and shopping centres in the Midlands, and in Birmingham in particular, have seen many changes with some high-profile closures in the past few years. High streets across the UK have been battling against the rise in online shopping and digital experiences for some time, which is reflected in retail footfall rates that remain at an average 10 to 15 per cent below pre-pandemic levels.

“However, this summer’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games brought over a million people to the region and put a global spotlight on us. The impact of this has yet to be formally captured, but anecdotally retailers and leisure operators felt a positive impact.

Other declining segments are charity and betting shops. The shift to online shopping and digital marketplaces for pre-loved items is impacting charity shops.

Sarah Phillips, PwC partner and consumer markets leader for the Midlands, said: "While the annual reduction of stores across the Midlands continues, the rate of decline is stabilising in the region, as it is across Great Britain.

“That said, as we move into the second half of the year against the backdrop of the cost of living crisis, there is no doubt that retailers and leisure operators will come under pressure again as consumers’ ability to spend decreases and operating costs increase.”

For more information about the report, visit: www.pwc.co.uk/press-room/pressreleases/store-closures-at-lowest-rate-inseven-years-but-openings-continu.html

Logistics firm secures soap brand contract

Midlands-based order fulfilment provider OnLogistics has secured a contract to provide supply chain services to Little Soap Company, the fast-growing soap brand.

OnLogistics will deliver a range of B2B, B2C fulfilment and value-added services on behalf of Little Soap Company, keeping up with the demand of increasing orders of their various ranges of planet-friendly soap which is supplied to main grocers, chemists, online giants and directly to consumers.

The appointment of OnLogistics aims to add flexibility and greater visibility through technology to accommodate peaks in demand and offer expertise in several logistical services within the UK and Europe.

Emma Heathcote-James, founder of Little Soap Company, said: “As a BCorporation working towards Carbon Neutrality, it is paramount we cut unnecessary miles and streamline as much as we can. It’s wonderful to have a fabulous new extension to our team to not only grow with us but one which aligns with our values so well.”

Nick Bennett, managing director of OnLogistics, said: “This contract is a big step forward for OnLogistics and a great opportunity to showcase our capability for tailored and value-added services across diverse customer markets.”

Head chef promoted at Chapter

Chapter, the Edgbaston-based restaurant, has promoted head chef Nathan Swift to the role of executive chef.

Nathan played a crucial part in helping to set up Chapter, as well as recruiting and training the kitchen team.

He and chef director Ben Ternent have worked together for eight years – including at former Birmingham city centre restaurant Opus.

Nathan honed his culinary skills working for Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines, where he developed a passion for designing menus based on British produce.

He joined Opus restaurant in Cornwall Street as a junior sous chef under Ben Ternent and quickly progressed to sous. He was head chef when the restaurant had to close following the pandemic.

Ben said: “It’s great to recognise Nathan in this way. We’ve been a great team for a number of years and this acknowledges his contribution to the business.”

Chapter benefited from the huge success of the Commonwealth Games for Birmingham.

It was the venue for a lunch hosted by Speedo for families of swimmers and athletes participating in the games.

Families from Canada, Australia and New Zealand enjoyed a three-courses lunch at an exclusive event, at which Chapter welcomed Ellie Simmons and the competitive swimmer Michael Gunning.

Restaurant director Irene Allan said: “It was very special to entertain families from around the Commonwealth and the buzz was palpable.”

‘High streets across the UK have been battling against the rise in online shopping’

Promotion: Chef Nathan with Ellie Simmons and Ben Ternent

Big step: Emma Heathcote-James and Nick Bennett

Chamber Patrons

Greater Birmingham Chambers’ leading supporters

Contact: Raj Kandola T: 07815 952462

NEC introduces carbon label trial

The NEC Group is taking the next step on its sustainability journey by trialling carbon labelling at its NEC and ICC venues, led by inhouse caterer Amadeus.

Introduced with the help of food technology and sustainability specialists Foodsteps, the trial is assessing the carbon impacts of 1,800 recipes sold at the venues, labelling dishes as low carbon footprint on its menus.

The project comes in collaboration with a study conducted by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), who funded the project, and the University of Birmingham (UOB) on food sustainability labelling and behaviour change.

Developed alongside scientists and academics at the University of Cambridge, Foodsteps offers a cloud-based platform, as well as labelling capability and QR codes.

On the platform, food providers can upload recipes and view the sustainability impact of each ingredient.

The NEC venue is using its digital screens to direct customers towards this sustainability information, allowing event goers the capability to easily check the impact of each dish. The new labels will feature in the caterer’s Edge restaurants at the NEC.

Ian Taylor, managing director for conventions and exhibitions at NEC Group, said: “We have a strong focus on sustainability and we’re delighted to introduce this carbon labelling trial at the NEC and ICC.

“We know from customer feedback that our visitors love the quality of food and service at both venues, so we’re excited that our carbon labels will help them make low carbon choices and reduce their carbon footprint.”

For more information visit necgroup.co.uk/sustainability

New chief welcomed at Aston University

Aston University has welcomed Professor Aleks Subic as its new vice-chancellor and chief executive.

He has joined Aston University from RMIT in Australia where he was deputy vice-chancellor of the College of Science, Engineering and Health and vice president for Digital Innovation.

Prior to that, he was deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at Swinburne University of Technology.

Professor Subic has received a number of awards for his work, including the Australian Business Innovation Award and the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Award.

He is a passionate and lifelong advocate for multiculturalism, equality, diversity and inclusion, which has been demonstrated through a number of actions such as appointing the first Dean of STEMM Diversity & Inclusion in

Australia and establishing Women in STEMM Fellowships.

Professor Subic said: “I am arriving at a pivotal time in the university’s history, to build on the strong foundations established by its leaders and staff, past and present, and to develop and lead our new bold strategy.

the lives and livelihoods of those with whom we work.

“Building on our collective expertise, experience and professional networks, I look forward to supporting our students, industries and communities in Birmingham and the West Midlands region, as well as our strategic partners nationally and internationally.”

One of Professor Subic’s first engagements in his new role was to meet the GBCC’s chief executive Henrietta Brealey and president Deb Leary.

“Our next stage of development will be ambitious, aiming to achieve our full potential within a rapidly changing world.

“I can see huge potential for creating a globally relevant university, a leader in science, technology and enterprise – by transcending academic disciplines, applying the knowledge we create and driving innovation, to improve

Ms Brealey said: “Aleks’ expertise in technology and innovation, and commitment to meaningful inclusion and engagement align perfectly with Aston University’s commitments as a civic university.

“We look forward to continuing to work together to build on the long established partnerships between the university and business.”

Meet and greet: Yve Buckland (pro-chancellor, Aston University), Aleks Subic, Henrietta Brealey and Deb Leary

On display: NEC customers will be able to check the sustainability impact of each dish

‘Our next stage of development will be ambitious’

HS2 helps unemployed into work

The drive to support more unemployed people into skilled careers on HS2 is proving to be a success.

HS2 Ltd has confirmed that 2,200 people who were out of work have now secured a job helping to build Britain’s new railway. In the last three months, 267 people who were out of work have transitioned into employment with HS2’s construction partners and companies in the wider supply chain.

They form part of the 27,000strong workforce spread across more than 350 sites between London, the Midlands and Crewe.

HS2’s specialist training academies and fast-track job training programmes, delivered in partnership with further education colleges, local councils, and enterprise partnerships are all playing a part in the drive to get unemployed people into work. They enable candidates to access free training and progress onto paid work trials, so they can see if the jobs on offer suit their personal career aspirations.

In the West Midlands, HS2’s construction partner Balfour Beatty VINCI has helped hundreds of people to secure work on the 90km section of the railway between Warwickshire and Staffordshire.

Dale Plucinski, 33, from Kidderminster graduated from the Skills Academy and is now working as a Traffic Marshall at a BBV construction site in Birmingham.

Dale said: “I’d never worked in construction before, but the tutors at the BBV Skills Academy were very understanding of my knowledge level.”

Midlands business figures recognised by university

Two influential figures from the region’s business community have been awarded honorary doctorates from Birmingham City University.

Paul Cadman and Paul Faulkner received one of the highest distinctions a university is able to confer at a Symphony Hall Birmingham ceremony.

Known as ‘the quiet changemaker’ for his work behind the scenes, Mr Cadman was awarded a Visiting Professorship by Birmingham City University’s Business School in 2019, in honour of his commitment to community and society in Birmingham.

During the pandemic, Mr Cadman oversaw the commissioning and delivery of a major new mural in the city of Birmingham – created by BCU visual communications alumnus and acclaimed graffiti artist Joshua Billingham aka Gent 48 - celebrating key workers and raising thousands of pounds for the Art4Charity initiative.

He is also vice president of Acorns Children’s Hospice and holds ambassadorial roles with EmployabilityUK, Walsall Against Single Plastic (WASUP) and Steps to Work charities.

Paul Cadman said: “I’m delighted to be further developing my work with Birmingham City University, inspiring young minds and connecting staff and students there with our incredible business community - in particular forging deeper links with the technology supply chain.”

Mr Faulkner, chief of staff and operations at RCL Partners and former CEO of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and Aston Villa Football Club, is an acclaimed business leader as well as chair of Sport Birmingham and associate non-executive director of Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Dale Spencer, 58, from Castle Vale in Birmingham was made redundant from his job repairing office equipment.

He’d been out of work for six months and heard about BBV ‘s Skills Academy through the Shaw Trust. After completing his training, Dale progressed onto a paid work trial.

Dale said: “Moving from the work trial into a full time job has given me the opportunity to learn logistical operations on a huge project like HS2.”

HS2’s construction partners are currently recruiting for over 350 roles at various locations between London, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Birmingham.

He said: “I worked closely with the university on a number of business and civic related initiatives during my time as chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and always found representatives from the University to be brilliant partners, passionate about the power of education, and incredibly enthusiastic about giving their all to promote the wider interests of the city and wider region.

“To receive this recognition from the institution is a genuine honour, and I look forward to continuing to work with and support the University in the future.”

Jobs bonanza: Some of those who have secured new careers delivering HS2

Paul Faulkner

Paul Cadman

1813 Club and Premier Members

Greater Birmingham’s leading companies

Premier Membership

Contact: Gary Birch T: 0845 6036650

Finance team aids merger

merger between a UK manufacturer ad a French company.

Wrekin Products - an independent designer, manufacturer and supplier of specialist products for the UK civil engineering industry – has joined forces with Produits Industriels Lorrains (PIL)

PIL specialises in the design and distribution of cast iron covers and gratings for the public highway network in France.

The organisation has strong links across Europe and Asia and it is hoped the merger will accelerate international growth.

Wrekin Products was founded 40 years ago by the Turner family.

PKF Smith Cooper advised the Turner family on the merger by developing a high-level understanding of both businesses, establishing a mutual business valuation model and by outlining a framework of terms for the future management of the merged businesses.

Further growth on the horizon for Dains

Accountancy firm Dains is eying significant growth after appointing a new chair.

Buy and build expert Neil Cox has become chairman of the firm, having had a stellar private equity career during which he supported

businesses across a range of sectors. This includes commercial insurance, regulatory compliance and veterinary services.

He joins Dains as the firm expects its revenue to double, after it made two acquisitions since taking investment from Horizon Capital in December 2021.

Mr Cox said: “Dains has a clear strategy and has already made two highly complementary acquisitions whilst also delivering strong organic growth. Our market presence is growing, and we have a compelling proposition. We are building a strong team and I look forward to working with them in the coming years.”

Richard McNeilly, CEO of Dains, said: “We are delighted to have Neil on board. His experience in M&A and buy and build is first class.

“We share an appetite for growing the Dains business through a series of quality acquisitions.”

navigation of multi-jurisdictional legal and tax regimes.

The partner-led deal team from PKF Smith Cooper consisted of Darren Hodson, Tom Joy, Joshua Gurton and taxation advice was provided by Adam Rollason.

Mr Hodson said: “The merger of the two businesses is really compelling with significant synergies available to both parties in their respective markets.

“There is a strong opportunity for the combined business to drive further international growth across Europe following the merger.”

Simon Turner, commercial director at Wrekin Products, said: “On behalf of my family and everyone at Wrekin Products, I would like to thank the corporate finance team at PKF Smith Cooper for their invaluable help throughout this deal

“They were able to utilise their international skills to pull the deal together, and showed real leadership in navigating us through a really complicated merger.”

Gold award for hotel

Park Regis Birmingham was successful for the second year running at the hotel and travel industry’s flagship awards.

The hotel, located at the junction of Broad Street and Five Ways, won the gold award for Best UK Hotel for the consecutive year at the M&IT Awards.

In addition, the Park Regis also claimed silver in the Best Incentive Provider category.

Known as the Oscars of the industry, the M&IT Awards took place at Evolution London and attended by more than 750 guests.

Park Regis Birmingham is managed by Switch Hospitality, whose managing director John Angus said: "Being the number one hotel in the UK is an accolade that every hotel strives for, and we do not take our win for a second year for granted.

“I’d like to thank the whole team across Switch and Park Regis Birmingham for their continuous hard work and thank our loyal customers for their continued support.”

Joining forces: Richard McNeilly and Neil Cox

Top venue: Park Regis Birmingham, located on Broad Street

Growth opportunity: Darren Hodson

Outsource your payroll and save

Outsourcing payroll and settingup employee benefits schemes can help businesses provide affordable assistance to staff, according to the boss of an employment support specialist.

David McCormack, CEO of HIVE360, the Birmingham-based employment support and benefits outsource experts, believes firms do not realise the savings they can make by reassessing their payroll and benefits processes.

He said: “Businesses in every sector are being hit, but for many, digging deep to give workers further pay rises or one-off payments to help, are simply not an option.

“What many businesses don’t realise is that outsourcing payroll can add up to £100 per employee per year to the business’ bottom line.

“Selecting the right PAYE and HMRC compliant outsourced payroll provider for the business can also positively impact overall business efficiency and productivity, boost employee

engagement, wellbeing, and retention.”

Mr McCormack adds that employee benefits can be tailored to help staff combat the cost of living crisis.

He said: “Perks that help employees to survive the record high cost of living are essential.

“Access to shopping discounts can help significantly to cover some of the inflationary pressures. For example, recent analysis of the trends in user downloads of our employee benefits app Engage, reveals that around 30,000 shopping and mobile discounts for supermarkets including Sainsburys, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons were made in July alone.

“Employees taking advantage of these and other discounts can potentially save over £100 a week.”

HIVE360 provides its Engage Employee Benefits app as standard to businesses that outsource payroll and employment administration to the company. The app has an average of 100,000plus user sessions each month.

David McCormack: The right perks can help staff

International Trade

T: 0845 603 6650

E: ibh@birmingham-chamber.com

Chamber backs trade plans with Ukraine

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce pledged backing to business counterparts in Ukraine – on the 31st anniversary of the wartorn country’s independence from the Soviet Union.

The clear statement of support from Birmingham business leaders came as the Russian invasion of its neighbour reached its sixmonth point.

The conflict has led to widespread condemnation from the international community and unprecedented action from leaders around the world.

In a show of support for colleagues at the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the GBCC welcomed trade advisor Dmytro Bespalov to Birmingham.

Mr Bespalov joined the GBCC’s international director Mandy Haque for a tour of Birmingham Wholesale Markets where future opportunities were identified for when Ukraine is able to resume its full trade programme with the UK.

Mandy Haque said: “The business community here in Greater Birmingham has been united in shock at Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts remain with the Ukrainian people whose lives have been devastated by the crisis.

“It was a pleasure to be able to meet with Dmytro and welcome him to Birmingham.

“Although trade between the UK and Ukraine is difficult right now, it is important that we maintain links with our Chamber colleagues in Kyiv to ensure that businesses are ready when the time is right for trade to resume in full.”

Andrew Barnes, general manager of Birmingham Wholesale Markets, said: “We delighted to welcome Dmytrov to Birmingham Wholesale Markets. We were able to introduce him to a number of tenants - and potential opportunities for trade with Ukraine were identified.

“We look forward to welcoming him again in the future when the time is right to progress trade links with Ukraine.”

Driving collaboration with South Carolina

Shared expertise in the automotive sector could lead to future collaboration between Greater Birmingham and the US state of South Carolina, business leaders heard.

Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce held productive talks with a delegation from South Carolina as part of its drive to connect firms from the region with those across the United States and Canada.

The South Carolina delegation who visited Chamber House in Edgbaston included Vanessa Göschl from the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Tracy McMillin from economic development body Central South Carolina and Mike Cool from utility provider Santee Cooper.

Business leaders including Transatlantic Chamber president James Tait, Greater Birmingham Chambers president Deb Leary, CEO Henrietta Brealey and head of international divisions Chris McFarlane-Baxter heard about South Carolina’s status as a powerhouse in the automotive and aerospace sectors.

Located in the Southeastern region of the US, the state has been a leader in automotive since the 1970s, when it welcomed firms such as Michelin, Bosch and latterly BMW.

It is also home to an $11bn life sciences industry and the US’ fastest-growing container ports.

Highlighting the synergy between the West Midlands and South Carolina in automotive, Ms Göschl said: “We are here each year talking to companies because of the strength of the automotive sector. South Carolina ranks number one in passenger vehicle exports from the US.”

The visiting delegation also heard from several Transatlantic Chamber members including Liquid

CEO Elisabeth Lewis-Jones, who discussed the PR and digital agency’s extensive work with maple syrup producers in Canada.

Chris McFarlane-Baxter said: “We were delighted to welcome the delegation from South Carolina. It is clear that there is a lot of synergy between Greater Birmingham and South Carolina, which provides potential for future collaboration.”

Support for Ukraine: Mandy Haque, Dmytrov Bespalov and Andrew Barnes

Talking trade: From left - Chris McFarlane-Baxter, Tracy McMillin, Vanessa Göschl, Mike Cool, James Tait and the Chamber’s international director Mandy Haque

Contact: Mandy Haque

T: 0121 725 8994

Birmingham is firmly on the map

Birmingham is going increasingly global in the trading stakes – with a string of international delegations flocking to the West Midlands. The city is enjoying a post Commonwealth Games boom as delegations from overseas arrive to boost prospects of lucrative bilateral trade.

In the last few weeks alone Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce have hosted a string of VIP visits from a wide range of countries keen to explore future trade opportunities between West Midlands companies and their counterparts abroad.

Among the high-profile visitors was Ukraine trade advisor Dmytro Bespalov, who joined the Chambers international director Mandy Haque for a tour of Birmingham Wholesale Markets before discussing future trade opportunities between the West Midlands and the war-torn country.

Meanwhile, Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce held productive talks with a delegation from South Carolina to promote trade with the US and Canada.

A trade delegation from the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce met Chamber members Beeswift, Selfridges, Aston Villa and the Wholesale Markets while Josefa GonzalezBlanco, Mexican ambassador to the UK, discussed trade and partnership opportunities alongside Chambers President Deb Leary.

Other VIP visitors included Jan Budaj, Slovak Minister for the Environment, representatives from the British Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vojvodina, the Serbian Northern Province, the

Mayor of the Gold Coast, Queensland and Chris Wren, CEO of the British Indonesia Chamber of Commerce.

A delegation of Indian visitors including the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises attended the Indian Consulate in Birmingham at a meeting headed by Atish Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of MSME, New Delhi.

And other VIP delegations are in the pipeline from Pakistan and America, including a Consortium of American States event on 12 October.

Grant scheme to benefit innovative businesses

Ambitious firms looking to grow and scale through innovation can take advantage of a new grant scheme which is available until March 2023.

The RTO/Catapult grant scheme is aimed at businesses who are currently working with an innovation and growth specialist from Innovate UK EDGE.

Eligible businesses will create an action plan with their specialist, who will then account manage their journey.

They will apply for funding with support from their innovation and growth specialist.

This grant will pay 100 per cent of eligible costs up to a maximum of £15,000.

Although the grant scheme doesn’t close until March 2023, eligible businesses are urged to apply before December due to the nature of the application process.

Amerdeep Mangat, Innovate UK EDGE’s senior innovation and growth specialist based at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “This is a great opportunity for ambitious and innovative businesses.

“As well as receiving funding, successful companies will receive tailored support from a growth specialist to help realise their growth ambitions.”

Mandy Haque, the Chambers International Director, said: “With Birmingham firmly on the global map after delivering a successful Commonwealth Games, we have started to receive a high number of senior delegations to the Chamber.

“It is fantastic to see the enthusiasm and engagement from our international partners who are wanting to support bilateral opportunities between our region and the rest of the world.

“There is no doubt that Birmingham’s international profile has never been higher.”

Funding available for innovative women

Applicants to the Women In Innovation Awards are in with a chance of receiving a £50,000 grant and business support from Innovate UK EDGE.

Innovate UK EDGE, as part of UK Research and Innovation, is offering up to 50 Women in Innovation Awards to female entrepreneurs across the UK. The awards are for female founders, co-founders or senior decision-makers working in businesses that have been operating for at last one year.

Applications for these awards are open now until 11am on Wednesday 19 October. Applicants must demonstrate they can make a significant contribution to economic, societal or environmental challenges.

For more information contact

avalon.maison@innovateukedge.ukri.org

Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce

Commonwealth Chamber Patrons

Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce

Transatlantic Chamber Patrons

Welcome: The Mexican ambassador to London, Josefa Gonzalez-Blanco (centre), with Chamber president Deb Leary (left) and international director Mandy Haque

Contact: Anjum Khan T: 0845 6036650

Vice-president expands business

By Jon Griffin

Midlands businessman Nasir Awan celebrated his 64th birthday in style – with the official opening of a £500,000 investment in the family wholesale firm.

The Asian Business Chamber’s former chair, who is current vice-president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), marked his birthday by launching a new extension at Awan Marketing with a ceremony attended by dozens of suppliers, customers and friends.

The firm now operates from a 65,000 sq ft distribution centre in Hockley.

The official opening marked the conclusion of four months of work providing an extra 20,000 sq ft capacity at the complex, adding up to 10,000 more products.

‘We have added another 8,000 to 10,000 more products’

Nasir said: “I didn’t realise that it was my birthday until after we had set the date. When you get to my age, you tend to forget these things.

“We have done smaller extensions before but this is the biggest investment for some time. It has taken four months and been quite a challenge but fortunately we were able to carry on trading.

“We have added another 8,000 to 10,000 more products, including party and gift products, personal care, toiletries, stationery and houseware. We have also expanded into home textiles.”

Spurred on by his father Bashir – who emigrated to Birmingham from Pakistan in 1961 to build a better life for his family of six children – Nasir’s business career began in his late teens, helping his father run a small shop in Small Heath.

Awan Marketing was first established in 1976 by Bashir and grew into one of the largest importers, exporters, distributors and wholesalers in the UK.

Away from the business, Nasir has been involved with a string of charitable and voluntary organisations, including the Inspire Education Academy at Yew Tree School, Aston, the Euro Charity Trust, Birmingham Ethnic Education Services and Sutton Coldfield Muslim Association.

He was awarded an MBE for services to business and international trade in 2016, was made Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands in 2017 and is a former President of the Institute of Asian Businesses, later renamed the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce.

Now Nasir is looking forward to taking the reins as president of the GBCC when current incumbent Deb Leary steps down next year.

Lineker backs £10m leukaemia fundraiser

Football legend Gary Lineker is backing a £10m fundraising campaign which aims to ‘finish’ blood cancer.

The ‘FINISH IT!’ campaign by Cure Leukaemia encourages football fans across the world to buy a £14 seat in the Birmingham charity’s 250,000 capacity virtual stadium.

The campaign will help launch a new UK-wide paediatric clinical trials programme that will deliver new treatments to improve outcomes for children with blood cancer.

Former England striker Lineker, whose son George had blood cancer at just six weeks old, said: “This initiative is terrific and it’s a great campaign.

“Cure Leukaemia has done amazing things, particularly with adult cancer and now to engage with children’s cancers, is just fabulous.

“Kids like George wouldn’t have had a chance without people putting money into research way back then.

“That’s why we want to get involved to do our bit to help the children of the future that get this horrendous disease.”

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

Striker’s support: Gary Lineker with son George

Premises growth: Nasir Awan leads a tour of his expanded site

Europe’s biggest Asian wedding show is returning to Birmingham this month.

The National Asian Wedding Show – which is also the largest indoor Asian consimer event in Europe – is taking place at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham city centre on Sunday 30 October.

Now in its 18th year, the show is a huge live experience which attracts visitors from across the UK and overseas.

The event provides a full sensory experience to preview, encounter and book with some of the industry’s most sought-after wedding suppliers – from venues, outfit providers, photographers, luxury wedding cars, caterers and musical artists.

Manny Singh, founder of the Platinum Group, which produces the event, said: “To continue to grow and increase visitor numbers after 18 years is a huge accolade for us - especially with the growth in new events and interest in the sector.

“We want to showcase the best service providers the industry has to offer and ensure our visitors see immense value in our live directory.

“The bond and trust with have with our visitors is key to our success. We understand how special a day it is for not just two people but also entire families and want our visitors to be able to have the opportunity to fully experience and discuss their needs with wedding service providers.

“At the same time we set standards of expectations with our exhibitors/providers and also ensure we provide the right tools and support for them to connect with our visitors.

“We take great pride in being able to bring this event to life each year, yet allow it to grow to suit visitor and exhibitor needs.”

For more information visit www.nationalasianweddingshow.co.uk or email info@nationalasianweddingshow.co.uk

Asian wedding show makes return Charity nominations open

Further sponsors for annual awards night

TheAsianBusinessChamber’sannualdinner and awards have received backing from three more of the region’s businesses.

A trio of new awards category sponsors have been confirmed.

Lets Sanify is sponsoring the Outstanding Hospitality of the Year award, LIV.24 will sponsor Outstanding Start-Up Business of the Year and Outstanding Young Achiever of the Year is sponsored by Staffordshire University.

They join headline sponsors Douglas Wright (T/A McDonald’s), Aston University and Lioncroft Wholesale Ltd, along with fellow category sponsors SME Outsourcing (Outstanding Finance Business of the Year) and Outstanding Tech Business of the Year (South and City College Birmingham).

Nominations are now open for charities who would like to benefit from fundraising activities taking place at this year’s Asian Business Chamber of Commerce annual dinner and awards.

Each year, the ABCC awards raises funds for a nominated charity which makes a tangible impact locally and nationally.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday 19 November at the National Conference Centre.

Charities who are members of the ABCC can apply now to be considered as the nominated charity for the event. The successful charity must be able to support the event, source eight raffle prizes with a minimum value for £150 each and provide a team of at least four people to sell raffle tickets at the event.

Any company donating a prize will have their logo featured in the event programme and on the big screen when the prizes are awarded.

ABCC director Anjum Khan said: “Our annual dinner is the biggest occasion on the Asian business calendar and provides an incredible platform for a charity to benefit from.”

Charities who wish to apply must download an application form from www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com and return their entry to a.khan@birminghamchamber.com by 14 October.

ABCC Patrons

Premier+ Partners

University makes graduation greener

Staffordshire University introduced a number of sustainable practices during its graduation ceremonies this summer – with 2,238 graduating students and almost 7,000 guests descending on the campus over five days.

On arriving pre-ceremony for gowning and registration, graduands and guests were given a Bottle Up reusable water bottle.

Made from renewable sugar cane and BPA free, the bottles could be refilled throughout the day at The Catalyst and Students’ Union’s venue, The Verve.

Following the reusable bottles trial, a full rollout is planned for future events.

To reduce waste, the Summer Awards 2022 brochure - handed out to graduates and guests - featured half the number of pages compared to the November 2021 brochure.

Scheme to boost numeracy launched

Honorary biographies and graduand names were instead available online and accessed via a QR code – while 30 per cent less copies were printed.

During post-ceremony celebrations, graduates and guests were given glass champagne flutes, instead of the single-use plastic flutes used previously, which were washed and re-used throughout the week.

Single-use glass bottles of prosecco were also replaced with sparkling wine on tap, providing 160 glasses per keg - a change that will continue to be rolled out at future events.

Alongside the sparkling wine, graduates were given small boxes of chocolates which no longer have plastic packaging inside.

All branding for the event, including the banners and draping material is reusable, and will be utilised for future awards ceremonies and events.

John Melia, head of registry operations at Staffordshire University, said: “Graduation is the largest event we deliver for our students and with sustainability being such a huge priority for us as a university, making sustainable changes to the event was non-negotiable.”

A national programme to boost adult numeracy skills leading to better job prospects and improved day-to-day living will launch in Staffordshire this month.

The county council secured £4.2m by the Government as part of the £570m Multiply scheme. It is a three-year fully funded programme, giving people the opportunity to learn when and where they want.

Staffordshire County Council will soon launch its Multiply programme – an adult numeracy skills scheme to help people boost job prospects and improve their day-to-day living.

The scheme will be accessed through a new digital numeracy platform and local courses that will range from learning festivals to popup one to one support sessions.

These will be flexible courses that fit around people’s lives and tailored to specific needs, circumstances, sectors and industries.

They will be delivered online, at work, in the evenings, part-time or intensive over a brief period.

Improving numeracy skills can not only help career prospects, but also help with important tasks in the home including managing household finances and supporting children with their homework.

Businesses that develop their employees’ numeracy skills can boost productivity, increase profits, and improve employee retention.

Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “The Multiply programme nationally is aimed at approximately 17m adults or half of the working age population who do not have strong numeracy skills. It will support those adults to develop numeracy skills for the future.

“Improving numeracy skills can help in everyday life, whether at work, managing household finances or helping children with their homework. It can also help career prospects, whatever your line of work.

“Many people are not confident about their numeracy skills including some in top professions. That is why we’d encourage anyone who feels like they could improve to find out more about our Multiply programme.

“The county council secured £4.2m to deliver targeted, easy to access and straightforward courses to enable more adults to achieve maths qualifications, improve employment chances and increase numeracy across Staffordshire’s population.”

Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce

Chase Chamber Patrons

Contact: Lilian Elekan T: 07581 629815

‘Graduation is the largest event we deliver for our students and with sustainability being such a huge priority for us as a university, making sustainable changes to the event was non-negotiable’

Skills boost: Cllr Philip White

Burton

Contact: Lilian Elekan

T: 07581 629815

Burton brewers in historic move

£15m development.

The move will see the brewing group establish its new headquarters in the Staffordshire town’s tourist and wedding venue, which will now close on 31 October.

The current Molson Coors headquarters at Carling House has been earmarked for a major regeneration scheme by the Burton Town Deal Board, which will see £15m a Government-backed investment in the area. The development is set to include a new museum and sports centre.

Adam Firby, HR and facilities directors at Molson Coors, said: “Since agreeing to sell our current head office site to support Burton town centre’s redevelopment, we’ve been focused on finding a new head office home in Burton.

“Our priority was always to try and stay in the town centre if at all possible, which is why we explored the NBC as one of the few options available to us.

closer to our Burton Brewery.

“While we’re very pleased to be able to remain in Burton town centre, we absolutely recognise that the closure of the NBC is not without challenges.

“We’re committed to working with Planning Solutions Limited, the National Brewing Heritage Trust and the Council to manage the closure of the site as sensitively as possible and finding the right new home for our industry’s important heritage.

“As part of the redevelopment plans for the town we can see the great potential for the proposed Heritage Centre, and its possible expansion into Bass House, to preserve the valuable artefacts and archives that form such an important part of our local and national brewing heritage, keeping the collection in the heart of the town, right on the High Street.

“We’ll continue to work with local stakeholders as we progress our plans to sensitively redevelop the National Brewery Centre site, preserving the historic buildings on the site, while creating a great head office for our people.”

Students recognised for outstanding effort

Outstanding students have been recognised at Burton and South Derbyshire College’s Further Education and Apprenticeship Awards, which took place at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium.

The students, their families and guests celebrated the exceptional skills and qualifications achieved in the past academic year.

Hard work and dedication to studies were recognised, along with talent, success and achievement across many vocational areas.

The wide-ranging award categories included a selection that were based around the college’s Skills Promise - a variety of skills and qualities that students gain in addition to their qualification that will give them a head start in their career and make them stand out when applying for jobs.

The Skills Promise encompasses the range of skills that employers are looking for, from creative thinking, being a team player and showing resilience, to being a good communicator, being good at solving problems and showing initiative.

The overall FE Learner of the Year Award went to Ly Duong who has overcome challenges and barriers to achieve her learning goals.

Meanwhile, accounting apprentice, Bethany Wain won Apprentice of the Year 2022 for the work she did to secure a permanent position within the Financial Accounting team at East Staffordshire Borough Council.

Burton & District Chamber Patrons

Principal of Burton and South Derbyshire College, John Beaty, said: “It was fantastic to host a celebration of achievement and success for our students. The event was an excellent way to celebrate outstanding achievements and recognise those learners who go above and beyond to reach their educational and career goals.”

Celebrating success: All the awards night winners

New home: The National Brewery Centre, which will become Molson Coors’ new home

Contact: Chris Brewerton T: 0845 6036650

Fire door donation helps save lives

Lichfield experts Legionella and Fire Safe Services are helping safeguard lives by handing over fire doors worth around £1,000 each to Leicestershire Police for their Method of Entry Training.

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower highrise inferno in 2017, which took the lives of 72, the company set up an arm of the business to fit and maintain the specialised doors, along with providing Passive Fire Protections services and Critical Fire services to housing associations, businesses and local authorities.

The Lichfield company, which operates nationwide, has a quantity of old fire doors earmarked for replacement to meet the current fire safety regulations. They are now in talks with three other police forces across the UK.

PC Ged Stacey-Midgley, the Method of Entry trainer at Leicestershire Police training unit, said: “It is a remarkable act of generosity and one that will save lives by allowing training police officers to learn how to break through or break down fire doors, which are now a legal requirement in every housing block in the country. We cannot thank Legionella and Fire Safe enough.”

Operations director Danielle Bayliss from safety compliance company, Legionella and Fire Safe Services, said: “It is great to be helping the local community and our emergency services to potentially save lives.

“Sustainability is very important to us. Doing business without negatively impacting the environment, community, or society as a whole is something we are passionate about.”

Another new office for growing law firm

Davison’s Law, the largest conveyancing practice in the West Midlands, is broadening its horizons further – with its third office launch this year alone.

The newly refurbished offices located at 2a Bore Street, Lichfield bring the total number of offices for the company to 12.

This latest expansion forms part of the group’s long-term strategy to consolidate its position as the largest conveyancing practice in the regionand top five nationally, as verified by the latest Land Registry Transaction data.

The new Lichfield office will specialise in providing advice on all aspects of residential conveyancing, and a wide variety of private client matters, such as wills and estate planning, lasting powers of attorney and probates.

The firm opened its doors to clients last month following a successful launch event with several local estate agents and financial advisors in attendance.

Business development director and head of Lichfield, Helen Bartlam said: “We’re all very excited to be opening in Lichfield, historically we’ve worked with many of the local estate agents and clients within Lichfield. Opening an office here, right on the high street, will allow us to enhance the service we offer to those clients.

“As a convenience to clients, our office will open Saturday mornings, which we hope will make it easier for local clients to drop into the office should they need to.”

Gary Davison, managing director of Davison’s Law, added: “We have carefully recruited for our

Lichfield office, hiring expert staff to grow and expand the office. We believe to offer the best service, we need to hire the best people, who know the local area and the local market.

“We are confident that the additions to our growing team will allow us to provide an exceptional service to our clients in the Lichfield area. We also believe that Lichfield will be a pivotal office in allowing us to develop further afield and achieve our long-term strategy.”

Expanding: Dawn Ward, office assistant; Helen Bartlam, director; Beverly Edwards, office manager; Rachel Harper, conveyancer; Daniel Tarbet, solicitor, and Witney Tully, associate director at Divisions Law Lichfield.

Staff restructure at council

Lichfield District Council is undergoing a staff restructure – with several key senior appointments unveiled.

As part of the changes, a new assistant director has been headhunted to join the senior leadership team.

Lizzie Barton will lead the Being a Better Council programme in her role as assistant director, Customer, Residents and Businessreturning to the council after working as head of customer services at South Derbyshire District Council.

In her previous role in Lichfield, Lizzie had responsibilities which included building communications, performance, and the development of the Lichfield BID, the council’s digital platform and tourism.

"It's been fantastic coming back to Lichfield District Council and seeing all the work taking place to modernise and transform the way we operate and deliver services,” said Lizzie.

“I’m really looking forward to helping the team to simplify the way we serve our customers, making it as easy as possible to self-serve and making sure customers know what to expect from us and how to get in touch if they need extra help. Our services should be easy to access, deliver what we promise, and satisfy the needs of our residents and businesses, and I'm looking forward to playing a part in making this happen.”

Lizzie joins Anthony Thomas who has been appointed assistant director, Finance & Commissioning after more than three decades at the authority.

Anthony said: “My aims are to continue to ensure the council continues to have a healthy and sustainable set of finances that are able to withstand current and future external challenges and to lead on the development and implementation of the financial strategy to enable the effective delivery of the Being a Better Council programme.”

Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber Patrons

Returning: Lizzie Barton

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce

T: 0845 6036650

Hot off the presses!

New VP welcomed

An award-winning journalist and former newspaper editor has become a vice-president of Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce.

Gary Phelps, who grew up in the town and went on to become the editor of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer, was named as the Chamber’s new vice-president at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday.

He will support fellow vice-president Naeem Arif and president Phil Arkinstall

Mr Phelps has worked in the media for more than 30 years and has edited nine newspapers –including the Tamworth Herald, Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer, Lichfield Mercury and Nuneaton News.

He now runs PR agency Gary Phelps Communications, with clients including West Midlands mayor Andy Street, industrial innovators Power Minerals Ltd, German energy giant STEAG and dozens of local schools including the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership.

Mr Phelps said: “As someone who grew up in Sutton and has been involved in the business community here for more than 30 years, it’s a real honour to become vice-president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce.

“The Chamber is run by a great team, and In particular I’m looking forward to building on the

work we have done supporting young people locally over the last couple of years, providing a link between commerce and education and helping to inspire the next generation of business people.”

Sutton

Seven new Chamber committee members were also confirmed at the AGM, which took place at The Townhouse in Sutton Coldfield high street.

They are Steve Hannaford (Burley Browne), Neil Davis (3D Facilities), Martin Callaghan (HR Caddy), Clive Poole (X2 Workspaces), Tina Swani (Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust), Kate Curry (Curry Design Studio) and Charlie Sangha (Inform Accounting).

Stepping down from the committee are honorary chair and past president Katie Hale, outgoing vice-president Clare Whalley, David Graham of Apprise Legal Services and Jackie Hendley of Wing Yip.

Boosting links between businesses and schools

By Dan Harrison

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce will continue to encourage better links between business and the next generation of employees, president Phil Arkinstall (pictured) has vowed.

Speaking at the Chamber’s annual general meeting at The Townhouse, Mr Arkinstall reaffirmed his commitment to supporting young people who are “faced with one of the hardest environments to enter the job market”.

He highlighted the organisation’s support for initiatives such as the Sutton Coldfield Youth Council, set up by Chamber committee member Councillor Alex Yip.

Mr Arkinstall, the CEO of video production firm Ark Media, said: “Young people today are faced with one of the hardest environments to enter the job market due to Brexit, Covid, interruptions to degrees, ALevels and GCSE exams.

“Therefore, within our Chamber we introduced a sub-committee to focus on connections with education to help our young people in Sutton Coldfield and the wider area.

“We are aiming to engage with young people around interview practice, workshops, career advice, and fundraising events and help them to get work-ready particularly around mindset.

“We want to continue to support young people and encourage better connections between the local schools and colleges and our members.”

Attendees at the AGM were told of some of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber’s success stories over the past 12 months.

Around 400 delegates from 160 firms have attended 13 in-person events in Sutton Coldfield since September 2021.

More than 240 businesses in the Royal Town have been contacted by the Chamber team about support and engagement over the last year, while around 250 press releases featuring over 50 Sutton-based companies featured in the Chamber’s weekly news bulletin.

Contact: Chris Brewerton

Sutton Coldfield Chamber Patrons

Charity of the Year

‘It’s a real honour to become vice-president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce’

Top team: Gary Phelps, Phil Arkinstall, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Henrietta Brealey and Naeem Arif

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

Contact: Samantha Frampton

T: 0121 678 7488

Solihull firms chase Chamber awards glory

The shortlisted companies are: Excellence in Charity/Third Sector

• Birmingham Dogs Home

• Heart of England Community Foundation

• Molly Ollys

• St Basils

Excellence in Customer Services

• Esther Broomhall & Partners (EB&P)

• MotorServ UK

• Rohlig

• runyourfleet

Excellence in Hospitality & Retail

- Sponsored by Touchwood

• Achill Spa

• Be local

• Eric Lyons

• Hilton Birmingham Metropole

Excellence in Professional Services - Sponsored by Jask Creative

• Bishop Fleming

• Prime Accountants

• Sydney Mitchell

• The Wilkes Partnership

Excellence in Responsible Business

• Birmingham Business Park

• Jumar

• SH Projects

• The Leadership Coaches

Solihull’s Rising Star

• Ellen Darlison, Achill Spa

• Tom Bartlett, Hilton Birmingham Metropole

• Vijay Jogia, Metro Bank

• Stacey Glen, The Glen Health Group Ltd, t/a Rolling with The Glen

Excellence in Sales & Marketing

• Crowne Plaza Solihull

• Solihull BID

• Solihull Summer Fest

• Visit Knowle

Outstanding Start-Up Business

• All About The Sew

• Esther Broomhall & Partners

• Howela Children’s Hospital

• The Recruitment Duo

Excellence in Technology & Innovation

• Jask Creative

• Phoebus Software

• runyourfleet

• Wavenet

Excellence in Training & Education - Sponsored by runyourfleet

• Central Schools Trust

• Digital Innovators

• Metro Ba nk

• Solihull College & University Centre

Helen Bates said: “Once again, the judges were faced with a difficult task of whittling down some truly outstanding entries for these awards.

Judging for the awards was chaired by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s chief financial officer Helen Bates.

“We look forward to the winners being revealed on what promises to be a memorable night celebrating the best of Solihull.”

Find out more information on the Solihull Chamber of Commerce’s dinner and awards, including ticket details and sponsorship opportunities: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/networking-events/eventscalendar/listing/solihull-annual-dinner-awards-2022-1/details

E-cargo bike trials take off in Solihull

Businesses in Solihull were able to engage in free electric-assisted cargo bike trials in a new green initiative for the region.

The trial was organised by Solihull Council in a bid to promote carbon reduction and active travel while cutting down on congestion and endorsing clean air usage.

It was aimed to help businesses understand whether these new forms of transport have the potential to help replace car and van journeys on a daily basis. It came as part of the Solihull Sustainability Visioning Group’s (SSVG) latest meet up. The SSVG is group of over 40 Solihullbased businesses at the forefront of sustainable innovation.

Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Planning & Housing, said: “As part of our commitment to active travel, clean air, carbon reduction and congestion relief, Solihull Council is launching free of charge electric assisted cargo-bike trials for businesses.

“The e-cargo bike could be the sustainable ‘last mile’ delivery solution your business has been looking for, helping to lower your carbon footprint and meet sustainability targets.”

The trial was launched on 15 September.

For more information about the trial, contact the sustainable travel team at sustainabletravelteam@solihull.gov.uk

Forty businesses and individuals have been shortlisted for the Solihull Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards – with 10 winners announced at a lavish ceremony.

The winners of a range of sector awards will be revealed on the night, with one business going on to be crowned the overall Solihull Business of the Year.

The awards ceremony takes place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday 7 October.

The host venue is also a headline sponsor for the event, alongside Solihull College and University Centre and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

The judging panel included Gymshark non-executive director Steve Hewitt, The FSE Group’s Harriet Saunders, Browne Jacobson partner and Transatlantic Chamber president James Tait and Diamond Travel owner Dr Beverly Lindsay.

Back row, from left: Steve Hewitt, Solihull Chamber president Tony Elvin, Helen Bates and Harriet Saunders. Front row: head of Solihull Chamber Sam Frampton and James Tait

Fleet leasing firm’s 30,000 milestone

West Midlands-based fleet management and vehicle leasing business runyourfleet.com has notched up a proud milestone - after ‘accelerating’ past 30,000 vehicles.

Founded 11 years ago, the Henley-in-Arden headquartered firm has grown year on year to become one of the largest fleet services providers in the UK.

It currently manages more than 30,000 vehicles on behalf of over 1,200 businesses.

Conceived to benefit SME businesses, runyourfleet.com is now attracting large, blue chip customers seeking innovation and flexibility in the management of their everchanging fleets.

Steve Whitmarsh, managing director of runyourfleet.com, said: “Achieving such a

milestone is a great testament to the team at runyourfleet.com.

“They have worked tirelessly to develop the multi award-winning platform and wide range of services that we provide to businesses of all sizes across the UK.

“When we launched 11 years ago, many doubted the need for disruption to this market and our ability to grow a new style of business in such an established market.

“I am very proud of what the team has achieved so far, and we have very exciting plans to grow further and faster in the future.”

runyourfleet.com provides a wide range of services including fleet management, vehicle leasing, licence checking, daily rental and grey fleet management.

Solihull Chamber Patrons

Milestone: Steve Whitmarsh

Future

Contact: Sophie Poduval-Morrell

T: 0121 274 3276

Sophie steps up to lead Future Faces

A new manager has been appointed to lead Future Faces, the young professionals’ arm of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Sophie Poduval-Morrell takes up the role of Future Faces manager, having joined the Chamber from luxury hotel and Michelin-star dining destination Hampton Manor.

‘I’m so excited to be joining the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce team’

In her role as corporate and private events manager at Hampton Manor, Sophie handled all events and group bookings across the estate, as well as managing accounts with big-name clients including Jaguar Land Rover, Spotify, Rolex, Aston Martin, Deloitte and Maserati.

Prior to joining Hampton Manor, Sophie spent six years as events manager for Blackberry Productions where she

project-managed a major teacher recruitment campaign for the Department for Education.

She graduated from University College Birmingham in Events Management in 2014.

Outside of work, Sophie enjoys visiting Birmingham’s array of independent restaurants and bars, as well as walking her dog in the countryside.

Sophie said: “I’m so excited to be joining the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce team.

“Birmingham is my favourite city, full of exciting businesses, diversity and incredibly tasty food!

“Being part of a division that supports the Future Faces of this incredible city is an honour.

“I can’t wait to meet the Future Faces members and be part of the journey in the division’s 11th year.

“Birmingham is in the spotlight after an incredible Commonwealth Games, so let’s show the world that Birmingham is the city for everyone.”

Black History Month event at Back to Backs

Future Faces will mark Black History Month with an event at historic Birmingham site Back To Backs.

The latest Professional Development Leadership Series takes place at the National Trust site – which is Birmingham’s last surviving court of back-to-back houses.

The event on 4 October includes a tour of the George Saunders Collection and Home From Home Exhibition, as well as a talk from leading businessman Wade Lyn, who will describe his journey from growing up in Jamaican to setting up successful food brand Celeone Foods.

The George Saunders Collection is a collection of work by the tailor George Saunders who came to Birmingham from St Kitts in 1958, while Home From Home explores the lives of the Windrush generation and their children through a recreation of musician Mykal ‘Wassifa’ Brown’s family home.

For more information visit the events section of www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com

Inspirational lawyer and award winner join podcast

Two of Greater Birmingham’s brightest young professionals got behind the mic for the latest episodes of the Future Faces podcast.

Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast is a monthly podcast designed to showcase the region’s young talent and discuss topics that are important to the next generation of leaders.

Bal Atwal, an in-house solicitor at West Midlands Police, was the subject of the September episode – providing aspiring lawyers

with a useful insight into career options in the legal sector.

And the forthcoming episode – to be released on 12 October – featured newly-crowned Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year, Ingrida Vengalyte.

“I wanted to cry and laugh and dance at the same time!” she said of her award win.

Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast is available on all major podcast apps, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Future Faces Chamber Patrons

Law talk: Bal Atwal following his interview with Future Faces committee member Davies Okeowo

Winning feeling: Ingrida Vengalyte chatted to vicepresident Kasim Choudhry about her success

Future

Celebrating 10 years in style

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

1. The Future Faces committee celebrate a memorable night 2. Ingrida Vengalyte, the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year

3. Presidents past and present: From left –Mark Hipwell, Jaccy Datta, Adam Maguire, Sian Holland and Mike Mitchell

4. Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey opens the awards ceremony

5. Performers TwentyOne entertain the crowd

Pictures by Edwin Ladd

Future Faces celebrated its 10th anniversary with a glittering awards dinner at the ICC in Birmingham.

The big winner on the night was Ingrida Vengalyte, a principal strategic business consultant in the Birmingham office of American global solutions provider Jacobs, who was crowned Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2022.

Here are some of the best pictures from a memorable awards evening.

Chamber Events

New Chamber events this month

The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s events programme is one of the largest in the British Chamber of Commerce’s network. The new month brings with it an entire calendar of events. From networking to accelerating professional skills, October’s events span across all of the Chamber’s divisions and membership levels. Stand-out events this month include the Solihull annual dinner and awards and the Greater Birmingham Business Expo.

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

Meet The Neighbours

Date: 3 October 2022

Time: 3.45pm – 5pm

Venue: Online

Division: GBCC

Cost: Members: Free

Future Faces members: Free Non-members: Free

Future Faces Professional Development

Date: 4 October 2022

Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Venue: National Trust – Back to Backs

Division: Future Faces

Cost: Members: £15 +VAT

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

Speed Networking

Date: 5 October 2022

Time: 8.30am – 10.30am

Venue: Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Division: Sutton Coldfield

Cost: Members: Free

Future Faces members: £15+VAT

Non-members: £15+VAT

Lowering Your Carbon Footprint

Date: 6 October 2022

Time: 9am – 10am

Venue: Online Division: GBCC

Cost: Members: Free Future Faces members: Free Non-members: Free

Solihull Annual Award and Dinner

Date: 7 October 2022

Time: 6pm – midnight

Venue: Hilton Birmingham Metropole

Division: Solihull

Cost: Members: £90+VAT

Future Faces members: £90+VAT Non-members: £100+VAT

Start-up Networking

Date: 10 October 2022

Time: 12pm – 2pm

Venue: TBC Division: GBCC

Cost: Members: Free

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

The Good Business Forum

Date: 11 October 2022

Time: 3pm – 5pm

Venue: Mills & Reeve

Division: GBCC

Cost: Member Price: Free

Future Faces members: £15+VAT

Networking Lunch

Date: 12 October 2022

Time: 12pm – 2pm

Venue: Pavilion, Branston Golf & Country Club

Division: Burton & District

Cost: Members: Free

Future Faces members: £15 +VAT

Non-members: £15+VAT

Speed Networking

Date: 13 October 2022

Time: 8.30am – 10.30am

Venue: TBC

Division: Chase

Cost: Members: Free

Future Faces members: £15+VAT

Non-members: £15+VAT

Developing Low-Carbon Products and Services

Date: 13 October 2022

Time: 9am – 10am

Venue: Online Division: GBCC

Cost: Members: Free

Future Faces members: Free Non-Members: Free

Greater Birmingham Business Expo 2022

Date: 14 October 2022

Time: 10am – 3pm

Venue: Edgbaston Stadium Division: GBCC

Cost: Members: Free

Future Faces members: Free Non-members: Free

Lichfield & Tamworth Annual General Meeting

Date: 18 October 2022

Time: 12pm – 2pm

Venue: Coton House Farm Division: Lichfield & Tamworth

Cost: Members: Free

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

Decarbonising In Key Sectors

Date: 19 October 2022

Time: 9am – 12pm

Venue: GBCC

Division: Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre

Cost: Members: Free Future Faces members: Free Non-members: Free

Birmingham Economic Review 2022

Date: 20 October 2022

Time: 9am – 11am

Venue: The Exchange Division: GBCC

Cost: Members: Free Future Faces members: Free Non-members: Free

Networking & Diwali Celebration

Date: 20 October 2022

Time: 6pm – 9.30pm

Venue: Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre Division: ABCC

Cost: Members: Free Future Faces members: £30+VAT Non-members: £30+VAT

Speaker Breakfast

Date: 26 October 2022

Time: 8.30am – 10.30am

Venue: The National Brewery Centre Division: Burton & District Cost: Members: Free Future Faces members: £15 +VAT Non-members: £15+VAT

Networking Lunch

Date: 26 October 2022

Time: 12pm – 2pm

Venue: TBC Division: Birmingham Cost: Members: Free Future Faces members: £15 +VAT Non-members: £15+VAT

Climate Risk & Adaption – The Role of Business

Date: 27 October 2022

Time: 9am – 10am

Venue: Online Division: GBCC

Cost: Members: Free Future Faces members: Free Non-members: Free

Pro Solihull Networking

Date: 27 October 2022

Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm

Venue: Solihull Moors Division: Solihull

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

Future Faces Charity Quiz Night Date: 27 October 2022 Time: 5.30pm - 8.30pm Venue: The Night Owl Division: Future Faces Cost: Members: £15+VAT Future Faces members: £15+VAT Non-members: £15+VAT Teams of five: £60+VAT

The Sustainable Business Summit Date: 2 November 2022

Time: 9am – 12pm

Venue: The Exchange Division: GBCC

Cost: Members: Free Future Faces members: Free Non-members: Free

Networking Lunch

Date: 9 November 2022

Time: 12pm – 2pm Venue: TBC Division: Sutton Coldfield Cost: Members: Free Future Faces members: £15+VAT Non-Members: £15+VAT

Solihull Speaker Event Date: 15 November 2022 Time: 9am – 10.30am Venue: Solihull Division: Solihull Cost: Member Price: Free Future Faces Members: £10+VAT

Non-Member Price: £10+VAT

Training courses

The Chamber’s International team has a portfolio of documentation training, aimed at those who are exporting goods to Europe and all over the world. The majority of the courses are British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) accredited and cover everything from customs procedures to incoterms. For more information, contact training@birmingham-chamber.com

A beginner’s practical guide to exporting

Date: 5 October 2022

Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: Exporter Services

Cost: Members: £270 + VAT

Non-members: £325 + VAT

The attendee will gain knowledge and understanding on terminology used in an export role and understand why export procedures must be correctly actioned.

Trading with Ireland and Northern Ireland

Date: 11 October 2022

Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: David Reader

Cost: Members: £110 + VAT

Non-members: £170 + VAT

This webinar would suit any business that currently trades with southern or Northern Ireland or looking to trade and would like guidance.

Understanding export & export documentation (BCC accredited)

Date: 19 October 2022

Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: Exporter Services

Cost: Members: £270 + VAT

Non-members: £325 + VAT

The attendee will see the end-to-end Export process and gain an understanding of the Export documentation requirements, including knowledge on shipping, using freight forw arders and couriers. A great follow on from anyone who has sat our beginner’s export course.

Introduction to Authorised Economic Operator

Date: 20 October 2022

Time: 9.30am – 4pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: David Reader

Cost: Members: £200 + VAT

Non-members: £280 + VAT

This course would be suitable for anyone wanting to learn what AEO is for, how it can be put to use within a company, the benefits of becoming AEO registered and the paperwork process.

Risk and Rewards in International Trade

Date: 1 November 2022

Time: 9.30am-12.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: David Reader

Cost: Members: £110 + VAT

Non-members: £170 + VAT

This bespoke half day course is to help businesses and their staff understand the different areas of risks of International Trade and therefore be in a position to make informed decisions as to the risk it is

prepared to take with different aspects of exporting and/or importing and where possible reduce/mitigate them.

Understanding export & export documentation (BCC accredited)

Date: 8 November 2022

Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: David Reader

Cost: Members: £270 + VAT

Non-members: £325 + VAT

The attendee will see the end-to-end Export process and gain an understanding of the Export documentation requirements, including knowledge on shipping, using frei ght forwarders and couriers. A great follow on from anyone who has sat our beginner’s export course.

Methods of Payment (BCC accredited)

Date: 10th November 2022

Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: David Reader

Cost: Members Cost: £165 + VAT

Non-Members Cost: £220 + VAT

This course is suitable for those working in International trade, who are involved in handling international payments and for those who are looking to learn abou t the various types of payment that could be used.

Documentary letters of credit (BCC accredited)

Date: 10th November 2022

Time: 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: David Reader

Cost: Members Cost: £165 + VAT

Non-Members Cost: £220 + VAT

This course is suitable for those working in International trade, who are involved in the management and presentation of letters of credit or would like to increase their knowledge on the process.

Customs procedures & documentation (BCC accredited)

Date: 16th November 2022

Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: Exporter Services

Cost: Members Cost: £270 + VAT

Non-Members Cost: £325 + VAT

The day will include discussing and reviewing organisations involved in international trade, what an Export is, key information on international documentation, inclu ding commodity codes, Incoterms and licences, rules of origin covering preference and non preference and more.

Session 3 of a Sales training

masterclass – Listening; what the customer REALLY wants to buy

Date: 17 November 2022

Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Venue: Greater Birmingham

Chambers of Commerce

Trainer: Sales Marvel

Cost: Members: £75 + VAT

Non-members: £115 + VAT

This module will give you the help and guidance, so you know what to ask in order for you to cater to any customer, and rea lly understand more about them and what it is they need from you.

Session 4 of a Sales training

masterclass – Negotiate & close more profitable business

Date: 17 November 2022

Time: 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Venue: Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Trainer: Sales Marvel

Cost: Members: £75 + VAT

Non-members: £115 + VAT

Attendees will take away actionable sales advice and ideas to implement which will help increase their sales AND reduce sales cycles.

Understanding commodity codes (BCC accredited)

Date: 22 November 2022

Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: David Reader

Cost: Members: £165 + VAT

Non-members: £220 + VAT

Key points delivered on the course include the background to Trade Commodity Codes, make up of a Commodity Code, general Interpretive Rules, building a Commodity Code, how to find a Commo dity Code, hard To Classify Goods and more.

Preference rules of origin

(BCC accredited)

Date: 24 November 2022

Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: Exporter Services

Cost: Members: £165 + VAT

Non-members: £220 + VAT

Attendees will receive a detailed discussion and explanation on rules of origin, non-preferential origin rules, UK and Arab certificates of origin, preferential origin rules, trade agreements, UK EUR1 movement certificate’s and more.

Marketing Workshop- module 2:

Getting started with your marketing strategy

Date: 24 November 2022

Time: 10am – 1pm

Venue: Greater Birmingham

Chambers of Commerce

Trainer: Mel Evans

Cost: Members: £90 + VAT

Non-members: £130 + VAT

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to develop their own marketing strategy, feel empowered to achieve their goals an d understand how to follow a structured action plan.

Agents and Distributors (BCC accredited)

Date: 30 November 2022

Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: David Reader

Cost: Members: £165 + VAT

Non-members: £220 + VAT

This detailed course is suitable for anyone in an international trade environment who lease with different Agents & Distributors or are looking for opportunities to get involved with an agent/distributor and the best way how.

Incoterms 2020 (BCC accredited)

Date: 7 December 2022

Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: Exporter Services Members: £165 + VAT

Non-members: £220 + VAT

The course will provide an overview of the changes that have taken place between the previous 2010 Incoterms to the new 2020 terms.

It will also provide a guide on the obligations and costs to the buyer and seller during a sale to include when risk passes during the transaction from seller to buyer.

Trading after Brexit – 2 years on

Date: 7 December 2022

Time: 10am – 3.30pm

Venue: Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Trainer: David Reader

Cost: Members: £140 + VAT

Non-members: £200 + VAT

The content will suit any team member who is handling the day-to-day processing of documentation, as well as those in logistics, negotiating sales and procurement. If your company has unanswer ed questions to trading after Brexit, this is the course for you.

A beginners guide to importing

Date: 15 December 2022

Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm

Venue: Online remote training

Trainer: Exporter Services

Cost: Members: £165 + VAT

Non-members: £220 + VAT

This course would be suitable for any team member that are new to their role, or less experienced working in an International Trade environment and would like and introduction on Import processes.

What are the benefits of bespoke software development?

By James Harrison (pictured), manager at DB Logic

Bespoke software development refers to software or applications designed and built to meet unique requirements. Instead of using an ‘out of the box’ or ‘off the shelf’ solution, where software is the same for everybody, bespoke software and development has unique benefits for organisations.

1. Control

When buying into a bespoke solution, you are the one who decides what the software will look like and how it will work.

You are also in charge of updates. In the case of ‘off the shelf’ products, there is often a demand to continually add features. Those latest features may

not be needed within your business and can cause you a lot of problems when they are not compatible with your data or business processes. When it comes to a bespoke solution, you decide when and how you want to upgrade your software.

2. Efficiency Bespoke software is a valuable device when it comes to setting goals. Ordering the solution itself forces you to learn what your business needs and in which direction it is heading. It also offers great analytical tools, which allows you to visualise the effects of your work. That way you can discover the flaws of your company and eliminate them.

Custom solutions not only offer efficiency, they are also developed in an efficient way. Thanks to the agile approach, a software development company is able to

provide you with flexibility when it comes to changing your requirements during the development process or upgrading the product after it goes live.

3. Scalability

With a solution that is tailored to your business, the ability to scale up your software solution is readily available.

Scalability also gives you the possibility to extend the number of software users without slowing the solution down.

How to tell when it might be time to go bespoke:

• You’ve outgrown spreadsheets.

• You have three or four ‘off the shelf’ solutions and they don’t quite talk to each other correctly.

• You’ve outgrown your current ‘out of the box’ solution or it is starting to show its limitations or alignments with your business.

Bespoke software will work just as quickly when used by one hundred, as well as one thousand people.

There is no need to pay more for licence fees.

4. Maintenance Maintenance is the greatest advantage of bespoke software solutions. In the case of ‘off the shelf’ packages, your company is one out of thousands who use the software and there is only one development team who can fix a bug.

When it comes to bespoke solutions, a bespoke software development company will be able to fix any bug you report after your product is ready to go live. That way you can be certain your software will work flawlessly.

Investing in bespoke software development is a smart business strategy as it is a great investment long-term. It is an investment in both your work and in the future of your business.

Choose a partner that will support you throughout the development of your software project and you can achieve a solution that perfectly suits your needs and works in the interest of your business objectives.

‘Choose a partner that will support you throughout the development of your software project and you can achieve a solution that perfectly suits your needs’

& Innovation

Quick ways to refresh your workspace & why it’s a great investment

By Rebecca Lewis-Knight (pictured), director & head of design at Ivy Rose Interiors

Does your workplace reflect your company values? Does it ooze your brand and story? No? Read on for some quick wins to refresh your place of work. We spend a lot of time in our places of work and it’s critical to our motivation and happiness that these spaces make us feel inspired, fresh and excited to start the day. Not leaping out of bed to rush to the office? Maybe it’s time to reinvigorate your environment (and your mind) to positively impact the wellbeing of you and your team.

First impressions count

Starting from the outside of your workplace, try to see with fresh eyes what your clients and employees are greeted with when they arrive at your workplace. Do you need to refresh your signage, or clear away that clutter that’s accumulated? Does your frontage say what you want it to about your business, or is it time for a little bit of TLC?

Declutter

When time is limited, the urge to shove excess stationery and papers into drawers can be very tempting. Having the right storage for your business with easy-to-follow systems can save you a lot of time in the long run. Get organised and clear out the clutter, try using colour-coordinated boxes and clear labels to keep the workplace and your mindset tidy and efficient

Flow and layout.

Adopting flexible working practices post pandemic has had a big impact on the number of empty desks and unused areas in many workplaces. An agile and dynamic furniture layout can help to make use of every inch. Try blending high level standing desks with more collaborative group work areas, giving your employees options for their preferred working style. Quiet booths or soundproof pods are great for private calls in an open plan environment. Modular furniture and multitasking seating which is easy to move can promote greater teamworking for group projects and increase collaborative thinking.

Colour psychology

The most transformative way to change a space is with paint. It’s fast and cost effective. Colour

blocking is a fantastic way to introduce splashes of colour to uplift and motivate your team. Colours such as yellow are known to promote feelings of happiness, while blue stimulates creative juices and boosts productivity. Greens are said to help you feel balanced and

reassuring while red evokes a sense of urgency. If paint isn’t an option for you, hanging oversized colourful abstract art work can enhance the environment in a similar way.

Natural elements

We all know that being out and about in nature is replenishing and can really lift our mood. As the days become shorter it’s vital to our health and wellbeing to find ways optimise our exposure to natural light. Where possible facing the window when working can increase focus and creativity. Using natural elements such as timber and stone within the working environment can also have a positive effect on wellbeing.

‘If paint isn’t an option for you, hanging oversized colourful abstract art work can enhance the environment in a similar way’

Plants and foliage

It’s widely accepted that having plants in the office results in happier, less stressed, more productive, focused employees. Their powers of oxygenation have a restorative effect on the brain, boosting concentration by up to 15 per cent making us more motivated. A super quick win for all. If you’re not green fingered consider investing in faux plants or moss wall installations for a low maintenance, high impact upgrade.

Comfort and connection

The magic of collaboration often comes from unplanned interactions like the impromptu watercooler chat. Finding a redundant spot and making it into an inviting, comfortable and

relaxing area, can generate huge benefits for your team. A sofa with a coffee table, ambient lighting and inspiring books or magazines can increase dwell time in the workplace. Th ere is significant value in getting away from the desk to take lunch and get to know your team before and after work.

The workplace is about more than just appearances, ergonomics and functionality all contribute to the overall feeling within a space. A well-designed workplace can help you to boost morale, attract and retain the best employees, reduce sickness and absences and help to keep your workforce motivated, happy and productive.

& Innovation

Feature Health in the Workplace

Health in the Workplace

Flexible working

- How to ensure your workforce is happy, healthy and productive

By Sharon McCormick (pictured), founder of The Listening Centre

Since the pandemic, our approach to work has changed incredibly. For years people campaigned for flexible working, and then Covid hit the world and overnight pushed us decades into the future.

Employees proved they could be trusted to get work done at home and it has allowed thousands of people to achieve the work/life balance they craved.

For many businesses, there was no going back, and they found that offering a hybrid model not only led to staff retention but also attracted talented candidates. However, for HR departments there is the problem of ensuring a healthy, happy and productive workforce – even when staff are working alone.

As an EAP working with companies across the Midlands we can see that people are actually more stressed now than they have ever been. This is often down to the demands and uncertainty of modern life, such as the cost-ofliving crisis. These problems weigh heavily on them and can affect their health. A decline of family and social support systems has left some groups of people feeling more distressed and disconnected than ever before. Knowing that some of their employees are working alone, and not seeing someone all day, should send alarm bells ringing in HR offices across the country.

The effect of stressed, unhappy employees can be highly damaging and far-reaching for any business, leading to poor productivity, low morale, sickness, absence and high turnover of staff. The causes of stress at work have been well documented in the HSE Stress Management Standards.

So the question is – how do employers ensure that their workforce is happy, healthy and productive whether they are in the office or at home? Here are some steps you can take:

1. Talk to employees, and if there is a problem open the dialogue by reframing the question from ‘What is wrong?’ to ‘What has happened?’. This shows that you have compassion and a real interest

in helping the employee.

Conversations that start with ‘What is wrong’ often get shut down quickly as the member of staff can feels fear, shame or guilt.

2. Encourage every member of staff to take breaks. Whether they are at home or in the office there can be a stigma attached to taking time out when at work. However, regular breaks can be beneficial for mental and physical health, and lead to better productivity.

3. Create a person-centred wellbeing strategy that has measures in place to help individuals that are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed. This strategy could involve working with a local Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). EAPs are employee benefit programmes, like The Listening Centre, that are offered by many employers to help staff with problems that can impact their work performance, health and wellbeing.

4. Look at implementing a peer support programme to encourage positive connections to be made between colleagues. We know from the pandemic that healthy relationships are crucial to our wellbeing. Feeling connected with a community is really good for us, and this can carry on even if people are working from home.

5. Support mental health first aiders with specialists that are able to offer high-quality services. We know that NHS waiting times for counselling can often see employees battling on for months

before they see someone. Not being able to see a counsellor can often exacerbate a problem, so if mental health first aiders can refer staff to specialists through an EAP straight away this will ensure wraparound care for everyone.

It's important to remember that feelings of stress, anxiety and depression are all normal and part of what makes us human. In western culture we put the emphasis on the individual to cope with the many problems life throws at us. However, by changing our approach at work we can support each other’s mental health. One way to understand this is explained in a powerful yet simple quote by Alexander Den Heiger: “When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower”.

By focusing on the importance of compassionate listening, and actually hearing what employees have to say, businesses will not only see a happier, healthier workforce – they will also improve their bottom line.

Encourage staff members to take breaks

Feature Health in the Workplace

First aid in the workplace – what you need to know

Employers are responsible for making sure their employees receive immediate and adequate attention if they are injured or fall ill at work. While accidents and illness can happen at any time, first aid can help prevent minor injuries from becoming major ones. Chamberlink explores what a business can do to help protect its staff.

The basics

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 puts the duty on employers to assess the risks of the workplace and, where necessary, take action to eliminate or control those risks. Additionally, the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or take ill at the workplace.

These regulations apply to all workplaces, including those with less than five employees and to the self-employed. The UK Government Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can prosecute employers who fail to provide the appropriate first aid so it’s important to make the right provisions.

Assessing your first aid needs

When making your first aid arrangements, it’s best to start with an assessment of your workplace and its needs. Consider the health and safety risks that may already be present and, most importantly, how significant these risks are.

Low-risk workplaces, such as an office, might only need a basic first aid kit and an appointed person to take charge of it, including restocking items. This person can also be appointed as designated caller of the emergency services if and when the need should ever arise, but they do not require specific first aid training.

If your workplace has more significant health and safety risks then you will need to appoint a trained first aider.

Significant risks include:

• Active machinery

• Areas exposed to harsh weather conditions

• Chemicals and hazardous materials/waste

• Electrical hazards

• On-site traffic

• Sharp or heavy implements/equipment.

Your assessment should also consider the type of work done, the size of your workforce and employee experience levels. Do you need to consider factors outside of the immediate workplace, such as the safety of remote workers, or the first aid provision for site visitors or the general public?

What you need

As a minimum, you need a suitably stocked first aid kit, and you should provide at least one for each workplace (more than one may be needed on larger sites). All kits should be easily accessible and the contents of each checked and restocked regularly. Useful items include plasters and dressings, antiseptic wipes and disposable gloves.

Larger or more hazardous workplaces will require a designated first aid room. This room should be clearly signposted, easily accessible and a designated person should be given the responsibility for supervising it. It should be large enough to hold a medical couch, with adequate heating and ventilation, lighting and running water and be available for use at all time during working hours.

All employers should implement a health and safety policy and make sure that all staff are aware of it. It is also advised that all workplaces have an accident report book in which all workplace incidents are reported. All employers/workplace managers have a duty under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) to report serious workplace accidents and dangerous occurrences and occupational diseases.

Your first aider

If you require a first aider, it is your responsibility as employer to appoint one and pay for the appropriate level of first aid training. There are a wide range of courses and training providers to choose from, but before selecting a course check what will be taught and how the course is structured, what official qualifications, if any, the trainee will receive and what duties the trainee should be able to undertake as a result of the training. This will help you select the right course for your workplace needs. It is important to remember that your first aider will need to be trained specifically in first aid for the workplace – a generic or basic first aid course will not be extensive enough.

It is also prudent to send your trained first aiders on annual refresher courses, to help refresh their knowledge and skills and to keep them up-to-date with any changes to first aid at work protocol.

Health in the Workplace

Sector Focus

The latest news from the sectors that matter to business

In Brief

A traffic management company is launching a campaign to recruit 40 women to help implement temporary traffic systems throughout the West Midlands.

The scheme, designed by Highway Traffic Management (HTM), whose clients include Kier Highways working for Birmingham City Council aims to increase diversity in the industry. Applicants will be required to work in all highway environments and learn skills such as good communication with the general public and helping motorists to navigate temporary road networks safely.

Target 40, as the campaign has been codenamed, is being specifically aimed at women with contract terms, such as working hours, open to negotiation. It is being promoted through women’s groups in a bid to plug a gap in a traditionally male-dominated labour sector.

Greg Baldwin, managing director of HTM, said: “With diversity being a high priority, we are looking for proactive and motivated individuals to join our growing team.”

Young members at BID Services, based at the Deaf Cultural Centre in Birmingham, have expressed their newfound confidence to travel independently on public transport, thanks to a support workshop offered by National Express West Midlands.

The centre, based on Ladywood Road, is the UK’s first and only Deaf Cultural Centre which provides a space where deaf culture is celebrated, explored and represented through a number of art and community projects as well as social events.

During the workshop National Express West Midlands helped over 30 young people improve their confidence by learning how to travel safely and independently on the bus.

Jo Carlton, projects team leader at BID Services, said: “We are extremely grateful to National Express West Midlands for their support. Helping the younger people in the deaf community to improve their confidence to travel both safely and independently is so important.”

Community projects backed by West Midlands Railway

Railway communities across the region are preparing to get stuck into a range of new projects thanks to funding from West Midlands Railway (WMR).

More than a dozen schemes, including art projects, children’s activities and help for young station adopters, will receive a slice of £800,000 in funding from the operator’s “Your Community, Your Fund” pool.

The funding is provided by the Department for Transport (DfT) and allocated by WMR and its sister company London Northwestern Railway to projects across the network.

Fay Easton, WMR head of stakeholder and community, said: “I am so proud of all the work that goes into our Your Community, Your Fund projects. The principles of this scheme bring intense value to communities and are of great benefit to our railways.

“It will be a pleasure to work with the project leaders and witness the progress of each project and their impact on different West Midlands areas and community groups over the coming months.”

Schemes selected for funding will benefit areas of social need and enhance the passenger experience and projects such as the refurbishment of the disused station buildings at five locations.

The projects will be run by not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises with examples of work including station building conversions, wellbeing hubs and schemes to build confidence travelling on the railway for young people.

The ‘Your Community, Your Fund’ scheme – also known as the Customer & Communities Improvement Fund - is a plan to develop new community connections and programmes, have a positive impact at stations and contribute to the recovery of passenger numbers on the railways.

Flybe adds extra winter flight to Belfast amid growing schedule

A new flight from Birmingham Airport to Belfast City has been added to flybe’s winter schedule for 2022/23.

The airline is continuing to grow its schedule with 12 new destinations.

New winter flights will commence on 30 October and include additional routes and frequencies from London Heathrow to Newquay, Birmingham to Belfast City, Belfast City to East Midlands and Southampton to Glasgow.

Due to high demand, flybe will continue to offer international flights from Belfast City, Birmingham, East Midlands and London Heathrow to Amsterdam.

Flight frequencies will increase throughout the winter and into next summer as flybe further expands its fleet with CO2-efficient De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 (Q400) aircraft.

Flybe chief executive Dave Pflieger said: “Our new winter schedule enhances affordable connectivity across UK regions, as well as Europe, via our popular flights to Amsterdam.”

Fares start from £34.99 one-way, and the new schedule and route start dates can be found on flybe.com

On track: Railway schemes

Take off: A De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 aircraft used by flybe

Over-50s spending to help families

As the cost of living continues to rise, over-50s in the Midlands say they are giving money to their loved ones, so they can afford to make ends meet.

A poll of 500 over-50s, commissioned by Prime Accountants Group, revealed 60 per cent spend their money on helping families out financially.

Of those who gave money to their families, 40 per cent said they did it so their loved ones could afford to make ends meet, while a third provide financial support to help their families through the economic crisis.

The fact that it made them happy was the reason why 39 per cent said they choose to share their wealth.

Twenty-six per cent said they wanted their families to make the most of their money while they were still alive.

Kevin Johns, managing director of Prime Accountants Group, which has offices in Solihull, Birmingham and Coventry, said: “The survey showed life milestones such as house deposits, weddings and dream holidays were among the

Appetite for firms to seek investment, despite climate

Nearly half of mid-sized businesses in the Midlands will seek funding for growth in the next year, despite the current economic climate.

According to BDO’s Rethinking the Economy survey, 48 per cent of companies in the region intend to look for investment by the middle of 2023, with 40 per cent putting fund raising plans in place in the next 12 to 18 months.

The research of 500 mid-sized businesses showed that the top two sources of funding for Midlands businesses are debt finance (34 per cent) and bank loans (31 per cent), with private equity as well as crowdfunding also on the financial radar.

Roger Buckley, M&A partner at BDO in the Midlands, said: “Regional businesses are facing a plethora of challenges that keep on mounting in the face of high inflation and an impending recession.

“Despite this, there is still a clear appetite to seek and secure investment, as businesses look towards multiple sources of funding to meet strategic aims.

“With the investor market equally as ambitious in the region, eager to support entrepreneurial companies

that wish to scale up at pace, we expect this level of interest by companies to have a positive effect on investment activity in the Midlands over the coming 12 to 18 months.”

The survey also highlighted the growth intentions of regional businesses, with nearly a quarter of companies stating that they intend to expand internationally in the next 12 months.

Of those businesses that currently operate overseas, 19 per cent plan to expand their presence.

Buckley added: “Operating internationally brings with it a multitude of tax and regulatory considerations that can differ from one territory to the next.

“However, the financial rewards for establishing a strong footprint in complementary markets can be significant if planned and funded in the most appropriate way and Midlands businesses are clearly keen to capitalise on the opportunities this brings.”

top things which people wanted to see their nearest and dearest spending their savings on.

“But with the cost of living continuing to rise, it was clear that many were having to dip into their savings just to help their families get by as costs continue to climb.”

More than one in four said they were worried about how much inheritance they would be leaving behind, as they grow increasingly concerned about ensuring their children have a better future.

However, close to 40 per cent had no idea how to accurately value their estate, with many unsure what inheritance tax (IHT) was or how it works in the UK.

More than a third (38 per cent) knew how much they would be taxed on their savings in the event of their death but only around a third (32 per cent) knew the legal means they could use to reduce the amount of IHT payable by their family.

The results showed only 18 per cent were aware that a life insurance policy could be used to pay off IHT.

Appetite for growth: Roger Buckley

Spending trends: Kevin Johns

Bishop Fleming welcomed a record-breaking number of apprentices into its business.

Our firm, which delivers audit, accounting, tax and advisory services to businesses and individuals from its base in the South West and West Midlands, have employed our highest number of school leavers and graduates.

The intake of 60 apprentices, which includes 42 university graduates and 18 school leavers, represents a third year of successive growth in apprentice numbers and comes just two years since we became an accredited apprenticeship provider.

Having delivered fee growth of 19% in 2022, we have seen its headcount grow to over 460 peoplecontinuing our ambitious growth plans to double its size in the next few years.

The apprentices will work across our seven offices in Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Plymouth, Truro, Torquay, and Worcester.

Each trainee will receive an extensive induction plan for their fir st 100-days as they start to undertake their qualifications from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), with whom we are a ‘Partner in Learning’.

Anna Averis, Partner, and People Director for Bishop Fleming said: “I am delighted that we have recruited a record-breaking number of trainees yet again this year, particularly as we continue our growth across the South West and West Midlands. As one of the few firms in the UK to have Employer Provider status it is fantastic to see that our Apprenticeship programme is yielding great results."

Bishop Fleming has been ranked 14th in the UK for our apprenticeship programme in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer rankings for 2022.

If you are interested in finding out about a career at Bishop Fleming, please contact Katie Bushby on kjinks@bishopfleming.co.uk

This year’s school leavers and graduates have joined from a variety of schools and universities including: So uth Devon College, Truro School, Devonport High School for Boys and Droitwich Spa High School and Sixth Form; University of Exeter, University of Bath, and the University of West England. Some apprentices have made significant career changes to join us, including an Olympic diver, music teacher, and digital marketing manager.

Law firm launches food and drink sector

Shakespeare Martineau has launched a new food and drink sector group to provide legal support to the industry, which is valued at more than £100bn.

It will provide advice and services on commercial, employment, corporate and real estate law, alongside intellectual property, business immigration, landlord and tenant disputes, commercial disputes, food regulatory and uninsured loss recovery.

Analysis by Shakespeare Martineau – which already works with major retailers and supermarkets including Iceland and

Farmfoods - found that the food and drink industry accounted for six per cent of administrations in the first six months of 2022.

Matt McDonald, partner and food and drink sector lead at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “The food and drink industry has been particularly impacted by political events such as the cost of living crisis and Brexit, as well as staff shortages, material price increases and Covid-19.

“Working in food and drink is different from many other commercial enterprises – it is highly competitive and brings with

it a plethora of ever-evolving industry-specific regulatory regimes, taxation considerations, and technological and logistical challenges. Our legal teams already represent many major retailers and supermarkets, and we are delighted to be bringing that expertise together to create a food and drink-specific group.”

Meanwhile, Shakespeare Martineau has welcomed 11

Divorcing couples to benefit from changes to Capital Gains Tax

Changes to Capital Gains Tax that reduce the risk of expensive tax bills for divorcing couples have been welcomed by Thursfields Solicitors.

An expert at the leading Midlands law firm was commenting after news that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules for divorcing couples are set to change next year.

Shane Miller, a director and head of the family law department at Thursfields, explained that currently, if a couple transfers assets between them any time after the tax year in which they separated, there may be a tax to pay.

She said: “The new rules, which come into force on 6 April 2023, will give couples three tax years from the split to share assets without triggering a tax bill. Couples will also be given unlimited time to settle if those assets are part of a formal divorce agreement. The rules around property are also changing to allow those who have moved out of a marital home but kept a share in it to be able to claim Private Residence Relief if the property is sold 12 months after the liability is triggered.

“Those who have transferred their interest in the property to their former spouse will be able to apply the same tax treatment to the sale proceeds as

trainees, including five in the West Midlands.

Kiran Kaushal, Katie Parker, Helen Rowland, Lucy Feghhi and Sophie Roberts will be based primarily in Birmingham.

Abigail Lynch, Sarah Johnson, Tait Grundy and Sophie Plant will be based in its Nottingham and Leicester hubs. Camilla Uppal will be working from Shakespeare Martineau’s London hub, while

Emily Cupi, early ambitions development adviser at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Our trainees are our future and make a valuable contribution to the firm.

“We firmly believe in investing in our people to ensure we have the skills and talent necessary to drive the firm’s future organic growth.”

applied when they transferred it. These are welcome changes, because currently the law does nothing to assist those separating who are already facing horrendous financial bills.

“There’s already enough financial stress and emotional pressure for couples who are splitting up, and on top of that they have the extra strain of having to split finances before the end of the tax year.

“These changes will therefore be a huge relief, especially for couples going through more complicated separations, because it will give them more time to come to an agreement and will reduce the financial cost.”

Joseph Shields is the firm’s first Scottish trainee and will be based in Edinburgh.

‘Our trainees are our future and make a valuable contribution to the firm’

Top legal talent: Trainees Sophie Roberts, Helen Rowland, Kiran Kaushal, Katie Parker and Lucy Feghhi

Welcome changes: Shane Miller

Getting out of a contract can be just as important as getting into a contract. Most businesses will be familiar with the standard termination clauses, which provide for a number of triggers for termination.

A material breach not remedied, or a series of breaches, is usually a trigger for termination of a contract. It is important when using this trigger evidence is collected and documented of the breach (and the contractual obligation or standard that has been breached) and the notices which need to be served are served in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.

Generally speaking, there will be a number of financial difficulty scenarios that will also be a trigger for termination. Broadly speaking, these may include insolvency, entering in to a CVA or being wound upput into liquidation or adminis tration.

However, since the implementation of the of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 it has become very difficult and, in some cases, impossible for a supplier to terminate contracts for the supply of goods and non-financial services on the grounds that a corporate customer has entered into corporate insolvency procedures.

With rumblings of recession looming now would be a good time to have your terms and conditions and contracts reviewed. You may need to rely on other terms to terminate contracts that are no longer financially viable or are with financially uncertain customers. You can only do that however, if such terms are incorporated into your contracts. If a corporate customer has entered into an insolvency event then you as a supplier would need a new termination right, arising after t he start of the insolvency process and not triggered by the process or consent from a specific person, such as the administrator or court permission on the grounds of your hardship.

Termination on notice or at convenience can be useful clauses to terminate a contract for any reason – the application is still uncertain in light of the changes to protections during insolvency proceedings, but including such a clause may be beneficial. Clauses for termination on notice can have their drawbacks and may not be suitable for every contract.

Termination rights in the lead up to an insolvency process can also be useful.

The most important point is to recognise that one size does not fit all when it comes to terms and conditions. They should be drafted to suit your business, how it operates, the nature of the goods/se rvices you supply and the relationship you have with your customers.

Our Commercial Team can assist you on getting the right terms and conditions in place for your business. For more information contact Hannah Clark

Sector

Tech start-up aids JLR’s digital skills initiative

Jaguar Land Rover is collaborating with tech start-up Multiverse to enhance the data skills of its employees as it accelerates its digital transformation.

Through its Reimagine strategy, JLR is placing itself at the forefront of the rapidly changing automotive industry with a focus on electrification, digital services and data.

The work with Multiverse is the first of many initiatives planned by the company to increase data capability and invest in employees’ skills to meet the needs of the business during its transformation and in the future.

The shortage of data skills is estimated to cost UK businesses £2bn a year, with one in 10 jobs requiring data expertise and 100,000 data positions unfilled.

Multiverse is looking to fill this skills gap by building an outstanding alternative to university and corporate training through apprenticeships.

It now trains over 8,000 tech, leadership and digital apprentices.

Through the collaboration, a Data Fellowship course, delivered by

The first 400 employees enrolled this summer, with additional groups launching each quarter.

Clive Benford, chief data officer at JLR, said: “The automotive industry is rapidly changing to become digital and electric.

“The management and utilisation of increasingly high volumes of data in this new era will be central to Jaguar Land Rover’s future.

“We need to create a data-first mindset that will support our growth, enhance the customer experience, and increase the productivity and expertise of our teams.

Multiverse, will be offered to employees.

The 15-month course covers topics including data modelling, analysis, Python, and Machine Learning, and will support thousands of Jaguar Land Rover's employees to make the transition from spreadsheets and desktop data work to working on the cloud.

“The business’ own digital transformation is already underway with software-over-the-air, which demonstrates the power of effectively harnessing data. The primary goal of our partnership with Multiverse is to empower all our employees to utilise data, gain insights from it and develop valuable solutions.”

Truck experts step up Scotland operations

Narrow Aisle Ltd – manufacturer of the Flexi Truck articulated warehouse truck range – has extended its warranty, service and parts operation in Scotland.

Dedicated to meeting the requirements of Flexi Truck users north of the border, the new investment will mark coverage extended to the whole country and will enable rapid response to callouts across Scotland to ensure that Flexi Truck customers’ performance is optimised.

In addition, Narrow Aisle intralogistics specialists will operate in Scotland to provide warehouse

storage design, fleet management and power source guidance.

The warehouse design and storage system configuration advice offered to Flexi Truck users will ensure that trucks maximise space utilisation and throughput

efficiency benefits.

It will also allow companies to begin to plan their operations around the latest cobotic ecommerce customer order picking technology and processes, using robotics to increase human ability rather than replace it.

John Maguire, managing director of Narrow Aisle Ltd, said: “The Scottish market is extremely important to us and Flexi Truck sales across the country continue to grow year-on-year.

“The territory brings its own challenges – not the least of which are some logistical difficulties in reaching certain customer sites in the wider region of the Highlands, so we feel it is absolutely essential to have a long-term presence within the market.”

He adds: “The new Scottish investment will enable us to strengthen relationships with our clients and deliver the highest levels of support to Flexi Truck users throughout the country.”

Narrow Aisle Ltd has supplied more than 15,000 Flexi articulated forklift trucks to users throughout the world and has a global network of over 70 authorised distributors.

‘We need to create a data-first mindset that will support our growth’

JLR investing in skills: Picture of study

‘The territory brings its own challenges –not the least of which are some logistical difficulties’

Important market: John Maguire

Menopause clinic secures new HQ

Property agency KWB has secured Newson Health - the world’s largest menopause clinic - as a new tenant at Bridgeway House in Stratford-upon-Avon town centre.

The organisation has taken 8,330 sq ft of Grade A space across the ground and second floors as their new headquarters.

Malcolm Jones of KWB brokered the deal on behalf of landlord Rigby Plc, who carried out a refurbishment of the building.

Alistair Darby, chief executive officer at Newson Health, said: “We have expanded rapidly since opening in Stratford-uponAvon in the autumn of 2018 to become the world’s leading menopause clinic. The operations team that supports Newson’s clinicians and patients had outgrown its current offices and required new, purpose-built offices to expand into, whilst staying in Stratford.

“Working in partnership with KWB and Rigby Plc, we are delighted to have taken on two floors in Bridgeway House. The move represents another exciting chapter in the growth of Newson Health.”

Malcolm Jones added: “Congratulations to Newson Health on their new headquarters and I look forward to seeing their business flourish even further here. With a unique combination of Grade A offices and a town centre location, Bridgeway House offers the best quality space available in Stratford-upon-Avon.”

Demand for small industrial units grows rapidly – expert

The intense demand for small industrial units across the West Midlands shows no sign of letting up, according to Birmingham commercial property specialist Siddall Jones.

The firm has completed four lettings in just two weeks at Northside Business Centre in Winson Green, Birmingham.

Managing director Ed SiddallJones said: “There is a huge demand for small industrial units across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, and the rental levels being achieved speak volumes.”

Northside Business Centre was formerly owned by Birmingham City Council and was acquired by a Birmingham based property company some 12 months ago.

Siddall Jones was appointed to let the scheme and has achieved an increase in rents from circa £4 per sq ft to £12 per sq ft with almost full occupancy.

Mr Siddall-Jones said: “The latest lettings range in rental from £10£12 per sq ft and include an events company, food storage business and a luxury bespoke bedding company.

“The demand for industrial accommodation across the West Midlands is unprecedented and we have clients waiting for similar sized properties.”

The latest series of deals is further proof of Siddall Jones’s status as Birmingham’s most successful independent business property agency.

In 2022, Siddall Jones was named the top commercial agent in the West Midlands in the EG Radius On-Demand Rankings.

The firm brokered 156 deals including sales and lettings in 2021.

Work on eco-friendly homes begins

Living Space has commenced construction at an affordable housing development featuring 60 ecoefficient homes that will self-generate a proportion of household electricity.

Located off Perryfields Road in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, the £10m development is being delivered for housing provider Stonewater.

Living Space received planning approval from Bromsgrove District Council for the 1.73 Ha (4.27 acre) project. Located just over a mile from the town centre, the new homes will help to alleviate the council’s shortfall in its five-year housing land supply position.

The mixed-tenure homes will be installed with air source heat pumps and solar PV roof panels and will be amongst the UK’s most eco-efficient affordable dwellings.

Designed by the Birmingham office of architects Stephen George and Partners, the scheme features a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes.

Paul Breen, managing director of Living Space, said: “Stonewater’s future residents will benefit from homes that self-generate a proportion of household electricity, which when combined with the air source heat pumps, will significantly minimise grid energy use.”

Plug in and play at Edgbaston office building

A landmark Grade A office building in Edgbaston has launched seven new ‘plug and play’ suites to meet the growing demand for high quality, move-in spaces.

The fit out of the two suites has been completed on level 2 of 54 Hagley Road.

A further four suites on level 4 are available to use immediately. Suites are available from 650 sq ft to 2000 sq ft.

Joint agents George Jennings, from Avison Young, said with two 1400 sq ft plug and play suites on levels 9 and 14 being snapped up quickly in 2021, coupled with the sustained growth in the serviced office sector, there was clear potential for providing more fully-fitted, ready-to-go spaces for ambitious businesses that want to hit the ground running.

efficient lighting. All spaces have their own meeting rooms, quiet areas, collaborative spaces and kitchen areas.

“We are already being contacted by businesses that are currently in serviced offices, those that are looking for premises after working at home for the past couple of years, as well as companies who need to downsize as they move to a hybrid working model,” said George.

“While there is growth in the serviced office sector, we are also noticing a real shift as businesses coming to the end of their flex leases now want to have their own front door, good quality furnishings and amenities.

“As these are available on flexible terms with contract lengths from 18 months, we don’t expect the suites to be available for long.”

The landlord, abrdn, worked closely with interior designers to create working spaces with residential-style furniture and soft, energy-

Fine fit-out: One of the new suites

Switched on: Paul Breen (managing director of Living Space), Matt Crucefix (director of development (West and South) at Stonewater) and Shane Robinson (production director at Living Space)

Roles filled at American Express

Midlands training experts Performance Through People (PTP) has helped recruit 14 apprentices to train in new roles at American Express Global Business Travel.

The recruits will all be working with the company as travel counsellors, working towards qualifying in Travel Consultant Level 3 apprenticeships.

American Express Global Business Travel offers clients a full service for booking trips, managing expenses and looking after all travellers’ needs.

The project has been managed by Maureen Begum, a performance manager at PTP Training, part of the BCTG Group.

Ms Begum said: “We started discussions with American Express Global Business Travel last December when they were planning a new apprenticeship programme for their London offices.

“These were new roles to the business and they were looking to work with a provider who would support the recruitment from the initial advertising stage through to employment, with the same

Chambers invited to shape ‘game-changing’ skills plan

Businesses in the West Midlands are being placed at the heart of skills provision in the region in a “gamechanging shift” to help ease the skills crisis and address the needs of the “fourth industrial revolution.”

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce have been selected by the Department for Education to lead on

Crucially, that research will go beyond Chamber membership and will include businesses affiliated to other representative organisations in the region as well as companies that are not members of a business body.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The fourth industrial revolution is fundamentally changing the way in which we live, work and do business.

“Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s involvement in this programme is a great opportunity for us to inform and shape provision linked to digital transformation – with, and on behalf of, the local business community.

the region’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).

LSIPs have been designed by Government to put employers at the centre of the skills system in their region and to build a stronger, more dynamic partnership between employers and further education providers.

The Chambers across the West Midlands will now carry out a detailed research exercise – including online surveys, roundtable events, telephone calls and one-toone meetings with employers.

“We look forward to working with our neighbouring Chambers of Commerce, local stakeholders and educators to deliver a meaningful plan, incorporating and building on the significant work already underway to upskill talent across the region.”

Neil Anderson, director of external affairs of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a hugely positive and significant opportunity for the West Midlands.

“For too many years, those leading local firms have repeatedly emphasised a disconnect between skills policy and the needs of businesses.”

partner delivering the apprenticeship programme.”

Ms Begum said this was the first time that PTP had worked with American Express Global Business Travel, although PTP has worked in the travel industry for more than 20 years.

PTP clients included HRG –the Hogg Robinson Group –which has since been taken over by American Express Global Business Travel.

The recruitment plans were agreed with American Express Global Business Travel in May with PTP selecting over 100 applicants for initial interviews.

Ignacio D'Onia, team coach at American Express Global Business Travel, said: “We’re really pleased with the apprentices we have recruited and are grateful to PTP for their focused selection assistance.”

Paid placements help upskill youth

PwC Midlands welcomed 21 students for a week of paid work experience as part of its ‘New World New Skills’ programme.

The students, aged 16 to 17, were among 200 young people who participated in the scheme across the UK.

The programme is part of PwC’s commitment to social mobility, with the students recruited from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Working with social mobility and social inclusion organisations, including Social Mobility Foundation, Sutton Trust, Urban Synergy and Amos Bursary, the programme is an opportunity for young people to

gain experience of the workplace and develop the knowledge and skills for future careers.

Each student was provided with a PwC laptop and iPhones were provided to students who needed assistance accessing wifi.

The students were given the option to work from home two days of the week to experience hybrid working, providing them with practical experience of how office life has evolved since the pandemic.

Victoria Broadhurst, head of organisational effectiveness, at PwC Midlands, said: “PwC has a commitment to social mobility, and

our New World New Skills programme is designed with this at its core.

“Many sectors, including professional services, have a low representation of talent from lower socio-economic backgrounds and that is something we as a major employer want to help change.

“We understand the importance of work experience to young people, especially in the wake of the pandemic, and this year we added in the element of hybrid working to the programme to enable the students to gain experience of what the workplace is like today.”

Social mobility: PwC Midlands welcomes 21 students to a week of paid work experience.

‘The fourth industrial revolution is fundamentally changing the way in which we live, work and do business’

‘We’re really pleased with the apprentices we have recruited’

Sector

Surgical robot delivered with the help of Entec Si

Construction work to support the introduction of the highly anticipated surgical robot has been successfully delivered, thanks to programme and change management expertise provided by Birmingham consultancy, Entec Si.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust enlisted the help of the change specialists to introduce the

‘Entec

of this

state-of-the-art surgical robot at Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, initially to help finalise the business case.

Following approval, Entec Si was commissioned to lead the implementation of the programme, accountable for the critical path across a number of workstreams. Entec Si’s responsibilities included coordinating the build works, recruitment and training, finances, clinical operations and communication efforts,

as well as the digital elements needed to support the installation of the robot.

With the operating theatre now complete, Entec Si has handed the stabilisation phase back to the Trust.

The refurbishment work included renovating and reinforcing the theatre floor to take the weight of the new robot as well as upgrading the ventilation system to cater to its additional functionality. Senior clinicians aim to begin providing robot-assisted surgery at the Alexandra Hospital later this year.

Julie Smith, senior consultant at Entec Si, said: “Not only has this been an inspiring project to oversee, but one that is incredibly important to the community in which it will serve.”

Goodyear MD FRCS, divisional director (surgery) of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Entec Si has been invaluable in the delivery of this project, helping us to demonstrate our commitment to providing the best experience for our patients.”

Digital signature capability expanded

Quilter, the platform provider and wealth manager, has expanded its digital signature capability with the addition of four digital signature providers for use by UK financial advisers.

The additions take the number of digital signature providers recognised by Quilter to 11.

Following the success of implementing its initial digital signature capabilities in 2020, Quilter has added Alphatrust, docSAFE, MyDocSafe and Rsign to its list of approved software providers.

The additional providers have been added based on the most popular requests from financial advisers.

Quilter was named a ‘digital process champion’ in Next Wealth’s

Constant contact: David Tiller

Adviser Tech Stack Report and was recognised for making the largest improvement in document submission digitalisation in the past year.

David Tiller, commercial and propositions director at Quilter, said: “We maintain constant contact with advisers to understand how we can best support them and their business both now and in the future, and we know they value flexibility of digital signature providers.

“Given the technological transformation we have experienced in recent years, digital signatures allow advisers to conduct business in a quick and secure manner, knowing their clients will continue to receive a quality service.

“We are pleased to have expanded our offering even further to ensure advisers have a wide variety of choice when it comes to processing business digitally.”

From boot camp to top BBC job

A graduate from the University of Birmingham’s Coding Boot Camp has landed a top job at the BBC.

Kayle Patton enrolled on the Boot Camp in September 2021 and has gone on to join the BBC as a junior software engineer.

Joining a team of five at the BBC, Kayle, 30, is working on the broadcasting corporation’s iPlayer and Sounds team.

Having always had a passion for tech, Kayle first enrolled at the coding Boot Camp at the University of Birmingham in the winter of 2020. However, on the way to becoming a first-time mum, Kayle decided to postpone the course, which she then started in autumn 2021.

Kayle said: “The help was phenomenal and lecturers and tutors are very aware of your personal life as well. I had a one month old baby when I started. My instructor was understanding.”

Before the coding Boot Camp, Kayle worked in education programming for an art museum in Dallas, Texas.

She added: “We started right at the beginning - HTML, CSS. I went into the course knowing nothing about development so it really did start from the beginning which was great. Towards half way into the course, that’s when career services comes in. They make sure you’re getting enough support with CVs, portfolios, interviews and making sure you’re ready to start your career.”

In 2019, University of Birmingham launched their Boot Camps under two umbrellas - data analytics and coding. It has since welcomed over 300 students on its 24 week intensive courses.

Phenomenal help: Kayle Patton

At work: The surgical robot in operation

All-star line up for Christmas panto

Marti Pellow and Matt Slack will be among the returning stars for the biggest regional pantomime at Birmingham Hippodrome this year.

The line-up for ‘Dick Whittington’ will star Pellow as The Ratman, Birmingham Panto favourite Slack as Dick Whittington plus TV Doctor and presenter Dr Ranj as Spirit of the Bells and musical sensation Suzanne Shaw as Alice.

together with his songwriting partner and musical director Grant Mitchell, will write several of the songs for this year’s pantomime.

Marti Pellow was the lead singer of the Scottish pop group Wet Wet Wet for 28 years from their formation in 1982 until their split in 1997, and again from their reformation in 2004 to his departure in 2017. He has also recorded albums as a solo artist, and performed as an actor in musical theatre productions in both the West End and on Broadway.

He joins Matt Slack, who has established himself as one of the country’s leading pantomime comics. He returns to Birmingham Hippodrome for a record-breaking ninth consecutive year, with ‘Dick Whittington’ marking his 20th pantomime.

‘My Fair Lady cast’ announced

Casting has been announced for Bartlett Sher’s critically acclaimed production of ‘My Fair Lady’, which features at Birmingham Hippodrome from 8-26 March next year.

West End and Broadway star and two-time Olivier Award nominee Michael D. Xavier will play Henry Higgins. Charlotte Kennedy will star as Eliza Doolittle.

The panto, featuring sets and costumes from The London Palladium, will also mark the return of Birmingham favourites Doreen Tipton as The Cat and Andrew Ryan as The Dame.

Marti Pellow makes a return to panto in Birmingham after a muchcelebrated season at the theatre in 2015 as Abanazar in Aladdin. Marti,

The cast will be joined by regional treasure Doreen Tipton, who over the past few years has morphed effortlessly from YouTube sensation to Queen of the Black Country.

Chief executive of Crossroads Pantomimes, Michael Harrison, who will produce and direct ‘Dick Whittington’, said: “The Birmingham

New director at helm of The Alex

The Alexandra Theatre, the first to re-open to full capacity after the Covid pandemic, has welcomed a new director. Simon Creed joined the Alex after roles at The Hippodrome, Midlands Arts Centre and B;Music.

Since reopening with Simon at the helm, the team have welcomed over 269,000 audience members to experience over 100 shows and over 350 performances. The first year back has been a celebration of bringing quality entertainment to Birmingham, from West End tours and world premieres, to one night only favourites.

Simon said: “The Alexandra and our outstanding team showed resilience last year, enabling theatre-lovers to return at the earliest opportunity possible.

“Over the past year, our team’s enthusiasm at being able to once again offer audiences fantastic service and fabulous shows cannot be underestimated. From musicals and dramas to one-night spectaculars, we hope that our new season will entice them to return to our gorgeous theatre, as we all appreciate the magic of being able to collectively enjoy performances with friends and strangers alike.

“Since our re-opening at The Alex, I’m delighted to say that our local partners include Malmaison, Wesleyan, The Arcadian, The Grand Hotel and Holiday Inn. We are always looking to expand the impact of our work within the West Midlands region.”

He added that anyone interested in becoming a partner for the Alex or more particularly a Stage Experience sponsor should email: BirminghamMarketing@theambassadors.com

This year, The Alexandra Birmingham will be welcoming an eclectic mix of shows, including Birmingham premieres ‘Fisherman’s Friends’, ‘South Pacific’, ‘The Osmonds’ and ‘Noughts & Crosses’; as well as returning favourites ‘The Mousetrap’, ‘The Shawshank Redemption’, ‘Saturday Night Fever’ and ‘An Inspector Calls’.

The West End smash ‘Dreamgirls’ will feature for all of December.

Best known for playing Ian Beale in EastEnders, Adam Woodyatt will play Alfred P. Doolittle.

Hippodrome pantomime is a real jewel in the crown of pantomimes in the UK. It’s fitting to be announcing such a stellar and talented cast today to bring to life our epic production of ‘Dick Whittington’.”

Dick Whittington runs from Saturday, 17 December, until Sunday, 29 January 2023. Tickets can be booked at www.birminghamhippodrome.com or by calling 0844 338 5000.

‘The Birmingham Hippodrome pantomime is a real jewel in the crown of pantomimes in the UK’

New director: Simon Creed

The Business of Sport

New images reveal Villa vision

Aston Villa has released a host of new CGI images to illustrate its vision for the future of Villa Park.

This comes as the club announces it will submit a planning application for the redevelopment and expansion of the stadium at the end of this month.

The plans set out the club’s commitment to the community, creating a destination that can be enjoyed all-year round with new commercial venue and community space, Villa Live.

The move follows a public consultation that ran in June and July, in which nearly 10,000 residents and businesses, stakeholders and fans had their say on the plans.

Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow said: “Following a successful consultation period, we are pleased to announce that we will be submitting our proposals for the redevelopment and expansion of Villa Park at the end of the month.

Construction aces

sign Moors deal

Solihull Moors have signed an agreement with Buildout, the construction industry talent partner.

Buildout will be the club’s corner sponsor for 2022-23, benefitting from pitchside and scoreboard advertising as well as match-day hospitality at selected home games at the ARMCO Arena.

And in a first for Moors, the partnership will also see Buildout recognise rising talent with a monthly award.

At the end of each month, the player or member of backroom staff who has made significant progress in fulfilling their potential will be rewarded.

Established by founders Jack Hurdley and James O’Donoghue five years ago, Buildout is

developing a glowing reputation within the construction industry - in particular, for the way in which it helps small and mid-sized businesses develop through attracting and retaining the best talent amongst professional and white collar staff.

Director James O’Donoghue said: “Like the Moors, we recognise that attracting the best talent is the only way our clients can fulfil their growth ambitions.

“The club’s progress over the last couple of seasons has been amazing and we are delighted to be partnering with them at this exciting time.”

Bradley Rice, head of commercial, for Solihull Moors, said: “We’re thrilled to have Buildout as our latest commercial partner, the

“We have received a hugely positive response from the local community, our supporters and other stakeholders and are confident that this project will transform both the stadium and the local area.

“These new CGI images showcase our spectacular vision for Villa Park which includes a brand-new commercial destination, Villa Live and highquality public space for the community. We look forward to continuing to work with all partners to realise our future vision.”

To find out more information, visit: www.avfc.co.uk

club has a strong following among fans who work in the construction sector.

“It’s fantastic to add yet another thriving local business to our evergrowing network. It’s great to continue to strengthen our ties

within the West Midlands.

“Buildout’s ambition and forward-thinking mindset is perfectly aligned to the club’s desire to see itself as an established football league club in the not-so-distant future.”

Buildout founders: Jack Hurdley and James O’Donoghue

Villa vision: The Northwest corner view of Trinity Stand and new North Stand on a non-match day

Obituary

Alan Nuttall

1942 - 2022

The founder and chairman of the group behind hot holding experts Flexeserve has passed away following a short illness.

Alan Nuttall founded the Alan Nuttall Partnership - of which Flexeserve is part - served his business for 56 years before moving into a less active role in 2022.

Born in 1942, he assumed the position of the Partnership’s founder having placed the employee-owned business in a strong position.

The Yorkshireman’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1966 when he launched Alan Nuttall Ltd specialising in greengrocery shopfitting with just £137.

He was inspired by the selfservice fruit shops he saw in the US and developed the UK’s first self-service system for fruiterers in 1975.

The system is still in common use today having been adopted by many major supermarkets including Asda and Morrisons.

This led him to create Fruity Fruits, which went on to be the largest independent fresh produce wholesale and retail business, employing 650 people in the UK when it was sold to

Birmingham Co-op in 1989.

Among his many achievements, Alan celebrated two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, awarded twice in the Innovation category – first in 2005 and again in 2022. He also met Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family at the opening event for one of his landmark shopfitting projects for the prestigious Fortnum & Mason.

Alan leaves behind his beloved wife of 56 years, Jacqueline, as well as two daughters, a grandson and great grandson.

The Alan Nuttall Partnership –a globally-operating businessemploys in excess of 200 partners across two locations.

Jamie Joyce, CEO of Flexeserve, said: “Alan was an inspirational mentor. He had a way of nurturing people to reach their potential – I experienced this first-hand. I’ve known him for my entire career, and without him, I would not be where I am today. I’m forever grateful and will miss him tremendously –both professionally and personally.”

Flexeserve is a patron of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and its Transatlantic Chamber division.

Inspirational: Alan Nuttall

Member Section New Members

New Members

Your guide to new sign-ups

8Lanes Limited

Deborah Clancy 07368 515359

www.8-lanes.co.uk

Retail sale of clothing in specialised stores

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

ACDS Financial Consultants

Steve Taylor 07515 031714

www.acds-consultants.co.uk

Management consultancy activities other than financial management

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce

Age UK Solihull

Rebecca Jacob 0121 704 7842

www.ageuksolihull.org.uk

Social work activities without accommodation for the elderly and disabled

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Anytime Fitness Edgbaston

Jordan Herr 0121 270 4411

www.anytimefitness.co.uk

Fitness facilities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

A-Plan Insurance Solihull

Nikki Kyriacou 0121 711 5466

www.aplan.co.uk/solihull

Non-life insurance

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Colossus Associates Ltd

Daniel Knott 0121 651 1049

www.colossusassociates.com

Other activities of employment placement agencies

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Convergint Technologies Ltd

Steve Clift www.convergint.com

Security systems service activities

Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Cote Brasserie Oli Davies 0121 828 4848 cote.co.uk

Licenced restaurants Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Crimson Rain

Aunkar Sahota 07772 323788

Other specialist photography

Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Whatever your business size and requirements, the Chamber has a membership scale to suit your needs.

For more information visit: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/membership

EA First Anil Pattni +44 121 651 1405

www.ea-first.com/

Other activities of employment placement agencies

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Environmental Excellence Education Ltd Marie Mathews 0121 574 0688 3ees.uk.com

Other business support service activities n.e.c. Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

ESO Logistics Ltd

Shaun Jones 0121 387 1800 www.esologistics.co.uk

Other transportation support activities

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Euro Parking Services Ltd

James Tark 0121 236 9194

Other service activities n.e.c. Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Forward Education Trust

Simon Dilkes 07513 484310 www.fet.ac

Pre-primary education Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Keyani & Sons Ltd Adil Keyani 0121 766 7587 www.keyani.co.uk

Non-specialised wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco Asian Business Chamber of Commerce

Mobile Employment Limited Puneet Patel 07506 503659

Temporary employment agency activities

Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce

Novo Training

Talon Golding 0121 233 9500 novogroup.uk

Other education n.e.c. Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

PG Accountants Ltd

Lewis Powell 0121 368 0199

www.pg-accountants.co,uk

Bookkeeping activities Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Pre-Empt Training Solutions

Edward Moore 01543 258666 www.preempttraining.co.uk

Other education n.e.c. Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce

Progressive CRM Ltd

Ally Mangham 01283 617890 www.progressivecrm.com

Information technology consultancy activities

Burton and District Chamber of Commerce

Raccoon Events Ltd

Hannah Hopwood 07771 812428

www.raccoonevents.com

Activities of exhibition and fair organisers

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

New

Rudolph and Hellmann Automotive Ltd

Steve Cotterill 01543 441670 www.rh-automotive.co.uk

Other service activities incidental to land transportation, n.e.c. Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce

Simpex Express Ltd

Stacy Woodall 0121 782 4444 www.simpex-express.com Freight transport by road Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Skills Builder Partnership

Ruby Mir 020 7183 6292 skillsbuilder.org.

Educational support services

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Solihull Times Ltd

Davine Partridge 01564 635 004

solihulltimes.com

Publishing of consumer and business journals and periodicals Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Stainless Steel Services Ltd

Darren Moult 0121 523 8100 www.stainlesssteelservices.co.uk

Wholesale of metals and metal ores

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Store Away Birmingham Sanj Chauhan 0800 041 8439 storeaway.uk

Activities of real estate investment trusts

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Taran 3D Taran Singh 07415 437 554 www.taran3d.com specialised design activities Transatlantic Chamber

The Clean Kilo t/a Kilo Ziro Bar

Jeanette Pell 0121 389 3487 www.kilozirobar.com Public houses and bars Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

The Cloud One Group Ltd

Josh Adams 0121 333 7711 www.cloudone.net

Renting and leasing of office machinery and equipment (including computers)

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

The Halcrow Estate Company Robert Halcrow 08008611937 vine-uk.com

Environmental consulting activities Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

The Oakwood Partnership Ltd

James Garman 01789 867686

www.theoakwoodpartnership.co.uk

Management consultancy activities other thanfinancial management

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

The Old Arthouse

Thomas Glover 07798 828612 www.theoldarthouse.com Artistic creation Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce

The Recruitment Duo Limited

Holly Vaughan 07507 717 780 www.therecruitmentduo.co.uk

Temporary employment agency activities Solihull Chamber of Commerce

Total Change UK Limited Annette Palmer 07949 144467

Management consultancy activities other than financial management Solihull Chamber of Commerce

As the voice of local business since 1813, we strive to help firms across the region connect, support and grow.

...any other business

A roundup of news from Chamber members

New book charts city scene in 70s

The glitzy and not so glitzy nightlife of Westside and Birmingham’s wider city centre in the 1970s has been unveiled in a new book by rock impresario Jim Simpson.

The decade is chronicled as never before in ‘Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to 1970s Birmingham’, researched and written by Jim and his brother Ron Simpson.

The brothers have been at the very heart of the city’s music scene since the late 1960s, with Jim helping to create success for Black Sabbath, one of the city’s biggest cultural exports of the era.

Jim was Black Sabbath’s first manager and took them to the top of the charts, going on to manage other successful bands.

He now runs Henry's Blueshouse music club and the Big Bear record label, as well as organising the annual Birmingham, Sandwell and Westside Jazz Festival.

The book tells the stories behind former Westside clubs like the Rum Runner, which sat on Broad Street from 1964 to 1987, before closing to make way for the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Also featured in the book is the Opposite Lock nightclub on Gas Street, which went on to become Bobby Brown’s and Barberella’s.

As well as Black Sabbath the book reveals early stories about Duran Duran, UB40, Dexys Midnight Runners and many others.

Jim Simpson explained how the book is the latest in the Dirty Stop Out’s Guide series that has previously covered the likes of Coventry, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, Chesterfield and other places.

He described how the Birmingham edition is full of rare photos and memories from local

figures as varied as Jasper Carrott and Tony Iommi.

Jim said: “Birmingham had a thriving live music and nightlife scene in the 1970s. It was an exciting place to be and this book is a true celebration of the decade.”

Ron Simpson added: “It was the decade that gave us everything from disco to punk via heavy rock

and reggae and Birmingham was at the centre of everything.”

‘The Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to 1970s Birmingham’ is published by Brewin Books and is available now from all good bookshops at £14.95. It gets its official launch on Sunday 18 October at 7pm at a session of Henry's Blueshouse at Velvet Music Rooms, 200 Broad Street.

Lords event celebrates apprentice successes

The boss of a leading Midlands training group visited the House of Lords to celebrate the UK’s top apprenticeship employers.

Rob Colbourne, chief executive of Performance Through People (PTP), was among the attendees at a lunch reception at the upper Parliamentary chamber.

It followed the launch of the Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers 2022, which featured PTP.

Attendees included representatives from other employers who featured in this year’s rankings, along with members of the apprenticeships directorate at the Department of Education.

The official ranking in the Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers was awarded to PTP for its work in boosting the career opportunities for young people and adults across the Midlands.

Mr Colbourne said: “Despite PTP wining many awards in the training industry, this achievement

felt different and special as it was a recognition of PTP as an employer and celebrating our own apprenticeship programme.

“Our current apprentices include some of whom have just started their careers in the world of work and others who are part of our staff retention and upskilling strategy. We were thrilled to have been listed in the Top 50 Apprenticeship Employers 2022, and it was a special moment to celebrate this with other high achieving employers.

“Our ranking not only reflects the skills and experience of our many staff and tutors, but it also underlines the commitment of the many thousands of apprentices we have helped succeed over the years.”

PTP and the wider BCTG Group offers 166 different types of apprenticeship and 27 preapprenticeship programmes for 16 to 18-yearolds.

Lords lunch: Rob Colbourne former colleague Jo Griffiths who now works for Crimson

Great read: Jim (left) and Ron Simpson with their new book