Business News

Digital marketing and communications group The MISSION Group plc has acquired global data science and digital analytics consultancy Mezzo Labs, with the support of Birmingham law firm Shakespeare Martineau.

Mezzo Labs is a leading provider of innovative data services with more than 16 years' experience in data strategy and architecture, web analytics, CX analytics, marketing automation, insights generation, data science, Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO) and personalisation.

The chief executive of Manchester City Council Joanne Roney was in Birmingham this week, urging the city’s business community go get behind Manchester’s calls for the government to provide a high-quality link between the Midlands Engine and the Northern Powerhouse.

Speaking at an exclusive Downtown in Business event at the EY offices in the heart of Birmingham city centre Roney said: “The investment that we are looking for of around £98 billion, may sound like a huge amount.

Following the launch of its Seedrs public crowdfunding round on 24th January 2023, online lettings platform lettingaproperty.com has already achieved over 100% of its £850k funding target. The target – which includes an initial raise of £750,000 from the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund, managed by Mercia and part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, and Mercia’s EIS funds – has now been uncapped, as the Seedrs campaign approaches its final week.

A team of property planning, architecture and design professionals is enjoying success, following their formation of collective services for landowners.

AMS Planning, HG2 Architects and Lloyd Harden Design have joined forces for their combined package, and in four months have collaborated on 25 projects across a range of sectors.

New regulations for Buy-Now Pay-Later consumers are set to help protect an estimated 10 million customers from unconstrained borrowing while still ensuring those who need it have access to interest-free credit. With more people taking out these credit agreements and the potential risks of consumers being exposed to financial harm; the government is setting out proposed new regulations.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the UK held off from falling into recession in 2022. However, with the country experiencing zero economic growth between October and December, many businesses are still experiencing tough times. In light of this, UK sales transformation specialist Sales Talent is supporting businesses to remember the value of going back to basics when it comes to selling their goods and services.

Celebrations were in full swing at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham where Housing 21 won the award for Most Innovative Financial Support Scheme at the Housing Digital Innovation Awards. The awards celebrate the dedication, talent and drive of those who strive to make UK housing a place of continuous innovation and excellence.

The Dye & Durham Irish Law Awards 2023 acknowledge excellence and recognise the outstanding achievements and exemplary practices of leading law firms, legal practitioners and in-house legal teams across Ireland.

The Dye & Durham Irish Law Awards 2023 are judged by a panel of experts. All nominations received are sent to judges and reviewed according to set criteria.

Eighty-three organisations will be vying for glory at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s annual dinner and awards next month. 

The shortlist has been revealed ahead of the region’s biggest celebration of business, which is taking place at the ICC in Birmingham on Thursday 16 March.

The corporate and banking teams at law firm Shakespeare Martineau supported deals valued at almost £3.4 billion during 2022 – including £1.4 billion in the West Midlands. Completing an average of seven deals a week, Shakespeare Martineau’s national team supported more than £400 million worth of deals across technology and healthcare alone, and more than £300 million in the energy and renewables space.

Celebrations were in full swing at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham where Housing 21 won the award for Most Innovative Financial Support Scheme at the Housing Digital Innovation Awards. The awards celebrate the dedication, talent and drive of those who strive to make UK housing a place of continuous innovation and excellence.

A pioneering plan by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to decarbonise entire neighbourhoods has been chosen for a new Government-backed programme aimed at speeding up the UK’s transition to net zero by attracting more private sector investment. As part of Innovate UK's Pioneer Places programme, the WMCA will work with its partners Bankers Without Boundaries and Dark Matter Labs to model the health and wellbeing, social and environmental benefits of its first Net Zero Neighbourhood in Dudley.

Council plans to buy up to 50 homes to help accommodate Afghans and Ukrainians in Birmingham

Plans to purchase up to 50 homes to provide temporary accommodation for Afghan citizens and Ukrainian guests are to be discussed by the city council’s Cabinet next week (14 February). Birmingham City Council was invited to apply for funding from the Government’s £500m Local Authority Housing Fund which will enable it to increase its resettlement pledge for between 80-120 people over the next two financial years, subject to funding being granted.

A team of property planning, architecture and design professionals is enjoying success, following their formation of collective services for landowners. AMS Planning, HG2 Architects and Lloyd Harden Design have joined forces for their combined package, and in four months have collaborated on 25 projects across a range of sectors.

A recently released statement from Digbeth businesses red: “In a meeting held on Thursday 2 February, Digbeth businesses came together to raise concerns around policing, street cleaning, and mitigation and compensation for the ongoing Midlands Metro Alliance works which have directly led to several businesses closing permanently in recent months.

The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer responded to the Bank of England interest rates decision.

Jeremy Hunt said: “Inflation is a stealth tax that is the biggest threat to living standards in a generation, so we support the Bank's action, so we succeed in halving inflation this year.