Business News

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.

GreenSquareAccord, one of England’s largest housing and care providers has appointed Maxine Espley MBE into the new post of Chief Operating Officer (COO). She will be leading a joined-up operations function which will provide services for more than 54,000 housing customers across central and south west England, covering 25,000 homes, and within more than 100 care and support services.

After nine years as CEO of Heathrow Airport, John Holland-Kaye has informed the Board of his intention to stand down as CEO during 2023. The Board would like to thank John for his exceptional leadership since 2014, building a strong management team, developing a consumer-focused culture, improving cost efficiency and putting Heathrow at the forefront of global aviation’s decarbonization.

The transformation of the airport during John’s time as CEO has been recognized as Heathrow won a number of significant awards including Sunday Times top 30 employer; one of the top 10 airports in the world (voted by passengers); and edie’s Sustainable Business of the Year Award.

Introducing energy efficient measures to your home can increase its value by up to 15%, making it more attractive when it comes to selling. When selling or renting a property an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is required which shows the rating of the property from A (highest) to G (lowest). Improving your property’s rating by adding energy saving measures is now more important than ever with the current fuel crisis. Here are 5 measures to consider:

The Consulate General of India, Birmingham organised a Business event on 28th January, 2022, at Birmingham Events and Conference Centre to apprise businesses in Birmingham & North England about the UP Global Investors Summit 2023, the flagship Investment Summit of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. This event bought together investors, businesses and responded to the queries regarding the flagship market entry support initiatives provided by the Uttar Pradesh Government.

Southside Business Improvement District (BID) has unveiled an ambitious strategic vision to drive economic growth and support its future development as a diverse cultural centre. Through a series of three connected plans covering access and transport, festivals and events and Southside’s potential to become a Cultural Action Zone, the BID has worked with local businesses and key city stakeholders to propose a series of strategic and practical recommendations.

Research conducted by Hunters Estate Agents has revealed that the Yorkshire seaside town of Scarborough is the best place to retire in the UK.

The estate agent ranked some of the most popular retirement locations in England based on factors like transport connections, air quality, crime levels, and average house prices to determine the best place for older people to live.

Businesses are being urged to have their say in a survey to inform City of Wolverhampton Council’s new business support programme. The council is keen to understand in more detail the sort of support measures that will be of most help in overcoming the current economic challenges and enable them to thrive in the future.

The IoD (Institute of Directors) has launched a major initiative to highlight and support the UK’s thriving Asian business community.

The British Asian Business Community Special Interest Group (SIG) is led by insurance broker Abid Khan, chair of IoD Coventry and Warwickshire. Businesses led by ethnic-minority entrepreneurs contribute £74 billion a year to the UK economy according to a report by OPEN, a London-based think-tank that focuses on migration and diversity issues.

FlyBe – which has just stopped operation and gone bankrupt - was the largest independent regional airline in Europe before 2019 It has 1931 staff. For anyone whose ticket was paid for on American Express, Diners Club, Discover, VISA, or MasterCard, are advised to contact their card issuer and dispute the charge – and get a refund.

The City of Wolverhampton Council has been backed for the way it manages public funds by independent auditors. An annual report into the council’s financial statements has revealed it provides value for money with strong governance procedures in place and no significant weaknesses over its financial sustainability.

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: