Business News

Funding for infrastructure, land regeneration and job training schemes to help drive the region’s post Covid-19 economic recovery and fight climate change has been set out in this year’s West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) budget.

A package of major transport projects to tackle air pollution and better connect people to jobs, education and training opportunities are included in a 2022/23 WMCA budget totalling £879.2m.

While the cold of winter currently keeps us wrapped up indoors, many Brits stay warm with thoughts of summer barbecues, parties in the sunshine, and eating al fresco.

Yet, come springtime, we typically find that our gardens are in no shape to host any sort of fun in the sun. In these cases, should we turn to a professional for help or roll our sleeves up and get stuck in ourselves?

Up to 99 more affordable homes are being made available for first-time buyers at the Perry Barr Residential Scheme (PBRS).

The announcement follows a successful bid for funding by Birmingham City Council for a new Government-backed scheme delivered by Homes England.

Nominations have officially opened for the ninth Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) ahead of its Awards Ceremony in September. For almost a decade, the BBBAwards have shone a light on the exceptional achievements of Black British business professionals and entrepreneurs who have made extraordinary contributions to the UK economy. This year’s Ceremony will be held in the city of London on the 29^th September.

Chris Oglesby, CEO of property giant Bruntwood shares his thoughts on the Levelling Up White Paper released by the government recently.

Also chair of Innovation Greater Manchester, he said: “One of the most eye-catching positives in today’s Levelling Up White Paper is the commitment to increase R&D spending outside of London and the South East. The current imbalance here mirrors the regional inequalities that are at the heart of Levelling Up. 

A floating upcycled jewellery maker has arrived in the Black Country. Rich MacKenzie runs by Bike & Boat and travels the waterways of the UK, making and selling his upcycled copper creations along the way. For the next week, the 42-year-old, with his family and two furry friends, will be setting up his workshop from his 60ft narrowboat moored on the canal in Dudley.

Godin London, a new jewellery brand in the UK, has been launched by Orchid Global Sourcing. The brand offers a wide range of rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. They feature 9ct. Gold, Diamonds, and Gemstone jewellery.

This latest jewellery brand is set to hit the UK market with a collection of 9ct. Gold jewellery through the start of its online store.

New research by Acas has found that over a third (35%) of British employers have not spoken to their staff about their mental health and wellbeing over the past year during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

Acas commissioned YouGov to ask businesses in Britain about whether they had personally talked to their staff about their mental health in the last 12 months during the pandemic. The poll found that:

A leading Birmingham industrialist has welcomed the recent ‘electrification’ investment into the West Midlands but called for the region to do more to make sure ‘local content supply’ is on the agenda.

Grayson Thermal Systems’ Stuart Hateley believes we are poised to miss a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to ensure that all tiers of the supply chain have the chance to benefit from the move to more sustainable vehicles.

According to new national research published by the UK’s leading pub company and brewer, Greene King, more than a third of UK workers today have never met their colleagues in person.

Despite the inevitable uncertainties of returning to the office, 85% of British office workers say they are looking forward to a return to the office and getting to spend more time with colleagues – with work social events high on the agenda.

The Chief Executive of a leading mental health charity has been nominated for a prestigious business award. Monica Shafaq of the Kaleidoscope Plus Group has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Corporate Achievement of the Year category at this year’s British Muslim Awards.

A total of 300 men, women and businesses have been shortlisted in the awards, which recognise the wide achievements of British people of Islamic faith, in fields including business, charity, law, and education.

Infrastructure engineers Crown Highways have received the top prize at this year’s Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Chambers of Commerce annual awards. Crown Highways, the winners of the Large Business of the Year award, received the award alongside eight additional category winners in a grand ceremony at the Drayton Manor Hotel, supported by returning headline sponsors Amazon.

Following growing concerns over its conduct in recent months, from its handling of Sarah Everard’s death and the discovery that officers had photographed the bodies of two murdered sisters, to its initial decision to not investigate the Downing Street parties held in lockdown, the Metropolitan Police has triggered yet another wave of public outrage after a new report uncovered “a culture of misogyny, harassment, racism and homophobia” within the force.

Downtown in Birmingham (DIB) hosted their first event of 2022 at the Riva Blu Italian Bar and Restaurant, in Birmingham.

A lunchtime filled with relaxed networking and lunch with the professionals in the city, the first Birmingham event of the year got off to a great start as attendees were able to re-connect, mingle and get introduced to new members and prospects.

Birmingham's ambitious plans to address the climate crisis will be in the spotlight this week when the city plays host to the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC).

Chaired by Lord Deben (former Environment Secretary, John Selwyn Gummer), the CCC is an independent, statutory body established under the Climate Change Act 2008 with the purpose to advise the UK and devolved governments on emissions targets and to report to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

A record 92 businesses will be chasing excellence at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s annual dinner and awards on Friday, 4 March.

The local business community will gather at the ICC in Birmingham next month to recognise those who have gone above and beyond in the last year.

This will be the first time the event, one of the largest business occasions in the UK, will have been held live for two years.