Business News

Business confidence rebounded sharply during the second quarter of 2021 as coronavirus restrictions were eased across the country, according to a major report released today by three regional Chambers of Commerce.

The latest results from the West Midlands Quarterly Economic Snapshot shows that more than three in five (62 per cent) businesses expect to increase their turnover over the course of the next 12 months, compared to 43 per cent in Q1. The snapshot, which covers the West Midlands Combined Authority area, is the most comprehensive regular report of its kind in the region.

The country’s most talented and dedicated female entrepreneurs gathered together on Thursday 22^nd July for the delayed 2020 National Business Women’s Awards.

The much-coveted gongs were forced to be postponed last year after the unexpected outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, but last night, just three days after most restrictions were lifted nationwide, finalists joined together for a welcome celebration. More than 300 guests were at the event, which recognises incredible, high achieving women in business and industry, who run outstanding companies.

A car shipping business set up by two school friends is celebrating its 15th anniversary after transporting thousands of vehicles around the world.

Nick Roach and Kingsley Read set up ShipMyCar in 2006 and now operate from a 12,000 sq ft warehouse in Milton Keynes. The company aims to simplify the often-complex process of importing a car into the UK, and is now the UK’s leading full-service importer of vehicles from countries including the USA, South Africa, Australia and Hong Kong.

XPO Logistics, Inc. have announced that it has completed the previously announced spin-off of GXO Logistics, Inc., creating two independent, publicly traded companies. XPO is a leading provider of freight transportation services, primarily less-than-truckload transportation and truck brokerage services, and GXO is the largest pure-play contract logistics provider in the world.

A helium balloon has caused delays to rail passengers after it got tangled in 25,000-volt overhead electric cables which power trains on the West Coast Mainline near Tamworth. It's prompted Network Rail to issue a safety plea to the public to not let helium balloons loose near the railway.

The finalists of the 2021 Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) have been announced.

Shortlisted are 39 remarkable Black professionals from across the United Kingdom who have not only been selected for their outstanding professional achievements, but for the personal work they are doing to defy stereotypes and reshape the business world around them.

Over a quarter (27%) of bill-payers say an increase of more than £10 a month in their energy bills could force them into debt^, just days ahead of an expected hike in the price cap, according to Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.

One of the West Midlands leading chartered accountants has announced plans to create up to 25 new jobs over the next six months, just few weeks after its Worcestershire office completed a £100,000 relocation.

One of the first companies to sign up to a programme to improve the digital capabilities of smaller businesses has officially opened its new company headquarters and factory in Sandwell.

Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy and business advisor to SMEs, with 14 offices across the Midlands, Shropshire, and the Welsh Borders, is targeting quadruple growth in the region within the next five years as part of ambitious plans set out by Regional CEO Paul Clifford.

The Meet Group, Inc., a leading provider of interactive dating solutions, and Spectrum Labs, a leading AI-based content moderation platform, announced an expansion of their partnership to include a significant R&D commitment into voice moderation aimed at protecting users from online toxicity, hate speech and abuse in The Meet Group’s livestreaming products.

Birmingham City Council has signed a charter, as a commitment to proactively work to ensure there are no instances of modern slavery taking place within its supply chain.

Ramping up support for key industries impacted by the pandemic and helping to ease the debt burden faced by many businesses are among the requests made to government in a new report released today by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy and business advisor to SMEs, with 14 offices in the Midlands, has won Accountancy Firm of the Year 2021 at the prestigious City of Birmingham Business Awards (COBBA).

The head of international business at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) has been formally appointed as an executive director on the organisation’s board.