Business News

Latest figures released by VisitBritain show strong growth from markets including the US, Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first quarter of 2016, underpinning the best ever first quarter for total inbound visits. The Office for National Statistics results show that from January to March this year visits from the US, the UK’s most valuable visitor market, grew by 9% to 542,000 compared to the same period last year.

The Black Country Chamber Annual Exhibition will be taking place on 29th September at Wolverhampton Racecourse from 9am to 1pm. This is set to be a great event, with all of the stands having nearly sold out and the number of delegates increasing each day. Proving itself to the one of the highlights of our annual events calendar, the exhibition will feature 54 stands and usually attracts approximately 500 delegates, thereby serving as an ideal opportunity to network with a wide variety of local businesses.

Tesco has announced all the cocoa required for its own label chocolate products sold in the UK will be from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ sources by the end of 2018. The retailer will also ensure the cocoa used in other Tesco UK products, such as biscuits, cakes, desserts and cereals, will be responsibly sourced by the same date. The news follows a series of measures by Tesco designed to help build trusted and transparent partnerships with its suppliers and ensure more of its products are sourced sustainably. 

Nigel Hinshelwood, HSBC’s head of UK, has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to Birmingham in the wake of the Brexit vote. Speaking at a briefing for Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s quarterly business report, Mr Hinshelwood gave a reassuring message that the EU referendum result would not affect HSBC’s strategy - or its move to a new national headquarters at Arena Central in 2017.

City of Wolverhampton Council has named its preferred Westside developer to deliver a £55 million leisure-led mixed use scheme in the heart of the city. Urban & Civic fought off competition from ten other leading UK developers and investors to land a six-month exclusivity period on the 6.4 acre site, which comprises three adjacent parcels of land in the freehold ownership of the council.

Long stay visitors to Barbados spent 20 percent more money during the first quarter of 2016 than during the same period in 2015. - These are the findings of the quarterly survey conducted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) on behalf of the destination.  According to the report, total visitor expenditure on island grew from US $280 million to US $337 million in the first quarter. 

Bullring have announced their charity partner for 2016/17 as Birmingham-based organisation, Little Hearts Matter. Little Hearts Matter is a small national charity that provides a vital lifeline for families when their baby is diagnosed with half a working heart. The Birmingham-based charity empower and support families across the UK through their entire half a heart journey, from initial antenatal diagnosis, through treatments and into life at home.

Paul Lalli who is MD of Solid Systems Global is the keynote speaker for the inaugural Nachural Summer Business Ball and awards dinner taking place tonight. The event has had considerable support both from private and public sector stakeholders and is regarded as one of the largest black tie events in the region. Its Chairman Ninder Johal, who was  president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and is currently a board member of the Black Country LEP, commented that it was a sign of the confidence in the economy and in particular the strength of the Black Country Economy.

Southside Business Improvement District (BID) has commemorated the hard work, support and investment of one of the city’s most prominent Chinese businessman and family at a prestigious plaque unveiling. The Wing Yip family, owners of the UK’s leading Oriental food grocer with stores of the same name, has unveiled a plaque located on the Chinese Pagoda on Holloway Circus. The unveiling follows years of investment in Southside by the Wing Yip family who gifted the Pagoda to Birmingham in 1998.

The national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia was awarded “The World's Best Cabin Crew” for the third consecutive year by Skytrax, a London-based, independent global rating agency. “The World's Best Cabin Crew 2016” award was presented by CEO of Skytrax Edward Plaisted to President and CEO of Garuda Indonesia M. Arif Wibowo at the “Skytrax World Airline Awards” event on the second day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2016, one of the biggest air shows in the world.

WOW air, Iceland's only low-cost airline, has today signed an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of four new A321 aircraft, the first direct sale to the airline from the aircraft manufacturer. The deal was announced at the Farnborough Air Show by WOW air Founder and CEO Skúli Mogensen and Airbus President and CEO, Fabrice Brégier. WOW air is an all Airbus operator with 11 aircraft in its current fleet, is set to grow to 17 Airbus aircraft by the end of next year.

Topgolf's exciting new Business Club offers local companies exclusive access to tailored business deals and discounts. The membership is free to join and open to all businesses in Essex, Surrey and Watford. Encouraging businesses to make the most of their local entertainment venue, Topgolf is on a mission to liven up the working day. For those wanting to take a break from their desk they can take advantage of the offers during their lunch, or if they're looking for a place to wind down after work, joining the business club is the ideal solution.

Applications are now open for the BBC Good Food Shows Producers Bursary Award. Now in its seventh year, the awards aim to pick out the very best new producers the nation has to offer. The BBC Good Food Shows, in conjunction with BBC Good Food Magazine will be scouring the country over the next month looking for the most exceptional artisan food and drink producers in Britain.

The Foreign Airlines Association (FAA), the UK's leading networking association for foreign airline executives, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Chairman, Colin Stewart, hosted a special anniversary event on 7th July at Lords Cricket Ground for members, old and new, including past FAA chairmen and women, Jan Smit (1983-84), John Varley (1996-7), Barry Prior (1998-99), Chris Gilber (2001-2), Cathy Matos (2006-7) and Sandra Bloodworth (2008-9).

Birmingham based law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has received the Law Society’s legal practice quality mark, Lexcel. It marks the sixteenth year running that the business has successfully secured the accolade having undergone a rigorous application and assessment process. Lexcel is a nationally recognised accreditation which assesses law firms and in-house legal department and gives assurance that a practice meets high client care and business management standards.

Residents and visitors can this week get a feel of what it will be like inside Wolverhampton Interchange’s new railway station in a virtual fly though video. The opportunity comes during the ‘Enjoy Wolverhampton’ ten-day programme, which is highlighting the city’s gems and providing a host of free or purse-friendly activities and offers. The video is also available to view on YouTube channel ‘Wolverhampton Today’.