Business News

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Organised crime, cyber security, opportunities for young people and the multi-million pound police budget were on the agenda at West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s Business Summit. David Jamieson hosted the summit at Lloyd House in Birmingham. As well as the PCC, speakers included Assistant PCC Ashley Bertie, who discussed the Commission on Gangs and Violence; Superintendent Keith Fraser, who is the business lead for West Midlands Police; Anna-Maria McAuliffe from Wolverhampton Business Crime Reduction Partnership; Waheed Saleem from the Commissioner’s Strategic Policing and Crime Board; and PCC Chief Finance Officer Mark Kenyon.

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham say there are “many areas” which require more clarity before they are satisfied with Theresa May’s approach towards Brexit. The Prime Minster set out her negotiating priorities as part of a 12-point Brexit plan – stating that trade, defence, immigration and law enforcement would be at the forefront. Mrs May confirmed Britain will seek a deal within two years but promised a “phased approach to implementation.”

In response to UK labour market figures, John Hawksworth, chief economist at pricewaterhousecoopers, commented:  "The previously booming UK labour market continues to show signs of cooling in the aftermath of the Brexit vote, with the number of people in work down slightly in the three months to November compared to the previous three months. It is true that the unemployment rate remained at an 11- year low of 4.8%, while the actual number of people unemployed fell, but this was matched by a rise in economic inactivity rather than more people in jobs."

The British Safety Council has launched a free, special one-year 60th Anniversary Supporter offer for small organisations and charities to help them manage health, safety and environmental risks. Responding to the challenges of time, resources and the shortage of health and safety expertise among the smallest companies, the British Safety Council is inviting small and micro-sized organisations (under 50 employees) and small charities (under 100 employees) from across the world, to join it as Supporters.

It’s a story which went viral as a food store, renowned for attracting customers from near and far afield was heavily fined under hygiene laws as evidence of mouse activity throughout the premises and gnawed food packaging was found, in the store room, after an inspection by Birmingham City Council officers. The store, on Dudley Road, in Winson Green, was shown to have potential pest entry points in the toilet area and evidence of a fly infestation. The toilet area was dirty and food was stored there.

The Birmingham office of national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has announced its charity of the year for 2017 will be Sport 4 Life, an organisation committed to positive change for some of the region’s disadvantaged young people. Currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, Sport 4 Life is the leading youth and sports charity in Birmingham. Founded in 2006 as a small community project in Ladywood, Sport 4 Life has developed into an important charity, dedicated to changing the lives of Birmingham’s most disadvantaged young people through the power of sport.

A Worcestershire company that has developed the world’s first smart technology electric actuator to control industrial valves has officially launched its unique product and already has a full order booked for 2017. Malvern-based Smart Actuator Company, producer of the energy efficient smart technology electric actuator, returned to Valve World in Dusseldorf in December to launch the product and two other models.

The Clearing is a vision of the future, coming to the grounds of Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park from March to December 2017. British artists Alex Hartley and Tom James are creating a living, breathing encampment in the shadow of a stately home on the shores of an idyllic lake, where people can come together to explore at first hand a future afflicted by climate change. And they need your help.

Leading home assistance provider HomeServe has been named the UK’s best home emergency cover provider for the third year running – and been honoured with a rare “Triple Gold” award – by independent personal finance website Moneynet. Moneynet handed Walsall-based HomeServe the Triple Gold award as part of its seventh annual personal finance awards, which recognise the UK’s top financial services providers over the last 12 months. HomeServe has achieved top spot in the category in 2015, 2016 and now 2017.

Black Country Chamber of Commerce is celebrating Futura Design as Member of the Week after 12 members of staff recently took part in an extensive first aid training course at their premises in Oldbury, highlighting the business’ commitment to upskilling their workforce. Led by Geraint Tilliot of Lifeline First Aid Training, the Futura team learnt a wide range of first aid skills during the course. After grasping the basics of CPR, the team spent time practicing their technique on the state-of-the-art first aid manikins, which were provided by Lifeline.

Chamber Expo – showcasing the region’s talents and business expertise - is back for 2017. More than 500 delegates and 80 exhibitors are expected to attend Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s Spring Expo, which is taking place on Friday 3rd March at the Birmingham Conference and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in Hill Street. GBCC Chief Executive Paul Faulkner said: “Chamber Expo is a fantastic opportunity for delegates and exhibitors from across the region to showcase their businesses."

Leadership today is evolving from control to empowerment, competition to collaboration. In this fast changing world, there’s a need a new brand of leadership - leaders with vision and crucial skills of leading people in a globalised environment. This 2-day experiential course, held in the Zain Innovation Campus ZINC, Amman, Jordan on February 17 and 18 is about ‘Aspiring Women Leaders Maximising their Potential,’ on behalf of The Middle East Association, and raising the game for themselves and for others. The core theme running through the entire programme is resilience and empowerment.

Just weeks after announcing its strongest ever financial year, Midlands-based PKF Cooper Parry has made 68 new appointments across its two Midlands offices, taking the total number of new jobs created over the past twelve months into three figures. The firm is the fastest growing firm of accountants in the UK and is enjoying an unprecedented number of new client wins.

Stallholders from Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market have made their annual donation of left over foods to local charities. The market closed on the 29th December, and traders donated produce – such as ham, doughnuts, waffles and sausages – which were distributed to charities via a food bank at Holford Drive Community Sports Hub. Birmingham City Council worked with Heart of Birmingham Community Sport & Physical Activity Network (HoB CSPAN) to provide the food to charities.

The City of Wolverhampton Council has secured funding totalling £207,000 to help more people with learning disabilities live independently in their own homes. It was successful in its bid to the Department of Health's Housing and Technology Capital Fund to put technology at the heart of the care and support provided to individuals. The council will use the funding to increase people's independence through greater use of the latest technology, adapting existing supported accommodation living properties and working with developers who are establishing new services in the city.

Antique hunters from near and far can now find a new treasure trove centre at Wolverhampton’s historic Bantock House. ‘Antiques at Bantock’ has opened up at the visitor attraction following a year of successful monthly antique fairs run by Victoria Rowson and her husband Paul. Victoria, who ran an antique business in Bridgnorth, says the monthly fairs proved so popular that it made sense to open a shop on site at Bantock House in Finchfield Road.

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