Business News

Birmingham was the national leader for approving applications to convert offices into flats under relaxed permitted development rights (PDR) between April 2014 and June 2015, refusing the fewest of any local authority outside London. These findings come on the heels of the government’s announcement that these relaxed permitted development rights will be made permanent.

Work is under way to demolish four underused maisonette blocks in Shard End to make way for 12 new family homes built by Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust (BMHT), Birmingham City Council’s award-winning house-building programme. The three-storey maisonette blocks, built in 1955, have been in low demand and are considered to be economically unviable to refurbish.

UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) West Midlands is running a masterclass on German culture and language for businesses that are looking to export to this European giant. In 2014, exports of goods to Germany from the West Midlands were worth £2.6 billion, up five per cent on the previous year, making it the region’s third largest export market.

Birmingham City Council today confirmed the appointment of two new senior officers as part of the ongoing Future Council programme. Angela Probert has been named Strategic Director for Change and Corporate Services, while the new Assistant Chief Executive (two-year fixed term contract) is Piali DasGupta.

Research reveals that local people are being priced out of their towns, as average wage earners could be looking at saving for more than 100 years to afford an average priced property where they live.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, today brought a lively debate to the IATA World Passenger Symposium in Hamburg, when interviewed live on stage by BBC correspondent Mr. Rajan Datar.

Hollywood Monster has once again lived up to its reputation as an industry titan, winning yet another award last week. The Birmingham-based signage company, led by Managing Director Tim Andrews, is celebrating after it scooped ‘The Soyang Wide Format Project of the Year’ accolade at the 2015 British Sign Awards.

England may have crashed out of the Rugby World Cup, but the West Midlands continues to fly the flag for the sport that was invented in the region. UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), which has hosted a number of exporting events in the region to mark the fact that two of the games were held at Aston Villa Football Club, has supported the production of a short film to celebrate the region’s connections to the game.

The key winner of the 12^th Solihull Chamber awards is Melanie Palmer, who is the director of the town’s Business Improvement District (BID). Melanie was named ‘Solihull Business Person of the Year’ at the awards, which took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole last Friday.

City of Wolverhampton Council picked up a ‘Highly Commended’ honour at the Federation of Small Businesses Local Authority Small Business Friendly Awards on Friday. The Black Country GOLD initiative was recognised in the Best ‘Small Business Friendly’ Programme or Campaign category at the Edgbaston ceremony. The scheme has been led by Wolverhampton in partnership with Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall councils, and the University of Wolverhampton.

Green Party deputy leader Amelia Womack has said her party will aim for women to make up at least 50 per cent of its candidates at next year’s London Assembly, Welsh Assembly and local council elections. Her comments came in response to Sex and Power, a report from the ‘Counting Women In’ coalition that showed 37 per cent of Green Party candidates at this year’s general election were women – more than any other political party.

A plan to regenerate the Snow Hill and Colmore areas of the city centre and replicate the success of London’s Canary Wharf is set to be adopted. The Snow Hill masterplan is a £600 million scheme aimed at transforming the business district and bringing in further investment from global business, professional and financial services firms. The 20-year plan provides a framework to create 10,000 new jobs, generate over 200,000 sqm of new office space and boost the economy by more than £600 million a year.

Responding to the publication of the West Midlands Aviation Opportunity report last week, Colin Leighfield, Chair of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Transport Group said, “The report underlines the economic growth potential of one of the region’s major assets: a contribution of £1.1 billion GVA.

The British Safety Council has announced the winners of this year’s Sword of Honour and Globe of Honour awards for exemplary management of health, safety and environmental risks by businesses around the world. From Doha to Darlington, Birmingham to Bangalore, the 61 Sword of Honour and eight Globe of Honour winning companies have demonstrated to an independent adjudication panel a proven track record of excellence in managing risks to workers’ health and safety and/or to the environment from the organisation’s activities.

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce Awards 2015 finalists have now been announced. Ninder Johal, Black Country Chamber President, said: “We are excited that the finalists have now been announced and I wish them luck. I also look forward to meeting all the finalists and other guests at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner 2015. The Awards Dinner is a perfect opportunity to celebrate and reward the excellent businesses we have in the Black Country.

Leading businessman and TV personality Touker Suleyman is to lead a stellar judging line-up for the Startups Awards 2015.  Recognised as the most prestigious national awards scheme for up and coming businesses, the Startups Awards has commanded its strongest judging panel to date for 2015 with Dragon Suleyman at the helm, alongside a host of Britain’s finest business minds.