Business News

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. 

PwC director Clare Maio has been appointed head of diversity at PwC in the Midlands, to spearhead the firm’s progressive employer programme in the region.  Increasing diversity at all levels is a key priority for PwC, and the firm runs a broad range of initiatives to encourage open-mindedness across its workforce, as well as supporting local employment opportunities.

Technology is fuelling a new wave of spontaneity in Britain, new national research has revealed. But it is also creating a generation who feel uneasy committing to plans in advance, according to the nationwide study by leading hotel bookers LateRooms.com. While 30% of Britons still make weekend plans a week or more ahead of time, over 40% of adults now confess that they don’t feel comfortable making definite weekend plans any further than 48 hours in advance.

Key powers and decision-making abilities must be devolved to those who best understand the West Midlands if the region is to achieve its “bold and ambitious” plans for the future. That was the message from Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), when he addressed a fringe meeting of the West Midlands Combined Authority at the Conservative Party conference.

After the number of new property listings fell off a cliff in July and August, there are signs that sellers are waking up from their summer slumber. The latest Property Supply Index compiled by online estate agents HouseSimple.com, reveals that new property listings across the UK rose 9.1% between August 2015 and September 2015, and in London by more than a quarter (27.1%).

Craig Errington, Chief Executive of Wesleyan Assurance Society and Chair of Community Development Finance Institution ART Business Loans, called on the public and private sectors to offer more support for the community finance sector as he addressed members and guests at ART’s AGM.

The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) results for quarter 3 for the Black Country have been released. 36% of respondents said that UK sales had increased (the same as quarter 2). 25% of companies completing the survey said that their workforce had increased over the last 3 months and 30% said that their workforce would increase over the next 12 months (up 4% and 2% from last quarter).