Business News

A major push for businesses to explore markets outside the EU has been launched by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC). And a prime target for the European Commission-funded initiative will be the US, with UK companies being urged to attend the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January.

In a move designed to help small and medium-sized businesses in Europe to go global, the newly-launched Ready2Go programme will provide financial assistance for a limited number of UK companies and they must apply by 31 March.

The initiative, which will also focus on Canada, Chile, India and Cameroon, is backed by the International Business Hub at GBCC.

Companies taking part in this exclusive programme will undergo the development of a bespoke “internationalisation” business plan; a three-day individual training and coaching programme, including advice about the culture and customs in each country; two-day collective training; and pre-arranged meetings in their chosen countries.

It is open to companies from multiple sectors, including agro-food, creative industries, environment, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, ICT, intelligent energy, key enabling technologies, material, nano and micro-technologies, retail and services, sustainable construction, textile and fashion wood and furniture.

The USA opportunity will include support to prepare for the CES, which for 50 years has been the launch pad for innovation and technology that has changed the world.

Held in Las Vegas every year, it is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies and where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.

Rupi Nandra, head of international programmes for the GBCC’s International Hub, said: “This EC project had been developed by a consortium led by the Milan Chamber in collaboration with the Enterprise Europe Network. “Ready2Go is a new programme designed to give SMEs the necessary tools for success abroad.

“In today’s world the international marketplace is no longer reserved for big corporations and it’s vital that SMEs step in, especially in the light of Brexit and the changing political climate in the US.

“But setting up shop abroad is not easy, which is why Ready2Go is looking to help dynamic SMEs in Europe to successfully go global.

“We would strongly encourage businesses in the West Midlands and across the UK who are interested in joining the Ready2Go programme to register early because only 80 companies from all over Europe will be selected to take part.”

Sunny Claire, business advisor, Enterprise Europe Network, adds: “The CES event in Las Vegas is a tremendous opportunity to see the latest electronic technology in one of the biggest exhibitions of its kind. Delegates get the opportunity to tap into this global market, in many ways, including investment, selling or distribution.

“We urge businesses in the Greater Birmingham region who are interested in joining the  Ready2Go programme to register early because only 80 companies from all over Europe will be selected to take part.”

Severn Trent is working hard to protect its customers by fighting fat! The company has been removing tonnes of fat from the sewers to help prevent flooding in customer’s homes and businesses. Aaron McCusker, senior network technician for Severn Trent, says: “Fat and grease are good for lots of things, but one thing they’re definitely not good for is our sewers. “When poured down the sink, they quickly solidify and cause blockages in the pipes, which are a lot smaller than people might imagine, and this can lead to the nightmare that is sewer flooding for you or your neighbours.”

Following his much published intervention on the issue of a pupil at local primary school being prohibited from wearing an Islamic hijab headscarf, Birmingham City Council’s Councillor Waseem Zaffar has resigned from his cabinet post. The resignation of Cllr Zaffar, Labour councillor for Lozells and East Handsworth, shortly after the news of the departure of Council chief executive, Mark Rogers.

Kapil Mishra, Tourism Minister of Delhi in India, has stressed the need and importance of the government and the industry to work together to boost tourism. Mishra spoke at the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) 2017, in New Delhi on February 27 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. TTF is India’s largest travel trade show network.

Birmingham Airport is set to welcome another new carrier in June 2017, offering a brand new route to, the capital of Eastern Europe's Republic of Moldova. New scheduled airline, Fly One, will operate three times a week from Birmingham, using an Airbus A319 with 144 seats each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Propertymark, a brand new stamp of approval for the property market, has been launched by two of the industry’s regulatory bodies. The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) and the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) have joined forces to create the new certification, which will replace the National Federation of Property Professionals brand.

Politicians, businessmen and women, local leaders and prominent community figures were all in attendance last night at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre for a Dinner with Andy Street. The former Managing Director of John Lewis was the man of the moment as he set out his stall as the Conservative candidate for West Midlands Mayor for the upcoming election, due to take place on May 4th.

Businesses from every sector across Birmingham have united in support of this summer’s big free art event – The Big Sleuth. From travel and hospitality to education and professional services, the best of Birmingham has pledged its support for the highly-anticipated sequel to The Big Hoot, which attracted more than 800,000 visitors in 2015 and raised over £625,000 in total for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

Award-winning UK bus operator, Arriva, has chosen Corethree to develop its latest mobile ticketing application in response to customer demand and to create a quicker, safer and easier method of payment when purchasing bus tickets. With new payment solutions such as Apple Pay, Android Pay and PayPal, the technology was developed by leading mobile ticketing solutions provider, Corethree and allows passengers to select from a wide range of ticket options including Day, Weekly, 4-Weekly and Annual Saver tickets and pay through the application, eradicating the need for cash and loose change.

Professionals who overclaim on their business expenses could be costing the UK economy a massive £1.6bn a year, that’s according to a new report from Britain’s largest provider of fuel card solutions, Allstar Business Solutions. The study, which questioned 1,000 working professionals, revealed that 36% of drivers have overclaimed mileage and 17% of employees deliberately overclaim on all of their business expenses each month, whilst a further 41% felt there wasn’t anything wrong with doing so, despite it being illegal.

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce Forces Recruitment Services (West Midlands) as the latest member to join The Platinum Group Service Sector. Set up by ex-Army sergeant, Paul Lewis, FRS (West Midlands) specialises in placing ex-Military candidates into Civilian Employment. Having 21 years Army service history, Paul has a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills that enable him to deliver exceptional service to employers, whilst providing unrivalled support to candidates.

Progress towards building up to 146 new homes on the former Wolverhampton Bus Depot is now underway. Representatives of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and the City of Wolverhampton Council gathered at the site to mark the start of demolition and remediation of the former bus depot to make way for up to 146 new homes.

Entries are flying in for the first annual Wolverhampton Independent Retail Excellence (WIRE) Awards. In the first fortnight since nominations opened eight businesses have made 24 submissions across 11 categories. Entries to the WIRE Awards can be made at www.wireawards.co.uk.  The awards, commissioned by the Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Roger Lawrence, are being led by Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the city council.

The multi-million pound renovation of Hornsey Town Hall and square – including a new arts and community centre and careful restoration of the historic Grade II* listed building – has been guaranteed. Haringey Council’s agreement with developers FEC, which has now been signed, secures the future of the iconic landmark in the heart of Crouch End, with:

Three new categories have been added to this year’s annual Birmingham Chamber awards and dinner, which is a sell-out event with over 1,000 guests attending. The new categories are ‘Excellence in Manufacturing’, ‘Excellence in Sales and Marketing’ and ‘Business of the Year’. The latter will be drawn from the winners of the other seven categories. The new awards will be presented for the first time at the awards and dinner on 30 March at the ICC, at which the host will again be broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, back by popular demand.

City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet will meet next week to finalise budget proposals for the coming financial year after almost 2,600 people had their say in a public consultation. The Cabinet is expected to agree to set a balanced budget without the need to use contingency reserves for the third year running as the council sticks to its robust plan to manage Central Government cuts at the same time as a growing demand for services.