Colors: Purple Color

Businesses across Dudley borough can apply for grants of up to £6,000 under the latest support for leisure and hospitality industries which have been hit by Covid. Dudley Council is handing out the grants over the next few weeks.

It is the latest helping hand for borough businesses after more than £100 million in financial support has been given by the council since the start of the pandemic. 

Anne Shaw has been appointed as executive director of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) having led the organisation on an interim basis for the past six months.

She brings vast experience working in the region’s transport sector and will be expected to see current major infrastructure projects through to completion as well as oversee delivery of a further £1.3 billion investment over the next five years.

Sovereign wealth funds are the latest class of investors increasingly focusing on sustainability-centred products. The involvement comes as investors continue to push asset managers to focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) products.

According to data acquired by Finbold, sovereign wealth funds investments in the ESG space globally surged 215.27% between 2020 and 2021, from $7.2 billion to $22.7 billion. Over the same period, the number of deals increased from 19 to 37.

HS2 trains will be powered by zero carbon energy from day one of operation, offering a cleaner alternative to long distance car journeys and domestic flights, while supporting the government’s 2050 target to tackle climate change.

This commitment will play a key part in HS2 Ltd’s aim to make the project net zero carbon from 2035, with targets of diesel-free construction sites and major reductions in carbon emissions from the steel and concrete used to build the railway.

Employers across Birmingham are being invited to join a special online conference as part of an initiative to make it the country’s first officially-recognised compassionate city.

National charity Compassionate Communities UK (CC-UK) will host the Birmingham Compassionate City Charter ­ – Employers Conference on Thursday, 17th February 2022 between 10am-4pm.

Bill Gray, President, Building Solutions – North America and a member of Uponor’s Executive Committee has decided to pursue new challenges outside Uponor. He will leave his position on the Executive Committee and the President as of 10 January 2022. In order to assure a seamless transition, Bill will be available to support Uponor’s management until mid-March 2022.

The award-winning digital agency has appointed Mell Russon from School of Code as well as Sam Bacon, Liberty Mason, and Harry Wilkins; each of whom are recent graduates from Birmingham City University. Championing young talent in the marketing and tech industry, Cake pledges its support to recent graduates by helping them into the world of work with its promise to hire three new graduates every year.

Andy Salmon, serial entrepreneur and Senior Lecturer in International Business at Birmingham City University Business School discusses the everyday challenges small and medium-sized enterprises are facing in the current regional business environment and the business support opportunities they need to take advantage of to ensure sustainable business growth.

Midlands housing association, Nehemiah Housing has kicked off 2022 by recruiting a new member of staff for a key role within the organisation.

Marcia Cunnison has been appointed to the role of Customer Engagement Officer. She brings to the role an extensive background totalling over 25 years in customer service, 13 years in quality management and six years in both the social and private housing arena.

Full service content marketing agency, HDY Agency has welcomed fine jewellery, luxury cufflinks, and accessories brand, Deakin & Francis, to its portfolio of clients after winning a competitive pitch process.

As Britain's oldest family jeweller - established in 1786 in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter - Deakin & Francis has forged a name for itself as a leading manufacturer of ladies’ fine jewellery, and gentlemen’s luxury accessories.