CONTENTS 20
CHAMBERLINK COMMENT
5 James Smith explains the importance of investing in training
BUSINESS NEWS
6 New Chamber president installed 8 Hope for jobs despite drop in orders 10 Chamber launches Marketing Club 12 New member secures SW contract 13 Double win for Warwickshire CCC 15 Groundwork becomes a member
PARTNERS
16 SOLIHULL Airline training cabins take off
18 IAB Chamber visit for Bangladesh delegation
20 BABC Event highlights US trade opportunities
22 BURTON & DISTRICT Official opening for IT academy
23 CHASE LEP seeks to reassure local businesses
20 LICHFIELD & TAMWORTH Retail team at your service
NETWORKING & EVENTS
25 West Midlands Police hear business concerns 26 Forthcoming Chamber events
INTERNATIONAL 28 Birmingham retains top city ranking
10
SECTOR FOCUS 36 GREEN BUSINESS Bus Fund success celebrated
38 SKILLS 1,200 graduates join firm in jobs boom
40 FINANCE Firms urged to review life assurance cover
41 PROPERTY Accord secures West Bromwich funding
42 LEGAL Leading law firms taking unnecessary risks
24 41 FEATURES
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES 30 From state-of-the-art viewing facilities for market research to the launch of a national agency for creative businesses, Chamberlink takes a look at this vibrant sector
EMPLOYMENT LAW 34 Employment law specialist Darryll Thomas explains why employers have to take a careful approach to employee misconduct out of working hours
50 YEAR MEMBER 35 Sue Cooke meets TOP TEC, a firm that designs and manufactures IT security enclosures
43 MANUFACTURING Clips firm secures future with MBO
44 BUSINESS TRAVEL Sue Cooke test drives Range Rover Evoque
46 ARTS & CULTURE Royal Ballet celebrates Birmingham links
47 RETAIL Spiceal Street serves up dining destination
MEMBER SECTION
48 COMPETITIONS Shopping, comedy and spa treatments
50 APPOINTMENTS Who’s moving on and who’s moving up
51 AWARDS Top IoD honour for Wesleyan chief
52 NEW MEMBERS Chamber Group welcomes new members
SHOP WINDOW 54 Find solutions to your every business need
NOVEMBER 2011 CHAMBERLINK 3
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