Opinion CHAMBER LINK


The Official Publication of Greater Birmingham Chambers of commerce


Editor’s View


By John Lamb


In this issue of Chamberlink, we are devoting two pages (16 and 17) to the candidates contesting the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) mayoral election on 4 May next year. Four candidates, James Burn (Green), Beverley Neilsen (Lib Dem), Sion Simon (Labour) and Andy


Street (Conservative), had at the time of printing declared their intention to stand. This is the first time the region has had the opportunity to elect a Metro Mayor and Greater Birmingham Chambers have adopted a neutral stance while urging a large turnout from the West Midlands electorate. Clearly, whoever becomes an elected mayor will become an important figure in the life of the


region, especially in the business community, as more powers are devolved from Westminster. The challenge will be to create jobs, enhance skills, develop prosperity and drive economic growth


so an understanding of business will be critical. The Government will make an annual contribution worth £40m for 30 years to support an overall


Sutton Coldfield


Chamber of Commerce


investment package which, it is claimed, will unlock £8bn alongside the creation of up to half a million jobs. In the WMCA, which at the moment comprises 12 councils and three Local Enterprise Partnerships, the


elected mayor will have powers over elements of education and skills, housing and planning and transport. To carry out those duties, the new mayor will chair a cabinet made up of local authority leaders,


who will each lead on a particular WMCA priority. Individual councils will still deliver services and retain their identity but on the big decisions the mayor will lead the WMCA in working together. The WMCA is to look into what scope a newly-appointed mayor will have in terms of functions and


Front cover Winners from the ABCC Awards See pages 40 and 41


Editor John Lamb 0121 607 1781, 0797 1144064 j.lamb@birmingham-chamber.com


Deputy Editor Dan Harrison 0121 607 1887, 0797 1144052 d.harrison@birmingham-chamber.com


You can now read the latest issue of CHAMBERLINK and view back issues online at: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com


responsibilities and therefore what wage he or she should be paid. And, of course, the mayor must provide a strong voice for the region, selling the area as an ambassador


and selling it on a global scale. He or she will also be the point of contact when the Government wants to speak to the “West Midlands” and be responsible for driving the Devolution Agreement. Each candidate needs a £5,000 deposit to stand as well as 98 nominations of support but does not


need to belong to a political party. All of the West Midlands’ candidates have political party affiliations and it would be difficult for a would-be mayor to seek election as an individual. An elected mayor, along with the WMCA cabinet, will have the advantage of working in the area


and knowing its priorities and needs. It must work together to create an economy which is the strongest outside London and contributes fully to the Government’s wider vision for the Midlands Engine for Growth. The West Midlands region is renowned for its innovation – its businesses account for almost 10 per


cent of UK research and development expenditure, much of which is delivered in partnership with local universities. Our area is outstanding globally in educational institutions, digital technology and computer


Published by


science, healthcare, business administration, engineering, technology and education. Our new mayor must be capable of building on these strong foundations.


Kemps Publishing Ltd 11 The Swan Courtyard, Charles Edward Road, Birmingham B26 1BU 0121 765 4144 www.kempspublishing.co.uk


Managing Editor Laura Blake Designer Lloyd Hollingworth


Advertising 0121 765 4144 jon.jones@kempspublishing.co.uk


CHAMBERLINK is produced on behalf of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce by Kemps Publishing Ltd and is distributed to members without charge. The Chambers and the publisher are committed to achieving the highest quality standards. While every care has been taken to ensure that the information it contains is accurate, neither the Chambers nor the publisher can accept any responsibility for any omission or inaccuracies that might arise. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Chambers. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in print or electronic format without prior written permission of Kemps Publishing Ltd.


4 CHAMBERLINK December 2016/January 2017


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68