Business News


Latest study reveals ‘quiet confidence’


Business leaders in Greater Birmingham are calling on the Government to create favourable economic conditions during the next critical financial quarter. This follows a Greater


Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) Quarterly Business Report which shows “quiet confidence” among firms based in the region. However, it indicates that


assurances are needed from the Government around the Brexit negotiations following the triggering of Article 50 and that the election of a Mayor in the West Midlands will be key to businesses creating greater prosperity. Paul Faulkner, chief executive


of GBCC, said: “Now that Article 50 has been triggered, we are calling on the Government to create favourable economic conditions to ensure our members are equipped with the means required to adapt to the upcoming changes and to embrace the new opportunities on offer with Europe and further afield.”


‘We are calling on the Government to create favourable economic conditions’


A number of businesses surveyed were showing renewed confidence, with 72 per cent predicting increased turnover in the next 12 months and 67 per cent expecting profitability to improve. Both manufacturing and


service sectors revealed a drop in recruitment plans and the Chamber was concerned to see local companies citing an eight per cent increase in recruitment difficulties, with a lack of skills the primary concern. With that in mind, the GBCC,


Building on its Growth Through People Campaign, will be working with members to explore channels to improve people management processes and help unlock business growth and productivity.


Business leaders will discuss the outcomes of the QBR at a breakfast meeting hosted by Birmingham City University on 18 April (7.30am-9.30am). To attend, go to www.greater birminghamchambers.com


12 CHAMBERLINK April 2017


Mike to leave after 22 years in treasured role


By John Lamb


Mike Hibbert, financial director of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), is to retire after 22 years in the role. When he was appointed in 1995,


it was the organisation’s first full- time financial appointment at board level, with the Chamber’s affairs having been looked after by honorary treasurers since its inception in 1813. Since then the role has expanded


into a broad brief and Mike, 60, has been at the forefront of managing the Chamber’s property affairs, its pension funds and also had spells in charge of the Chamber’s international division and work programme, which oversees start- up businesses. “It was this wide diversity of the


role which interested me so much,” says Mike. “I haven’t just been involved with the financial affairs of the Chamber but, of course, these have been central to what I have been doing. “The possible development of the


Chamber’s leasehold site in Edgbaston has been a huge responsibility in conjunction with colleagues and still very much at the forefront of the Chamber’s future.” Paul Faulkner, chief executive of


the GBCC, said: “Mike’s input at the Chamber has been invaluable. The job has required a broad area of expertise and he has been instrumental in guiding the Chamber’s fortunes, which at times have been challenging, over the past two decades. “On a personal level, Mike has


been a great support and source of counsel since I joined the Chamber. He has been a fantastic colleague and an important part of the Chamber's recent developments.” Born in Oldham and educated at


Aston University, Mike qualified with an administrative/ management degree and joined the accountancy firm Whinney Murray, forerunners of what is now EY (Ernst and Young). Originally, Mike joined the Chamber on a three-month secondment under the then chief executive Bob Moore. “Since then I have worked with


three other chief executives – Sue Battle, Jerry Blackett and Paul Faulkner. I have also worked with 22 different presidents from many aspects of business life, including property, finance, law, education, engineering, television,


Historic role: Mike Hibbert, the Chamber’s first financial director, with the Chamber’s honours boards listing its honorary treasurers since 1813


‘It has been an honour to work in an organisation that has such a magnificent and integral heritage as part of one of the most important cities in the world’


entrepreneurship and marketing – and this has been one of the other appealing and diverse elements of the job. “The other fascinating part has


been involvement with so many business interests in the city through their membership of the Chamber. “All of this has made the job an amazing experience and it has been an honour to work in an organisation that has such a magnificent and integral heritage as part of one of the most important cities in the world.” Mike says that the most challenging period of his time at the Chamber came with the financial downturn at the same time as the Chamber’s Business Link contract ended following a re- organisation of business support by the government. He says: “The Chamber had a


turnover of £36 million when Business Link was with us and we had to cope with losing a large proportion of that as well as the impact of the biggest global financial downturn in living memory. “Those were pretty challenging


days and it has been particularly rewarding to come through them and establish a Chamber that is financially strong and making sustained surpluses for the benefit of our members.” Mike and his wife Susan, who he


met at Aston University, have a son and two daughters, and has recently become a granddad.. “That will keep me busy but I


hope to have more time to pursue my other interests, including travel and walking,” says Mike. Paul Faulkner added: “Mike will


be a hard act to follow and we are starting a recruitment process for a chief financial officer. “This board level position will


interest someone who will be part of the senior management team and have impeccable financial skills plus a desire to play a leading and high-profile role in driving and representing one of the leading Chambers of Commerce in the country.”


For full details about the vacancy, go to: www.greaterbirmingham chambers.com/about/careers/


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