Opinion CHAMBER LINK


The Official Publication of Greater Birmingham Chambers of commerce


Editor’s View


By John Lamb


What a difference a decade makes. Nearly 10 years ago the UK was moving into a technical recession, which became by far the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Today there is a new feeling of optimism in the West Midlands, which is being driven largely


by our resilient businesses. According to the Chambers’ first Quarterly Business Report (QBR) for 2017, there is a quiet


confidence that is expected to increase as we enter into Brexit negotiations following the triggering of Article 50. There is also the election of a mayor to represent the West Midlands coming up on 4 May that


we believe will empower businesses to create greater prosperity. Much of this optimism would have been


Sutton Coldfield


Chamber of Commerce


Front cover: Sarah-Jane Marsh, of Birmingham Children’s Hospital See page 5


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


promoted by Royal Assent being granted for Phase 1 of HS2. Only now is it sinking in among some quarters that HS2 is a reality and will bring huge economic advantages to the West Midlands as well as create thousands of jobs and widespread regeneration. So we have a number of reasons to be cheerful as the Midlands Engine gets into gear and the West Midlands Combined Authority finds its feet by making a meaningful impact on the region. Not that there is any complacency, especially among realistic business owners and managers. The Chamber, through its International Business Hub, is at the forefront of driving exports


from Greater Birmingham. But even with the depreciation of sterling continuing to create favourable export conditions for the UK, the toughness of the market is underlined in our QBR for the first three months of this year. Fewer firms managed to increase their export sales compared with the end of 2016 but


balance was provided by a fall in the number of firms reporting a decrease in orders. Which augers well for the future. The news that Article 50 has been activated will help business decision making but there is


still much work for the government to do to create favourable economic conditions. That is why the Chamber is calling on the government to ensure that businesses are equipped


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with the means needed to adapt to changes and embrace opportunities on offer in Europe and further afield. And key to businesses taking advantage will be addressing the critical skills shortage in the West Midlands as well the prospect of higher business rates.


‘We have a number of reasons to be cheerful as the Midlands Engine gets into gear and the West Midlands Combined Authority finds its feet’


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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 April 2017


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