Business News Business News Latest news from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce In Brief
Top law firm Pinsent Masons, which has a major office in Birmingham, has announced plans to launch a third international office in less than 12 months. The firm’s newest office will be opening in Madrid next month. The firm has brought together
a team of six partners to develop a practice around a number of sectors, including advanced manufacturing and technology, financial services and infrastructure. The team includes Diego
Lozano, one the most distinguished lawyers in Madrid, having served as head of legal services for the tax department in the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and as technical secretary general in the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Environment. Pinsent Masons senior partner
Richard Foley said: “We have found a team in Madrid which not only exudes quality but also shares our sector-focused vision. “We are looking forward to
bringing a very different type of law firm to Spain.”
Jaguar Land Rover’s Wolverhampton-based £1bn Engine Manufacturing Centre (EMC) has celebrated production of its first Ingenium petrol engine, which will be used for the first time in vehicles later in the summer. The inaugural petrol engines
mark the completion of the first phase of the EMC, which is a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant that serves Jaguar Land Rover’s three UK vehicle plants, including Solihull and Castle Bromwich. The Ingenium is a 2.0-litre,
four-cylinder petrol Ingenium engine joins four-cylinder diesel engines made at the plant. Jaguar Land Rover recently
announced that the EMC would manufacture the Ingenium petrol engine – the most powerful four-cylinder engine the company has ever produced – for the Jaguar F-TYPE. Trevor Leeks, EMC operations
director, said: “The start of petrol production marks an important milestone for the plant as we move to providing ultra-low emission, high-performance petrol and diesel engines to power the full Jaguar Land Rover vehicle line-up now and in the future.”
6 CHAMBERLINK May 2017
General Election must result in clear mandate
Business leaders in Greater Birmingham said a General Election on 8 June would result in a much-needed “clear mandate” for Brexit and other global tensions. Paul Faulkner (pictured), chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “We understand the importance of having a Government with a strong, clear mandate as we enter the most important negotiation of our generation - Brexit.
“This election, provided it receives the go-ahead
from Parliament, should provide that backing to the winner and make clear the will of the British public. “But we urge the Government to do their utmost to
provide stability and consistency in the run-up to the day, and for our new Government afterwards. “There is no denying the growing uncertainties on
the horizon not just on Brexit but on other global political tensions. The run-up to the General Election cannot divert Government's attention from delivering strong domestic policy, clear negotiating tactics on Brexit and maintaining and growing the UK's position on the international stage. “In this region we already have an important election
coming up: the West Midlands Mayor on 4 May. During this time strong local leadership and ensuring our region's voice is heard will remain vitally important. “I would urge businesses and voters to continue to
engage with this election as the race to the general election heats up.”
To find out more about the West Midlands Mayor go to
www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com
Visitor numbers hit record high
Birmingham welcomed the highest number of visitors on record in 2016 – with tourist numbers reaching 39 million and tourism revenue hitting an all-time high of £6.5bn. The number of full-time jobs supported by the sector now stands at 70,365. The figures have been released by
Marketing Birmingham’s research arm the Regional Observatory and tourism research body Global Tourism Solutions (GTS). Significantly, visitor numbers
represent a 2.5 per cent increase on the figures achieved for 2015 – a landmark year for Birmingham, which saw over £1bn worth of investment in the city centre alone. The region has attracted
increasing numbers of tourists from key target markets including India, the US and the Netherlands. Visitors from China generated the highest amount of expenditure per head. Cllr John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham’s record visitor figures are ample proof of the growing appeal of its vibrant arts and culture scene, superb restaurants and unbeatable retail offer.
Edgbaston cricket ground’s 2016 fixtures contributed £17.7m to the city’s economy
“More than ever before, the public
and private sectors are pulling together to attract investment into Birmingham, with the aim of diversifying and building on the region’s existing compelling offer. “The city continues to attract
visitors from across the globe, and this in turn is boosting both the Birmingham and regional economy.” Events contributing to Birmingham’s upsurge in tourists and visitor spend included Edgbaston Stadium’s cricket
fixtures (£17.7m), the Birmingham and Solihull Jazz and Blues Festival (£6.2m) and the Conservative Party Conference (£18.4m). Neil Rami, chief executive of
Marketing Birmingham, added: “Both domestic and international tourism peaked at a record high in 2016. “The combination of both a
flourishing leisure offer and burgeoning physical landscape has confirmed Birmingham as the number one ranking English city outside the capital for quality of life.”
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