Business News


City’s business community gives backing to Games bid


Birmingham’s business community has given its full backing for the city’s bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The Birmingham Commonwealth


Games Steering Group revealed that “an enhanced and refurbished Alexander Stadium” will be pivotal to the Games. Paul Faulkner, chief executive of


Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), and a member of the Steering Group, said: “This announcement represents a huge opportunity for the Greater Birmingham region and has the full backing of the region’s business community. “It will put Birmingham on a


global stage and at the same time create job opportunities. “We greatly look forward to


working with the business community in the city to promote Birmingham’s bid and if successful to ensure we make the very best of the Games. Every aspect of


business in the city, from the shops and theatres to the bars and restaurants, will benefit.” As well as the GBCC, Birmingham’s bid has the full support of: Birmingham City Council; three regional local enterprise partnerships: the West Midlands Combined Authority; the West Midlands Growth Company; and the newly elected Mayor of West Midlands, Andy Street. In a statement, the group said:


“Birmingham can demonstrate the very best of Global Britain to the


world with this bid, which showcases its strengths of youth and diversity alongside its world class reputation for sport and culture. “Birmingham’s decision to bid


has been measured and purposeful, based on a feasibility study that explored both how the Games would be delivered and why it would be beneficial for the city and the wider region. Ninety-five percent of proposed competitive venues are already in place. “With a strong cultural


programme running in parallel with sport, Birmingham is ready to extend the hand of friendship, competition and understanding to the 71 competing nations. “Sitting at the heart of the UK,


and standing for the diversity of the Commonwealth, Birmingham is well positioned to attract people to the Games and to ensure that the benefits of hosting extend from the city and region, to the UK and the Commonwealth.”


Change of roles as chair steps down


from theatre Former Birmingham Chamber of Commerce president John Crabtree (pictured) is stepping down as chair of Birmingham Hippodrome – with Staffline Group chief executive Andy Hogarth set to take the reins. Mr Crabtree,


Saved: Dudley’s Woodside Library


Museum receives lottery project boost


A once-in-a-lifetime project to save landmark community and commercial buildings from demolition and rebuild them at the Black Country Living Museum has been awarded £9.8m from the National Lottery. Some of the buildings identified to be moved brick-by-brick to the museum include West Bromwich’s Gas Showroom and Dudley’s Woodside Library – both the focus of strong community support to save them. Others, including Wolverhampton’s Elephant & Castle pub and Lye’s


Marsh & Baxter’s butchers, will be recreated from archive material and images. The hugely ambitious scheme – which will create 450 jobs - will allow the museum to tell the story of the Black Country up to the closure of the Baggeridge Coal Mine in 1968. Ros Kerslake, CEO of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “Black Country


Living Museum is one of the UK’s most popular open-air museums and these latest plans reflect an ongoing commitment to sharing the stories of those who lived in the area and who made it what it is today.”


who has served as a trustee for 16 years, will continue in an informal ambassadorial role for the theatre in his new capacity as Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands. In addition, he has been leading


a Government-appointed improvement panel which is looking into the affairs of Birmingham City Council following the Kerslake report. Following an extensive, award-


wining refurbishment at the 1,850- seat theatre, Mr Crabtree oversaw a period of recovery and consolidation. Intense subsequent growth at


the unsubsidised not-for-profit venue saw turnover increase by over 250 per cent, and the Hippodrome is today the single most popular theatre in the UK welcoming, on average, annual audiences of over 500,000. Mr Hogarth, a Hippodrome


Trustee since February 2015, will become the new chair.


In Brief


A project which aims to help change the face of employment in Birmingham is being launched this summer. Organisations from across the


West Midlands are joining forces to launch the Progressive Employers Group. Investment- minded employers will work together to share best practice with the aim of accelerating the transformation of the West Midlands employment scene. The first, instigated by people management and recruitment specialists Katie Bard, is a launch event being held at the iCentrum building on the Innovation Birmingham Campus on Thursday, 13 July. The launch event starts at 6pm and closes at 8pm.


To register to attend, or express an interest in the Progressive Employers Group, contact john.mortimer@angelamortime r.com or go to www.nvite.co/q283v4


Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, one of Birmingham’s most high profile manufacturers, has been acquired in a private equity deal worth more than £100m. Liberty Hall Capital Partners, a


private equity firm focused exclusively on investments in businesses serving the global aerospace and defence industry, has acquired Dunlop Aircraft Tyres in a deal which values the business at £106m ($135m). DAT is one of the West Midlands’ leading exporters. Overseas sales form Birmingham account for more than 80 per cent of the company’s revenue.


The M6toll has been acquired by pension-fund owned global investment manager IFM Investors. IFM has acquired a controlling


majority stake in the outstanding commercial debut of the M6toll, granting it effective control of the company. Christian Seymour, head of


infrastructure, Europe at IFM Investors, said: “M6toll has an essential role to play in easing congestion at the heart of the UK motorway network, and we recognise its importance to the community. “As a long-term investor, we


will be focused on operating M6toll responsibly and ensuring its long-term viability.” Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “The M6toll are established Chamber members who have shown a willingness to be part of the wider conversation about the future of transport in the West Midlands.”


July/August 2017 CHAMBERLINK 11


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