Business News
Concert hall renamed in honour of key supporter
The concert hall at Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has been renamed The Bradshaw Hall. The university says the move
Way to go: Emily Stubbs
Caution needed despite jobs boost
The West Midlands has once again enjoyed the largest increase in employment of any UK region, according to the latest figures. But business leaders have
expressed the need to carefully monitor the rate of unemployment, which crept up by 0.1 per cent between February and April. Figures from the Office for
National Statistics revealed a 1.4 per cent increase in employment across the region during the last quarter. In a further boost, the inactivity rate – which measures the proportion of the population not currently in labour force – fell by 1.5 per cent. Emily Stubbs, policy and patron
adviser at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “It’s great to see that for the second month running the largest increase in employment rate over the previous quarter was seen in the West Midlands. “The regional employment rate
remains at a record high and we have experienced the largest increase in employment over the last year. These are positive signs of the economic renaissance that has taken hold in the region.” However, the Chambers are
urging caution after statistics revealed unemployment in the West Midlands remains the second highest in the UK, after London. Emily added: “The West Midlands has the second highest unemployment figures in the UK. Over the past year the region has seen the second largest decrease in this rate of any region. “However, we still have a way to
go to push unemployment down in line with the national averages and we did see a very slight rise in regional unemployment this quarter. It is important that stakeholders maintain this momentum and ensure local people are skilled. “Our Quarterly Economic
Snapshot shows that half of the region’s firms experienced recruitment difficulties last quarter. Making sure our region is upskilling local residents for the jobs available is a primary concern for businesses.”
26 CHAMBERLINK July/August 2018
reflects its enduring gratitude to a million-pound gift from local entrepreneur Dr Keith Bradshaw. Dr Bradshaw personally donated
£1m to the Conservatoire to fund strategic priorities at the music and acting college.
‘Music creation and performance has always been at the soul of this city’
This will include support for
student scholarships, educational outreach with children and young people across the West Midlands region, teaching posts and visiting fellowships. Aston-born Dr Bradshaw co-
founded the Listers car dealership 38 years ago, which has now grown into one of England’s largest independent dealer groups. As well as several high profile business interests, he is also co-
Recognition for PAs: Daniel Skermer with Verity Stokes (left) and Kam Vara
Support: Conservatoire principal Julian Lloyd Webber, young musician Lauren Zhang and Dr Keith Bradshaw
owner of Halesowen-based Laney Headstock, which produces a range of musical instruments and sound reinforcement products, and is Chairman of Nurton Developments, a West Midlands-based family property company. Dr Bradshaw also served as High
Sheriff for the West Midlands between 2016 and 2017, making him the Queen’s judicial representative in the county at that time. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University in 2016.
Dr Bradshaw said: “I am a firm
believer that, those who can, need to be entrepreneurial with their philanthropy, and giving back needs to create a viable plan that will deliver tangible and sustainable benefits for society as a whole. “Music creation and performance
has always been at the soul of this city and it is humbling to know that the Conservatoire is providing life- changing opportunities for local youngsters. I am therefore delighted to support the work of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.”
Katie Bard sponsors PA awards
A specialist recruitment firm in Birmingham is sharing its expertise with PAs in the city to help them take the next step up the career ladder. Katie Bard has teamed up with
established Birmingham PA Forum, the growing network of personal and executive assistants, to offer its 330 members a greater insight into progressing in their careers. Kam Vara and Verity Stokes,
directors at Katie Bard, part of the Angela Mortimer Group, were guest speakers at a Birmingham PA Forum education event at the
Radisson Blu Hotel in the city centre. They were invited as part of
Katie Bard becoming a headline sponsor of the inaugural Birmingham PA Awards, launched by the Birmingham PA Forum this year. Kam said: “We are excited to be
a headline sponsor of the first ever Birmingham PA Awards and to be working with the Birmingham PA Forum to look at delivering an educational element which will help its members take their careers to the next level.
The Birmingham PA Forum was
established in 2016. Founder Daniel Skermer said: “PA’s are integral to a business and we felt it was time for their impact and achievements to be recognised. “We are delighted to have Katie
Bard on board and for them to share their insights into career progression as education is one of our core values.” The winners of the Birmingham
PA Awards will be announced at a ceremony to be held at The Vox, Resorts World Birmingham, on 20 July.
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