Business News
Lift-off as WSP secures major airport contract
Birmingham-based engineering consultancy WSP has secured a five-year contract with Birmingham Airport - part of a significant 10-year expansion and development plan. The programme - which includes
the option to extend for a further two years - will see WSP support the airport in a variety of areas including building services, structures, civil engineering, airfield engineering, fire engineering, environmental advisory, baggage handling, IT/ICS and security. The airport’s 10-year capital
investment programme involves major overhauls to its current infrastructure, to support further domestic and international growth. The programme will include the
expansion of its existing facilities and services, allowing it to meet increasing demand and harness opportunities created by the likes of HS2. Rod Hulse, technical services
director at Birmingham Airport, said: “We needed a partner who understood the importance of frameworks and how they offer the opportunity to develop long term
University names charity choices
Birmingham City University has launched new partnerships with a much- loved children’s hospice and a specialist women’s aid organisation – after naming its first two: ‘I am BCU Chosen Charities’. Acorns Children’s Hospice
and Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid were announced as the ‘Chosen Charities’ which will see the university work with them to develop fundraising events, create volunteering and placement opportunities, and explore avenues for research. The two were selected
from a five-strong shortlist of charitable organisations following a nominations process of several weeks. The ‘I am BCU Chosen Charities’ initiative was launched as part of Birmingham City University’s BCU 175 celebrations, which recognise 175 years since the institution’s foundation as the Government School of Design.
High level topics: From left, Paul Faulkner, chief executive at the GBCC, Michael Harkin from UCB deputy vice-chancellor (corporate services), Saqib Bhatti, president of the GBCC and Alex Lofthouse, deputy vice-chancellor (academic) at UCB
High level talks at Chamber lunch
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street discussed a variety of key, regional topics with business leaders at a Chamber lunch event held at University College Birmingham’s McIntyre House.
Those attending included
representatives from Mondelez, HS2 and Arup. Attendees discussed a range of issues, including the effect of the proposed clean air zone, how the West Midlands skills agreement
may address skills shortages, the potential prospect of Channel 4 and the impact that the 5G test bed bid win could have on the region.
See p40 for more. November 2018 CHAMBERLINK 19
Inset: Tim Morrison, UK aviation director at WSP
relationships with our design partners, as well as how they help us in delivering an agile service to our customers – WSP did just this. “Bringing a wealth of knowledge
and experience in delivering design services via frameworks across several airports, we are excited to see how our relationship with WSP will grow in the future.” Part of WSP’s partnership with the
airport will involve the application of its Future Ready initiative, which will help it harness emerging trends and prepared for new challenges such as climate change, resources, society and technology.
Tim Morrison, UK aviation director
at WSP, said: “We're looking forward to helping the airport expand and develop its existing and new infrastructure, exploring efficiencies and making innovative improvements that will ensure that Birmingham is not only Future Ready, but also continues to increase its position on the global stage.”
President joins Reserve’s board
Chamber president Saqib Bhatti has joined the board of the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (WMRFCA). He said: “Our Armed Forces are
a source of national pride and our Reserve Forces are an essential part of our national defence strategy. “Being a former
cadet myself, I also know what a great opportunity it is for a young person to get involved and hone essential life skills such as team working, leadership and communication. By joining the board I am pleased that I will be doing my part to help further such a great organisation.” The WMRFCA is one of 13 across
the UK that came into existence at the same time as the Territorial Army in 1908. Their role is to support the
Reserve Forces and Cadets from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force within the counties that make up the West Midlands region. The WMRFCA is mainly made up
of volunteers and includes serving and ex-military officers, local councillors, employers, leaders in education and youth, and others.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
