Commonwealth Greater Birmingham
Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce Contact: Jamila Davis T: 0845 6036650
Games business diversity pledge
A new initiative has been launched to help businesses in the Birmingham area make the most of any opportunities presented by the city’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and beyond. The organisation behind the Inclusive
Commonwealth Legacy Programme (ICLP) is the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, which has recruited a number of partners to help deliver the ambitious scheme. They are the Commonwealth Chamber, Aston
University/Centre for Research into Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship, the Games’ organising committee, and also Legacy Centre of Excellence, which is the arts and culture organisation formerly known as The Drum. The ICLP is designed to help an initial 50
businesses in the LEP area, particularly those who feel they are outside mainstream support, to boost their growth.
‘We need to make sure we increase the level of support that accelerates inclusion in business’
According to Joel Blake, executive officer for
growing business at the LEP, the ICLP is already oversubscribed, despite being publicised so far only via non-conventional channels, such as word of mouth and community networks. “It’s been done by using unconventional and
informal networks, and every single business that has applied will be getting some form of support – including from our regional Growth Hub – even if they are not successful in being one of the first 50,” he said. Among those who have been successful are
businesses ranging from manufacturing to hair and beauty, and arts and media companies to those working in food and health and fitness. The businesses also range from smaller outfits to larger companies hoping to grow.
The geographical range is also throughout the
LEP region, including those in locations closest to where the Games will be held, such as Newtown and Perry Barr. The successful businesses will receive six
months of peer-to-peer development support, where business will be taken through a series of interactive modules of action-learning, training and business support from leading experts across the region, in an inclusive and supportive environment. The businesses will learn about how to master
the art of procurement and how to successfully deal with bid tenders, among other things. The workshops will be held at the Legacy
Centre’s base in Potter’s Lane, Newtown, opposite the historic Bartons Arms pub. Mr Blake stressed that for those taking part,
there was no guarantee of getting contracts from the Commonwealth Games, but he added: “What is guaranteed is access to opportunities, and building capability and capacity for growth through a partnership that shows the positive
power of collaboration in the region.” It is hoped that the opportunities that will
emerge from the programme will not just be linked to the Games, but will also come from access to the 53 Commonwealth countries. In addition, the LEP is keen to fund the
scheme beyond its initial phase. The intention is to expand the scheme to
include high-growth businesses, but Mr Blake was keen to underline that the main intention was to increase the level of diversity in business via grass roots engagement with certain groups, such as those from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities (BAME). “We need to make sure we increase the level
of support that accelerates inclusion in business support – our diversity is one of our regional key strengths that we need to evidence on a global scale,” he said. The ICLP was launched at an event at the
Legacy Centre last month, and is being backed by Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood and the Mayor the West Midlands, Andy Street.
Joel Blake: Scheme will increase level of support for businesses
Commonwealth Chamber Patron
February 2020 CHAMBERLINK 55
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