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Sponsored by: Inspired Partners


Six firms awarded key 2022 Games contracts


Taking advantage of opportunities


By Sally Palethorpe, managing partner of Inspired Partners


The pandemic has challenged the nation and it is often easier to see the negatives but for many businesses the changes forced upon them has provided real opportunities to work differently. The biggest challenge now is to recognise and take advantage of those opportunities and integrate those positive aspects into the business. How could businesses


manage their way out of lockdown and take advantage of these opportunities? Given our experience we have identified four areas that we believe will help over the coming months. These are: • Change - Using the right tools and approach for sustainable change and improved business results.


• Coaching - Helping people make sense of these uncertain times building confidence, vision and clarity.


• Ways of Working - Formalising working practices and behaviours building momentum in support of a ‘new normal’.


• HR Services - Managing the employee lifecycle using the right knowledge and expertise.


It is possible to deliver all the above virtually, as well as face- to-face, using interactive workshops, one-to-one conversations, short training events, or facilitated conversations. We do this by harnessing technology (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom or Skype for Business) to deliver the best solution. And we are good listeners.


One should never underestimate the value of having a friendly ear to listen to worries, concerns or embryonic ideas. Contact us for an initial free


conversation to see how Inspired Partners can help your organisation make the most of these opportunities and manage its way to a new normal.


Mobile: 07812 990545 Email: sallyp@inspired-partners.com


10 CHAMBERLINK June/July 2020


Birmingham 2022 has released the names of local businesses it will be working with over the next two years, providing a timely boost for the region’s marketing and creative services sector. Despite the difficult climate caused


by the Covid-19 pandemic, Birmingham 2022 is continuing to appoint new suppliers and is focusing, where possible, on awarding contracts to businesses based in Birmingham and the West Midlands. The Games’ organisers want to


ensure that the region reaps the benefit from hosting the biggest event to be held in the UK since the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games. Of the 10 businesses which have


now been appointed to the Birmingham 2022 creative roster, eight are based in Birmingham or have offices in the West Midlands and they will help to deliver marketing and communications campaigns to support the Games over the next two years. John Crabtree, Chairman of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, said: “We are living in uniquely challenging times for business, so we’re pleased to be able to demonstrate our commitment to local companies by awarding these contracts. “We remain focused on making


sure that we use this once-in-a- lifetime event to bring benefits to Birmingham and the region.” The agencies added to the


bespoke marketing and creative services framework include:


• Gung Ho, Grayling and Pitch Marketing Group for PR support,


• Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces (OPUS), TBA Group and DRPG for events,


• McCann Central, for design and creative services,


• Rainbow Productions, for mascot design and production


• BMG Research for consumer insights and polling,


• Goodform for customer relationship management.


In addition to the agencies that


have been added to the framework, MediaCom has also been appointed by Birmingham 2022, to undertake media planning services from the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Communication Services Framework. The successful suppliers will work on a large variety of projects, including the Queen’s Baton Relay, the art and cultural programme, community


Director for Games named


A new programme director has been appointed by Birmingham City Council to head-up the local authority’s involvement in the planning, preparation and delivery of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Craig Cooper (pictured)


comes to Birmingham to support the council’s work on the Games with a strong track record in executive leadership, delivering high-impact change and transformation strategies for public and private sector organisations on major projects with multi- stakeholder involvement. He joins the city council from Sopra Steria, a European leader in


consulting, digital services and software development. Craig said: “Birmingham 2022 is


set to be the biggest event in the city’s history and has the long-term potential to reposition the city on the global stage. “A lot of great work has been done over the last three years to get the city Games-ready, but there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done, especially as we move into the next phase of the recovery from the


Covid-19 pandemic. “I am excited by the challenge


and look forward to getting to work on the council’s role in delivering the Games.”


engagement, volunteer recruitment and the launch of ticket sales. Josie Stevens, Chief Marketing and


Communications Officer for Birmingham 2022, said: “Birmingham is a city well-used to successfully staging major international events. The global pandemic means that we’ll be operating in a very different environment. The Games could be the perfect opportunity to bring the city and the country together, for an uplifting celebration of sport and culture. “We are rising to these challenges


with some bold thinking and we’ve chosen agency partners who are creatively brave, fleet-of-foot in delivery and hugely collaborative. Their passion for this city, the region and the Games is clear.”


More information about opportunities for business can be found at www.birmingham2022.com/ business


Correction


The lead story in the property page of the May edition of Chamberlink was about how estate and letting agency Barrows & Forrester viewed the impact of Covid-19 on Birmingham’s residential market. The company’s managing


director James Forrester was quoted at length but the final part of his words were wrongly attributed to Tom Bower, his head of marketing and comms. Chamberlink apologises


unreservedly for the error and for any embarrassment caused to Mr Forrester, Mr Bower and Barrows & Forrester.


In focus: Team England’s Dominique Allen is interviewed at a Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth social event


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