Contents February 2021


Business News 4 Editor’s View John Lamb on city’s future


5 Search for new Chamber CEO


6 Chamber’s link with motorsport speeds new docs issues


8 Two execs promoted to new roles at Chamber


10 A unified network for young professionals


12 President’s Focus Phil Arkinstall, president of Sutton Coldfield Chamber


13 BT Group move into new Snowhill offices 14 Government must face the music 16 Vaccination hub is opened 17 University waives accommodation fees


19 ‘Back our Businesses’ report names areas in need of urgent support


20 The Griffin Report Rob Pollard and PJ Ellis, of Lightbox Digital


23 A celebration of regional success


24 Historic motorcycle firm to open Solihull base


26 Pandemic drives job competition 27 Cliff’s fans help appeal hit milestone 28 JLR lends fleet of Defenders to doctors 30 Healthy ageing targets are being missed


33 Insurers must pay small firms for Covid-19 losses


34 Boost for proposed science park 36 New technology course is simply child’s play 39 Railway legend retires 40 Drop in fraud cases 42 Training provider targets expansion 43 Drive to equip children with laptops 44 Increase in hiring activity


33 14


Chamber Patrons 46 Helping staff back to work


1813 Club and Premier Members 48 Plan to unlock historic library


International 50 Lack of preparation causes delays at ports


Chamber Group 51 Commonwealth: Themed week to boost trade


52 Transatlantic: UK’s new Stateside ambassador


53 ABCC: Members supported by Covid campaign


54 Cannock Chase: Director backs cable campaign 55 Burton & District: New patron welcomed


56 Lichfield & Tamworth: Grant awarded for high-street


57 Sutton Coldfield: Copywriting start-up plots path to success


58 Solihull: Chamber to welcome new president 75 Features Apprenticeships,


Skills & Training 63 The relationship between apprentice training and organisational growth


66 Is in-house training right for your business?


Green Business 68 Become a green business in 2021


60 Future Faces: Young people need more support


Sector Focus 70 Business Travel: Transport is going green


72 Finance: Watchdog needs more experts


74 Retail: Missed chance to tackle business rates


75 Technology: Investment for VR firm 76 Legal: Private equity-led deals on the rise 78 Property: Transforming derelict sites 80 Manufacturing: European growth for firm 82 Sport: Stadium works ‘on time’


Member Section 83 Member Profile David Willis, Circle Rehabilitation


84 New Members Chamber welcomes new members


86 …any other business News from Chamber businesses


February 2021 CHAMBERLINK3


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