Region-wide commission launched to champion business growth

06 Oct 2023

Published in: Black Country Chamber of Commerce News

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Region-wide commission launched to champion business growth

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Region-wide commission launched to champion business growth

A powerful group representing private sector businesses has been established to champion growth across the West Midlands. Business Commission West Midlands (BCWM) comprises leaders in enterprise, supported by expert advisors, who will forensically examine the opportunities for regional business and identify the action needed to seize them.

Led by an independent chair and panel of private-sector Commissioners drawn from a range of industries, the BCWM will undertake a mass engagement and research programme aimed at giving a meaningful voice to the regional business community.

The Commission – which has been convened by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Black Country Chamber of Commerce – will set out to:

• Identify trends in business’ priorities and appetite for growth

• Outline key areas of change identified by local firms as required to enable further business growth

• Outline key areas perceived as strengths of the regional business environment

• Map existing initiatives, interventions and actors aimed at enabling business growth

• Recommend policy changes, initiatives, areas for further research or interventions required locally, regionally or nationally to better enable growth Its reports will be based on evidence gathering sessions and research with hundreds of businesses and representative organisations across the region.

The Commission is chaired by Mark Taylor, Midlands managing partner at accountancy and business advisory firm RSM.

Commissioners include:

• Sandra Wallace, joint managing director, DLA Piper and Birmingham chair of TheCityUK

• Declan Allen, managing director, HORIBA MIRA

• Carmen Watson, chair, Pertemps

• Jason Wouhra OBE, CEO, Lioncroft Wholesale Ltd

• Jeanette McFarland, chief operating officer, Assa Abloy Opening Solutions • Melissa Snover, founder, Rem3dy Health

• Dan Barlow, CEO, Kagool

• Eleanor Deeley, joint managing director, Deeley Group

• Deb Leary OBE, founder, Forensic Pathways

• Vicki Wilkes, director, Darvick Ltd

Sarah Moorhouse, CEO of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “Over the last three years, Black Country businesses have had to survive one economic shock after the other.

“From Brexit to Covid, rising energy costs and inflation and, with a severe lack of skills to boost their workforce, their resilience has been tested over and over again.

“As we head towards the end of yet another year of uncertainty and slow economic growth, we need to continue to work together to help us identify and unlock the barriers for business growth across our region, whilst exploring the priorities and opportunities which will enable this region, and our businesses within it, to thrive.

“By working collaboratively, within the Business Commission West Midlands, it will allow us to identify the trends, outline the key areas and of course help us to highlight our strengths, as we come together as strategic economic partners to boost investment, sustain growth and identify new opportunities for our business communities.”

Meanwhile, Black Country Board member Vicki Wilkes, a Commissioner in the newly launched group said, “I am joining the BCWM to represent SMEs, the region has a high number of amazing, but unknown, smaller businesses, if these can be understood, supported and leveraged more effectively this will have a greater impact than just supporting larger businesses, 500 SMEs taking on 1 extra person each is bigger than one business employing an extra 250 people.

“It is traditionally harder to engage with SMEs as they are often owner / managed, so I am hoping to represent these businesses and our needs.”

Jeanette McFarland Chief Operating Officer UK&I for ASSA ABLOY Limited, a Patron of the Black Country Chamber said, “Organic growth is vital to our long-term success, so I am excited to be invited to be a Commissioner for the Business Commission West Midlands.

“The West Midlands is a great place to be based but it’s important that decision makers understand the challenges we face. The Commission provides a great opportunity to work with a talented and diverse group of individuals and advisors, for our voices to be heard and build a joined-up approach to accelerating growth in our region.”

Mark Taylor  said: “I passionately believe this Business Commission can play a key role in translating the voice of business into a clear and compelling summary of the proactive steps that need to be taken to support future growth and prosperity in the region.

“The West Midlands is a fantastic place to do business and it is essential that we protect and build on our assets in a fast-changing world.”

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and commission convenor, said: “The level and pace of change that the business community has seen in recent years has been extraordinary. In this context we need a fundamental reset of our understanding of what businesses need to fulfil their growth potential.

“With more change ahead in the form of significant elections, there is an opportunity, and a need, to influence by presenting a strong, clear voice from the region’s businesses.

“I am delighted to be working with talented and influential Commissioners, Advisors and partners to bring their collective knowledge and expertise to this important task.

“I would encourage businesses reading this to get involved and share their perspective on this critical agenda.”

Commission partners include University College Birmingham, Aston University, Douglas Wright T/A McDonalds and Birmingham City University.

The Commission will be supported by academic advisors from leading institutions across the region.

Corin Crane, CEO of the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “I’m pleased to support the Business Commission West Midlands and thank the strong panel of businesses for giving up their time to support this excellent initiative. Chambers of Commerce often need to take an immediate view on regional and national economic events, or to comment on the development of policies that are created in focus groups or at Whitehall.

“In the future, this commission will put West Midlands businesses at the start of this process with our employers setting out the areas for growth, highlighting opportunities and potential barriers and with the support of such excellent research partners, we will be able to draw on original research to help suggest policy and business solutions.

“This is a fantastic region with incredible businesses this commission will make sure our voices are heard.”