Executive Director's Report
February 2007
The business community launched its roadmap for economic success. A new website – www.readyforbusiness-wm-london2012.com – has made it easier for
Roadmap for Economic Success
The Business Voice WM presented its roadmap for economic success.
Making It in the Midlands is in response to the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) review consultation initiated by the Regional Development Agency, Advantage West Midlands.
The RES is the governing document for economic development for across the whole of the
The business community highlighted a range of issues that need to be tackled – from energy to exports. In particular five top areas for action that have been identified:
Transport
For too long the transport bottlenecks in the region have been seen as a national joke. This is not acceptable and we propose real and practical steps for an integrated transport strategy that works on the ground
Skills
The low skills base across the
Business Finance
Bridge funding, levering in venture capital investment and developing a suite of Islamic finance products could go a long way to enhancing the competitiveness of
Crime
Business crime is costing the
R&D
With the plethora of top quality universities across the
With 151 detailed recommendations we believe this significant report could go a long way to ensuring greater prosperity and more jobs at the heart of the
Making It in the Midlands was only possible thanks to each of the member organisations of the Business Voice WM. The commitment and drive of these organisations shows how business is leading from the front for the people and businesses of the region.
To read the report please go to textonly.html?sourcePage=http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/news/tm_method=full%26objectid=18684050%26siteid=50002-name_page.html
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Thanks to the leadership of the Confederation of West Midlands Chambers of Commerce, a new website has been established to make it easier for
www.readyforbusiness-wm-london2012.com means that SMEs can now form their own consortium – free of charge and at the touch of a button – successfully bid for 2012 work.
The website, funded by Advantage West Midlands and developed by the National B2B Centre at the
On top of this our Olympic roadshow – with the leadership of the Confederation of West Midlands Chambers of Commerce and in partnership with Advantage West Midlands – is continuing to go round the
In February, our roadshow came to Stoke on
To find out when the next roadshow is in your area please contact
To find our more about the 2012 business opportunities, please go to www.readyforbusiness-wm-london2012.com
Crime
Business challenged councils and the police on the fight against business crime.
The Business Council's Regional Business Crime Forum, under the leadership of the Federation of Small Businesses' Regional Policy Unit Chairman, Mike Cherry, wrote to every local authority in the West Midlands region urging them tio ensure that when developing their plans, including seeking funds from the Local Area Agreements process, that investing in the fight against business crime is a key target.
Mike Cherry also called on West Midlands Police Authority to ensure that the West Midlands Police force, which covers
With the Home Office estimating that business crime costs the
Transport
Olympic bosses were urged to ensure the
In a submission to London 2012, the Business Voice WM stated that the success of the Games would mean that the national transport hubs in the Midlands can meet increased traffic flows to and from the east
Specifically, our proposals included:
R&D
Working with Advantage West Midlands, the Business Voice WM brought together leading academics and business leaders to consider how there could be an improvement of links between business and universities to ensure the R&D base strengthens the competitive edge of leading businesses.
It was agreed to develop an action plan and, since then, we are delighted to announce that
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In response to the Government decision to make Milton Keynes and its surrounding area twice the size of
In a separate development, the Business Voice WM action plan on this issue – to make the development work for the people and businesses of the
We would like to record our thanks to Peter Luff MP and to
If you would like to attend our launch in the House of Commons on 9 May from 4pm please contact Bernadette Edwards on 0121 245 0139, b.edwards@businessvoicewm.org.uk
European Exchange Programme for Professionals
Advantage West Midlands has launched its plans for a European professionals exchange programme – to enable professionals in the
This success is a direct consequence of the Business Voice WM being asked to facilitate this project.
Limited funding is available to professionals who wish to take advantage of this opportunity.
Places are limited so to register your interest please contact Claire Holden at Advantage
Planning
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