Date: Wed 23rd February, 2011
Venue: 35 Newhall Street, Birmingham, B3 3PU
Enquire about this event
For coverage of this event, click here
Panel to include:
Rowan Crozier, sales and marketing director, Brandauer Precision Pressings
Neil Rami, chief executive, Marketing Birmingham
John Rider, chairman, West Midlands, Institute of Directors
In this 'Question Time' style event we ask our invited panel of experts to look in detail at the major issues likely to impact on the regional economy in the next six months.
We've already had the government's Comprehensive Spending Review and the effects of those cuts are starting to be felt. Our panellists will have had plenty of chance to absorb the challenges and opportunities that the new spending cuts present.
How will companies in the region cope in the new economic landscape? What will businesses with a book full of public sector contracts do when those contracts come to an end?
Did the review do enough in the skills and training area to allow firms in the Midlands to build for the future? Will cuts to university budgets have an impact on their ability to provide services to the local business community?
And this is the year of the LEPs (local enterprise partnerships). Approvals have been handed out to applicants all around the Midlands but what powers will they be given, what do we expect them to be able to do and will businesses be involved in running them?
Elsewhere, what do we think will be the sectors to watch this year? Can medical technologies, nuclear engineering and renewable energy fulfil their potential?
And what of transport initiatives? Birmingham's Metro extension has been given the go ahead and New Street and Moor Street stations are being developed. High speed rail is on its way. What difference will all this make to the local economy?
Development and regeneration is crucial of course. Things have slowed down in our city centres. Will Birmingham's mark two masterplan - the Big City Plan - help to get things moving?
And what of companies themselves? Are there signs that access to funding is becoming any easier? Will we see more businesses being bought and sold than in 2010?
Meanwhile, Birmingham has a new inward investment programme - Business Birmingham. What are the keys to it succeeding and attracting new companies into the area?
These are just some of the issues likely to be discussed in what is intended to be a thorough examination of the regional economy and an informed discussion about where the opportunities lie in 2011 and beyond.
If you need any more information, please contact Claire Winstanley on 0161 907 9735.
Our events are regularly over-subscribed therefore please register your interest as soon as possible. If you have been successful you will receive a confirmation email one week prior to the event.
If you are interested in sponsorship of this or any other Insider event please contact Richard Carey.
Timings for this event are as follows:
7.30am – Registration and breakfast
8.00am – Meeting commences
9.00am – Approximate close
Guests are invited to remain behind after the formal close for coffee and networking.
Event sponsored by:
