Date: Thu 26th January, 2012
Venue: Walsall Football Club Limited The Banks's Stadium, Bescot Crescent, Walsall West Midlands, WS1 4SA
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How can the Black Country regain the investment initiative?
Along with other leading figures our panel will include:
- Richard Smith, Managing Director, Opus Land
- Jatinder Sharma, Principal and Chief Executive of Walsall College
- Tim Johnson, Executive Director, Walsall council
- Stewart Towe, Chairman, Black Country LEP
Despite recession much of the news coming out of the Black Country is far from dark. Investments such as those by Jaguar Land Rover and Moog at i54, the Tesco development unlocking regeneration in West Bromwich, and the £46.5m project to improve Dudley's tourism facilities, show a region fighting back.
But The Black Country faces huge and long term structural issues: unemployment, undeveloped internal infrastructure, ageing business properties, ageing population and - most seriously - a poor skills base. Although the region has had regeneration plans aplenty over the years, so many have failed to progress beyond blueprints.
Our forum will look at how the Black Country can seize the initiative and become the economic powerhouse it once was. Local business people will quiz the experts and influencers on how the region can maintain the momentum that has developed over the past few months. How can education, industry and politicians work best together? Can the Local Economic Partnership bring fresh initiative and focus to the area? And how best should state funding earmarked for the region be used?
Insider's forum is an opportunity for the business community to listen to and question those behind the big issues which will affect the Black Country's future. We intend to drill down and look at the area's future prospects, looking at both challenges and opportunities.
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. Please click here to register your interest
Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Kate Marshall on 0161 907 9754
If you are interested in sponsoring this or any other Insider event please contact Richard Carey on 0121 204 1490
Event timings:
7.30am – Breakfast and registration
8.00am – Meeting commences
9.30am – Approximate close
Guests are invited to remain behind after the formal close for coffee and networking.
Event sponsored by:
