Insider Media Limited

Industry heads at Advantage West Midlands' (AWM) previous business cluster programme have pledged their commitment to the regional development agency's networks which have been built over the last five years.

Despite AWM's planned April 2012 closure, the business cluster organisation said it was communicating with all the West Midlands LEPs, local authorities and MPs to ensure the "vital network of high growth companies" is used effectively in the future.

Business Clusters West Midlands (WM), as it is now known, comprises businesses in 12 growth sectors. It offers resources to private and public sectors seeking to generate high value jobs and develop their industries.

Paul Hebblethwaite, chairman of Business Clusters WM and a former director at Cadbury Schweppes, said: "There is a wealth of knowledge and talent within Business Clusters WM – companies that have been working together, building supply chains and applying new technologies to open up new markets and create more high value jobs in the West Midlands. This group of industry leaders has a strong track record – generating £760m of GVA from £100m of investment over five years."

Hebblethwaite added that it was "paramount to our economic success as a region" that the investment in growth sectors and the supply chain networks and relationships that have been built are recognised and used to grow the regional economy.

Sectors represented by Business Cluster WM include environment and energy technologies; automotive, building technologies; digital media; medical technologies; aerospace; advanced manufacturing and materials; ICT; food and drink; rail; business and professional services and interiors and lifestyle.