Talented Birmingham school leavers are missing out on careers in professional services because of an ‘invisible wall’ around the business district, according to a panel of experts at a debate held in the city. The issue was raised at a discussion led by Birmingham Future, the voice of young professionals in the city, which debated the blockages that prevent many children in deprived areas from achieving their potential in the professional services sector. Dr Derrick Campbell of Race Equality Sandwell said: “There are two Birminghams in existence: the set that want to fly the flag and the group that are at risk of being left behind. Unless we focus on repairing the holes in society, we won’t be able to move forward as a city.” Amanda Porter, chairman of Birmingham Future and a senior solicitor with city law firm Mills and Reeve, said: “There is a lot of evidence to show that children base their future expectations of a city on their current experience of it. It’s important for the future of Birmingham that, as we take the city forward, no one gets left behind.”

The Birmingham office of Clearwater Corporate Finance has advised city private equity house ISIS Equity Partners on its sale of the database marketing company Occam DM to St. Ives. ISIS originally invested £5.25m in Somerset-based Occam in August 2004, as part of a £12m MBO. Occam specialises in the design, delivery, hosting and support of database marketing services through its proprietary solutions, branded as Zebra. Main market-listed St. Ives provides printed products and solutions. Clearwater’s deal team was led by partner Phil Burns.

This week's Talking Point blog, which features key figures from the region’s business network, is from Ian Baxter, managing director of Nottingham-based RH Freight. What policies does the freight industry, the lifeblood of so many businesses throughout the UK, hope will emerge from the coalition government? To find out, read on here.

The Ricoh Arena, the home of Coventry City Football Club has been selected as the Midlands venue to host Olympic football matches in 2012, following a selection procedure by the London 2012 Organising Committee. It will be temporarily renamed the City of Coventry Stadium for the games and all other branding will be removed. The Stadium replaces Villa Park which was ruled out because of planned building development work. A number of other stadiums in the Midlands were also up for consideration including Birmingham City’s St Andrews ground.

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce has welcomed an announcement by business secretary Vince Cable that he will review the introduction of 200 employment regulations that have yet to come into force and will cost an estimated £19bn to implement. Recent figures released by the chamber found that local businesses have shouldered a regulatory bill of almost £3.25bn since 1998, including £275m in extra administrative costs over the last year alone.

Birmingham and Leicester law firm Harvey Ingram has merged its planning & development, social housing and residential plot sales teams to create a new development and regeneration team. The move reflects an overlap in work types, client needs and the broad mix of skills the firm offers in this field. Harvey Ingram Partner Paul Hunt heads the new team, which will handle everything from acquisitions, disposals and planning to enforcement matters and development agreements.

Solihull businesses will be warned that tough times lie ahead by Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham and Solihull Chamber. He is due to raise his concerns before an audience of Solihull businessmen and women on 11 June at the Arden Hotel, Bickenhill. “Prospects for the immediate future are not good, as petrol prices have soared to record levels, and VAT is expected to rise to 20 per cent. Rising fuel prices will have an adverse impact on most businesses and with the VAT rise, trading conditions will get even harder,” he will say.

MedilinkWM, the regional life science industry association, will showcase the region’s role in existing and emerging medical and healthcare technologies at three leading trade events this month. The organisation is to exhibit at London’s Medical Innovation Forum on 9 June, the National Housing and Support Congress and Exhibition in Warwickshire on 10 and 11 June and the West Midlands Cluster Conference 2010 at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on 17 June.

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121 Systems, a Nottingham technology company, has moved its operations to No.1 Nottingham Science Park, safeguarding ten jobs and creating three new opportunities. The company, which has a client base including Office Depot and Dominos Pizza, specialises in saving companies’ fuel bills by using software to optimise routes and reduce mileage. It has taken 1,771 sq ft at the ‘sustainable’ building adjacent to the University of Nottingham.

Solihull office scheme One Cranmore Drive has secured the letting of 8,675 sq ft of Grade A space to print management and marketing company extrinsic on a ten-year lease. It joins tenants including Gemstone Financial Management and Convergence Group. Etrinsic has now completed its fit out with a view to accommodating the property this month. Only 20,000 sq ft of space now remains available at the scheme.

Derwent Living has appointed Suzy Brain England to take over the reigns as its new chair. The Derby-based housing provider has appointed Brain England following the retirement of Duncan Smith in June. She has a wealth of experience in the housing industry. She is currently the chair of a number of public sector bodies including Berneslai Homes and the department of work and pensions decision making standards committee.