West Midlands Growth Company

The West Midlands has broken records again, with more people visiting the region in 2023 than ever before... 📈 145.4 million people spent time here, enjoying our culture, food, retail, hospitality, sporting and business events offering. ✈ Four million more people (3% up) visited compared to data from 2022, when the region hosted the Commonwealth Games. 💰 The visitor economy in the West Midlands is now worth £16.3 billion, up £2.2 billion (15%). WMGC Chief Executive Neil Rami, said: “The new West Midlands visitor pass, currently being developed, will positively change the way that people enjoy our region’s great venues, landmarks and hidden gems. “Building on another record-breaking year for tourism in the West Midlands and responding to a high demand from both visitors and our partners to introduce it, the pass will make it more affordable and convenient for the growing number of people who are choosing to spend their leisure time in this region. “We hope our new pass will encourage visitors to stay longer and explore even more of our award-winning attractions and hospitality settings, which might not have been on their original itineraries.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eSpy5uxe

It was great to host our network of Business Support professionals at our fantastic breakfast event last Thursday 🥐☕ We were joined by Maya Kainth, Tracey Halsey and Dr Dominique F. who shared their experiences of dealing with imposter syndrome in the workplace. It was great to hear the discussion between our talented panel speakers as they offered attendees a host of invaluable advice and tips on tackling imposter syndrome with confidence and honesty. Thank you to The PA Way Director Skevi Constantinou for hosting the event alongside Gleeson Recruitment Group's Jane Spearman - it was great to hear your thoughts and insights. If you are interested in attending future Business Support networking events, reach out to our Business Support recruitment team: Jane Spearman Mia Wright Kim Mayes #Recruitment #Event #BusinessSupport #WorkWithGlee

Dudley Town Centre hosts the Dudley Grand Prix today. A British Cycling National Series Event, the streets of Dudley will come alive with family, amateur and professional races throughout the evening. The event is funded as part of the Black Country Festival by the Major Events Fund drawing on legacy funding from the Commonwealth Games. Find out more here - https://lnkd.in/e3SH3-9d #HeartofSport Dudley Council

Global leader in design and technology services, Tata Elxsi, is set to create a wave of skilled engineering roles at its Coventry design hub over the next three years reinforcing Tata Group’s strategic commitment to the UK’s West Midlands region – its largest presence outside of India. Since establishing its design hub in September 2022, Tata Elxsi has significantly expanded its presence in Coventry, with over 100 engineering positions already recruited from prestigious West Midlands institutions, the University of Warwick, the University of Birmingham and the University of Coventry. Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said: “Tata Elxsi is pioneering industry-defining, future technologies right here in the West Midlands, through its Global Centre of Excellence. The firm’s continued investment in Coventry exemplifies the strength of our innovation ecosystem, and in particular, the region’s tech-proficient talentpool. “It is an investment like this that can deliver the high-skilled, well-paid engineering jobs we need for our young people and I am pleased the company is recruiting directly from the region’s universities across Birmingham, Coventry, and Warwickshire. “I look forward to supporting the business’ continued growth in the West Midlands over the coming years.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eD9DkCt9

Figures released today in the latest EY UK Attractiveness Survey reveal the West Midlands attracted 127 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects in 2023, its highest total of the last decade. The report also showed that the West Midlands had a 72% rise in projects compared to 2022 and is the seventh best-performing region in Europe. Neil Rami, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company commented: "These figures reinforce the West Midlands as a strategic necessity to inbound investment. Despite challenging macro-economic conditions, the region has bucked a trend of decline, witnessing UK-leading, and record-smashing growth in FDI. "This success can be attributed to the strong economic fundamentals of the region; our talentpool, innovation-led R&D and business ecosystem form an attractive proposition to investors. Critically, WMGC’s Global Growth Programme, intensive international relations and targeted marketing helped convert this interest into tangible investment – from which thousands of new jobs have been created.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gRmKuPxm #FDI #WestMidlands

A lot of regional talent on show last night... ⚽ On to the final 🏆 #WestMidlands #HeartOfSport

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT | From all of us at Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, welcome aboard, Paul! 🎉 Paul M McMahon has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Destination Coventry. He will lead a fresh business development strategy, elevating the profile of Coventry and the surrounding region to both national and international audiences. Learn more about Paul's appointment here: https://lnkd.in/eUkYA2A6 🗣 Paul shared: “We want Destination Coventry to be the UK benchmark in best practice for destination management organisations. “Partnerships are going to be central to our approach, ensuring that as region we are all working towards the same overarching strategic vision. I look forward to working with stakeholders from across Coventry and Warwickshire to achieve our goals.” Destination Coventry is a collaboration between Coventry City Council and C&W Chamber of Commerce. #Coventry #Warwickshire #DMO #tourism #appointment VisitEngland West Midlands Growth Company Paul Michael Paula Deas MBE Corin Crane Joanne Glover Emma Kavanagh Colleen Muldoon-Taylor

A real thank you for the impressive high turnout and engagement for our Annual Review last night.   Our Chief Executive, Neil Rami, and Chair, Matt Hammond, shared how, collaboratively, we have helped the West Midlands get global recognition and attracted new businesses and opportunities to the region through the theme of ‘Investing in our Futures’. And through our esteemed panel consisting of Tim Johnson, Claire Dunsterville, Elliot Hemes, Joanna Birch, and chaired by the excellent Sally Scott, the audience got a genuine feel of the huge opportunities for collaboration and partnership ahead.   Our engaged and supportive PWM partners and prospects, local authority stakeholders and shareholders, also heard from new Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, on his ambitions and plans for the region - and what happened at his first Downing Street meeting post General Election - through Katie Trout‘s excellent hosted fireside chat. Collaboration was a key theme from all speakers and at the West Midlands Growth Company we will continue to convene, make unique introductions and tell the compelling stories of the region.  We continue to be about growth. Good growth. Inclusive growth. Attracting the right kinds of opportunities that improve the lives of people across all our communities. Caroline Pooley Jenny Rohde Dan Storer Pip Abercromby FCA Jon Baty Andrew Toolan Jamie Clyde Andrew Dunbar Becky Frall Charlotte Ridley MBA FCIM Rabia Raza

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 📣 The application deadline for the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2025 has been extended to Friday 12 July!   This is your last chance to enter one of the 17 categories for FREE 🤩 You could be taking home gold, silver or bronze in your desired category and automatically qualify for the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025!     Discover the benefits of applying, read FAQs, and enter now👉 https://bit.ly/3V9k7NY #WMTA25

Deloitte’s ‘UK Technology Fast 50’ has been given an extended deadline until the 11th July. The Technology Fast 50 is the UK's foremost tech awards programme, recognising the innovation and growth of entrepreneur-led businesses across the country, it is a great opportunity to showcase innovation in the regions and raise the profile of emerging companies. We know there are phenomenal businesses in the West Midlands and would love to support any local nominations! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eHMqG5ui