Azets strengthens regional senior leadership team

Azets has strengthened its regional senior leadership team with the appointment of Gurj Sandhu as Regional Managing Partner of Birmingham.

Back to Live, Back to Reality

Downtown in Business is back to doing what it does best, hosting a flurry of events over the past fortnight as COVID restrictions are slowly lifted.

Celebrating a special commendation from the national Event Production Show awards this week, for the best in-person ‘non-music’ event in 2020, the ‘Livercool’ Conference in December last year, Head of Events Heather Thornton said:

“We have hosted six events across the country during the past fortnight, and the response we have had has been excellent. There is a genuine appetite for people to be out and about again, and it is fantastic to see business leaders and entrepreneurs being able to engage in-person again – without being told every fifteen minutes ‘You’re on Mute.”

“A huge thank you to all those who have attended, and particular thanks to the venues who have been so welcoming to DIB as we return to what is a bonanza of events for the rest of the year.”

Baltic Power secured contract for transportation and installation of offshore wind turbines

A company from the ORLEN Group has signed a reservation contract with Cadeler of Denmark for the transport and installation of some 70 turbines for the Baltic Power offshore wind farm – a joint project of PKN ORLEN and Northland Power Inc. In the next steps, the company will select contractors to supply the turbines, foundations, internal and export cables, to construct offshore and onshore substations, and to provide farm maintenance services. 

Bankai Group's President & CEO, Bankim Brahmbhatt featured in Capacity's Power 100 List of 2023

Bankim Brahmbhatt, Visionary Founder, President & CEO of Bankai Group, is recognized as Capacity Power 100 for being the frontrunner in driving digital transformation and revolutionizing global connectivity.

Bankai Group is a global leader in the ICT industry, offering futuristic telecom, A2P messaging, fintech, and technology solutions. The prestigious Power 100 recognition is by Capacity Media, a leading global media and events organization in the telecommunications industry. The listing becomes even more special as the Capacity Media platform received more than 250 nominations this year, and to triumph over this stiff competition is phenomenal.

Banks and energy companies should share burden of rising prices, according to new plan

Banks and energy company shareholders should help finance a sustained freeze on household energy prices to reduce the burden on taxpayers, according to a proposal from the analyst Michael Johnson, published by the Social Market Foundation today.

Johnson – a former investment banker who has advised several leading politicians on economic policy – suggests that both energy providers and the government should purchase collateral assets to back a funding facility to support providers that run into financial trouble.

Barbers in Birmingham suffering from the economic down turn thrown a lifeline

Barbers in the West Midlands and Birmingham, who may be considering closing their shops because of the cost-of-living crisis, have been thrown a lifeline by a mobile male grooming business. Get Groomed Mobile Barbers is looking to recruit between 15 and 20 barbers in the Birmingham area at a time when soaring energy bills and other costs are making it increasingly difficult to keep shop premises going.

Barcelona most profitable top-five club in the summer window with a €102m profit

A lot has been discussed about the heavy spenders in the transfer market. However, this feature looks at the biggest profit makers during the recently concluded transfer window.

Barcelona to celebrate rapper Drake with special shirts in El Clasico

Barcelona will celebrate Drake becoming the first artist to surpass 50 billion streams on Spotify by wearing a special shirt in the ‘El Clasico’ clash against Real Madrid today.

The La Liga giants are sponsored by Spotify but will replace the streaming service's logo with the OVO owl logo of the Canadian rapper for El Clasico. It is part of Barcelona and Spotify's strategic aim to bring football and music together.

Barrister strikes - "criminal justice system like a defibrillator in an old phone box" - reaction

Christian Fox, a barrister at Becket Chambers: "The criminal justice system is like a defibrillator in an old phone box: no one really cares about it until your life depends on it, then suddenly it is the most important thing on earth and you hope to heck it works. The problem is, the criminal justice system doesn't work, in fact access to justice in this country no longer works full stop.

BBBAwards launch membership programme to support Black business owners

The Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) have launched the Enterprise Academy, a membership community providing support for UK Black entrepreneurs. The BBBAwards will launch the Enterprise Academy with a virtual event on 11^th March 2021 to discuss how Brexit and Covid-19 are impacting Black owned businesses. Paul Scully MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will give a keynote speech and take audience questions at the event with Chair and Co-founder of the BBBAwards Melanie Eusebe moderating.

Ethnic minority entrepreneurs and businesses contribute at least £74 billion a year into the UK economy (Minority Businesses Matter, OPEN 2021). However, according to a report published by the British Business Bank (BBB) and Oliver Wyman, Black entrepreneurs report lower turnovers and profits than their white counterparts and ethnic minority entrepreneurs face ‘persistent disparities in business outcome’ due to a myriad of factors including different access to finance, lack of representation in senior ranks and discrimination. Despite the fact that ethnic minority businesses have provided major contributions to combatting the coronavirus crisis, research shows these individuals are two to three times more likely to die from Covid-19. As a result, minority ethnic businesses face disproportionally more pressure during the pandemic and in the economic fallout it brings with it.  

To help boost Black business and level the playing field in the UK, the BBBAwards have launched the Enterprise Academy which will provide Black entrepreneurs access to expert-led workshops, practical seminars and have negotiated discounts on essential resources and tools to build, scale-up and accelerate their businesses while being part of a formidable community for advocacy and change.

Melanie Eusebe, Chair and Co-founder of the Black British Business Awards said: “The impact of Brexit and the ongoing pandemic have exacerbated pre-existing socio-economic inequalities. Whilst furloughing has helped big business, many small business owners are struggling to stay afloat. The Enterprise Academy will equip Black entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to navigate the right business support, build connections within a community and maximise their scope and commercial impact. As we emerge from the crisis, we must ensure that SMEs are provided with support and investment to play their leading role in the UK’s economic recovery”.

Small Business Minister Paul Scully said: “Black entrepreneurs will have a key role to play in our national effort to build back better from the pandemic, and in ensuring everyone is empowered to use every scrap of their drive, their initiative and their talent to forge the future we all want for ourselves and for each other. I’m excited to be involved in the launch of the Enterprise Academy which, alongside Government support including Start Up Loans and mentorship programmes, will help level the playing field and provide a real boost to Britain.”

Now that the UK has left the EU single market, small business-owners want to know what the implications are and how they can adapt to the new arrangements. This is especially important for ethnic minority SMEs who will play a crucial role in boosting exports in a post-Brexit environment. The Enterprise Academy event tomorrow (March 11) will focus on the consequences Brexit for Black-owned business, including the implications on importing and exporting goods with the European Union, what financial support is available, how to avoid trade delays and what the government is doing to support small businesses hit by the pandemic.

On March 31, the BBBAwards will co-host an online event with OPEN, a London-based think-tank, to discuss the findings from Minority Business Matters, a new groundbreaking report on the contribution and challenges ethnic minority businesses face in the UK. Melanie Eusebe, Kanya King CBE, Founder of the MOBO Awards and Peter Oakden, Founder of CaveFit were spotlighted in the report. The event will feature Martyn Fitzgerald, senior researcher for OPEN, Mayank Shah, founder of MSDUK, Philippe Legrain, founder of OPEN as well as established entrepreneurs featured in the report.

Additional upcoming events and initiatives include bespoke PR support for Black businesses, a masterclass course in marketing strategy, training on how you perfect your elevator pitch and interactive workshops on customer relationship management and the secrets behind raising business capital led by leading venture capitalists and finance experts.

The Enterprise Academy will also host workshops on how to raise capital for your business, creating a successful digital sales and marketing strategy and as well as media training and support on becoming the face of your company.

BCBF to start with 80 events taking place over 10 days

The BCBF (Black Country Business Festival) is now in its fourth year and has seen continued growth and support from the local business community.

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Talbots Law and Dudley Business First are partners for 2021.

BCC announce appointment of interim chief executive

Deborah Cadman, the current chief executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority, has been appointed interim chief executive of Birmingham City Council (BCC). The interim position will cover the 2022 Commonwealth Games and local elections, after which recruitment for a permanent appointment will begin.

Raised and educated in Birmingham, Ms Cadman was the first permanent chief executive of the newly formed WMCA in 2017, following 30 years working in public services. She worked at the city council for seven years during her early career followed by senior roles including Head of Policy at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Local Government Advisor to the Ministerial Team at the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Following roles as the Audit Commission's Best Value Service Lead Inspector for the London region and Chief Executive for St Edmundsbury Borough Council and the East of England Development Agency, she was Chief Executive of Suffolk County Council from 2011 to 2017. She was appointed OBE for services to local government in 2006 and is listed in Local Government Chronicle’s ‘100 Most Influential in the Sector’.

Councillor Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Deborah is highly respected both in regionally and nationally and I’m delighted that she will be joining us. Her knowledge, understanding and commitment to Birmingham will be invaluable for the year ahead.

“This has been a devastating past 12 months and our focus now is on how we work with partners to ensure that our city and our communities recovers both economically and emotionally. She also has a vital role to play in helping us deliver the Commonwealth Games, ensuring that people and communities across the city reap the rewards and I know she is as passionate as I am about ensuring that the future for Birmingham is bold and bright.”

Deborah Cadman said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Birmingham at such an important time for the city and the region – there are immense challenges ahead, but some great opportunities, too. Returning to the city as chief executive of the Combined Authority has been a great experience. I’m so proud of all we’ve achieved across the region and it will be hard to leave so many brilliant colleagues here.

“But the opportunity to become chief executive of Birmingham City Council is one I just couldn’t turn down. I’m looking forward to bringing my successful experience in working with councillors and partners across national and local government to make a difference to the city. I’m a Brummie born and bred, love the place and the people and I know how ambitious the council is to make a difference to people's lives.”

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “Deborah was instrumental in establishing the leading regional role of the Combined Authority when it was set up and since then has played a key role in our work to deliver a better future for everyone who lives and works here. She’s passionate about the West Midlands and a dedicated public servant who’s made a big difference to our work. I’m sorry to see her go, but pleased she’s staying in Birmingham to continue to work in partnership with us on some of our shared key challenges.”

Ms Cadman is expected to take up the role from early summer and adult social care director Graeme Betts will continue as acting chief executive until then.

The appointment is subject to ratification by full council.

BE OPEN launches BE OPEN Future Vision open call to support futures studies

BE OPEN, a creative think-tank founded by the international entrepreneur and philanthropist Elena Baturina (pic), is launching its next global open call across social media.

BE OPEN takes part in the 3rd International Sustainable Energy Conference 2024 in Austria

Co-organised by the Austria Institute for Sustainable Technologies, the UN Industrial Development Organization, and the Federal Ministry of Austria, the International Sustainable Energy Conference, ISEC 2024, a forum for research, business and energy policy, will take place for the third time on April 10 in Graz, Austria, with support from BE OPEN.

Beauty and Tattoo Parlours Make Vital PPE Donations

Beauty salons and, tattoo parlours and nurseries have answered the plea to provide personal protection equipment (PPE) to care workers.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, in the West Midlands, issued an appeal as it struggled to source face masks, single-use gloves and aprons for staff.

Supplies donated in response will be used by workers who care for vulnerable residents in their homes.

Beautician, Samantha Manton, who donated aprons said: “It was the least I could do for community healthcare workers”.

Behavioural scientist helps households save £250 on their energy bills

A new consumer behaviour change campaign named ‘Planet Pledge’ is inviting every household in the UK to sign up to a 66-day environmental pledge starting on 17th January with the ambition of encouraging long-term pro-planet habits that will get the nation to net zero as much as two years before the Government’s 2050 target.

The campaign is based on research revealing that 79 per-cent of people in the UK would like to do more at home to tackle climate change but can’t get into the habit of doing so.

Benevity reveals the top five trends shaping the future of Corporate Purpose in 2022

Benevity, Inc., a leading provider of global corporate purpose software, today released its second edition of The State of Corporate Purpose, a report from Benevity Impact Labs that takes a comprehensive look at proprietary data and research on the key industry trends shaping the future of corporate social responsibility (CSR); environmental, social and governance (ESG) and the future of work.

Berriman Eaton sees lettings portfolio top £140m for the first time

Berriman Eaton has reported a 30% rise in its dedicated lettings business since 2020, with more than 420 properties now managed across Wolverhampton, Wombourne and Bridgnorth.

Best celebrity investors and their investments revealed

In the world of fame and fortune, some celebrities go beyond the spotlight, strategically building wealth through diverse investments.

Best-in-class UK market entry support programme opens for applications

The West Midlands' official investment promotion agency has launched its 2024 Global Growth Programme – a unique, nine-month package of free market entry support, providing European companies with a springboard to success in the region.