BHX 37% of its way to net zero carbon

Birmingham Airport (BHX) is more than a third of its way to becoming a net-zero-carbon operation. 

In April the company published its carbon roadmap setting out its plan to become a net-zero-carbon airport by 2033. According to data revealed today, the Midlands transport hub was 37% of the way to this goal in December 2022. 

BHX achieves global Carbon Accreditation

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has achieved Level 3 (optimisation) of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) scheme for a second year. 

BHX annual round-up for 2022 

The past year was a story of steady recovery for Birmingham Airport (BHX). 

Following the lifting of Covid travel restrictions in March, BHX moved from 34% of pre-Covid (2019) customer volumes in January to 88% in October. 

BHX customer numbers exceed pre-pandemic levels

Customer volumes at Birmingham Airport (BHX) last month exceeded 2019 levels for the first time. 

BHX emissions fall 25% v pre-pandemic levels

Birmingham Airport (BHX)’s Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions fell 25% in 2022/23 compared to the most recent pre-pandemic year of 2019/20, a report just published has revealed.

BHX invests in WebTrak as part of sustainability strategy

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has invested in a new software called WebTrak, which will allow members of the public to view aircraft operations live at Birmingham Airport.

BHX invites greater accountability as it unveils annual emissions report

Birmingham Airport (BHX) published its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions report for 2021/22. The report reveals emissions rose 12% on the previous year, 2020/21, when operations were severely reduced by Covid.

Publishing a full GHG emissions inventory covering Scope 1, 2 and 3* emissions is a first for BHX.

BHX takes important step forward in security hall build

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has begun bringing into use four 50-person lifts as part of its +£50m project to build a state-of-the-art new security screening hall for customers.

BHX upgrades aircraft stands to boost reliability and capacity

Birmingham Airport (BHX) is halfway through more than £10m of aircraft stand upgrades to make its operation more efficient and reliable for customers.

Big changes for Bruton Knowles Executive Management Team

The Executive Management Team at leading national chartered surveying firm Bruton Knowles, has expanded following recent activity within the business.

Big changes for UK small businesses in New Tax Year

New Intuit QuickBooks research has revealed how UK small businesses plan to tackle the new tax year as the 6th April start date looms closer.

Big steps forward in capital markets cooperation with India

Indian firms could soon list in London, it has been announced as part of a package of plans unveiled by the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt alongside Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as they met in Delhi for face-to-face talks.

Big wins for South West and Midlands at Constructing Excellence Awards

An innovative new prison has scooped three awards on behalf of the East Midlands at the national Constructing Excellence awards. HMP Five Wells – built by Kier Construction for the Ministry of Justice – was designed and built using modern methods of construction (MMC), and picked up wins in the Digital Construction, Offsite Project of the Year and Client of the Year categories.

The trio of awards for the Wellingborough project recognised the innovative approach in using both MMC and building information modelling, as well as the integration and collaborative working between the design and build team and the client. Meanwhile, the South West region also saw success with Shire Hall winning in the Integration and Collaborative Work category, celebrating the cohesive approach taken by Kier, Gloucestershire County Council, Quattro Design Architects and Adams Fletcher & Partners.

Taking place over 165 weeks and 82 phases, the transformation of the part-listed building from a tired and inefficient eyesore to an elegant and highly sustainable workplace earned the team the award, recognising its well-considered and well-executed solutions throughout a complex project. The region also received two further ‘Highly Commended’ recognitions, with Seaton Beach credited in the Sustainability category for the UK’s first Passivhaus Plus certified apartment block, and Callum Yeowell of Gilbert & Goode named as runner up in the G4C Young Leader award. Keystone Group, on behalf of Construction Excellence Midlands, was also ‘Commended’ in the Innovation category.

Andrew Carpenter, chief executive at Constructing Excellence Midlands and South West, said: “While we are delighted that the HMP Five Wells project has picked up three awards, we aren’t surprised. From start to finish, the project has been a shining example of how to integrate a modern approach with real collaboration, and it’s great to see our members’ contribution to this have been recognised with these three awards.

“The Shire Hall project shows just what can be achieved with a forward-thinking, cooperative approach, and we’re thrilled to see those efforts being rewarded. This year’s awards have been brilliant for the region and have shown how much amazing work is being done by our members, despite the challenges faced in 2020.”

Bilkul Football WBA reach agreement for Baggies takeover

Bilkul Football WBA, LLC – a company ultimately owned by Florida-based entrepreneur Shilen Patel and his father Dr Kiran C. Patel – has reached an agreement to acquire an 87.8% shareholding in West Bromwich Albion Group Limited, the parent company of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

Billionaire, Dangote, in bid for Arsenal takeover

Nigerian billionaire, Alhagi Dangote GCON (Order of the Niger), is preparing to make a bid for England’s Premier League giants, Arsenal.

Marked as the richest man in the West African country, and the 96^th wealthiest man in the world,

Alhagi, 62, the, Founder and Chair of the industrial conglomerate, the Dangote Group, is putting plans together to stake his case for a takeover bid for the north London club as soon as he has completed his petroleum refinery – the largest in Africa - set-up in Lagos.

The refinery is due for completion in 2021.

Valued at $14.1billion by Bloomberg’s Billionaire’s Index, he (Alhagi) is a well-known massive Arsenal fan and has made several bids to take-over the club in recent years, which, each time, has been rebuffed by the ‘Gooner’s’ (Arsenal’s nickname) owner – and fellow-billionaire – American business man Stan Kroenke.

Dangote said: “As a supporter, Arsenal is a team that I am interested in buying.

“I’m going to look at the idea of making a bid once this contract (petroleum refinery) is completed.

“I do, though, have several projects that I have to complete. So, I am not looking to buy Arsenal right now.

“I’m looking to take them (Arsenal) to the next level, so, I’ll be looking to make a bid next year”.

Bilston Urban Village plans to create up to 300 jobs

City of Wolverhampton Council is putting plans in place for another major Bilston Urban Village development that could enable the delivery of up to 300 jobs for the city - and vital business rates revenue.
 
A report to be heard at the council’s Cabinet Resources Panel meeting on Wednesday, September 9 is proposing the disposal to a delivery partner of 17 acres of brownfield land identified for employment use to provide at least 100,000 square feet of industrial/commercial space.
 
The site is situated at the East of Bilston Urban Village, to the rear of Morrisons supermarket, and borders the Midland Metro to the east and Bankfield Road to the west – with quick connections to Junction 10 of the M6 via The Black Country Route.
 
There is demand from businesses requiring high-quality premises and market testing last year indicated a number of developers interested in building out the site for employment purposes.
 
Bilston Urban Village has been created following multi-million-pound investment by City of Wolverhampton Council, Homes England and the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership to remediate brownfield land through a range of major works, including the site clearance, former factory floors being broken up, the old railway embankment removed, treatment of mineshafts and highways and drainage infrastructure being installed.
 
Significant, initial investment in Bilston Urban Village saw the building of the Bert Williams Leisure Centre and South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy – improving health and increasing education and skills opportunities.
 
With the first residential phase of 78 Kier homes off Dudley Street now complete and people already moving into the larger Countryside development off Coseley Road, which will provide 420 homes across 27 acres, there is an increasing population right on the doorstep of the town centre.
 
A newly-built Marston’s family pub/restaurant, the White Rabbit, and the new Loxdale Primary School also form key components of Bilston Urban Village.
 
Extensive landscaping works also mean these destinations have been connected by 35 acres of green space, creating a conservation and recreation area accessible by a network of paths, including Bert Turner Boulevard, which leads into the heart of the town centre.

Councillor Stephen Simkins, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “The disposal of this land for employment use is another critical piece of the Bilston Urban Village jigsaw.
 
“It is even more critical now to provide new opportunities for our residents as we look to recover economically from the impact of Covid-19.
 
“We are realising our vison of affordable urban living for hundreds of families - all right at the heart of Bilston.
 
“The urban village offers extensive areas of open space to enjoy on the doorstep, new schools for kids to learn in, a top-class leisure centre nearby, a new family pub/restaurant on tap and further investment planned for the town centre.
 
“It is also a great location with purpose-built transport connectivity and the new commercial plot will provide hundreds of jobs opportunities.
 
“Bilston Urban Village also shows why our work towards establishing a National Brownfield Institute at the University of Wolverhampton’s outstanding £100million Springfield Campus is so critical.
 
“This will help get more former industrial land ready for development, creating future employment sites and homes.”
 
The land has been assembled by the council over a number of years following a transfer of ownership from Homes England (formerly Homes and Communities Agency) and the acquisition of neighbouring scrapyards.
 
Full site investigations on the employment site have already been carried out thanks to funding through the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.
 
Access is proposed off Brook Street and, with offices and general industrial use identified for the land rather than storage and distribution, the movement of heavy lorries is expected to be minimised.
 

Biotech firm crowned winner of Chamber pitch competition

A female-led biotech firm which has developed a sustainable material designed to revolutionise the production of medical devices has been named the winner of a competition hosted by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Birmingham 2022 appoints CSM Live as Official Provider of Look, Wayfinding and Signage for the Commonwealth Games

CSM Live, the branding and live experience division of CSM Sport and Entertainment, has been appointed as the Official Provider of Look, Wayfinding and Signage for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Following a competitive tender process, CSM Live will be responsible for scoping, producing, installing and de-rigging all elements of venue dressing at competition and non-competition venues. This remit includes the Look and Feel, field of play branding, wayfinding and information signage, sponsor recognition, media treatments and Host City dressing, applying relevant experience from previous multi-sport events including the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

In line with Birmingham 2022’s sustainability pledge, which includes plans to deliver the first ever carbon-neutral Commonwealth Games, CSM Live will work to design and provide an entirely sustainable solution, maximising the re-use of the hardware with the aspiration that none of the produced materials goes to waste after the Games.

CSM Live has also committed to work with local companies, suppliers and staff on the programme with a target to procure over 65% of its requirements locally, in order to deliver tangible benefits to the business community in the region. Working alongside the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee, venue scoping will begin immediately, with production due to commence in the early stages of next year. CSM Live will also engage with local students on the design process for the Wayfinding and Signage programme.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will see athletes from 72 nations and territories compete in 19 sports across 14 competition venues from 28 July until 8 August 2022. The event is expected to have a global TV audience of 1.5 billion and attract more than one million spectators.

Giles Stanford, Director, Global Events at CSM Live, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Birmingham 2022 as we seek to deliver a sustainable, innovative and carbon-friendly Commonwealth Games. We have a strong pedigree in providing sustainable branding solutions for major events and combined with the expertise of the local business community, we hope to deliver a spectacular event for all those involved.”

Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham 2022, Ian Reid, said: “It is fantastic to have CSM Live join us as our Official Provider of Look, Wayfinding and Signage for Birmingham 2022. With a strong track record of working on major sporting events, I know we can rely on their expertise to help us deliver the most sustainable Commonwealth Games to date. In addition to their work on competition venues, CSM Live will also be working with us on our community engagement activities, which will support us developing positive relationships within local communities across the West Midlands.”

Dame Louise Martin, Commonwealth Games Federation President, said: “With CSM Live, we have the ideal partner to deliver the look and feel for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. I am delighted by the important pledge from CSM Live to ensure that no product used in its operations will go to waste after the Games.

“A further commitment to work with local companies will ensure there will be positive benefits for the West Midlands from the Games. My thanks also goes out to our CGF Partnerships (CGFP) team as they continue bring on board world-leading organisations to support the delivery of Birmingham 2022 as well as our long-term ambitions.”

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games contributed £1.2b to UK economy

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games contributed almost £1.2 billion to the UK economy; new evaluation just published reveals.

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games selects East Midlands based business Iventis as official technology supplier

Following a competitive tender process, Iventis has been selected as the official technology supplier to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games held between 28th July and 8th August.

Iventis' geospatial event planning tool will be used by everyone involved in planning the event. They will use it to bring together maps, CAD plans and other datasets so they can easily create and share their plans with key stakeholders, facilitating better, faster communication and expediting decision making.