Business News

Sovereign wealth funds are the latest class of investors increasingly focusing on sustainability-centred products. The involvement comes as investors continue to push asset managers to focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) products.

According to data acquired by Finbold, sovereign wealth funds investments in the ESG space globally surged 215.27% between 2020 and 2021, from $7.2 billion to $22.7 billion. Over the same period, the number of deals increased from 19 to 37.

HS2 trains will be powered by zero carbon energy from day one of operation, offering a cleaner alternative to long distance car journeys and domestic flights, while supporting the government’s 2050 target to tackle climate change.

This commitment will play a key part in HS2 Ltd’s aim to make the project net zero carbon from 2035, with targets of diesel-free construction sites and major reductions in carbon emissions from the steel and concrete used to build the railway.

Employers across Birmingham are being invited to join a special online conference as part of an initiative to make it the country’s first officially-recognised compassionate city.

National charity Compassionate Communities UK (CC-UK) will host the Birmingham Compassionate City Charter ­ – Employers Conference on Thursday, 17th February 2022 between 10am-4pm.

City of Wolverhampton Council is set to invest more than £118million in new homes over the next five years. A report going before the Council’s Cabinet next Wednesday (January 19) will ask for approval through the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan to fund development schemes across the city.

Applications are now open for Severn Trent Community Fund’s new focus to celebrate its partnership with Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

This spring, the Community Fund is looking to fund local community projects that specifically aim to take care of nature and the environment.

Bill Gray, President, Building Solutions – North America and a member of Uponor’s Executive Committee has decided to pursue new challenges outside Uponor. He will leave his position on the Executive Committee and the President as of 10 January 2022. In order to assure a seamless transition, Bill will be available to support Uponor’s management until mid-March 2022.

The award-winning digital agency has appointed Mell Russon from School of Code as well as Sam Bacon, Liberty Mason, and Harry Wilkins; each of whom are recent graduates from Birmingham City University. Championing young talent in the marketing and tech industry, Cake pledges its support to recent graduates by helping them into the world of work with its promise to hire three new graduates every year.

Work has completed to relocate shops from ramps leading to platforms 8-11 allowing more space for rail travellers to move from the concourse to trains. The addition of shops to the ramp in the 1980s and increasing passenger numbers since had led to bottlenecks and crowds forming when trains were announced.

EML Payments  powers REPX's  innovative digital and physical payment product for fans in Europe of the Italian Serie A TIM soccer team, AS Roma. The beloved Yellow And Reds (Giallorossi) Head Coach is José Mourinho.

Leading Sussex law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter has joined West Midlands-based legal and professional services group, Ampa, as regional legal anchor brand for the South East.  

The merger will take Ampa to a turnover above £100m for 2022/23 and a group of more than 1,100 people immediately.

Andy Salmon, serial entrepreneur and Senior Lecturer in International Business at Birmingham City University Business School discusses the everyday challenges small and medium-sized enterprises are facing in the current regional business environment and the business support opportunities they need to take advantage of to ensure sustainable business growth.

Hundreds of workers across the West Midlands are being given the opportunity to upskill thanks to a new initiative by The Black Country & Marches Institute of Technology (IoT). Companies can now access specialist training for members of staff aged 19+ on one of three Level 4 technical courses in Automated Machining, Robotics and Quality Assurance.

Midlands housing association, Nehemiah Housing has kicked off 2022 by recruiting a new member of staff for a key role within the organisation.

Marcia Cunnison has been appointed to the role of Customer Engagement Officer. She brings to the role an extensive background totalling over 25 years in customer service, 13 years in quality management and six years in both the social and private housing arena.

Full service content marketing agency, HDY Agency has welcomed fine jewellery, luxury cufflinks, and accessories brand, Deakin & Francis, to its portfolio of clients after winning a competitive pitch process.

As Britain's oldest family jeweller - established in 1786 in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter - Deakin & Francis has forged a name for itself as a leading manufacturer of ladies’ fine jewellery, and gentlemen’s luxury accessories.

A new podcast series that delves into the stories of some of the region’s leading and up-and-coming CEOs has been launched by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce today.

CEO Stories is hosted by Henrietta Brealey, who last year became the youngest chief executive in the Chamber’s history.

XPO Logistics, Inc. has announced that Troy Cooper has stepped down from his role as president, effective December 27, 2021. Mr. Cooper will continue working with the company as a senior advisor through June 30, 2022.

“With the spin-off of GXO earlier this year, and in light of the progress we’ve made transforming XPO into a pure-play transportation company, Troy and I agreed this was a natural time for him to step down,” said Brad Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer.