Q3: Quarterly Business Report

Henrietta Brealey

CEO, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

The GBCC exists to Connect, Support & Grow local businesses. It is a mid-sized not for profit business membership and support organisation that has been in business, for business, since 1813. It delivers support and services aimed at helping local firms go global. Henrietta became CEO in 2021 at age 30, making her the youngest CEO in the organisation’s 210 year history. She is a vocal advocate for Greater Birmingham’s businesses, representing Chamber members’ interests through a range of regional and local stakeholder boards and groups.

Prior to becoming CEO, she was Director of Policy & Strategic Relationships leading the GBCC’s research, campaigns and support activity, including on preparing for, and the impact of, the end of the Brexit transition period. She is a governor and honorary fellow of University College Birmingham. She was named Birmingham Live’s Young Business Leader of the Year at their 2022 Business Awards and Young Leader of the Year at Business Desk’s West Midlands Leadership Awards 2023. 

Phil Webb

CEO & Co-Founder, Vu Ai

As the CEO and Co-Founder of Vu Ai, I bring over ten years of extensive experience in the technology industry. My journey began as the sole employee of a tech start-up, where I played a pivotal role in driving growth that led to a successful exit. This experience prepared me to transition to a digital agency, where I advanced from an Account Manager to the Head of Growth, working with large enterprise clients to drive innovation and expansion. Now, I lead Vu Ai with a sharp eye on AI, sales, business growth, and whatever cool tech trends are shaping the future. 

Vu Ai is a consultancy specialising in business process optimisation through artificial intelligence. Vu Ai offers services that include departmental and company-wide efficiency reviews, AI strategy development, and integration support. Our approach aligns AI capabilities with specific business goals to enhance operational efficiency and drive measurable improvements. Through Vu Ai, we have assisted various businesses in leveraging AI to streamline their processes, reduce pain points, and adapt to an evolving technological landscape. We aim to make AI integration accessible and beneficial for organisations across different sectors.

Lee Doughty

Director of Security and AI Practice, Intercity Technology Ltd

Intercity Technology is a prominent Birmingham-Headquartered technology company providing communications, managed IT, and cloud and security services to private and public sector clients of all sizes, including many familiar names - Enterprise Cars, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Warwickshire County Cricket Club, and Birmingham City Football Club to name a few.

Lee joined Intercity in June 2023 after a successful 25-year career in British Intelligence, serving in a variety of counterterrorism and counter-espionage roles in the UK and overseas.  As Director of Security & AI Practice for Intercity, Lee has focused on improving the cybersecurity and cyber resilience of Intercity and its clients, ensuring they are better prepared to assess and respond to the increasing risks from a complex and pernicious cyber threat.

A Visiting Professor at Aston University, Lee is taking cybersecurity to the next level as Chair of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Intercity and Aston.  Harnessing the power of GenAI technologies to a profound understanding of cyber risk, the Partnership is proud to be developing a uniquely innovative technological capability that will improve the cyber resilience of businesses of every size and sector.