Mayoral candidates set out visions for region at business commission report launch

West Midlands mayoral candidates Andy Street and Richard Parker went head-to-head in the first debate of the election period during an event hosted by the region’s three Chambers of Commerce yesterday.

The debate was part of the launch of Business Commission West Midlands: A Roadmap for Business Growth – a report based on evidence supplied by more than 130 organisations and surveying of a further 400 which sets out recommendations for change and action to support business growth.

The Commission was convened by the Greater Birmingham, Black Country and Coventry & Warwickshire Chambers of Commerce.

More than 100 business leaders and partners gathered at Millennium Point to hear from the Labour and Conservative candidates, who provided their responses to the BCWM report before answering questions on key topics impacting businesses and setting our their own visions for the region.

Henrietta Brealey, CEO of the GBCC, said: “We were delighted to officially launch the Business Commission West Midlands report at the first mayoral debate of the election.

“It was good to hear both candidates responding positively to the report and drawing out key themes and recommendations across areas such as availability of employment land, skills, business rates, transport and regional economic strategy as well as setting out their respective visions for the region.

“Of course, launching the report isn't the end - it's just the beginning of the next stage. We will be spending the coming months working with partners on making the recommendations a reality before reconvening in March 2025 to review impact to date.

“We will also be looking at how we as a Chamber can continue to evolve and pivot our work to best address pain-points for businesses and directly support their growth.”

Business Commission West Midlands was supported by sponsors Aston University, Birmingham City University, University of Birmingham, University College Birmingham and Doug Wright T/A McDonald’s.

Read the full Business Commission West Midlands report.

Pictured: Corin Crane (Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber), Andy Street, Henrietta Brealey, Richard Parker and Sarah Moorhouse (Black Country Chamber)