The brand of Birmingham talked upon at Chamber’s QBR launch

The brand of Birmingham in the global landscape took the spotlight at yesterday’s Quarterly Business Report launch event.

The event, sponsored by and held at Birmingham City University (BCU) was chaired by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) CEO Henrietta Brealey.

The report, is the most comprehensive of its kind in the city-region, offering an up-to-date snapshot of the performance of the Greater Birmingham business community.

During the launch, Professor Harris Beider, pro vice-chancellor of engagement, enterprise, and innovation at BCU hailed the diversity in the city.

Mr Beider said: “BCU have over 30, 000 students, and 3000 staff members along with alumni that are represented from over 100 countries from around the world. Out of the 30,000 students, 67 per cent are from Black, Asian, minority ethnic backgrounds.

“This diversity is a strength for us. It reaches out both in and outside of the city and we're very proud of the fact we have 6, 000 international students with 50 per cent of our postgraduate students coming from overseas.

“The university represents the best traditions of Birmingham, a city of migration, a city of change.

“Fundamentally what we want to do is to align to your ambitions as organisations that want to grow, that want to export products, that want to make Birmingham the centre of how we do business, nationally and internationally.”

Presentations were also given by GBCC head of policy Emily Stubbs, RSM partner Richard Eccles, and Tom Screen, aviation director at Birmingham Airport.

Emily Stubbs highlighted the key points of the report. She said: "This quarter, inflation concerns – reported by 26 per cent of respondents – remain among the most frequent concerns cited by local businesses. However, we've now seen two consecutive quarterly decreases in this figure and this is the lowest it has been since Q3 2021.

"Overall, our Q2 surveying saw minimal change to domestic sales compared to last quarter, and these remain strong. Meanwhile, export sales remain stable, albeit with lower growth levels than this time last year.

"Recruitment confidence has seen a slight decline, but difficulties have plateaued.

"And there have been positive signs of cost pressures easing, supported by improvements in cashflow and a significant improvements in profitability forecasts.

"While there was a slight decline in investment in training, this continues to grow, and we've seen a slight increase in investment intentions for capital expenditure."

Richard Eccles said: “RSM is the sixth largest global audit tax and consulting firm in the world.  We've got huge reach into international markets and a lot of our time is spent helping businesses either inbound into the UK, setting up in the UK, or local firms that are expanding globally.

“One of the powers and the strengths that we have got here is that we are the second largest city and have a huge skill base.

“A lot of the work that we deliver certainly in the professional services community is fairly location agnostic. The fact that we've got a big pool of talent here means we can deliver to global businesses.

“The UK is still an important global hub and a springboard for US/Asian businesses investing into Europe, even post Brexit.

“Birmingham has an important role to play through the strong professional services sector, trade bodies and local companies."

Tom Screen highlighted the growing expansion of Birmingham airport.

He said: “Today people travelling to and from Birmingham airport can fly to 133 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the subcontinent with one stop connections to a further 500 destinations.

“We contribute 2.1 billion pounds to the economy of the region and support around 33,000 jobs.  We are also on a strong upwards growth trajectory towards 18 million passengers by 2033.

“Last year saw the return of Qatar Airways and the A380 with Emirates alongside the launch of Saudia Airlines. Then came the launch of the EasyJet aircraft base, which will increase by over 50 percent next year to a range of business and leisure destinations. 

“These have all been significant steps forward for the airport and for the region.

“We have also invested 60 million in a new passenger search area, which, once temporary government restrictions are lifted, will be a significantly improved experience for our passengers."

Click here to read the full report.

Pictured from left to right: GBCC head of policy Emily Stubbs, RSM partner Richard Eccles, GBCC CEO Henrietta Brealey, Professor Harris Beider, pro vice-chancellor of engagement, enterprise, and innovation at BCU, and aviation director of Birmingham Airport Tom Screen.