University professor to deliver Birmingham Economic Review welcome

Professor Rebecca (Bec) Riley (pictured), co-director of City-REDI, deputy pro-vice-chancellor for Regional Engagement, director of the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub, and Professor of Enterprise, Engagement, and Impact at the University of Birmingham’s Business School will be delivering a welcome at the launch of the Birmingham Economic Review for 2024.

The Birmingham Economic Review is an annual publication written by the University of Birmingham City-REDI in partnership with the GBCC.

This year’s report will provide a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy as we emerge from a period of high inflation and local regional, and national elections, and actionable measures that businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to drive economic growth.

The Birmingham Economic Review will assess the city’s capabilities for innovation and adaptation, the potential of its resident workforce, major transport and infrastructure projects underway, how we can achieve inclusive and more ecologically sustainable growth, and opportunities ahead to enhance the attractiveness of the city to visitors and investors.

The review will provide world-class, data-driven academic insights and experienced advice from some of the city’s most prominent business leaders as to how the region and its businesses can seize new and emerging opportunities on the horizon.

Bec joined the University of Birmingham nine years ago to set up City-REDI, with an aim to build a distinctive local, regional, national and international research platform through the development of a Birmingham approach to understanding and facilitating growth in city regions. This systemic approach in identifying and conceptualising the inter-dependencies within and between regional economies has provided new opportunities for understanding, conceptualising, modelling, evaluating and comparing economic activity and business trends at the city-region level.

As the University's newly announced deputy pro-vice-chancellor for Regional Engagement, Bec will lead on setting the civic and regional vision for the University, while building on the work she has been doing with the University’s Regional Engagement Group. Alongside her new role, Bec remains the Principal Investigator (PI) and director of the (LPIP) Hub, addressing nationwide issues through local partnership and place.

Bec will welcome delegates to the launch event on behalf of the University, before a keynote address by Joanne Roney, managing director of Birmingham City Council.

Anne Green, Professor of Regional Economic Development at City-REDI, University of Birmingham will provide an overview of the main findings of the report, following which Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of the Chambers will chair a panel discussion featuring Gurjit Jagpal, managing director of Goldman Sachs Birmingham and further speakers (to be announced).

Emily Stubbs, head of policy at the Chambers said, "We're very much looking forward to Bec opening the launch of the 2024 Birmingham Economic Review.

The 12 months since our last Review have certainly been anything but quiet, and this report provides an important update on the status of the local economy and key opportunities to unlock the full potential of Greater Birmingham businesses."

Find out more and register your free place at the launch of the Birmingham Economic Review for 2024