News Story

Richard Brennan

19th July 1952 - 19th July 2010 

Thanks to all those who entered the raffle at the 10th Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards (BYPY) which took place on 27 May 2010.  The total raised for the Future Foundation on the night was in excess of £4,500.

Talented Birmingham school leavers are missing out on careers in professional services because of an ‘invisible’ wall around the city’s business district, according to a panel of experts at a recent debate.

In this article Gary Cardin, Partner at Drivers Jonas LLP, discusses the risks of government interference in Birmingham's commercial property sector and the importance of Advantage West Midlands in Birmingham's post-recession economy.

1) What is the most important single step the new government could take to improve the state of Birmingham’s commercial property sector?

Birmingham businesses could be missing out on employing the city’s top talent because of a slow recruitment process, according to new research due to be published by consultants Katie Bard this month.

Birmingham Forward has partnered with Midlands Business News on a monthly blog providing business advice to SMEs.  Midlands Business News is the online resource for business news in the West Midlands, covering the latest stories throughout the Midlands. The website also features analysis, comment and restaurant & motoring articles. If you are interested to find out more then take a look at the Midlands Business News website.

Richard Brennan, CEO of Birmingham Forward – the business and professional services membership and lobbying organisation sets the scene for a review of M&A activity in 2010.

“Traditionally,” he says, “this is the time of year that the Birmingham Post and Birmingham Forward –join forces to award the accolade of ‘Deal of the Year’.  

“However, the transaction community has been hard hit over the last 18 months and it just did not feel right to single out one deal from an uneven, and very small, playing field.  

“Toxic,” that was the word used by Oliver Nyumbu of Caret to describe some managers as he talked through an employee engagement exemplar with Birmingham Forward business leaders on Tuesday 2 February at 11 Brindleyplace.  “Seven out of 10 people voluntarily leaving their jobs, don’t leave their companies, they leave their line managers.  This makes ineffective managers an expensive risk for many organisations.

Birmingham is part of the Centre for Cities' Partner City Research programme. The programme works closely with a small group of cities to inform economic development strategies and improve economic performance. This report focuses on the future growth prospects for Birmingham. It considers three questions: