Birmingham To Learn Economic Lessons From India
Fifty prominent business leaders from some of Birmingham’s top firms are this week representing the city at the Gateway to India convention in Delhi where a trade mission is being led by Birmingham Forward.
The delegates include Richard Brennan, chief executive of Birmingham Forward, Sue Lewis, chair of Birmingham Forward and senior office partner at law firm Eversheds and the financial director of Birmingham-based HBJ Gateley Wareing, Martyn Finnigan. The highlight of the week-long visit is a special ‘focus on Birmingham’ event today (Wednesday 28th) where the delegation, supported by UKTI, Birmingham City Council, N05 Chambers and the Birmingham Law Society, will network with Indian business professionals.
Richard Brennan of Birmingham Forward, an instrumental figure in pulling together the trade delegation, commented on the impact of the trip on the Midland economy and infrastructure: “leading a delegation of prominent city professionals to an area of such rapid economic growth is a fantastic opportunity.
“The UK used to look towards the west for inward investment and growth opportunities but all the economic action’s in the east at the moment. We think we may be coming back having learned a few lessons from the way they do business.”
The focus of the one-day Birmingham event will centre on building a bridge between India and the region, pinpointing the merits of Birmingham as a world class city. The day, hosted by Richard Brennan, will be attended by over 150 Indian businesspeople with an address by Ian Gibbons, deputy director of UK Trade & Investment, keynote speech from Arindam Banerji, chief executive of Deutsche Bank Operations International (DBOI) and president of Birmingham Law Society, Bernard Shepherd.
Brennan continued: “we hope to build close ties with international business and showcase Birmingham for what it is - a world class city which means business – more seriously than most others.”
Following today’s event, the delegates will attend a further two days of legal seminars before travelling the 5,500 miles home.
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