Birmingham Economic Review 2023

Time: 09:00 - 11:00

Date: 26/10/2023

Division: GBCC

Venue: The Exchange

EVENT DESCRIPTION

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 it emerges from the coronavirus pandemic into a period of high inflation and uncertainty, and actionable measures that businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to adapt, foster resilience, and grow in this challenging environment.

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

This year’s report will provide a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy as it emerges from the coronavirus pandemic into a period of high inflation and uncertainty caused by the energy crisis and labour market pressures, and actionable measures that businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to adapt, foster resilience, and grow in this challenging environment. It will also consider priorities and opportunities for levelling up.

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.

This launch event will feature an overview of the main findings of the report, followed by a high-profile panel of business, policy and political leaders providing their views on the city-region and the findings of the research. They will then participate in a Q&A discussion with the audience.

Chair:

Deborah Leary OBE D.Univ,FRSA,CCMI, President, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Speakers:

• Keynote: Saqib Bhatti, Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party for Business
• Welcome: Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Birmingham

Adam took up the post as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham in January 2022 after five years as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sussex. Prior to this he served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Transfer), and then Provost, at Birmingham and has also worked in leadership roles at the University of Bristol and Royal Holloway, University of London.

Adam trained as an economic geographer at the University of Manchester, and, amongst other things, his research explored the political economy and regulation of finance, English regionalism, and the economic ‘common sense’.

Adam recently lead a review, on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, that sought to reduce research bureaucracy in government and the wider sector. He is on the Board of Universities UK and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), and has served on a wide range of public bodies and charity boards.

• Anne Green, Professor of Regional Economic Development, University of Birmingham

Anne Green joined the University of Birmingham as Professor of Regional Economic Development in June 2017. Her research interests span employment, non-employment, regional and local labour market issues, skills strategies, urban and rural development, migration and commuting, associated policy issues and evaluation.

She has published in high profile journals and has written numerous reports for UK Government Departments and agencies. Anne is experienced in disseminating the results of her research to academic, policy and practitioner audiences.

• Cllr John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council, Birmingham City Council

Councillor John Cotton was elected as the Leader of Birmingham City Council in May 2023, alongside Cllr Sharon Thompson as Deputy Leader, pledging to “work with and for every single community to deliver the service improvements our citizens deserve.”

Cllr Cotton previously served as the Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety & Equalities, and was responsible for leading the city’s response to the cost-of-living crisis, tackling social and economic injustice and building stronger safer communities.

John has previously held Cabinet portfolios covering adult social care, public health and housing, which also reflect his passionate interest in tackling the root causes of poverty and disadvantage.

As Leader, John has pledged to continue his to improve the lives and life chances of the people of Birmingham and help our communities through the continuing cost-of-living crisis. 

A member of both the Labour and Co-operative parties, he was first elected to Birmingham City Council in 1999 and represents the Glebe Farm and Tile Cross Ward in the east of the city. John was born and raised in Birmingham.

Over the course of a varied career, he has worked in private industry, in the office of a Labour MP, in the voluntary sector and as a freelance public affairs consultant. John is also National Chair of Labour Housing Group, the Labour Party’s official affiliated organisation dedicated to developing housing policy to addresses the shortage of decent affordable housing across the UK.

Further speakers to be confirmed