Business Commission West Midlands
The Business Commission West Midlands provides a roadmap for unlocking business growth across the region.
The leading voice of the Greater Birmingham business community since 1813
The Chamber Policy team exists to research business views, keep local firms informed of key policy and legislative changes which might impact them, and champion the voice of local businesses, engaging stakeholders on behalf of our members.
Our independent research helps inform investment decisions and decision-making by policy makers at local, regional and national levels.
Advocacy
As the leading voice of local businesses, the Chamber policy team regularly engage local, regional and national political stakeholders on behalf of our members, championing the interests of the Greater Birmingham business community in the decisions that matter to them.
We also produce regular responses to the latest policy and legislative developments in the Chamber’s daily e-newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Staffordshire Gateway Growth Panel
The Staffordshire Gateway Growth Panel is a research exercise led by business, for business, working to develop a roadmap for unleashing the potential of Staffordshire Gateway businesses.
Latest Policy, Research & Advocacy News
Research
The trusted voice of local business since 1813, the Chamber policy team undertakes regular research to produce up to date snapshots of the local economy, and insights and analysis on the opportunities and challenges facing the region.
West Midlands Quarterly Economic Snapshot
The Snapshot summarises the data collected from the quarterly economic surveys conducted by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.
Briefings and Resources
As part of our role informing businesses of key policy decisions, legislative changes and opportunities which may impact them, the policy team produce regular briefings, translating what the latest policy developments mean for local firms.
Employment Rights Act
The Employment Rights Act represents a major set of updates to UK employment law designed to strengthen protections for workers and modernise workplace rights.
Cyber Local
By tapping into local know how, Cyber Local funds initiatives which support the growth of cyber security ecosystems, promote partnerships, and increase cyber security skills and careers opportunities.
Brumbassadors
Brumbassadors is a platform for amplifying good news and opportunities across business, culture and sport; the magic ingredients that make a great place to live, work and invest.
Spring Statement blog
West Midlands and Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Plan Progress Report June 2024
The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Policy Team has led the research and analysis underpinning the 2026 Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) for the West Midlands and Warwickshire, each a statutory document funded by Skills England. Through collaboration with regional stakeholders, businesses and further education providers, the LSIPs aim to support delivery of skills provision to meet employer demand and facilitate regional growth. featuring insights from over 1,000 and 700 engagements with local employers respectively.
US Tariff Briefing
President Donald Trump has made a series of announcements making significant changes to US Tariffs.
The Policy & Strategic Relationships Team
The Chamber policy & strategic relationships team can be contacted about their work, sponsoring reports, commissioning research and participation in GBCC campaigns via the details below:
Raj Kandola
Raj Kandola is currently the acting Deputy CEO at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce supporting on the strategic and operational leadership of the organisation, ensuring continuity of executive functions, organisational performance and stakeholder engagement.
Previously Raj was Director of External Affairs tasked with covering the organisation’s research, campaigning, stakeholder engagement and media & communications activity. Specific policy areas of focus include transport & infrastructure, international trade, education and environmental policy. In addition, he is responsible for managing the organisation’s Patronage scheme and the GBCC’s media and news content operations, including external media engagement and production of the organisation’s print and online news material.
Raj is a member of the UCB Business School Advisory Board and a trustee of the charity United by 2022.
Prior to joining the Chamber in 2016, Raj worked in Communications for a former Shadow Minister and spent eight years in London recruiting staff across the financial services industry.
EMILY STUBBS
Emily Stubbs is Head of Policy at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, responsible for leading the strategic development of the Chamber’s policy, campaigns and research activity.
Most recently, Emily has authored the 2026 Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) for the West Midlands and Warwickshire, each a statutory document funded by Skills England. Through collaboration with regional stakeholders, businesses and further education providers, the LSIPs aim to support delivery of skills provision to meet employer demand and facilitate regional growth. Emily has lead the research and analysis underpinning both the West Midlands and Warwickshire LSIPs which featured insights from over 1,000 and 700 engagements with local employers respectively.
Prior to this, Emily co-authored the 2023 West Midlands and Warwickshire (joint) LSIP, and has authored annual Progress Reports, reflecting on the work undertaken by regional Chambers of Commerce, training providers and wider stakeholders to implement the recommendations of this Plan.
Emily also works with colleagues across the Chamber on the annual Birmingham Economic Review, produced by the Chambers in partnership with the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI, and on the delivery of bespoke business research projects investigating a wide-ranging topics, from transport connectivity to software development, producing high-quality resources for informing policy and investment decisions.
Within the Chamber, Emily is Co-Chair of the internal Business Growth Studio Curators Group, helping to shape the delivery of essential tools to help local SMEs thrive in today’s competitive landscape. She previously Chaired the Chamber’s internal AI and Digitalisation Working Group.
Prior to joining the Chamber in 2017 as a Policy and Patron Adviser focussing on education, employment and skills and business productivity, Emily graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Law. Emily is also an alumna of the Uprising Leadership Programme.
- Email:
- e.stubbs@birmingham-chamber.com:
- LinkedIn:
- https://linkedin.com/in/emily-stubbs/
JASON SIMPSON
Jason joined the Chamber as Patron Manager in June 2021 from Hampton Manor, home of Solihull’s first Michelin starred restaurant.
After achieving a degree in Hospitality Management at the University of Wolverhampton, Jason held a number of sales, marketing and management positions in the leisure, hospitality and Education sectors.
Jason has worked for TGI Friday’s, Esporta Health Clubs and more recently was introduced to Birmingham as sales manager at Hotel du Vin.
His roles at Hotel du Vin and Hampton Manor allowed Jason to build many strong relationships and connections to Birmingham businesses and was the perfect grounding for his role supporting the top tier of membership at the Greater Birmingham Chamber.
RUTH FLEET
Ruth Fleet joined the GBCC as Senior Policy Advisor in April 2025 to lead the policy and public affairs activity on the local and national economy, devolution, and innovation, including Artificial Intelligence and digitalisation. Ruth will be delivering research activities across these areas, with an initial focus on devolution in Staffordshire and the West Midlands Combined Authority, and international trade in the West Midlands.
Before joining the Chamber, Ruth worked across various roles in academic publishing, covering editorial, commissioning, and policy and external affairs. In her policy role, she supported a FTSE 100 business on issues such as AI and copyright, accessibility, and the Invest 2035 Industrial Strategy. She helped to raise the profile of the European Commission’s publishing platform, working closely with organisations like European Co-operation for Science and Technology, and was an advocate for open research practices.
Ruth holds a PhD in Hispanic Studies from the University of Sheffield, publishing her monograph on life writing by women political prisoners after the Spanish Civil War in 2021.
PAIGE BOWYER
Paige Bowyer joined the GBCC as a Policy and Research Analyst in September 2025. In this role, she conducts economic research and analysis to support the Chamber’s policy work and strengthen the voice of local businesses. Paige leads on the production of the Quarterly Business Report, sponsored by Birmingham City University, and the Quarterly Economic Snapshot, providing data-driven insights into business conditions and economic trends across the region. She also contributes to major research projects, including the Birmingham Economic Review, alongside wider research activity at the Chamber.
Paige holds a degree in Philosophy from the University of Warwick, where she developed strong analytical and critical thinking skills that underpin her approach to economic research and policy analysis.
FRAN THOMAS
Fran is Policy Projects Coordinator at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), supporting the delivery of high-profile campaigns and initiatives designed to champion diverse business communities and drive growth across the region. This includes coordinating the Women Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition, which provides a platform for female founders to showcase their ideas to potential investors and collaborators, and managing the GBCC Black Business Collective, which fosters networking, visibility, and opportunities for Black-owned businesses. Fran project manages the Chambers’ Business Growth Studio campaign, supporting SMEs to scale and innovate, through the delivery of practical events and engaging accessible resources. She also contributes to the delivery of policy workload and wider GBCC campaigns, as well as working alongside Jason to support the GBCC Patronage programme.
Currently in the final year of a Project Management apprenticeship at Aston University, Fran brings together academic insight and hands-on experience to ensure the smooth and successful delivery of complex projects. Before joining GBCC, Fran gained extensive experience in administrative roles across both corporate and non-corporate settings, and spent over 10 years coaching competitive and recreational gymnastics, a role that honed her leadership, planning and organisational skills.
Fran’s mix of project management expertise, stakeholder engagement, and commitment to empowering others enables her to deliver initiatives that make a tangible difference to the region’s business landscape. Fran is passionate about continuous professional development and is committed to contributing to initiatives that drive inclusive economic growth.