5 Things You Should Know About Business In Birmingham

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.  

Speaking of which, here’s 5 things that you should know about business in Birmingham:

1. Scale: A Major City with Global Reach

Birmingham is home to 1.1 million people and sits within a wider 3‑million strong urban region, powering a £74.2bn economy (WMCA). It’s a place where advanced manufacturing, professional services, tech, life sciences, media and the creative industries all thrive.

2. Connectivity: Britain’s Best‑Located Business Hub

Situated at the heart of the UK, Birmingham puts 90% of the population within a three‑hour reach. With fast rail links, a major motorway network, and an international airport minutes from the city centre, Birmingham gives businesses unique access to people, markets and supply chains.

3. Talent: Young, Skilled and Exceptionally Diverse

Birmingham is one of Europe’s youngest and most diverse cities, offering a deep, future‑ready talent pool. Every year 38,000 graduates and final‑year students emerge from its five universities — bringing new ideas, specialist skills and entrepreneurial ambition into the region’s labour market.

4. Transformation: A City in the Middle of a Once‑in‑a‑Generation Shift

Birmingham’s economy is evolving fast. From digitally driven creative industries to innovation, sport, finance and technology, investment is reshaping the city. Game‑changing developments — including Stephen Knight’s Digbeth Loc Studios, the BBC’s Typhoo Tea Factory HQ, Knighthead Capital’s £3bn Sports Quarter the emerging Birmingham Knowledge Quarter and HS2 — are accelerating a new era of growth and international visibility. It’s no surprise the West Midlands is the UK’s top region for FDI outside London (DBT Inward Investment Results 2024–25).

5. Affordability: Big‑City Opportunity Without Big‑City Costs

Birmingham offers all the advantages of major‑city living — but at a fraction of the cost. Businesses benefit from significantly lower commercial and operating costs, and staff are up to 40% better off living in Birmingham than in the South East, thanks to more favourable housing and cost‑of‑living ratios. All while still offering excellent connectivity to central London too.

In a nutshell: Birmingham bold, brilliant and brimming with possibility. If you believe in championing the good news, backing local ambition and amplifying what makes this place special find out more about Brumbassadors here.

For more information on investing in Birmingham visit Invest West Midlands.