A powerful pipeline of talent: How local partnerships help West Midlands stand out in tech

As part of Birmingham Tech Week, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is shedding light on some of the key members driving innovation in AI and technology.

Sarah Griffiths (pictured), Director of PMO at Intercity and President of Future Faces Chamber of Commerce explores how local partnerships are shaping the careers of tech professionals – securing West Midlands as a key player in the national tech landscape.

Can you tell us briefly what your business does and what makes it unique?

Intercity is a family-owned technology business with over 40 years of experience in communications, managed services and cloud & security.

We're also an elite Microsoft Solutions Partner: Our recent acceptance onto the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) really reflects that, it’s a membership fewer than 20 businesses in the UK are currently on.

But what really sets us apart is our people, colleagues that love what they do and love tech: Our growth is powered by people, not shareholders.

Free from external influence, we reinvest profits back into our teams, technology, and communities, ensuring our success benefits everyone we work with.

We’re proud to hold a Best Companies "Outstanding" and Investors in People “Gold” rating.

We also hold a gold EcoVadis accreditation, placing us in the top five per cent of sustainable companies globally.

Our people-first approach translates into exceptional service for customers, reflected in a Net Promoter Score of 93+ and CSAT of 9.2.

What’s one recent innovation, tech project, or digital transformation your team is proud of?

One of our standout projects was helping Edgbaston to become the first cricketing stadium in England and Wales to adopt crisis intervention tech across its grounds and academy.

Working in collaboration with Ripple and Warwickshire County Cricket Club, we leveraged our infrastructure expertise for a good cause.

Any and all harmful searches are now intercepted, and any users on Edgbaston Wi-Fi now get redirected to life-saving support resources. You can learn more about the project here.

How has AI or automation changed your processes or the way you serve customers?

AI and automation are embedded across our business. We’ve invested £1m in a core systems overhaul.

By moving our colleagues onto a new ecosystem, we’re automating routine tasks, enabling predictive monitoring, and empowering our teams to focus on higher-value work.

Why is the West Midlands a good place for tech innovation?

Birmingham is home to over 1 million residents, 28 per cent of whom are under 21.

This vibrant, youthful demographic fuels creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial energy.

Combined with world-class universities, strong transport links, and a collaborative business community, the region is the perfect environment for tech growth.

Have local partnerships, support programmes, or initiatives helped your journey?

Absolutely. The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), TechWM, and GBCC Future Faces division have been integral when it comes to driving innovation and inclusion in the West Midlands.

TechWM champions the region’s tech ecosystem, while Future Faces nurtures the next generation of leaders across all sectors, including tech.

Together, they create a powerful pipeline of talent, opportunity, and collaboration that’s putting Birmingham on the global tech map.

What tech trend excites you most for the future?

AI’s convergence with cybersecurity and data is particularly exciting, as it will enable adaptive, intelligent security in a rapidly changing threat landscape.

We’re currently working with Aston University and Innovate UK on a Knowledge Transfer Project to develop an AI-powered version of our award-winning Cybersecurity Assessment Framework, taking innovation from a regional to national scale.

One piece of advice for businesses exploring tech?

Start with your people and purpose. The right technology amplifies strategy and culture, it doesn’t replace them. Engage your teams early, and focus on solving real problems, not chasing trends.

How does Tech Week help raise the region’s tech profile?

Tech Week puts a national and global spotlight on the innovation happening here. It connects ecosystems, attracts investment, and inspires the next generation to build their futures in the West Midlands.