Birmingham City University signs multi-year Chamber patronage agreement

Birmingham City University has demonstrated its long-term commitment to supporting the region’s business community by signing a multi-year patronage agreement with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

The three-year agreement has been described as a “powerful statement of our shared commitment to the region’s future.”

As well as being a long-standing Chamber patron, BCU supports several other key initiatives such as the GBCC’s flagship annual awards and the Quarterly Business Report, the largest economic survey of its kind in the region.

Patronage is the Chamber’s top tier of membership, offering tailored support and exclusive opportunities to a limited number of organisations.

The patron group includes some of the region’s most influential businesses and anchor institutions such as Birmingham Airport, Jaguar Land Rover, the NEC Group, Birmingham City FC and HS2.

Professor David Mba, vice-chancellor at BCU, said: “As an anchor institution in Birmingham, we are delighted to become a patron of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce for the next three years.

“Our communities in Birmingham and the wider region have so much to be proud of, but there remains much that can be improved. BCU’s mission is to remain central to, and a catalyst for, this change.

“BCU powers Birmingham by being the largest supplier of graduate talent in the city and wider region, and we aim to retain local talent, support inclusive growth and reduce skills shortage too - and by working closely with the Chamber, we are able to work together on boosting regional growth.

“Through our patronage with the Chamber, we are excited to work closely with many local businesses, creating opportunities for our students and providing them with the technical know-how to support innovation and entrepreneurship.

“We will additionally work together on building on the strengths and needs of our communities here in the region.”

Raj Kandola, deputy CEO at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “Birmingham City University has been a valued and long-standing supporter of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and this three-year agreement is a powerful statement of our shared commitment to the region’s future.

“From their support for our annual awards dinners to their role as a key partner in our Quarterly Business Report, BCU continue to play an important part in championing business insight, skills and growth across Greater Birmingham.

“Our partnership gives us a firm platform to continue working together in support of businesses and the wider regional economy.”

Pictured: Raj Kandola and Professor David Mba