British Chambers ' economic chief joins report launch line-up

Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, is the latest speaker to join the line-up for the launch of the 2021 Birmingham Economic Review.

The Birmingham Economic Review is an annual publication written by the University of Birmingham City-REDI, in partnership with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

This year 's report will provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the coronavirus and lockdown measures on the city 's economy, and actionable measures that businesses and stakeholders can take to adapt, foster greater resilience and grow.

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 it 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.

The 2021 review will reflect on one of the most challenging years in history, as the pandemic continued to impact the country.

However, it will also 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 begin to recover from these unprecedented events.

The report will be launched at an event on 21 October 2021, at the University of Birmingham 's new Exchange, in Centenary Square.

With a wide-ranging background in economics, Suren Thiru (pictured) oversees the BCC 's economic thought leadership work and is a regular commentator on the UK economy featuring regularly on television and radio and in the national press.

Suren also leads on the BCC 's policy work on access to finance and tax.

He also contributes to the BCC 's policy ideas for economic growth and government spending.

Prior to joining the BCC, he spent over five years as an economist at Lloyds Banking Group.

The panel discussion will be chaired by Chamber president Steve Allen.

Suren will be joined by fellow speakers Deborah Cadman OBE, chief executive, Birmingham City Council, and Professor Simon Collinson, deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Regional Engagement, director of the West Midlands Regional Economic Development Institute (WM REDI) and City-REDI and Professor of International Business and Innovation at the University of Birmingham.

Click here to register your free place at the launch of the Birmingham Economic Review 2021.