Chamber patron announces their commitment to early careers in West Midlands

Arup, a global leader in design, engineering, and consulting services, is doubling down on its dedication to cultivating emerging talent with its early careers initiative in the West Midlands region.

This comes hot on the heels of the opening of Arup's new Midlands base at Paradise Birmingham's One Centenary Way.

James Watts, the newly appointed office lead, and Cem Budak, Arup's Midlands lead, are driving this initiative forward in the West Midlands, drawing on Arup's extensive track record in the region.

Arup played a pivotal role as a major contractor to Birmingham City Council, supporting the delivery of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. This involvement included key projects such as the Alexander Stadium, transport, and infrastructure improvements city-wide, the Perry Barr masterplan, and the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

James has over two decades of experience at Arup and believes in the paramount importance of investing in the next generation.

He said: "Early Careers at Arup is not merely about filling positions; it's about investing in the future of our industry.

"We are dedicated to providing young professionals with the exposure and experience they need to flourish."

"32 graduates and 12 apprentices joined Arup's Birmingham office in the 2023 intake alone, adding to the more than 250 early career joiners since 2018.

"We aim to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and growth.

"By championing our early career professionals, we're not only shaping the future of Arup but also propelling the entire industry in the Midlands forward."

For Cem Budak, Arup's midlands lead, the Early Careers initiative aligns with his vision of fostering talent and driving sustainable growth.

He said: "As the Arup Midlands lead, I am deeply committed to paving the way for the next generation of professionals.

"Our Early Careers activities across both our Birmingham and Nottingham offices are meticulously crafted to provide young talents with the necessary resources and support to thrive in their careers.

"Investing in early career professionals not only benefits individuals but also strengthens our organisation as a whole," he adds. "By nurturing talent from the ground up, we're securing a sustainable future for Arup in the Midlands and the communities we serve."