City of opportunity and culture awaits my child

This will be my last Birmingham Post column, writes Henrietta Brealey.

For 2025 that is. I’ll be back again in Spring 2026. In the intervening months, if all goes to plan, I’m going to be taking on a whole new challenge - becoming a parent.

Yes, I’ll be switching worlds from being responsible for leading a mid-sized not for profit to being responsible for a whole new little person.

Time spent leading and delivering business planning and strategy will give way to navigating feeding, sleeping and nappy changes. Giving a voice to local businesses will become attempting to placate a crying baby.

Developing new programmes and support for our members will become entering the world of parent and baby classes.

It's a big scary unknown. But I couldn’t be more excited (if a little…well very, nervous). Both to meet the little wriggler that’s been kicking me in the ribs at 2am all the way through third trimester and to take on this whole new challenge.

I’m also excited to see the future this kid could have in this region. I’ve never understood the media’s - and even some Brummies and adopted Brummies’ - hesitancy to shout proudly about this city.

As you’ve probably gathered from my previous columns, I’m a bit of a Birmingham superfan. This is the home I chose just over 16 years ago and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

I’m looking forward to family days out, from spending sunny days at the park (fun fact: Birmingham is home to over 600 green spaces), to, when they’re a bit older, the big days out – Go Ape in Cannock Chase, Drayton Manor theme park, Cadbury World – all within a short drive.

The opportunities for education – whether they’re academic, more vocationally minded or anything in between - there’s a perfect fit here for them between many great state secondaries, academies, grammar schools, FE colleges and universities.

Music – from the mega tours coming to the Utilita arena, to all sorts at the O2 Institute and local or up and coming acts at The Sunflower Lounge, Flapper, Snobs and much more besides.

Just on festivals, this city spoils us with everything from Supersonic, to over four decades of Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival. There’s Mosely Folk, Birmingham Pride, Birmingham & Sandwell Mela, B:Side Hip Hop – and that’s not even the half of it.

In Arts & Culture, Birmingham Hippodrome, the Rep, CBSO, Birmingham Royal Ballet - from panto to Hamilton, whatever they’re into (or I attempt try to drag them to!) there will be something for them.

Then when it comes to their career, the prospects are enormous. If they choose to climb the corporate ladder there are countless opportunities with professional services firms from the global like Goldman Sachs and HSBC to the small and midsized firms.

The opportunities in manufacturing and engineering from the big boys like Jaguar Land Rover to supply chain firms or even the world of artisan jewellery design and manufacture.

 There’s the tech sector – from stalwarts like SCC, Europe’s largest privately owned IT company headquartered here in Brum, to innovative start-ups and challengers.

Creative industries – with Steven Knight’s backing of Digbeth Loc. Studios and the BBC’s investment in the Tea Factory, who knows how this sector could have grown by the time this kid’s looking for their first job or apprenticeship.

Sports – already this city has a worldclass track record of hosting major sporting events, with the prospect of a £3bn sports quarter backed by Knighthead Capital on the horizon, this sector could be set to further boom and flourish in coming years. And so much more besides.

Every big city has its challenges - of course it does - and they shouldn’t be ignored. But there is just so much going on here I find it impossible not to feel enthused about its future and the future a child could have here.

So a big, big thank you Birmingham. This place has given me so much and I look forward to experiencing a whole new side of it as I start this new chapter.

While I’m away from the business my brilliant colleagues Raj Kandola (currently executive director of external affairs) and Helen Bates (chief financial officer) will be stepping up jointly to lead the way as my maternity cover. They are both exceptional leaders in their own right - and I look forward cheering them on from afar over the coming months as they navigate the Chamber and our business community through whatever twists and turns the world throws at us this year.

And for our members, there will be plenty to keep you busy. Whether it’s tapping into the free support on offer through The Business Growth Studio to gain expert and peer advice and insight on everything from developments in tech, to attracting and retaining talent, or joining us in banging the drum for Brum with Brumbassadors.

I look forward to seeing you all on the other side, in Spring 2026.

Henrietta Brealey is chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

This column first appeared in the Birmingham Post