Exclusive: Corporate clothing boss hails Commonwealth Games bounce

The boss of a corporate clothing supplier which provided thousands of uniforms for last summer 's Commonwealth Games has described how the firm used the experience to drive future growth, writes Dan Harrison.

Ed Grigg, general manager of Incorporatewear, was speaking at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce 's Quarterly Business Report launch event focusing on the economic legacy of the Games.

Incorporatewear was selected as the official workforce uniform supplier for Birmingham 2022, producing uniforms for technical officials, Batonbearers and 14,000 volunteers.

Reflecting on the experience a year on from the Games, Mr Grigg said the Coleshill-headquartered firm utilised the opportunity as a “case study ” to land new business, including a domestic and European contract with fast food giant Subway.

He said the business has also increased turnover by £5m, aided by its involvement in the sporting extravaganza.

Mr Grigg told delegates at Birmingham City University 's Curzon Building: “I don 't think you can expect to have an event like the Games and sit back, just because you 're local to Birmingham, and start raking in cash. It 's what you make of it.

“The legacy to us was to use the whole process of the Commonwealth Games as a case study.

“We used it to let large companies know we are capable of massive roll-outs on a large scale, on time and in full.

“We have won new business as a result. We won large contract with Subway nationally and into Europe.

“It wasn 't all down to the Games but it showed we can deliver in terms of size and scale.

“It wasn 't a massive money-spinner for us but it was how we leant into the experience, how we used it and how we continue to use it going forward. ”

Data released by the GBCC during yesterday 's event suggests positive sentiment from the Games was echoed by the business community.

Addressing delegates, director of External Affairs Raj Kandola said 90 per cent of firms who took part in the Chamber 's post-Games survey believe Birmingham 2022 has had a positive impact on the city-region, with 22 per cent stating it impacted positively on their business.

A further 34 per cent revealed they are keen to participate in activity related to the social legacy of the Games.

The GBCC 's Quarterly Business Report - sponsored by Birmingham City University - provides an up-to-date snapshot of business performance. It is the most comprehensive report of its kind in the city-region.

Delegates at the launch event also heard from Simon Delahunty-Forest, Birmingham City Council 's assistant director for development of place, prosperity and sustainability.

He outlined details of the Birmingham 's Future City Plan, which includes ambitious proposals to regenerate parts of the city with greener spaces, higher density developments and better connectivity.

Pictured: Ed Grigg, Joanne Birch (director of innovation, enterprise and employability, Birmingham City University), Simon Delahunty-Forest, Henrietta Brealey (CEO, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce) and Raj Kandola