Growth Company expands leadership team
The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), the organisation charged with attracting investment, visitors, businesses and jobs into the region, has bolstered its executive team through a number of key appointments.
Katie Trout (pictured), outgoing chief executive of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), joins as director of policy and partnerships.
With responsibilities including oversight of the organisation 's growth strategy and key stakeholder relationships, Trout brings with her a wealth of experience in supporting inclusive economic growth.
Under her leadership, the GBSLEP has injected £1.8bn worth of investment into the regional economy across a diverse portfolio of capital and revenue projects.
Meanwhile, Helen Lyman Smith is joining as director of marketing and communications.
Her extensive marcomms experience spans 20 years, with her most recent role as part of the National Trust 's marketing and communication 's senior leadership team.
These appointments mark the midway point of WMGC 's delivery of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Business and Tourism Programme (BATP) - an initiative designed to maximise the Games to build lasting economic legacy in the West Midlands.
Matt Hammond, chairman of the West Midlands Growth Company, said: “We have a great opportunity to harness the expertise of Katie and Helen to strengthen the strategy and delivery of WMGC 's post-Games plans.
“The team at WMGC have been focussed for the last 18 months on the business, capital and visitor attraction benefits that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games can bring to the West Midlands, and we are poised to capitalise on that for the whole region. ”
Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, added: “Katie and Helen 's distinguished expertise will support our renewed focus on customer centricity, helping to position WMGC as a trusted partner and advisor amongst our longstanding company members and partners.
“Their experience additionally ensures we are steadfast in our engagement with important, new international markets throughout the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which presents an important opportunity to raise the West Midlands ' standing on the global stage. ”