Here we go! An exciting, if unpredictable, year lies ahead�

It 's 2022 and, in the words of Super Mario “here we go! ” (a sound effect I can 't get out of my head thanks to playing nostalgic video games with mini family members over the Christmas break), writes Henrietta Brealey.

So far things aren 't perfect. Omicron cases are through the roof along with nationwide staff absences and pressure on the NHS. LFTs and PCRs are so scarce they 're on the verge of becoming a new underground currency. Not to mention the on-going rumblings of the energy crisis, Brexit and the great resignation as employees up and move roles.

2022 might not be off to the most auspicious start but things are vastly improved on this time last year when Birmingham was languishing in Tier 4 restrictions (remember the days of ever-changing localised tiers? Glad we 've moved on from that one!).

The vaccination programme has undoubtably changed the game with hospitalisations and severe Covid remarkable low compared to cases. Here 's hoping this is the year that we find a way to live alongside Covid.

And that 's not the only thing to be hopeful for. According to Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) Quarterly Business Report for Q4 - the city-region 's flagship barmeter of business sentiment, is, well, pretty positive.

Seventy-one per cent of businesses predicted that their turnover will increase over the next 12 months with 57 per cent predicting an increase in profitability - although recruitment difficulties and inflation were areas of notable concern.

While the survey was concluded before Christmas, we 'll be bringing this intelligence bang up to date at our QBR Q4 launch event with Birmingham City University on January 19.

There the rather fabulous Tracy Westall (non-executive director for West Midlands 5G, Innovation Birmingham, the Department for Transport, Chair of Curium Solutions, Governor for Birmingham City University and�well in a nutshell, if it 's interesting, she 's involved in it) will be joining the brains of the Chamber; head of policy Raj Kandola, in exploring “what 's up ” with the local business environment and how the innovation landscape has evolved and changed.

Of course, while 2022 hasn 't had the best intro, January is just the warm-up and stretch before the main event - the year of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. From March the cultural festival will ramp up before the Games themselves take over from July 28 to August 8.

I 'm personally very excited about this after getting a healthy crop of tickets in the ballot and look forward to enjoying the buzz, optimism and pride in seeing the city and region deliver this global sporting event after the most trying of circumstances.

It's also critical that we make the most of this opportunity for businesses. Our hard-hit hospitality sector has just lost most of its vital Christmas trade - how can we ensure it sees a stampede of footfall during the summer months as residents and visitors alike soak up the Games atmosphere?

While many of the major contracts have been won, there are a whole lot of smaller suppliers needed to make this Games happen - how can we ensure local businesses benefit? The eyes of the world will be on Brum - how can we use this to boost the global customer base of our brilliant local businesses?

One of my top priorities for the year is to continue to work with Games partners to raise the volume of the local business voice and create opportunities for local businesses to get involved. Afterall, this is only going to happen once - there are no do-overs.

Already we have a Birmingham 2022 Supplier Event on January 12 with the B2022 Organising Committee where major contractors will share what they 're looking to procure from local businesses (everything from photography to taxi services, sheet metal to IT and site infrastructure).

Our Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce is busy announcing formal partnerships with Commonwealth-based business organisations on growing opportunities for bi-lateral trade. And there is much more to come.

So, even if 2022 turns in to yet another year in which the only thing we can be sure of is we can 't be sure of anything I 'm determined to enjoy it. “Here we go! ”

Henrietta Brealey is chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

This column first appeared in the Birmingham Post