Mayoral candidates to set out business priorities

The two main candidates bidding to become West Midlands mayor will set out their intentions to the region 's business community next week in an event hosted by the Chambers of Commerce.

Greater Birmingham Chambers is working with the Black Country and Coventry & Warwickshire Chambers to host an event featuring current mayor Andy Street (pictured) and Labour candidate Liam Byrne.

Wednesday 's event is sponsored by Aston University, Crowe Clark Whitehill and Intercity Technology.

Mr Street and Mr Byrne will be responding to the lobbying asks which have been set out in the manifesto created by the three Chambers.

They will also set out their own priorities for the business community as they embark on their election campaigns.

This event is a part of wider engagement activity the Chambers are undertaking in the run up to the election.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of the GBCC, said: “As the largest and most influential business group in the region, the three Chambers are delighted to be partnering with two of the main candidates in the running to become mayor of the West Midlands.

“We will use this event to underline to the candidates what the business community wants from its Mayor and to put to the test how they intend to fight the corner for a region which has been shaken to its core by Brexit and Covid-19.

“The event will also give audience members the chance to pose questions directly to the candidates and find out more about what they 've identified as the key growth areas across the region and the specific opportunities on the horizon for businesses as we emerge from the pandemic.

“There 's a lot riding on the election coming up in May - that 's why is so important that we use events such as this one to give businesses the platform they need to directly engage with the candidates but also ensure the views of business are embedded in their policy programmes. ”

To book onto the free event click here.

To access 'Rebounding for Business - A Vision for the West Midlands Mayor ' click here