Panellist announced for upcoming Birmingham Economic Review

Carmen Watson (pictured), chair at Pertemps Network Group, has been announced as a panellist of the upcoming Birmingham Economic Review.

The Birmingham Economic Review is an annual publication written by the University of Birmingham City-REDI in partnership with the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

This year’s report will provide a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy amid the wider geopolitical landscape, and actionable measures that businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to drive economic growth.

Carmen – the newly-elected GBCC vice-president - will take part in a high-profile panel of business, policy and political leaders alongside Professor Anne Green, Professor of Regional Economic Development at University of Birmingham and Steve Rigby, co-chief executive of Rigby Group.

They will provide their views on the city-region, the findings of the research and then participate in a Q&A discussion with the audience.

Carmen has established herself as one of the UK’s most successful recruitment leaders.

During her time with Pertemps, she has navigated through challenging business climates that have helped drive growth and position Pertemps as a market leader in its field, servicing a broad cross section of industry verticals and public sector bodies.

Through promoting and delivering best practice in the field of attraction, recruitment and retention of a diverse range of talent, Carmen has ensured Diversity and Inclusion is at the fore.

In 2015 she was named by the Staffing Industry Analysts as one of the most powerful female leaders in recruitment; an accolade bestowed upon her in the successive 5 years which followed.

In 2018 she was voted Overall Midlands Director of the Year (IOD) and received a Lifetime Achievers Award from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation in the same year.

Carmen sits on the Business in Community Race Equality Leadership board, is a Fellow of the Institute of Recruitment and Employment Confederation, a Fellow of City & Guild, and currently leads the Women in Business Group of the Lord Mayor of Birmingham’s Charity.

This year’s review will assess the city’s capabilities for innovation and adaptation, the potential of its resident workforce, major transport and infrastructure projects underway, how we can achieve inclusive and more ecologically sustainable growth, and opportunities ahead to enhance the attractiveness of the city to visitors and investors.

The 2025 review will also reflect on decisions made over the past year by the Government, the impact these have had the local economy, and key opportunities to unlock the full potential of Greater Birmingham businesses.

The review will provide world-class, data-driven academic insights and experienced advice from some of the city’s most prominent business leaders as to how the region and its businesses can seize new and emerging opportunities on the horizon.

This launch event will feature an overview of the main findings of the report, followed by a high-profile panel and Q&A discussion with the audience.

Emily Stubbs, GBCC head of policy, said: “We’re very much looking forward to Carmen joining us for the launch of the Birmingham Economic Review.

“One of Birmingham’s biggest assets is its people, and Carmen’s extensive experience as a business leader and her expertise in recruitment will be a valuable addition to conversations about how we unlock the full potential of the resident population and support more people into employment across the city-region.”