President's column: Business success
The theme of the past month in the business world has been celebrating success.
The first order of business in this month 's column is to congratulate all of the businesses shortlisted in this year 's Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce annual awards.
These awards are hard fought every year, if your business has made the shortlist you should be immensely proud.
I 'll be watching the awards, alongside hundreds of other business people across Greater Birmingham, on 27 July. I hear from Chamber colleagues that it is shaping up to be quite the spectacular event, so be sure you don 't miss out.
Positivity is also lapping onto our isles from overseas shores, as according to data from the Department for International Trade, the West Midlands has emerged as one of the UK 's leading locations for attracting Foreign Direct Investment.
This, I have to say, doesn 't come as much surprise to me.
As chair of the West Midlands India Partnership, I speak to businesses based in India regularly on their ambitions to do business with and set up in the West Midlands.
In particular, automotive sectors, specializing in motorbike manufacture, are looking to invest in the West Midlands and the UK because we have opportunities for these businesses to grow here, we have an exceptionally skilled workforce and strong intellectual property assets.
I hope that more firms move with their feet, and indeed make the jump to opening more premises within our region, bringing with them jobs and economic prosperity.
The wealth of talent within our region at present though is undeniable.
One of those talents is Shani Dhanda, vice-president of the ABCC, who has been named in BusinessLive 's 35 under 35 ranking. I 'd like to extend my congratulations to Shani, and everyone on that list. Shani is an incredibly hardworking activist for disability rights and a figure head for young business people.
Another talent is my personal friend, Doug Wright, who has celebrated 40 years in business this month.
Starting from humble beginnings, Doug started work as a part-time cleaner at McDonald 's in 1981, making just 93p an hour.
Today, Doug owns 20 McDonald 's restaurants, employing 2,100 people.
Doug has built an empire here in the West Midlands, long may that continue. I 'd like to congratulate him on his business anniversary, and wish him every success in his next ventures.
The future really is bright at the moment, but it is critical that we stay vigilant.
Government has pressed ahead with its fourth stage of unlocking, but the health crisis is not over.
I must, again, implore you all to encourage and support your staff in obtaining both doses of their Covid vaccine, when they can.
At Lioncroft Wholesale Ltd, we have made it a priority since the spring to vaccinate all of our staff.
I 'm really proud to say that all of our staff have now been double jabbed.
This has undoubtedly provided greater safety for all of my staff across the business, protecting them from the virus and as a result, protecting my business too.
If you haven 't already, give staff time off to get vaccinated if their appointment falls within business hours. Staff must be given adequate time, and support, to take this really important step towards our way out of this health crisis.