Keynote speaker announced for Birmingham Economic Review

Saqib Bhatti (pictured), vice chairman of the conservative party for business has been announced as the keynote speaker 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 (GBCC).

It will assess the city’s capabilities for innovation and adaptation, the potential of its resident workforce, the major transport and infrastructure projects on the horizon, how to achieve inclusive and more ecologically sustainable growth in economic recovery, and opportunities ahead to enhance the attractiveness of the city to visitors and investors.

Saqib Bhatti is the Conservative MP for Meriden, the vice chairman of the Conservative Party for Business, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament and a parliamentary private secretary to the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport.

He previously held parliamentary private secretary roles for both the Department for International Trade and the Department for Health.

Prior to his political career, he was a chartered accountant and president of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Until his election on 12 December 2019, Saqib was the youngest-ever GBCC president and acted as a voice for over 3,000 businesses in the West Midlands.

Saqib was named in the 2020 new year’s honours list and awarded an MBE "for services to diversity and inclusion in the business community", primarily for his work as the first Muslim President of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.

In 2013 Bhatti joined the board of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (then IAB) and was President from 2014 until 2018.

This year’s report will provide a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy as it emerges from the coronavirus pandemic into a period of high inflation and uncertainty caused by the energy crisis and labour market pressures, and actionable measures that businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to adapt, foster resilience, and grow in this challenging environment. It will also consider priorities and opportunities for levelling up.

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

GBCC CEO Henrietta Brealey said: “We're very much looking forward to welcoming Saqib Bhatti to the launch of the Birmingham Economic Review in his role as Vice Chairman of the Conversative Party for Business.

“Prior to becoming an MP, Saqib was President of the Greater Birmingham Chambers and a champion of the city-region's business community as a force for good.

This year's economic review reflects on an interesting year for the city and while recognising recent challenges, will explore the brilliant opportunities already here and on the horizon for local firms."