Rethinking Public Procurement for Post-COVID Recovery

Malcolm Harbour CBE from Connected Places Catapult examines how the public sector can use procurement to drive innovation in Birmingham and the West Midlands. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers … Continue reading “Rethinking Public Procurement for Post-COVID Recovery”

Small Business Leaders Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic – Foundations for Recovery?

Professor Mark Hart discusses the impact of Covid-19, financial support from the Government and the adoption of digital technology on SMEs. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It … Continue reading “Small Business Leaders Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic – Foundations for Recovery?”

Providing the Right Support for the Right Firms in the Right Places

With less funding available in the future, Professor Simon Collinson discusses the need for national and local agencies to provide targeted support to the right kind of businesses to help achieve better regional growth. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced … Continue reading “Providing the Right Support for the Right Firms in the Right Places”

Financial Support for Businesses in the West Midlands During Covid-19

George Bramley discusses the various national and regional financial support schemes that were set up to support businesses in the West Midlands during the pandemic. This blog post was produced for inclusion in the Birmingham Economic Review for 2021. The annual Birmingham Economic Review is produced by City-REDI, University of Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham … Continue reading “Financial Support for Businesses in the West Midlands During Covid-19”

Growth Hubs as an Intermediary of University Business Support: The Case of Coventry University Services Ltd

Freya Williams examines the role of growth hubs in helping businesses to access support from universities.  The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) Growth Hub supports local businesses. Support is provided either within the Growth Hub, GBSLEP or external partners. One aspect of this provision is serving as an intermediary between businesses seeking support and … Continue reading “Growth Hubs as an Intermediary of University Business Support: The Case of Coventry University Services Ltd”

The Future Business District in a Changing City Centre

The onset of the coronavirus pandemic has forced us to change the ways in which we work, socialise, and move around. The profound impact the pandemic has had on city centres is clear. Yet, as we look to the future, this is less certain. So, what are the long-term trends in the future city centre … Continue reading “The Future Business District in a Changing City Centre”

Covid-19 and the Future Business District

In this blog, Anne Green, Rebecca Riley, Alex Smith, Ben Brittain and Hannes Read examine the long-term impact of Covid-19 on business districts. How can they continue to be successful places attracting business and people and contributing to vibrant city centres? This blog is the summary from the Future Business District report – visit the … Continue reading “Covid-19 and the Future Business District”

Business Support: Referrals to Regional Universities by the GBSLEP Growth Hub

In this blog, Freya Williams, Alice Pugh and Juliane Schwarz examine the referral of businesses by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) Growth Hub to universities in the West Midlands, including what sectors they come from, the size of businesses and what kind of support they receive.  GBSLEP Growth Hub The Greater … Continue reading “Business Support: Referrals to Regional Universities by the GBSLEP Growth Hub”

The Midlands Now Has an Opportunity to Be a World Leader in Advanced Ceramics

Ben Brittain discusses the Advanced Ceramics sector in the Midlands, and how recent funding may pave the way for the region to become a global leader in Advanced Ceramics. Earlier in the year, City-REDI was proud to be part of a consortium of partners that included Rolls Royce and JCB, to create an Advanced Ceramics … Continue reading “The Midlands Now Has an Opportunity to Be a World Leader in Advanced Ceramics”

Why Offices Must Adapt to Encourage People to Return

Hannes Read discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the world of work, and how we can change the office to improve the wellbeing of employees and encourage them back.  A new study by Aviva has found that 47% of employees were less career-focused because of the pandemic. Just 14% of employees favoured returning to the office … Continue reading “Why Offices Must Adapt to Encourage People to Return”