On the 22nd of July 2025 Birmingham lost one of its most iconic sons. Ozzy Osbourne, The Prince of Darkness and Godfather of heavy metal passed away at 76. But what he leaves behind is more than just the music, he leaves a lasting cultural and economic impact on his hometown and beyond. Ozzy was … Continue reading “Ozzy Osbourne’s £28 Million Parting Gift to the West Midlands”
Category: West Midlands
From Challenge to Change: How Social Impact is revitalising Ladywood’s economic viability
Ladywood, one of Birmingham’s most socioeconomically challenged wards, is undergoing a quiet transformation. This blog by Michele Wilby, CEO of Colmore Business District (BID), explores the current economic state of Birmingham with a spotlight on Ladywood, highlighting how targeted social impact initiatives, especially those focused on youth, are creating new pathways to opportunity and prosperity. … Continue reading “From Challenge to Change: How Social Impact is revitalising Ladywood’s economic viability”
Report Spotlight: Unlocking Procurement Insights
In a new series of blogs, we will be reviewing the current and historical work of City-REDI. In this latest blog, a recent study by Annum Rafique (University of Birmingham) and Pei-Yu Yuan (University of Manchester) delves into how text mining can be harnessed to analyse procurement contracts, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders. … Continue reading “Report Spotlight: Unlocking Procurement Insights”
The US Tariffs on the Automotive Sector Will Cost the UK £10 Billion in GDP Over 5 Years
Dr Matt Lyons and Dr Huanjia Ma investigate the impact that Trump’s tariffs will have on the UK’s automotive industry. The US has proposed tariffs of 25% on car imports. This blog aims to answer the following questions: What will this cost the UK, and where will it hit hardest? TLDR: The proposed tariffs are … Continue reading “The US Tariffs on the Automotive Sector Will Cost the UK £10 Billion in GDP Over 5 Years”
Boosting Health and Productivity: The Role of Birmingham’s Workplaces
The Birmingham Economic Review is out now! It provides a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy as we emerge from a period of high inflation and local, regional, and national elections and actionable measures businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to drive economic growth. Read the full Birmingham Economic Review 2024. Birmingham’s … Continue reading “Boosting Health and Productivity: The Role of Birmingham’s Workplaces”
Driving Innovation: How the West Midlands is Powering Business Growth
The Birmingham Economic Review is out now! It provides a comprehensive analysis of the city’s economy as we emerge from a period of high inflation and local, regional, and national elections and actionable measures businesses and stakeholders from across the city-region can take to drive economic growth. Read the full Birmingham Economic Review 2024. Avalon … Continue reading “Driving Innovation: How the West Midlands is Powering Business Growth”
Is Working From Home Bad for Employees’ Productivity?
Dr Darja Reuschke explores how job satisfaction, autonomy, and commute experiences shape employee performance. Whether working from home impacts employees’ productivity and performance is not a new question, but one that has received renewed attention with media coverage of organisations asking their staff to work fully or a minimum number of days in the office. … Continue reading “Is Working From Home Bad for Employees’ Productivity?”
Transforming Policies into Actions: The Role of Governance Structures in Inclusive Economic Development
Governance structures and institutions play a crucial role in converting policies into tangible actions to pursue inclusive economic development. Institutional frameworks can support or hinder progress, making their study essential for ensuring that innovative ideas translate into real outcomes. This blog delves into the key findings, impacts, and recommendations from various research projects, all aimed … Continue reading “Transforming Policies into Actions: The Role of Governance Structures in Inclusive Economic Development”
Digital Skills Shortage: UK Faces £27.6 Billion Loss by 2030 Due to Digital Skills Shortage
Digital Skills shortage could cost the UK economy up to £27.6 billion and more than 380,000 jobs by 2030. As the UK races towards a digital-first economy, the consequences of persistent digital skills shortages are becoming increasingly apparent. Projections indicate that without intervention, these shortages could cost the UK economy up to £27.6 billion by … Continue reading “Digital Skills Shortage: UK Faces £27.6 Billion Loss by 2030 Due to Digital Skills Shortage”
The Role of Innovation Ecosystems in Regional Economic Growth: A Case Study of the West Midlands
Innovation ecosystems are fundamental drivers of regional economic growth, particularly in areas where there is a strong emphasis on research and development (R&D), advanced manufacturing, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) assets. In this blog, we explore the impact of the West Midlands Research and Economic Development Initiative (WMREDI) in fostering these ecosystems, with … Continue reading “The Role of Innovation Ecosystems in Regional Economic Growth: A Case Study of the West Midlands”