Megatrends in the Midlands 2023

Megatrends are an issue that City-REDI has written about previously. We have a fantastic podcast series which is well worth a listen to and a 2021 report focussing on the West Midlands. This latest blog is written to coincide with a new report produced by City-REDI in collaboration with the Midlands Engine looking at Megatrends … Continue reading “Megatrends in the Midlands 2023”

UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Perspectives on Allocations in the Midlands

Writing for the Midlands Engine Observatory, Charlie Hopkirk examines whether the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will provide a sufficient replacement for the European Structural Fund in the Midlands. Launched in April, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a Government-allocated fund which is intended to reduce inequalities between communities. UKSPF is being allocated nationally as … Continue reading “UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Perspectives on Allocations in the Midlands”

Midlands Engine Observatory Academic Insights: Challenges and Opportunities for the Midlands Regional Economy

In partnership with the Midlands Engine, City-REDI / WMREDI staff have compiled several think pieces on key emerging trends on regional economic data points. View our Midlands Engine Observatory project page Flexible Working Patterns Firstly, Dr Abigail Taylor looks at flexible working patterns. Greater demand for flexible and hybrid working practices has emerged following the … Continue reading “Midlands Engine Observatory Academic Insights: Challenges and Opportunities for the Midlands Regional Economy”

New Research From the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory Examines the Drivers, Opportunities and Barriers Facing the Midlands

We are happy to announce that the Midlands Engine is today publishing key outputs from the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory (MEEO). The MEEO is a partnership led by City-REDI, which includes Nottingham Trent University, the Black Country Consortium, SQW, and Cambridge Econometrics. It aims to provide essential research capacity and grow contemporary insights into the … Continue reading “New Research From the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory Examines the Drivers, Opportunities and Barriers Facing the Midlands”

Launch of the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory

The Midlands Engine Economic Observatory is part of the Midlands Engine, a partnership of local and combined authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, universities and businesses working together in new and transformative ways to invigorate the £207 billion Midlands economy. Home to over 10 million people and 440,000 large and small businesses, the Midlands has huge potential … Continue reading “Launch of the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory”

What characteristics should we look for in the new Metro Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority?

In this blog, Professor John R. Bryson, City-REDI, outlines the eight key qualities a good or successful Metro Mayor for the West Midlands might need. On 4 May 2017, the people living in the geographic area defined by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) have the opportunity, for the first time, to elect a mayor. … Continue reading “What characteristics should we look for in the new Metro Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority?”

DevoConnect/City-REDI mayoral hustings: Innovation and Intervention – Igniting the Midlands Engine

Last night @CityREDI hosted the latest in a series of @DevoConnect mayoral hustings at the University of Birmingham’s Business School, chaired by our very own Director, Professor Simon Collinson. A well-attended, stimulating event with some excellent questions it presents an opportune point to reflect on the mayoral process so far and how candidates are shaping … Continue reading “DevoConnect/City-REDI mayoral hustings: Innovation and Intervention – Igniting the Midlands Engine”

Submission of Evidence to BIS Select Committee: Powerhouses and engines: Government policy and regional growth

In March  this year, the Business, Innovation and Skills House of Commons Select Committee launched an Inquiry looking into the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine “Powerhouses and engines: Government policy and regional growth”. The two main powerhouses at the centre of this Inquiry are Government manifesto commitments as set out at the 2015 General Election. … Continue reading “Submission of Evidence to BIS Select Committee: Powerhouses and engines: Government policy and regional growth”

The Next Steps for the Combined Authority and the Midlands Engine

On 1 June 2016  the West Midlands  Combined Authority comes into effect. With that in mind,Insider hosted an event at Birmingham Business School to explore the next steps for the Combined Authority and the Midlands Engine. The first panel featured Katie Trout, Chief Executive of the GBSLEP; Anne Lucas, Coventry City Council; Henrietta Brealey, Director of … Continue reading “The Next Steps for the Combined Authority and the Midlands Engine”

From the Northern Powerhouse to the Midlands Engine: New role, new opportunities @CityREDI

Meet Rebecca Riley, Administrative Director of City-REDI, and learn more about her role and ambitions for the newest research centre at Birmingham Business School. I have lived and worked in cities all my life, born and bred in Manchester (or Bolton if I am being specific), studied in Liverpool, and worked in Glasgow and London; … Continue reading “From the Northern Powerhouse to the Midlands Engine: New role, new opportunities @CityREDI”