Region in renaissance: A vision of business in the Midlands
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The West Midlands is undergoing almost unprecedented change and growth.
The region is home to the UK’s first urban testbed for 5G technology and autonomous vehicles, placing it at the cutting edge of the fourth industrial revolution, and will welcome the completion of HS2 in 2026. With a £102 billion economy that has grown by 22.4% in the last five years, the future is looking bright for the West Midlands.
With the implementation of new technologies and infrastructure combined with its geographical position, the region is a significant economic hub on the national, European and global stage. Birmingham was voted the UK’s most investable city by 500 of Europe’s top real estate investment experts, suggesting a new narrative is emerging. With Coventry hosting the UK City of Culture in 2021 and Birmingham hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022, all eyes are on the region.
Under the West Midlands Combined Authority, established in 2016, the region is already making a collaborative effort to advance transport, economic development and regeneration. The region’s recent successes appear to promise a step change for businesses, institutions and citizens.
There has never been a better time for the region’s businesses to embrace opportunity through diversity, technology and structural change.
This report looks at the ways in which business leaders have harnessed opportunities and their vision for the future of the region.