CBI Midlands

Yesterday, we were delighted to welcome representatives from the UK Mayors Group and member firms at our Mayoral roundtable discussion – kindly hosted by JLL and co-chaired by Rain Newton-Smith and Dr Hannah White OBE. An engaging, passionate and thought-provoking discussion on UK regions as a driver of domestic and inward investment, as well as their role within in modern UK Industrial Strategy. Businesses and regional representatives also spoke about how collaboration and partnership can help drive forward a shared set of priorities to help boost growth across the UK. When politicians, public and private sectors collaborate, each region can unlock its full potential. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the UK Mayors Group and business.

ICYMI: CBI CEO Rain Newton-Smith on BBC News at College Green, speaking about the tough choices we saw at the #AutumnBudget. Firms want to power growth – but some of today’s measures mean businesses have less headroom to invest. Listen here:

Tomorrow Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, will present her #AutumnBudget. Here’s a reminder of the measures we have been asking for on behalf of our members and the wider UK business community to support #SustainableGrowth. #PoweringProgress

Perfect weather for ‘blue sky thinking’ after CBI (Confederation of British Industry) South-East and Thames Valley members joined our Chair Rupert Soames on a fact-finding trip to London Gatwick. Among the topics under discussion was Gatwick’s proposed Northern Runway project. If approved, the project will be one of the region’s largest capital investment projects in decades and is expected to create up to 14,000 jobs and pump £1billion into the local economy every year once open by 2030. Businesses from a range of sectors also took the opportunity of being together at a key regional hub at the airport, to spark discussion on critical issues including regulation, infrastructure and industrial strategy. Thanks London Gatwick for making the visit a success!

Thank you to our CBI (Confederation of British Industry) and CBI Midlands members who have shared their insights and provided evidence base case studies to make this happen 👏

🌟 Great kick-off for Birmingham Tech Week and grateful to Yiannis Maos MBE and his team for the invitation to the Leadership Breakfast at Birmingham Tech Week 2024! 🌟 This morning’s discussions were a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration in driving regional placemaking and unlocking economic growth across the West Midlands. Great vision and willingness to drive real change and place-based economic growth by harnessing the transformative power of tech was clear from the likes of SoS of DSIT Rt. Hon Peter Kyle, numerous businesses like IBM and the Rigby Group plc and stakeholder leaders like Neil Rami at the WMGC. It was inspiring to hear from industry leaders about the urgency of the opportunity and innovation happening right here in the West Midlands, and how we can work together to elevate our region on a global stage. We have to tackle the fragmentation of efforts and speak with a more collaborative voice. At the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) and CBI Midlands, we are committed to supporting these initiatives and ensuring that businesses across the West Midlands have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in this fast-evolving landscape. Looking forward to continuing the conversation and driving meaningful change for the Midlands! 🚀 #BirminghamTechWeek #WestMidlandsGrowth #EconomicDevelopment #CBI #Innovation #Leadership

What does business want to see from the #AutumnBudget? The CBI’s Full Submission sets out dynamic yet practical solutions that firms are calling on the Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves to prioritise. Press Release here: https://bit.ly/3ZQuWs8

Anyone that knows the real geek in me will know how much I love a good site visit. But attending member sites isn’t just a photo opp (although PPE is a bold fashion statement on me typically because it hangs off me!). It gives me the chance to visualise first hand how member’s operations run, the challenges they face and their areas of opportunity. It helps me understand what’s most important to them and enables the CBI team to relay these messages into stakeholders and government more effectively. In today’s case, it was a fantastic opportunity for me to see the huge investment and growth happening at our West Midlands incoming regional chair Chris Woolridge’s impressive Worksop galvanising plant at Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd. Open to all offers of tours and site visits if you can provide a size 4 steel toe cap boot😀

CBI (Confederation of British Industry) Midlands People and Skills Network heard the very latest on Labour's Employment Reform 'Make Work Pay' from Laurence Raeburn-Smith. There was so much to discuss about how the reform can be delivered to avoid unintended consequences. Our member anecdotes and real examples on how the reform could impact their business are vital for our conversations with government. These are just a few of the points discussed: 📑 The right to increase contract hours permanently after 12 wks of overtime 👩💼 Does this reform give employers and employees security and confidence 🏢 Will tribunals be fit for purpose if cases increase 🎯 Will agencies be used for temp contracts to avoid perm contracts The second part of the discussion explored the impact of AI and how it can be used to improve productivity in the HR function. We heard lots of practical tips and case studies from Chris Huffen on where to start, pit falls to avoid and recommendations. Finally a huge thank you to Freeths our People and Skills Network Partner for the legal expertise you bring to these topics. Rena Magdani and Matt McBride your insights and knowledge brings such value to these discussions. Nikki Paterson Lisa Peterson Andrew McLeod Julia Fox #CBI #PeopleandSkills

CBI CEO Rain Newton-Smith joined Bloomberg Radio from The Labour Party conference today, agreeing with Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves that if growth is the challenge, investment is the solution. Rain set out how we can attract that investment – through a solid pitch to global investors. #Lab24