The Centre for the New Midlands has published two new reports, bringing together insights and perspectives from regional leaders and experts on two important issues shaping the future of our region: the potential of Birmingham’s Bristol Road Corridor and the growing importance of cyber resilience in the age of AI.
Our latest reports capture the outcomes of two such discussions, each tackling a different but equally important aspect of the West Midlands’ future.
The Bristol Road Corridor
Our first report, The Bristol Road Corridor: Unlocking the Potential of Birmingham’s Innovation Corridor, explores how one of Birmingham’s most significant economic and innovation assets could realise its full potential.
Stretching approximately 10 kilometres from Birmingham city centre to Longbridge, the corridor brings together an exceptional concentration of assets, including the University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, established communities, employment centres and major regeneration opportunities.
The roundtable considered how these individual strengths could be better connected to create a more cohesive and ambitious proposition for the city and wider region.
Discussions explored the importance of improved transport and connectivity, inclusive growth, housing, local identity and stronger collaboration between institutions, businesses and communities. A particularly exciting ambition to emerge was the potential to establish the Bristol Road Corridor as the UK’s first Complete Innovation Corridor, bringing together research, healthcare, education, industry, housing and community life.
The report highlights both the opportunities and the challenges involved, alongside practical next steps for developing a shared vision and unlocking the corridor’s considerable potential.
The report was sponsored by Stride Treglown.
Cyber Resilience in the age of AI
Our second report, Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI, examines the rapidly changing relationship between artificial intelligence, cyber security and organisational resilience.
As AI transforms the way organisations operate, it is also changing the nature, pace and scale of cyber threats. From increasingly sophisticated phishing and impersonation attacks to the risks associated with data management and the adoption of new AI tools, organisations face a growing need to understand and manage their digital vulnerabilities.
Bringing together expertise from across cyber security, technology, financial services, policing, law, education, local government and industry, the roundtable explored what the Midlands needs to do to prepare for an increasingly AI-enabled future.
A key message was that cyber resilience is about much more than technology. It requires the right organisational culture, informed leadership, effective governance, workforce awareness and the ability to respond and recover when incidents occur.
The discussion also highlighted the particular challenges facing SMEs, which may lack the resources and specialist expertise available to larger organisations, and the important role that regional collaboration can play in improving support, knowledge-sharing and preparedness.
The report identifies practical priorities for businesses, public services and regional partners, from improving access to cyber security guidance to developing digital skills and encouraging responsible AI adoption.
The report was sponsored by Talent Today.
Bringing people together to shape the future of the Midlands
While the subjects of these two reports are very different, they demonstrate the value of bringing people together to explore complex issues from different perspectives.
For the Centre for the New Midlands, roundtables are a fundamental part of our work. They provide an opportunity to move beyond individual organisational priorities, encourage open and constructive debate, identify common ground and consider what can be achieved through collaboration.
Chris Smith, Founder and CEO of the Centre for the New Midlands, said:
“Roundtables are really important to the work we do at the Centre for the New Midlands. We believe that some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing our region can only be properly understood and addressed when people come together, share their experiences and look beyond their own organisational boundaries.
“By bringing together people with different expertise, perspectives and ambitions, we can have the honest conversations that might not otherwise happen, challenge established thinking and identify opportunities for collaboration. Just as importantly, these discussions help turn regional ambition into practical ideas and action.
“Our reports ensure that the insight generated through these conversations is captured and shared more widely, helping to inform the debate, influence thinking and contribute to a stronger future for the Midlands.”
Both reports are now available to read in full. We would encourage businesses, policymakers, regional partners and anyone with an interest in the future of the Midlands to explore the findings and consider how they can contribute to the conversations and actions that follow.
For further information on the report, please do not hesitate to contact the team by emailing research@thenewmidlands.org.uk
