Do we back our winners enough?
Today is A-Level Results Day. For thousands of young people across the country, this morning will bring celebration, relief, perhaps disappointment and, for many, the first big decision about what comes next. Some will head to university. Others will start apprenticeships, go to college, enter employment or take a different route altogether. And that is […]
We keep asking young people to be employer-ready. But are employers young-people-ready?
“Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn’t.” It’s a phrase I return to often because it captures a major challenge facing young people today. We do not lack talent, potential or ambition. We lack enough routes for that talent to be seen, developed and given a fair chance to succeed. For years, the employability debate has focused […]
Andy Street on Burnham, devolution and the fight for a regional voice
At a time when the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has just got the biggest promotion of his life, we were privileged to hear from Sir Andy Street, another former Mayor, at the Centre for the New Midlands about his thoughts on what getting the top seat at the table might mean, where […]
The West Midlands at a Crossroads: Skills, Employability and the Power of Place
In the last few months, a set of national and regional reports and announcements have highlighted the challenges and opportunities relating to employability and skills within the West Midlands. Ours is a region of extraordinary potential. It has the youngest population of any region outside London, growing strengths in advanced manufacturing, health innovation, digital technology […]
Funding the Regional Government – Summary of a session at CFP26
In one of the final sessions of CFP26, this discussion explored one of the UK’s biggest economic challenges: how regional governments can secure the long-term funding and financial powers needed to drive sustainable growth. Bringing together perspectives from local government, infrastructure, investment and development, the session centred on moving beyond short-term grant funding towards a […]
In Conversation with Doug King – Summary of our closing plenary at CFP26
Doug King’s fireside chat with broadcaster Phil Upton explored the role that businesses, football clubs and local leaders can play in driving regeneration, pride and economic growth across the Midlands. Drawing on his experience transforming Coventry City FC, Doug shared his views on skills development, infrastructure, place-making, community engagement and the importance of building success […]
In Conversation with Sir Andy Street – Summary of our afternoon plenary at CFP26
In a wide-ranging fireside discussion at the Centre for the New Midlands’ Connections for Prosperity conference, former West Midlands Mayor Sir Andy Street reflected on leadership, devolution, economic growth and the future of the centre-right in British politics. Drawing on his experience in business and public office, he argued that the UK’s long-term prosperity depends […]
Affordable Housing – A Regional Success Story? – Summary of a session at CFP26
The panel session Affordable Housing – A Regional Success Story? brought together senior leaders from across the housing sector to examine whether the Midlands can genuinely claim to be leading the way in delivering affordable homes—and what still needs to change. Chaired by Joe Reeves, Deputy Chief Executive of Midland Heart, the discussion featured Rebecca […]
Reindustrialisation: from Cameron to Burnham
Reindustrialisation is back on the political agenda In the early years of David Cameron’s premiership, he told a client of mine that their project could help his government reindustrialise the north. More than a decade later, Andy Burnham is using the same language again – and the question is whether this time it can become […]
‘Where the West Meets the East: Building a Midlands Response to the Northern Powerhouse’ – Summary of a session at CFP26
In one of the opening breakout sessions at the Centre for the New Midlands’ Connections for Prosperity conference, a panel from across the broader Midlands region explored how the East and West Midlands can work together to strengthen the region’s economic voice, attract investment and ensure the Midlands is not overshadowed by the renewed focus […]