Learning important lessons from housing history
This article, authored by Dominic Bradley (CEO, Lench’s Trust and Member of CNM’s Housing and Communities Leadershp Board) traces social housing back to its almshouse origins to argue that the sector’s future may depend on rediscovering its past. From Tudor England to today’s housing and ageing crises, Dominic highlights how almshouses pioneered dignity, community and […]
Cyber – Threat or Opportunity?
In this article, Helen Barge (Principal-Senior Risk and Resilience Consultant at Barnett Waddingham) challenges the traditional narrative that cyber security is simply a negative risk to be managed and instead invites leaders to see it as a strategic opportunity. Drawing on real-world examples, government direction, supply chain realities, behavioural insights and emerging legislation, the article explores […]
“Our biggest and best Winter Reception!”
The Centre for the New Midlands (CNM) proudly hosted its annual Winter Reception last night (15 December) in the historic Churchill Room of the Houses of Parliament, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, and members of CNM’s Reimagining the Region network for an evening of insight, discussion and celebration. Kindly sponsored by Weightmans LLP, the event […]
Budget 2025: Key points for the West Midlands
Following Budget 2025 (admittedly delivered prematurely by the Office of Budget Responsibility thanks to a technical error), here is an overview of what we believe are the most relevant and significant announcements for businesses and residents across the West Midlands region. Growing the Regional Economy The West Midlands is a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) and […]
Strategic Investment Beyond the Frontier Economy
In this article, Dan Storer argues that the renewal of the UK’s town centres is not a peripheral concern but a central pillar of national economic strategy. While the country’s new Industrial Strategy focuses on frontier sectors such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy and AI, Dan contends that these ambitions cannot succeed without equal attention […]
It’s not that funny, chancellor.
In this article, Alia Al-Doori (Managing Director, Pearl Comms) offers a candid response to the Chancellor’s latest Budget. Writing from the dual perspective of a communications specialist and the owner of an independent SME, she reflects on how the announcement — and the way it was delivered — lands with businesses like hers. Al-Doori examines […]
Why AI Literacy Matters for the West Midlands’ Economic Future
In this article, West Midlands–based AI educator and award-winning solopreneur Jacqueline Leake shares her journey from struggling to write authentic digital content to becoming a regional advocate for inclusive, confidence-building AI literacy. Drawing on her own late-career pivot into AI — recognised at the Women Who Solopreneur Awards — Jacqueline highlights the barriers many small […]
£1.9 Billion Wake-Up Call: Why Cyber Resilience Must Be the New Foundation of Industry
This article aims to highlight the severe economic and operational consequences of modern cyberattacks—using the £1.9 billion JLR incident as a case study—and to urge industry leaders to shift from passive, compliance-driven security to proactive, holistic cyber resilience. Drawing on over 25 years of experience across organisations such as the European Space Agency, HP, Qatar […]
Beyond the Sport – Early Bird tickets now available!
On Thursday 5th February, the Centre for the New Midlands is heading back to Edgbaston Stadium for our ‘Connections for Prosperity: Beyond the Sport’ conference; a day focussed on the power of Sports-led regeneration and its potential to transform the regional economy. EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR JUST £99 + VAT – Click […]
Putting the focus on Decency and Decarbonisation: Improving the region’s homes
On 22nd October, we hosted 60 of our key partners at University College Birmingham (UCB) for an evening of discussion and debate on ‘Decency and Decarbonisation’ and how we improve the region’s homes. Alongside the speeches and conversations, our delegates were treated to a fabulous evening of hospitality thanks to the fantastic work of UCB’s […]