Confidence, Growth and the West Midlands Opportunity: Highlights from the CNM Summer Reception
The Centre for the New Midlands welcomed members of its Reimagining the Region network to Chaophraya Birmingham for its annual Summer Reception, bringing together leaders from business, local government, academia and the third sector for an evening of discussion, networking and regional ambition. The centrepiece of the event was a fireside chat between broadcaster and […]
New Report Calls for a National ‘Decent Neighbourhood Standard’ to Transform Communities Across the UK
Significant collaboration between the Centre for the New Midlands, Social Life and Witton Lodge Community Association sets out a practical framework for safer, fairer and more connected neighbourhoods. A major new report published today by the Centre for the New Midlands (CNM), Social Life and Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) sets out the next phase […]
The Future Homes Standard is raising the bar – now the Midlands must get serious about delivery
The Future Homes Standard has been presented as a major step forward for housing. In many respects, that is exactly what it should be. New homes built to the standard are intended to produce at least 75 per cent lower carbon emissions than those built to 2013 standards. Low-carbon heating is becoming the norm – […]
Devolution is no longer a side conversation — UK Rail is changing
I’ve just spent a couple of days immersed in industry discussions at UK Rail, and one thing is clear: we are witnessing a fundamental reset in how rail is planned, delivered and governed in the UK. This is not incremental change. It is a structural shift, one that is redefining the role of the public […]
From skills to systems – why leadership is the missing connector in regional employability
The recent Skills to Success roundtable, convened by the Centre for the New Midlands Employability and Skills Leadership group, brought together employers, educators, policymakers and sector leaders to talk frankly about skills and employability across our region. What emerged was not a shortage of ideas or goodwill, but a shared frustration that too much effort […]
Regional leaders back bold action to connect young people with jobs and opportunity
The Centre for the New Midlands has today published a new report, Skills to Success, setting out urgent recommendations to strengthen employability, improve workforce productivity, and better connect education with the needs of employers across the West Midlands. The report captures the outcomes of a high-level roundtable hosted by the Centre in April 2026, bringing […]
Ten Years On, St Basils’ Innovative Housing Model Is Changing Young Lives Across the West Midlands
A major new evaluation published today by the Centre for the New Midlands (CNM) reveals that St Basils’ pioneering Live and Work model—designed to provide genuinely affordable, employment linked housing for young people—has delivered £7.97 of social and economic value for every £1 invested over the past decade. The independent study, funded by the Oak […]
The Renters’ Rights Act: welcome reform but unintended consequences?
As the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force this Friday, England’s private rented sector enters a new era: one that promises greater security for tenants, but also raises urgent questions about supply, viability and unintended consequences. The Renters’ Rights Act represents the most decisive shift yet from a lightly regulated, short‑term model of renting towards […]
Growth Doesn’t Fail—It Gets Misdefined
There is a persistent and comfortable belief in both business and regional development that when growth slows, the problem must be execution. The assumption is that organisations are not moving fast enough, not collaborating effectively enough, or not investing in the right capabilities. This explanation is reassuring because it suggests the solution is familiar: improve […]
Mandating the Future: What Happens When Choice Disappears in Housing?
Last month the government finally announced the introduction of the new Future Homes Standard (FHS). In the midst of the unfolding war in the Middle East, the announcement was not met with much interest by most media outlets and my conversations over the past few weeks suggest that few people outside of the housing industry […]