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 […]
From Local Reform to Regional Control: The Unspoken Direction of Warwickshire’s Unitary Path
In this article, Clare Golby (former Warwickshire County Councillor and Deputy Leader, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council) critiques Warwickshire’s Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), arguing that the move toward a single unitary authority has been politically pre-decided rather than evidence-led. Clare argues how both past and present administrations — Conservative, Labour, and now Reform UK — […]
Housing, Health and the Over-60s: Why Poor Homes Are Making Us Sick
We talk about the housing crisis as an economic problem, but for the over-60s it is nothing short of a public health emergency. Across the Midlands, too many older people are living in homes that don’t just fail them – they make them sick. In this thought leadership piece, Carole Donnelly (Health and Wellness Coach, […]
The Housing Crisis and the Revolving Door: Why Innovation Demands Stability
In this article, Joanna Lee Mills (Affordable Housing Partner, Ward Hadaway LLP and Member of CNM’s Housing and Communities Leadership Board) examines Labour’s pledge to deliver the ‘biggest housing boom in a generation’ and the structural challenges that threaten its success. Joanna poses critical questions for policymakers: how can long-term homeownership solutions be delivered amid […]
How SMEs are the key to building the region’s next generation of creative talent
“If we want to unlock the full potential of the creative workforce, we need to meet these businesses where they are. That means building support systems – toolkits, partnerships, and simplified processes – that make it easy for SMEs to connect with young people without carrying the full burden themselves.” In this article, Alison Grade […]
The Recipe for Growth: How Sport and Infrastructure Are Rising in the Midlands
“The Sports Quarter development in Birmingham is a game-changing initiative – not just for Birmingham City FC, but for the entire West Midlands. While local football rivalries add colour to the conversation, there is a sense of excitement across the region on how billions of pounds of investment is set to transform transport, housing, and […]