New report released – The Data Dilemma in Housing
At the start of March, we took a group of 20 senior leaders from across the housing sector and digital environment to Fazenda for the latest of our roundtables. We are delighted to share the full summary of the discussions, which were held under Chatham House rules. With special thanks to Entec Si and Pearl […]
The West Midlands – home to the sustainable data centres of the future?
America offers a compelling case study in data centre development but not the one we might expect. Loudoun County, Virginia, hosts the world’s largest concentration of data centres, handling of the majority of global internet traffic. This infrastructure achievement has earned it the nickname ‘Data Centre Alley’. Yet this rapid expansion comes at a significant cost: […]
Creative Adventures with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Research from the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has found that 67% of the region’s businesses are already using AI, 79% say it has increased their productivity, and 69% say it has improved their profitability. This provides a positive picture for the region, highlighting that West Midlands businesses are actively embracing AI, which will be […]
Birmingham East Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) – game changer for the region’s regeneration?
The Birmingham East Mayoral Development Corporation is poised to be established in the coming weeks – a move championed by politicians as having the potential to create “tens of thousands of jobs, thousands of homes and adding billions to the local economy”. In this article, Alexander Rose (Partner, Ward Hadaway) looks into why Mayoral Development […]
The Shaping of our Cities
On Thursday evening, members of our Reimagining the Region network gathered high above Birmingham at the stunning 103 Colmore Row offices of Arcadis for a Spring Reception with a purposeful twist. Rather than a traditional networking event, this year’s reception invited delegates to roll up their sleeves, collaborate, and actively shape ideas that could help […]
Climbing the Board: How One Firm’s Birmingham Launch Offers Lessons for the Wider Business Community
Entering a mature professional services market like Birmingham is rarely as simple as placing your counter on square one and rolling the dice. For organisations looking to establish a presence in a competitive city, success often depends on a combination of foresight, disciplined hiring and strategic cultural choices. As part of my work as a […]
HS2: The region is getting restless – time for Project Reset to get the green light
The West Midlands has long been positioned as one of the principal beneficiaries of High Speed Two (HS2). The promise was clear: in return for disruption and upheaval, the region would gain faster connections to London, increased rail capacity, regeneration around new stations, and a step change in its economic trajectory. Yet ongoing speculation about […]
Data quality issues? It’s time to call in comms
Ahead of our roundtable (being hosted at Fazenda Birmingham on 5th March), Nick Brown (PR Director, Pearl Comms) shares some of his insights into the crucial role that an effective communications strategy plays when data quality problems threaten to derail digital projects, particularly in the public sector. It can often be the difference between reputational […]
Purpose Is Not a Pricing Strategy: A Challenge to the Midlands
In this article, Mark Simms OBE (Chief Executive, P3 Charity) argues that the Midlands’ rhetoric on fairness and inclusive growth rings hollow unless charities and prime contractors stop bidding for unsustainable public service contracts and take real responsibility for honest pricing and risk-sharing. Ambition and the Reality of Delivery The Midlands sees itself as […]
Experiencing Consequences Safely: VR as a Trauma‑Informed Tool for Child Knife Possession Interventions
In this article, Jimmy Bates (Development Coordinator, Virtual Decisions) explores how immersive virtual reality programmes are being used by Youth Justice Services in the UK to tackle rising concerns around youth knife crime. By providing trauma-informed, engaging experiences, these VR interventions help young people understand the real-world consequences of carrying knives, increase risk awareness, and […]