‘We will never enhance UK productivity unless we embrace e-commerce’
In this article, Pete White (Director of ‘The Web Orchard’ – a Shrewsbury based, award-winning digital agency) looks at the effect of COVID-19 on the digital sector and the opportunities that an enhanced uptake of e-commerce could bring to businesses and UK plc. In March 2017, the UK Government published its Digital Strategy1, which covers […]
Inclusive growth: economic success is more than transactional
Over the past decade, politicians from across the House have spoken of how much more needs to be done to ensure that all parts of society feel the benefits of economic growth. Since the Credit Crunch, the economy has grown (albeit steadily) in terms of the UK’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – but has this […]
Could heritage and business start-ups be the saviour of our urban centres?
In this article, Ian Harrabin MBE (Managing Director of regeneration specialist Complex Development Projects) considers how the West Midlands can capture the opportunities generated by the fallout from COVID-19 to repurpose and revitalise our urban centres.As the slow war of attrition on the high street by online shopping fast forwards during lockdown, the […]
Reflections on the 2022 Commonwealth Games: bring on a ‘Global Brum’
Alex de Ruyter (professor at Birmingham City University and Director of its Centre for Brexit Studies) shares his thoughts on the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the potential for the one-time ‘Workshop of the World’ to truly reinvent itself as a 21st century equivalent – or Global Brum, as it were.Major sporting events such as […]
Responding to COVID-19 – a University’s approach to meet the needs of its students
In this article, Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE (Chancellor of Coventry University) provides an insight into the way in which the institution has grasped the digital opportunities presented through the pandemic, alongside the additional work it has undertaken to enhance its support for the various communities it serves.The impact of Covid19 has been no […]
“We need a dedicated housing court so everyone has a safe home to go to”
In this article, Glenn Harris MBE (Chief Executive of leading Midlands housing association, Midland Heart) makes the case for the Ministry of Justice to pilot a dedicated housing court in the Midlands, to bring greater fairness to the housing system and provide greater housing security for tenants.Coronavirus poses a major threat to the region’s […]
A Remote Learning platform is not just for a pandemic – it is for snow days too
Simon Carter (Marketing and Propositions Director for RM Education, and Non-Executive Director for Coventry University) shares his thoughts on the lessons to be learnt from the Coronavirus shutdown within our school education system – in the Midlands and beyond.It’s no secret that schools have faced unprecedented pressures in the face of the Coronavirus […]
Can Social Enterprises ‘step up’ and support the region to ‘build back better’?
In this article, Carole Donnelly (an award-winning Social Entrepreneur and Co-Chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Social Economy Taskforce), looks at what the Social Enterprise sector needs to do to reassert itself and ensure it plays a key role in the nation’s future post pandemic.Nationally, the Social Enterprise (SE) sector contributes over […]
Centre for the New Midlands joins ‘Coventry and Warwickshire Champions’
We are delighted to have joined the ‘Coventry and Warwickshire Champions’ – a significant group within the Midlands, established to ‘unite businesses, organisations and individuals across the area in a powerful network to help develop and promote Coventry and Warwickshire and raise its profile’. We look forward to working with the Group and its […]
The Midlands Needs a New Old Approach to Mobility
Adam Tranter is the Bicycle Mayor for Coventry, co-host of Streets Ahead podcast and CEO of communications agency, Fusion Media.The Midlands has a long-standing history with transport and industry. An economy which once thrived on making things to help people move, now needs to take tried-and-tested tactics from other global economies; some of […]