Unveiled at during Birmingham Tech Week and branded ‘It starts here’, its has sub-campaigns to focus on selected markets: ‘The green power revolution starts here’, ‘Life-changing science starts here’, ‘Game-changing tech starts here’ and ‘Next-generation services start here’, “with further phases set to span broader place-making themes”, said WMGC.
It is aimed at India, North America and Germany amongst other places, and will include a regional trade mission to India in February 2025, led by West Midlands mayor Richard Parker.
“Inward investment is fundamentally about growth and job creation,” said WMGC CEO Neil Rami. “International competition for investment is fierce, with global investors citing access to innovation capabilities as their number one priority. Emerging technologies are developing rapidly in the West Midlands, with the tech sector now valued at £15.3bn. We’ve developed a campaign that asserts our past and present ingenuity in a distinct and compelling way, and that speaks to all corners of our region.”
“The West Midlands has always been the home of entrepreneurs and inventors. Now we’re fast becoming a powerhouse for new sectors like clean and green industries and cyber security,” said regional mayor Parker.
The launch event, at Birmingham Symphony Hall, included a panel discussion chaired by Fingar Direct Investment principal Courtney Fingar, with Birmingham City Council MD Joanne Roney, University of Warwick vice-chancellor Professor Stuart Croft, JLR public affairs director Murray Paul and Nourished founder and owner Melissa Snover.
WMGC is supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and its seven constituent metropolitan authorities: Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton – as well as five of the region’s universities and Partners West Midlands (WMGC’s private-sector network).
Also backing the campaign are: Invest in University R&D Midlands campaign, NEC Group and Birmingham Airport.
