More than 100 people from the local business community attended the Insider Black Country Economic Forum on Tuesday 17 March. The hot topic at the forefront of everyone’s mind was how the region should move forward once the economy starts to recover.
Held at Wolverhampton Science Park, the event was sponsored by Wolverhampton Development Company, the Black Country Consortium, Black Country Reinvestment Society, Higgs & Sons and the Learning & Skills Council.
On the panel were Mike Dell from Rubber Astic, Professor Gerald Bennett from University of Wolverhampton, Sarah Middleton of the Black Country Consortium and Charlotte Ritchie of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.
The panel took questions from the audience and put forward their views on where the Black Country should be going once the economic situation picks up. All agreed that nurturing skills is key in putting the Black Country on the map.
Professor Gerald Bennett said: “People are what made the Black Country great in the past, and education and skills are crucial. We need to foster an entrepreneurial spirit in the region and we need that to come from both the public and the private sector. It’s up to us all to strike that balance.”
Commenting on the event, Will Evans, Director of Development at Wolverhampton Development Company, said. “The forum was very well attended, which made for a productive discussion. It was recognised that additional investment and focussed delivery is needed in a number of key areas including skills, physical infrastructure, transportation and communications.
“In Wolverhampton, there is a series of major programmes in the pipeline which will address these needs including the Interchange project, Phase IV of Wolverhampton Science Park, the iCentral initiative and the proposals for a new ICT network. A single vision and support from the wider business community will help to make these initiatives a success.”
Delegates at the forum were from a wide range of companies based in the region including Carillion, Capita Symonds and property agents DTZ.
For further information on developments and investment opportunities in Wolverhampton please email opportunities@wolverhamptondev.co.uk or call 01902 313 215.