Prosper Autumn

THE REGION’S LONGEST-RUNNING BUSINESS PUBLICATION
BLACK COUNTRY
PROSPER
AUTUMN 2024
Setting out my priorities
Mayor Richard Parker lists his four key goals to ensure
our region stays at the heart of the UK economy

WELCOME TO PROSPER
Sarah Moorhouse, CEO, Black Country Chamber opens this issue with a
welcome to our new political leaders, locally and nationally
Moving forward – and let’s hope, up!
Welcome to the autumn issue of Prosper,
featuring news and views from the Black
Country Chamber of Commerce.
As we look forward to the next few months, we have a
busy calendar of autumn events, the highlight being our
annual Business Awards on November 21, to be held at the
University of Wolverhampton’s The Halls venue.
Our awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase your
business, shout about what you do and celebrate colleague
achievements. Having already received some great
submissions we look forward to the first round of judging
and the finalists being announced at the end of September.
Don’t miss the opportunity to reserve a place at the event
when ticket sales open on October 8. Find out more on this,
on page 14.
We also have our next Quarterly Economic Survey Data
Reveal event coming up on 17th October at Bescot Stadium,
which will reveal the results of the first Quarterly Economic
Survey carried out in the region since the General Election.
We invite all our members, and non-members too, to
have their say by completing our quarterly surveys. The
results are watched closely by both HM Treasury and the
Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, so it is key
to stress the importance of taking part. Your opinions really
can help to change policy.
General Election
With this being the first issue of Prosper since the
General Election, I would like to congratulate all the MPs who
have taken up seats across the Black Country, and wish
them the best as they settle into their new roles.
We also need to thank those former MPs who stepped
down or lost their seats at the election for their service in
improving life in the region.
It will be the Chamber’s priority to promote engagement
between our members and local representatives, including
the 2024 crop of new MPs, to ensure they hear your
concerns about local and national issues so that jobs, skills,
trade and investment are prioritised.
As always, our aim is to support, promote and expand
Black Country businesses at every opportunity.
In this magazine
In this issue we feature an exclusive interview with new
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker. The Chamber looks
forward to working with him to help Black Country
businesses prosper and maximise opportunities for
employment, investment and innovation. Check out
Richard’s plans for the Black Country on page 18.
To tie in with our last QES event, which included a panel
discussion on how businesses are responding to the
challenges of net zero, we also have a feature on page 26 on
how leading organisations are working towards
sustainability and decarbonisation goals.
Meanwhile, on page 22 we revisit some of the businesses
that took part in Q&As for our Ready for 2024 feature at the
start of this year, to see how they are doing against the
goals they set themselves.
Here to support you
As always, we are here to support you and champion your
businesses. It has been amazing to hear so many of our
members talking about all the ways they value their
Chamber membership in our Word of Mouth marketing
campaign.
By inviting members to tell us in their own words how
their organisations are benefitting from Chamber
membership we hope to raise awareness of all the ways we
can support businesses in the region, whether they are
start-ups, multinationals or somewhere in between.
Whether it is networking opportunities, marketing
support, business savings, training, lobbying or HR and legal
advice, the Chamber is here to help drive growth and
business success.
‘‘
We are here to
support you and
champion your
businesses... our aim
is always to promote
and grow Black
Country businesses
at every opportunity
‘‘
Contact Sarah at sarahmoorhouse@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 03

CONTACTS
Editor
Stephanie Sullivan
Head of Marketing & Communications
07971 322693
stephaniesullivan@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
BLACK COUNTRY
PROSPER
Membership
Sian Roberts
Sales and Marketing Director
07714 740818
sianroberts@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Publisher
Chamber Media Services
4 Hilton Road, Bramhall
Stockport, Cheshire
SK7 3AG
06
Advertising
Colin Regan
01942 537959
colin@chambermediaservices.co.uk
26
Production
Rob Beswick
0161 426 7957
07964 375216
rob@chambermediaservices.co.uk
24
Cover Photography
Richard Parker, Mayor, West Midlands
Image courtesy of the WMCA
34
19
Prosper Magazine is the official magazine of
the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.
It provides news, views, interviews, opinion and
debate along with information and insights.
Produced on a quarterly basis, the magazine is
supported by an array of the Black Country’s
most influential business leaders and is read by
business owners throughout the region and
further afield.
To find out more about advertising in Prosper,
contact Colin Regan on 01942 537959.
Although every effort is taken to ensure the
accuracy of material contained within this
magazine, neither the Black Country Chamber
of Commerce nor Chamber Media Services can
accept any responsibility for omissions or
inaccuracies in its editorial or advertising
content.
The views expressed in this publication are not
necessarily those of the Chamber.
The carriage of adverts in this publication does
not constitute an endorsement of the products
or services advertised.
All articles within this publication are copyright
Black Country Chamber of Commerce. Consent
from the Chamber and the publisher must be
obtained before any articles are reproduced
either in printed form or electronically.
28
Follow the Chamber on social media
X: @BCCCmembers Instagram at @blackcountrychamber
LinkedIn: Search blackcountrychamber
THE CHAMBER PATRON GROUP
The work of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce is supported by these strategic
business partners working together to make the region a better place for business.
40
04 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

CHAMBER NEWS: MEET THE TEAM
Meet the team: The people
behind the Chamber
Sarah Moorhouse
Chief Executive
Officer
Lorna Taylor
Finance Director
Siân Roberts
Sales & Marketing
Director
Membership
Team
Gail Arnold
Head of Premium
Membership
Finance & Export
Documentation Team
Andrew Wells
Assistant
Accountant
Marketing and
Communications
Stephanie Sullivan
Head of Marketing
and Communications
Alison Trinder
Start-up Business
Manager
Malcolm Reid
Export Document Officer
Lauren Shepherd
Digital Marketing and
Communications
Manager
Gemma Shakespeare
Sales & Business
Relationship
Manager
Mandy Perry
Finance Assistant &
Export Document
Officer
Owenia Francis
Apprentice
Content Creator
Steve Salt
Sales & Business
Relationship
Manager
Richard Hobbs
Sales & Business
Relationship
Manager
IGNITE Hub
Nicola Anderson
Receptionist
Marie Shuker
Events & Project
Officer
Gemma Edwards
Policy & Impact
Officer
Tracey Jovicich
Membership
Administrator
Osborn Communications
Press, PR and Prosper
Contact Us: 0330 024 0820
Membership: membership@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 05

CHAMBER NEWS
University named as partners of
the Women in Leadership network
The University of Wolverhampton is partnering
the Black Country Chamber’s Women in
Leadership network for 2024.
The university, which fosters a culture of
empowering women through various initiatives
including the SPARK Incubator programme,
Women’s Network and Women in Business
Conference, will work closely with the network to
inspire, engage and champion women across the
Black Country.
Helen Sargeant, knowledge exchange and
business engagement lead, at the university, said:
“We are delighted to sponsor the Women in
Leadership network. We have always worked
closely with the Chamber, and the network is very
important to us.
“It’s important that our students see women as
entrepreneurs. Many of our students go on to run
their own businesses and we want to equip them
with all of the necessary skills to help them
achieve their ambitions.
“It can be challenging working in maledominated
environments and we want our
students to know we are committed to supporting
and championing women.”
Helen added: “The Women in Leadership
network is a great opportunity to address all kinds
of issues that affect women, from imposter
syndrome, menopause and perimenopause; the
more we can do to support and have a united voice
as a regional network, the better.”
Vikki Potts, head of the business school, said:
“Being a female leader can be challenging, and it is
vital to have positive role models and networks.
“We are proud to be part of a networking group
where regardless of background and sector, we
are all aligned to the same purpose of inspiring and
championing women across the region.”
The Women in Leadership network held its first
event in July and saw TV news presenter Pip
Tomson discuss imposter syndrome and ways to
overcome it.
Speaking about the event, Helen said: “It was
brilliant. Really inspiring, a space to share
experiences, that felt very empowering.
“The discussion around imposter syndrome was
powerful. It’s something we all have but don’t want
to say out loud. The event was a great opportunity
to normalise it and share experiences.”
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce is
calling on businesses to join the University of
Wolverhampton in raising the profile of regional
women leaders by becoming Women in
Leadership 2024 partners.
Partners will support BlackRook Academy
Managing Director and Women in Leadership Chair
Lucy Rook in her role to help guide, inspire, and
raise the profile of women within the Black
Country.
If you would like to become a partner of Black
Country Women in Leadership 2024, please
contact events@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
New networking event launched for professional services
Members of the Black Country professional
services community are invited to attend a new
networking event organised by the Black
Country Chamber.
Professionals at the Table (PATT) is welcoming
professionals from industries including banking,
legal, accounting, surveying and auditing to
network and share best practice at its first event
on Thursday, October 10.
The first networking event will take place at
the Queens Cantonese Restaurant on Queen
Street, Wolverhampton from 12 noon to 2.30pm,
at which attendees can enjoy networking with
like-minded professionals over a three-course
lunch.
The event will take place on a quarterly basis
and feature guest speakers and insightful
presentations to connect and engage the
professional services community.
Gail Arnold, the Black Country Chamber’s head
of premium membership, said: “Talking to our
members we realised that there was a demand
for a networking event that brings together
those working in professional services.
“The exclusive PATT networking event will be
a fantastic opportunity for individuals to share
best practice, exchange ideas and contribute to
sector specific discussions.
“We encourage businesses from across the
professional services industry to attend.”
Admission to the event is by invitation only,
with tickets costing £25 for members and
£30 for non-members. Find out more at
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/events
06 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

Chamber focuses on business priorities
as it looks to government for support
Before the general election, Black Country
Chamber released a statement calling for the new
government to focus on areas that are a priority
for this region.
These included the investment zone in
Wolverhampton, supporting SMEs to fully exploit
AI within their businesses, Local Skills
Improvement Plans and support for increasing the
availability of skilled labour.
The new government’s first King’s Speech
contained over 40 bills, of which three stood out:
AI regulation, the reform of the Apprenticeship
Levy, and a commitment to improving trade with
the EU. Little detail has been released about any of
these announcements, but we await with interest
more information about how these will work.
While it is unclear what these bills will involve,
the Chamber will push the government to ensure
that the AI regulation bill does not stifle the ability
of SMEs to access and exploit its use. AI
regulations that mean only those businesses with
deep pockets could afford the costs of compliance
will be a very short-sighted approach, given that
SMEs are over 90% of the UK’s business
population.
There have been no indications as yet how the
investment zones will be affected. The zone in
Wolverhampton is the Wolverhampton Green
Innovation Corridor, designed to create new green
industries and skills through a partnership
between the city council and university with £7m
investment for land remediation and key
infrastructure.
Local Skills Improvement Plans may be caught
up in some way in the Growth and Skills Levy, but
for now the plans continue as scheduled. The
funding for these plans will end in March 2025.
The government has committed to reducing the
number of fiscal events. Spending reviews will be
every three years instead of two, and will have a
three-year forecast.
Predictions for the Budget on 30th October are
difficult to make so far in advance, but it seems
fairly safe to say that money will be committed to
a Better Buses Bill, for more planning officers
across the country, and greater devolution
powers.
Sarah Moorhouse, Black Country Chamber of
Commerce CEO comments: “As a non-political
membership organisation operating in a
not-for-profit capacity, we want to see
businesses of all sizes benefit from economic
‘‘
stability and will continue to support our members
through a range of services.
“Black Country businesses now need to see
ambition around investment, jobs, skills and
training to seize growth opportunities, so we
keenly anticipate the new Government’s policies in
support of these things.
“As the leading regional business support
agency for the Black Country, we now look
forward to working with the newly elected
representatives in Parliament as part of our work
to ensure our members’ voices are heard loud and
clear at a national level.”
Black Country businesses need to see ambition
around investment, jobs, skills and training to seize
growth opportunities... we keenly anticipate the new
Government’s policies in support of these things.
Sarah Moorhouse
Black Country businesses are
looking to the Prime Minister to
offer concrete measures to
support their aspirations
CEO raises Chamber’s profile with BBC TV appearance
The Black Country Chamber has been raising its profile
through broadcast media. In June, CEO Sarah Moorhouse
spoke about the impact of inflation on local businesses
during a live national BBC TV news appearance.
Sarah was interviewed at Wolverhampton Market by
BBC Breakfast TV business reporter Ben Boulos ahead of
inflation figures being announced to get her views on the
outlook among the region’s companies.
Speaking live on TV, Sarah said: “Inflation has a huge
effect as it is another thing to think about when trying to
run a business alongside energy costs and transport
issues in terms of fuel costs. It is another thing to think
about while we try to keep this region really flourishing.”
Asked what the impact of rising costs were for
‘‘
businesses, Sarah said: “It might mean recruitment has
to be put on hold or delays in investment in equipment or
machinery.
“It might also mean that it is really hard to retain key
members of the team because as we know it is a dog eat
dog world out there and there are some fabulous
opportunities.
“Black Country businesses are always cautiously
optimistic and always looking on the brighter side of
things and want to try to make things work. It does look
like things are getting better.”
As well as appearing on BBC Breakfast, Sarah was
filmed for a rolling news channel and later national TV
bulletins throughout the day.
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 07

CHAMBER POLICY
Bank focused on
lower inflation
as business
confidence rises
In August, the Chamber
hosted its quarterly
session with the Bank of
England’s Agent for the
West Midlands, Graeme
Chaplin (pictured).
Available to Gold tier
Chamber members or
higher, these events feature a
briefing from the Agent on the latest news and
an explanation on decisions made. They also
include analysis of the current and forecast
state of the economy, followed by an
open-floor discussion with attendees.
Graeme told the meeting that the Bank
remained focused on keeping inflation under
control, and its recent decision to cut interest
rates had been finely balanced (votes were 5-4
in favour). The Bank needs to ensure that
inflation stays low in the years to come, and
there is still cause for concern with services
inflation as prices are still rising at rates above
past averages.
Demand for goods and services has been
stronger than expected; if this continues, it
could lead to higher inflation. At the same time
business investment remains weak, though
expectations are becoming more positive as
uncertainty reduces.
Following Graeme’s analysis, the floor was
opened to discussion where attendees
focused on demand and sales outlook, spare
capacity, expected price rises, and the outlook
for pay growth in 2025.
Finding the right staff and skills continues to
be an issue across all sectors, but particularly
for manufacturers. This was having a knock-on
effect for training providers, who struggle to
find tutors and cannot compete on salary. Pay
rises have impacted businesses, particularly
the past two years of a mandatory rise in the
minimum wage.
However, almost all said their sector felt
strong, and investments were being made in
new equipment and changes to support higher
productivity.
QES reveals return of
business confidence
Gemma Edwards,
Chamber Policy & Impact Officer
The Chamber hosted its Q2 Quarterly Economic
Survey data reveal at the Mercure Hotel in West
Bromwich on July 11 – a week after the
tumultuous General Election.
The data revealed an increasingly positive
picture, with businesses reporting more stability in
the past six months. This had led to an increase in
domestic sales, business confidence and
investments, and recruitment issues had
stabilised. Compared to Q1, which was more
downbeat, there was increased optimism and
belief that business conditions are improving.
Our Q3 survey ran from August 19 to
September 12. It is hoped it will show a continued
rise in business confidence, as the new
government settles in and more detail emerges
about how new schemes will work, particularly the
reform of the Apprenticeship Levy into the Growth
and Skills Levy. Inflation is targeted to remain
below 3% for the rest of the year, and that,
combined with an expected further drop in interest
rates, should help businesses to feel more
confident about the next 12 months.
The second part of the QES event was a
presentation on Net Zero and Carbon Border
Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Topics covered
The Black Country Chamber QES speakers at Mercure Birmingham West
Hotel in West Bromwich. Back row from left, Munminder Gill and Paul
Harper from Auditel, Dan Downes of Mercia Group Services, Ben Towe
from Hadley Group and Harry Long of Pro Enviro Ltd.
Front row from left, Gemma Edwards from the Chamber, Stuart Smith of
Lord Combustion Services and Sian Roberts of the Chamber.
included what CBAM is, the timeline for
implementation and the sectors it applies to, and
the opportunities and challenges included within it.
We were led by a presentation from two carbon
consultants, Munminder Gill and Paul Harper from
Auditel, and this was followed by a panel discussion
with three Chamber members: Dan Downes from
Land 360, Stuart Smith from Lord Combustion
Services, and Ben Towe from Hadley Group.
The panel discussion covered a range of
approaches to CBAM, with key advice being to
begin measuring carbon emissions. The Net Zero
agenda was challenging, and it was difficult to keep
up with constant changes in legislation and
technology, the immature market, and finding new
ways to reduce energy use and costs.
However, the government could help by
developing a toolbox of technologies and solutions.
They need to make it clear how we will generate
the power change to renewable sources, and
where the power plants will be.
Finally, a presentation from Business Growth
West Midlands, promoting the Business Energy
Audit Service (BEAS), closed the event.
This is a free audit of your business energy
consumption and will provide recommendations
for improving energy efficiency. If your business
implements any of the recommendations, grants
can help fund them. More information can be found
on the BGWM website.
Black Country Chamber’s next Bank of
England Panel event will take place in
person on Tuesday, November 19 from
8.30am to 10am. Gold, Platinum & Patron
members can sign up to attend at
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/events
to Q1, which
was more downbeat, this was a
‘‘Compared
statement of increased optimism
and belief that business
conditions are improving
‘‘
Our next data reveal event will be on Thursday,
October 17 at Bescot Stadium, Walsall from
10am-11:30am. The focus will be on employee
benefits and wellbeing.
Just sign up to attend at
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/events
08 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

CHAMBER NEWS
Courage
Collaboration
Integrity
Earlier this year, the Chamber began
crafting the core values that underpin
everything we do.
Developing organisational values goes hand in
hand with building company culture - the collective
culture of principles, behaviours and attitudes that
includes our values, work environment, mission,
vision, ethics and goals. Core values are essential to
building an enduring, prosperous and inspiring
workplace, and developing our values was a natural
progression from building the strong team that
forms the Chamber today.
Our first step was to engage the services of
valued Chamber member Acorn Support.
Managing director Claire Lawton worked with the
Chamber’s senior management team to establish
the process that would deliver the right values for
the business.
After thoroughly working through their ideas,
Claire then ran a separate session with the rest of
the team, to gather their thoughts on the
Chamber’s vision and mission. Every team
member was given the opportunity to have their
voice heard and to connect with the values that
the Chamber will work to, moving forward.
The resulting values are those that we have all
committed to and that run through everything
that we do, every day.
Courage, Integrity, Collaboration
Our commitment to our values starts with
putting the interests of our members and the
Crafting the Chamber’s
values
Black Country business community at the heart of
everything we do. To assist in the delivery of our
mission, we stand by three core values that shape
the support we provide for businesses.
Courage
In business, courage is a quality that often
separates the extraordinary from the ordinary. It is
the driving force that propels individuals to
embrace calculated risks, challenge norms, and
drive through change along with acting with
conviction, honour and a sense of purpose.
n To take ownership, accountability and
responsibility
n To face challenges head on
n To embrace change and show willingness to
navigate uncertainties
n To be resilient in adversity, showing mental and
moral strength
n To advocate innovation and improvement
Collaboration
Collaboration is the practice of working together
with internal and external connections to pool
resources, understand each other’s strengths,
create value, solve problems and achieve shared
goals and objectives.
n Actively participate in open communication,
ensuring those who are quieter are heard
n Respect all views, embracing all perspectives,
providing constructive feedback
n Sharing in goals and objectives for the good of all
n Working together to solve problems with a
solution in a resolution-led approach
Integrity
We will demonstrate integrity by being
authentic, transparent and honest, which will in
turn create a respectful relationship with
colleagues, members and peers alike.
n To be authentic, sincere and consistent in all
interactions, with openness and transparency
n To demonstrate the same when no one is
looking
n To be clear on beliefs, aligned to our work, and
to be an advocate for what is right
n To respect others’ views, beliefs and values
n To actively listen and engage in open dialogue.
10 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

CHAMBER PATRONS
Technician defies odds
to claim outstanding
apprentice prize
A young apprentice who thrives on proving
doubters wrong was named as the outstanding
apprentice of the year for the West Midlands by
Chamber Patron In-Comm Training at its awards.
Magna Cosma Casting’s Marcelina Hrynkiewicz
overcame the challenge of more than 120 of her
peers to secure the main honour in front of 400
people at the 2024 In-Comm Training Awards in
Birmingham.
Judges praised the Telford technician’s
dedication and commitment to achieving personal
and technical growth, as well as her natural
leadership that is prevalent in the quality of
projects she delivers.
Companies were also in the spotlight for the
way they back the next generation of talent and
how they continue to invest in their workforces.
Bekki Phillips, chief operating officer at
In-Comm Training, praised the diversity and quality
of the entries: “Shouting louder about
apprenticeships is why we set up these awards
and why they continue to be the biggest
competition of their type in the UK. It is imperative
we shine the light on young people, mentors and
employers who are helping drive industry
forward.”
Black Country winners included:
n Caitlin Findlay (Penny Post Credit Union):
Business Support
n Harry Galt (Mueller Europe): Foundation
Engineering & Manufacturing – Aldridge
n Ben Speed (Assa Abloy): Advanced
Engineering & Manufacturing – Aldridge
n Ashley Kimberley (Assa Abloy): Apprentice
Champion of the Year
The awards were made possible by headline
sponsor the Engineering Technology Group (ETG)
and other sponsors, including Assa Abloy, Black
Country Chamber of Commerce, Collins
Aerospace, Crowe LLP, EAL, FBC Manby Bowdler,
Gestamp, In-Comm TMG, MAGNA and the Peter
Wood Memorial charity.
Assa Abloy Opening Solutions UKI said it was
“proud” to see two team members recognised at
the awards.
Patrons go behind
the scenes at Midlands
Air Ambulance HQ
Patron members from five Chambers of
Commerce across the West Midlands came
together for a behind-the-scenes tour of the
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity in Shropshire.
Representatives of the Black Country
Chamber of Commerce were among those to
spend a fascinating morning at the
organisation’s new £11 million base near RAF
Cosford, which provides life-saving medical
support to six Midlands counties.
CEO Sarah Moorhouse and Gail Arnold, the
Chamber’s head of premium membership,
joined Helen Lees from AEG Presents, Gary
McGrann of Starting Point Recruitment and
Juniper Training’s Samantha Broomhall and
Tara Hughes for the visit.
It included a tour of the hangars and training
rooms, a briefing on the charity’s fundraising
campaigns, and the chance for a look inside
one of the helicopters on the Cosford helipad
and chat to the pilots and medics.
The event was organised by the Shropshire
Chamber of Commerce, and as well as the
patron members from the Black Country,
there were member representatives from the
Chambers of Staffordshire, Coventry &
Warwickshire, and Hereford & Worcester.
The behind-the-scenes visit was the latest
in a series of collaborative events designed to
give patrons of neighbouring Chambers the
chance to meet and network with their
counterparts, and broaden their contacts.
n For more on Patron membership, email
stephaniesullivan@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Tyla takes honours at Juniper awards
The Juniper Training Apprenticeship Awards 2024
lit up the Molineux Stadium, celebrating the
incredible achievements of apprentices and
employers across the region. The event brought
together employers, finalists, partners and guests
to honour the exceptional contributions of
apprentices in various fields.
Tyla Gooden from Green Bee Recruitment was
awarded both the recruitment apprentice of the
year and recognised as the overall apprentice of
the year for her exceptional performance and
commitment to excellence.
The event was attended by employers and
finalists alongside representatives from the
Association of Employment and Learning
Providers (AELP), Lloyds Banking Group, Black
Country Chamber of Commerce, local authority
colleagues and local councillors.
The following apprentices were also recognised
in the awards:
Business Apprentice of the Year:
Keira Hilton, Fields of Shifnal
Construction & Logistics Apprentice of the
Year: Jordon Hawkes, Cladanco
Early Years Apprentice of the Year:
Rosie Rushton, from Limes Court Nursery School
Teaching & Education Apprentice of the Year:
Debbie Clarke from New Leaf Centre
Small Employer of the Year: Extra Recruitment
Large Employer of the Year:
Wolverhampton Homes
Juniper Ambassador of the Year: Joanne Partridge
Mayor of Wolverhampton, Cllr Linda Leach, said:
“It is inspiring to see the talent and dedication of
apprentices and employers.”
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 11

CHAMBER PLATINUM GROUP
Get to grips with AI as WMCA steps in with
funding for training in vital digital skills
Platinum Group member BlackRook Academy is
partnering with City of Wolverhampton College to
offer a day release industry bootcamp aimed at
developing digital skills in business, funded by the
West Midlands Combined Authority.
The Social Media Content Creator Bootcamp for
Business is aimed at any business looking to
up-skill a member of staff so that they can make
social media work better.
The training covers effective and tailored use of
social platforms, writing and story-telling, use of
AI, Google Ads, analytics tools and the whole arc of
story-telling from deciding what content works to
production, with in-depth coaching.
The BlackRook Academy team of industry
experts has been successfully delivering this
training for 18 months. The WMCA has extended
its funding offer to businesses region-wide with
heavily subsidised pricing, meaning the course can
be delivered for just a few hundred pounds per
head.
BlackRook Academy Director Alan Rook said:
“There is very clearly a need for every business to
build an audience online and across social media.
“What our courses offer at BlackRook is
industry insight in how to generate good ideas that
will punch through all the noise and land with
customers.
“This WMCA funding offer for business means
training your people up to that level at next to no
cost and the day release format means very
manageable tweaks to your team’s working week
to achieve those goals.”
If you are interested you can email Alan
- alan@blackrookmedia.com - or you
can call him on: 07801 522 880.
Coinadrink lands customer service
award at the national ‘Vendies’
The national Vendies Awards 2024 was another
successful occasion for family-run Walsall-based
vending and refreshment operator Coinadrink Ltd.
The Vendies is an annual celebration of the best
of the vending and refreshment industry.
Platinum member Coinadrink was honoured for
the efforts of its 74-strong team with the
Customer Service award. In addition, engineer
Kieran Jones was named Best Service Engineer
while operator Samantha MacKirdy was highly
commended in the Woman of the Year category.
MD Tom Williams said of this award: “I am
incredibly proud of both the individual and
company recognition we achieved at the Vendies.
“To win the Customer Service award as a
business is an incredible feeling and a testament to
our whole team buying into our mission of
providing a great service, at a fair price with a
personal touch for our customers.”
Family-run Coinadrink has served the West
Midlands and beyond with quality vending and
refreshment solutions since 1962.
Energy consultants celebrate network
Control Energy Costs held its annual Associations
Day to better understand why their partners
choose to collaborate and why partnering is
beneficial.
Midlands attendees joined the event at the
platinum member firm’s HQ, to see presentations
including an overview of Control Energy Costs,
trading and reports, sustainability, information on
teams, and key account management.
The day concluded with a tour of the office, where
guests met the teams responsible for service. Each
team leader got the opportunity to demonstrate to
partners what they do for them, their members and
clients.
As a token of Control Energy Costs’ appreciation,
each guest received a sustainable goody bag.
BCRS in £1m boost to
jobs and prosperity
Loans totalling £1m have been delivered in a
single calendar month by Platinum Chamber
member BCRS Business Loans to companies
looking to grow and create jobs.
Wolverhampton-based BCRS Business
Loans distributed the landmark amount during
July to 14 firms, bringing an economic impact of
£5.8m while safeguarding 112 jobs and creating
a further 37 roles.
Meeting the community lender’s goal of
supporting enterprises in geographic and social
groups which have difficulties securing
investment from traditional sources, 20 per
cent of the companies were female-led.
BCRS Business Loans CEO Stephen Deakin
(below) said: “This is fantastic news. Businesses
need financial backing to realise their growth
plans and employment ambitions, and we will
continue to deliver against our goal of ensuring
no viable business goes unsupported.”
The loan delivery was spread across the
West Midlands and Wales, the regions served
by BCRS Business Loans.
The July lending drew upon the full range of
BCRS Business Loans sources, including the
second Community Investment Enterprise
Fund, backed by Lloyds Bank, the first
mainstream lender at scale to finance loans for
delivery through CDFIs.
The new £62m CIEF offers
funds to businesses unable
to access finance from
traditional sources. BCRS
Business Loans supports
the CIEF delivery in the West
Midlands and Wales by providing
secure loans between £25,000 and £150,000
to enable growth and recovery plans.
12 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

CHAMBER SERVICES
The Chamber’s here to give our newest
entrepreneurs the boost they need
Start-up business manager Alison Trinder joined the Black Country Chamber
of Commerce on 21 June 2004 and is a much-valued member of the team.
Chamber apprentice Owenia Francis asked Alison about her 20-year career.
Congratulations on celebrating your 20th
anniversary with the Chamber! What kind of
changes have you seen over time?
Alison Trinder (AT): The Chamber launched the
Start-Up Club in 2018 when I saw a gap in the
market for more longer-term tailored support to
help new enterprises flourish and grow. The
Start-Up Business Club has proven to be a great
success, with a steady growth in membership
numbers and new enterprises being supported
each year.
Regarding changes, in my opinion starting a new
business has become more accessible over recent
years. A huge change in trends came with
Covid-19: with more people able to work remotely
and connecting across the world, more people
were inspired to set up on their own, and with the
rise in the use of digital and social media platforms
supporting marketing and brand awareness this
has become much easier. Additionally, there is a
growing emphasis on sustainability and ethical
practices, and more modern business models.
How has your role evolved within the start-up
community?
AT: My role has changed enormously. I am seen
as the ‘go-to person’ to speak to should you need
any support in starting up. Over the years I have
met and still work with some fantastic people,
trainers and mentors who are experts in their field
and are happy to collaborate with me and the club.
With the proven success of the club and the
credibility it has gained, we have managed to win
two successful bids to deliver start-up support,
which now means that I am running a small team
to deliver the projects.
Are there any highlights from some of the
start-ups you’ve worked with?
AT: There are so many to choose from. I am
currently working with a lady who is a perfumer,
she really has taken onboard all the support the
chamber can offer. She enjoys the circle of
‘‘
support from the club; we helped her marketing
and branding, logos and packaging. She saved so
much money using our Quest portal downloading
contracts and documents, using the legal support
regarding IP and trademarking, and finally, through
our networking, has made great connections
which has really opened doors. She has been a
delight to work with, proud to be a Chamber
member and recommends us to her network of
clients - she knows we’re at the end of the phone
when she needs us.
What do you get up to outside of work? How
does this shape your mindset?
AT: I play golf. I’m quite new to the sport – this is
my third year. My husband has played golf for
many years, so this is something that we can both
enjoy and play at weekends.
I also like walking. I try to go for an hour each
night after work. I think it helps you to wind down
and reflect on the day.
I think both of the above have similarities and
mindsets needed starting your own business: ie,
goal setting, focus, resilience and adaptability,
continuous improvement and, of course,
memberships!
What do you wish more people knew about
start-ups in the region?
AT: The Black Country has seen a steady
increase in the number of start-ups over
the past few years. In 2023 there were
over 1,200 new businesses registered
in the region, with a relatively high
success rate of approximately 60% of
new businesses surviving in their first
Wolverhampton was named as one of best
places in the country for women to start a business
‘‘
... I’m so proud of the community that we’ve
helped foster in the Black Country
three years. We have supported many business
sectors, the majority being in the services sector,
including tech and professional services.
Wolverhampton was also named as one of the
best places in the country for women to start a
business.
I’m proud of the community that we’ve helped
foster here in the Black Country.
​To find out more about the
Start-Up Business Club, visit
startupbusinessclub.co.uk
More on the Start-Up
Business Club: see page 44
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 13

BLACK COUNTRY CHAMBER AWARDS
Book your place at the biggest
business awards night of 2024
Tickets will go on sale shortly for our
annual celebration of the best of the
Black Country’s business scene, the
23rd annual Chamber of Commerce
Awards.
Our region’s rising stars, high performers,
innovators and community champions will be
honoured on November 21 with a glittering black
tie dinner and awards ceremony at The Halls
Wolverhampton, operated by AEG Presents.
Tickets for the big night will go on general sale
on October 8 via the Chamber website.
Tables of 10 places will cost from £1,250 plus
VAT, while individual places will be available from
£125 plus VAT.
Our compere and host will be TV and radio
sports broadcaster Amber Sandhu from
Wolverhampton, who appears across BBC and
Sky. Amber will lead a night of entertainment
‘‘
‘‘
This promises to truly be a night
of celebration to remember.
including the presentation of awards across 14
categories.
The Chamber’s events & project officer Marie
Shuker said: “We have had a tremendous
response from entrants for this year’s Awards, and
it promises to be a night of celebration to remember.
“Entries will be judged independently by our
Patrons and Board members, who will select the
finalists to be announced later in September.
“The shortlisted finalists for each category will
receive an in-person visit by the judges from our
KEY FACTS
Awards Night: November 21
Venue: The Halls, Wolverhampton
Cost: Individual places from £125 + VAT
Table of 10: from £1,250 + VAT
category partners in October as they make their
final decisions.
“Our finalists will be able to make priority
bookings for tickets before they go on general
sale. Last year we had a complete sell out for the
night and a long waiting list for tickets so it will be a
case of ‘first come, first served’, and we encourage
you to get yours as soon as they go on sale.”
Marie added: “We cannot wait to honour the
innovative, impactful and resilient businesses of
the Black Country at our awards night.”
Valued partners include Halesowen College,
which will judge the Business in the Community
category, and Lloyds Bank, which is supporting
the Apprentice Employer of the Year category.
Azets will name the Family Business of the Year
while Wolves Foundation is our partner for
Employer of the Year.
The Business in Schools category is in
partnership with the University of
Wolverhampton, the partner for the Start-up
prize is last year’s winner Daniel-Scott
Recruitment and CKCA Limited is with us for the
Manufacturing and Engineering award.
Forresters is partner for the Science,
Technology and Innovation category and KMB
Shipping Group is on board for International Trade.
The Young Employee or Apprentice of the Year is
in partnership with Sandwell College.
GTG West Midlands is the Chamber’s partner in
the Consultancy and Professional Services
category, while Small Business of the Year (1-9
employees) is delivered in partnership with
6 Wands Accountants & Bookkeepers.
Other partners valued for their support include
Walsall Council and Sandwell Council.
Winners will also be announced in the
categories for Business of the Year (more than 10
employees) and the Not for Profit organisation.
As the leading regional support agency for firms
in the Black Country, the Chamber stages the
annual awards as part of its drive to provide
opportunities for businesses looking to grow,
connect and be part of a thriving network.
Last November’s awards saw more than 500
guests gather to celebrate a range of winners.
Black Country Chamber CEO Sarah Moorhouse
said: “We have been delighted with the fantastic
response from businesses entering this year who
want to celebrate their progress and are keen to be
recognised by their Chamber as a success.
“The judging process will be rigorous, with some
tough decisions ahead for those deciding who
takes home the trophies on the awards night.
“Like everything great about the Chamber,
collaboration is central to delivering these awards
so we are grateful to all our partners for their
valued support.
“As a team we have been delighted to work
with so many valued colleagues to prepare what
promises to be a superb celebration of the very
best of the Black Country’s business scene.”
Keep up to date with all the latest news on
the 2024 awards by going to:
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/awards
14 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

Awards Headline Partner: Walsall Council
Walsall – a great place
to do business
Walsall is in the middle of a £1.5 billion
transformational regeneration
programme which will create more
than 4,000 jobs and support the growth of local
businesses and entrepreneurs.
Walsall is a thriving and well-connected area
of the West Midlands for businesses to invest in,
and local businesses can benefit from a range of
support available from Walsall Council’s business
growth team, including two grant programmes,
for SME productivity and to improve
decarbonisation and net zero.
Businesses can also receive support from the
Walsall High Growth Programme, which is being
delivered in partnership with Oxford Innovation,
helping local SMEs to overcome barriers to
business growth.
Local entrepreneurs can also receive help and
advice from the Start-Up Walsall programme,
delivered by Black Country Chamber of
Commerce, which provides a cohort-based,
classroom-style programme with tailored
one-to-one advice.
Regeneration projects
Walsall’s town centres are being regenerated,
using £140m of Government funding and
brownfield land and disused sites are being
brought back into economic use with a pipeline
of over 2million sq ft of high spec employment
floorspace being developed, including Walsall’s
flagship scheme SPARK, which is situated close
to junction 10 of the M6 and is one of Europe’s
largest regeneration schemes of its kind.
The site will generate 620,000 sq ft of
employment floorspace across 44 acres, built
with net zero carbon capability and close to key
transport links.
Adult learning is being prioritised, including
the development of a construction skills centre
and new adult learning centre, to develop a
skilled pool of local talent. Partnerships between
the council and Walsall College will create
opportunities to upskill residents so businesses
can benefit from Walsall’s extensive labour pool.
Transport
Three new railway stations will be built across
the borough and Walsall’s town centre will be
improved by the creation of a new plaza and
connected gateway between the bus and train
stations. A number of interventions taking place
across the borough will improve active travel
routes to make commuting easier.
Housing
New homes will be delivered, creating quality,
affordable homes to meet housing
demands.
In total, 1,000 homes are currently
being delivered on sites across the
borough and there is a pipeline of
over 100 new homes on key sites to
be developed.
Support entrepreneurs
Projects such as the Creative Industries
Enterprise Centre and the Digital Hub in Walsall
will encourage and nurture the borough’s
creativity by providing facilities and support for
creative enterprises.
Bloxwich Launchpad is a new centre in the
heart of Bloxwich, due to open in spring 2026,
supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses
to grow.
The West Midlands has become the first
region in the UK to get ground-breaking new
‘growth zone’ powers capable of generating
more than £1.7 billion for local councils to spend
on levelling up their most deprived areas and
driving future growth.
One of these growth zones will be in Walsall.
The council is set to develop the plans in
partnership with the West Midlands Combined
Authority, which will bring a wealth of further
opportunities to the region.
Walsall also benefits from being in the heart
of the West Midlands, close to Birmingham with
strong transport links to the wider region and
beyond.
Housing costs are lower than other major
West Midlands cities but residents and
businesses are close to the main
motorway network, railway stations and
two major airports.
Councillor Adrian Andrew (pictured
left), portfolio holder for economic growth
and regeneration at Walsall Council, said: “We
started 2024 in a really strong place as a
borough, with considerable funding and
investment secured and lots of projects already
well underway.
“In 2023 we strengthened our plans for
Walsall town centre, began compulsory
purchases to help us achieve housing targets
and secured more funding to develop long-term
plans for the borough.
“2024 will see lots of spades in the ground as
work starts on delivering some of our flagship
projects. These will create a step change in the
Walsall offer and experience.
“We are focused on attracting more inward
investment, engaging with developers, skills
providers and businesses and working with our
partners to bring all of our ambitious plans for
the borough to life to benefit all residents.”
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 15

BLACK COUNTRY CHAMBER AWARDS
Partner with the Chamber
at the 2024 Awards
Exciting chance to align your
brand with the very best of the
Black Country business scene
Businesses and organisations can still enjoy the
benefits of partnering with the Chamber of
Commerce at the 2024 Business Awards.
With the competition heating up, partners will
receive extensive promotional coverage before
and after the November 21 event, as well as seeing
their branding at the awards ceremony itself,
ensuring maximum visibility for their businesses.
Organisations can sign up to partner on an
individual award category or take up a package to
support the event overall.
The winning formula for category partners
includes a table for 10 on the awards evening, a
feature in the next Prosper magazine, due out in
December, social media promotion and two
invitations to a winners’ lunch.
Events and project officer Marie Shuker said:
“Joining the ranks of partners already on board for
the awards will not only enhance your company’s
brand but give you access to a range of profileraising
opportunities across some of the largest
business to business platforms in the Black
Country.
“We are excited to offer businesses the chance
to align their brands with the very best of the
Black Country’s business scene, joining the
partners who have demonstrated their
commitment to supporting and championing
businesses in the region by supporting our awards
as they near their return.
“There is plenty of time to get maximum impact
from your involvement but please be aware that if
you are partnering with our awards you must be
available to be part of our judging panel in
October.”
The winner of the Start-up Award in 2023,
employment expert Daniel-Scott Recruitment,
will hand the trophy to this year’s winner, having
taken up the category partnership.
Director and founder Lucy Cashmore said: “We
decided to partner with the Chamber on the
start-up category because we believe in
supporting innovation and emerging
entrepreneurs.
“Last year the award partner believed in us, and
the business that we have gained from winning
this category has been tremendous, so it’s
important for us to work together and support
other new businesses as they start their journey.”
More information on partnership
packages is available at
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/partner
Organisations interested in becoming a
partner should email
awards@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
or call the Chamber on 0330 024 0820
Apprentice Employer of the Year
In partnership with
Lloyds Bank
Lloyds Bank, the sponsor of the Apprentice
Employer of the Year Award, is looking to see
entries from businesses which have a learning
culture at the heart of their organisation.
This category looks to recognise the
commitment employers undertake to train staff
under a recognised apprenticeship scheme and
demonstrate the impact for the workforce of the
future.
Judges will want to hear about your company’s
apprenticeship journey, the challenges it has
faced and how they were overcome.
Lloyds Bank’s commercial banking area
director Richard Jenkins said: “As proud Platinum
Group members, this enables the bank to
deepen our insights and strengthen our
business relationships across the region.
“By sponsoring the Chamber Awards, this
further enhances the strong relationship we
have with Sarah Moorhouse and her team and
underlines the importance of the Black Country
business community to us as a bank.
“The Black Country business community is
facing the ongoing challenge of recruiting both
skilled and unskilled labour into what is one of
the manufacturing heartlands of the UK, and as
a bank, doing what we can to help businesses
address this skill gap is aligned to our Helping
Britain Prosper purpose.
“I’m hoping to see entries from businesses
that really do have a learning culture at the very
heart of their business.
“My role allows me to visit businesses
throughout the Black Country and beyond. It is
clear from these visits that those businesses
that actively invest in apprenticeship
programmes benefit hugely as employers.
“From tailored learning to build relevant
expertise and knowledge, to generating a talent
pipeline and attracting new talent, to upskilling
existing staff to enhance their capabilities and
adaptability in the face of changing demands and
encouraging a more inclusive and diverse
workforce, apprenticeships deliver results.
“And that’s before we get to the clear benefit
for the apprentices and wider workforce, with
increased loyalty and retention.”
Lloyds Bank has strong roots in the Black
Country with its very first branch located in
Oldbury. Originally known as Taylors & Lloyds,
the bank has evolved into Lloyds Bank and plays
a vital role in the business and commercial
sector, supporting business customers to realise
their ambitions and seize opportunities for
growth.
The bank extended its sponsorship of the
Lloyds Bank MTC Training Centre at
the Manufacturing Technology Centre in
Coventry. This will support the training and
upskilling of graduates, apprentices and
engineers in the sector, supporting the biggest
issue manufacturers face into around skills
shortages.
Through Lloyds Bank’s sponsorship they have
now supported the training and upskilling of
more than 3,800 apprentices, graduates and
engineers with more than 700 in 2023 alone.
16 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

MEET THE MAYOR: RICHARD PARKER
Growth, homes, transport, jobs and skills will be the main priorities to bring “real change” to the Black Country, the new Mayor of the
West Midlands has told Black Country Chamber of Commerce. Richard Parker spoke exclusively to Prosper about his aims for the
region’s economy in one of his first interviews since his election in May. He has experienced a whirlwind few months since he secured
victory over Conservative candidate and incumbent Mayor Andy Street by 1,508 votes. Mr Street had served two terms as Mayor.
Soon after Richard’s election as the region’s first Labour Mayor, the General Election delivered more change as Sir Keir Starmer
secured a resounding victory. With the Black Country now looking to Mr Parker at a regional level and the Labour Party nationally for
direction in shaping the future of the economy, Prosper spoke to him about his goals and plans.
‘My priorities will deliver the
change this region needs...’
Congratulations on your successful election
campaign. How have you found your first few
months as the new Mayor of the West Midlands?
What has been your focus over the last quarter?
Richard Parker: It’s a privilege to serve in this role. These first
few weeks have been focused on taking early but concrete
steps to create a region that’s right for the people who live
here. And it’s been a busy start.
Launching the Youth Plan has been a very personal one for
me. I know what it’s like to leave school without the grades
you’d hoped for. Right now, youth unemployment is double the
national average in some parts of our region. That’s why I’m so
passionate about giving every young person in the West
Midlands the opportunities and support they need to succeed.
We can’t afford to let them down.
I’ve got our West Midlands Investment Zone over the line.
That’s important for the Black Country with the
Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor being one of the
three designated sites. It’s about more than just economic
growth, it’s about creating opportunities and jobs for people
across our region.
We’ve also taken the first steps to bring our buses back
under public control. This is crucial for creating an affordable
and accessible transport system that truly meets the needs of
our communities. People in the Black Country will be able to
get to the jobs your members are creating, as well as essential
services like schools, pharmacies, and doctors’ surgeries.
You are the first Labour Mayor of the West Midlands. With the
General Election resulting in a landslide win for your party,
what are your combined priorities particularly on jobs, skills
and business? How will you work with the Government, local
Labour councils and the Black Country MPs, the majority of
whom are now Labour, to deliver the change which the party
has campaigned on?
Richard Parker: Make no mistake, the performance of the
West Midlands matters to the health of the UK economy. I was
pleased that the King’s Speech included a commitment to
draw up a national industrial strategy, something the Black
Country Chamber has been calling for. This national strategy
will complement and support my local plans, which focus on
our strengths in areas like advanced manufacturing and digital
technology as well as the green industries of the future.
But while an economy with strong cutting-edge sectors is
important, it’s not enough on its own. We also need to support
the Black Country’s everyday economy - businesses in
hospitality, retail, and care. They play a vital role in the quality
of our economy and people’s quality of life.
The Chamber’s membership will be interested to know your
priorities for stimulating the local economy, especially in the
Black Country. What can people expect to see as your
priorities?
Richard Parker: I have four very clear priorities:
n Growth – growing the economy of the region to benefit
our businesses and residents,
n Homes – good, quality, accessible homes so our
residents have somewhere warm and safe to live,
n Transport – delivering on what we promise and making
transport work for our residents and businesses, and
n Jobs and skills - including tackling youth unemployment.
We cannot have a successful economy unless those
priorities are addressed. Alongside developing a local growth
plan, the Wolverhampton Green Corridor Investment Zone site
will be key to stimulating the economy. It will contribute to
bringing more than 30,000 jobs and £5.5bn of investment to
our region. This is real change people will be able to see as I
deliver on my priorities.
‘‘
Launching
the Youth Plan has
been a very
personal one...in
some parts of our
region, youth
unemployment is
double the
national average
‘‘
18 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

Richard talks to colleagues at the West
Midlands Combined Authority: ‘Make no
mistake, the strength of the region’s
economy matters to the UK as a whole’
You have said since your win that you believe the Black
Country is “overlooked”. What sort of issues do you identify
and what will be done to address them? It is also great to hear
that you plan to establish a mayoral base in the Black Country.
What is the aim behind this, and what can people expect to see?
Richard Parker: I’ve made a personal pledge to be more
visible across the region and this includes carrying out more of
my own day-to-day business in the Black Country. I’m already
meeting potential investors, politicians, and other partners
here to drive opportunities for investment and job creation.
But we also need to tackle the challenges. I’ve chaired the last
two WMCA Board meetings in Wolverhampton and Dudley
and that’s been a fantastic opportunity for businesses to
come and engage in the decision-making process, decisions
that affect the entire region being made right here in the Black
Country.
Our members regularly provide updates on the
challenges of skills among our region’s young
people, including the findings of our quarterly
economic survey. What is your reading of the issues facing
young people locally and what do you plan to do for them to
meet their needs and those of employers?
Richard Parker: I want every young person in the West
Midlands to have the opportunities and support they need to
succeed. We can’t afford to let them down. Our Youth Plan will
offer a guarantee that they can access the support, advice and
training they need to get on the career ladder.
A key element is securing 20,000 work experience
placements with major businesses. I know how crucial that
first job is for their future, and I’m dedicated to making it
happen. I’ll be bringing businesses together this month to drive
this forward.
But we know that by working with Government, and with
more influence over 16-18 education, we can supercharge this
offer, create the highly skilled and well-motivated workforce
our region needs, and give our young people their future back.
Underpinning this is the support needed for our industries,
businesses and entrepreneurs to grow, to innovate and to
create well-paid jobs and rewarding careers.
‘‘
I’ve made a
personal pledge to
be more visible
across the region
and this includes
more day-to-day
business in the
Black Country
Right, Richard
meets Tag Majid
outside his new
affordable home
on the Cookley
Works
development in
Brierley Hill
‘‘
The Chamber of Commerce played a leading role in the recent
Business Commission West Midlands (BCWM) report, which
said businesses ‘need to see a sense of urgency and ambition’
to seize growth opportunities. The public-funded business
ecosystem was described as ‘too fragmented, complex and
ambiguous to effectively navigate’ and called for ‘greater
co-ordination between agencies and authorities’. What are
your plans to address the findings?
Richard Parker: I’d point businesses to the wealth of
support that is already available in one place through Business
Growth West Midlands. There is a team of front-line advisors
who have had 2,500 engagements with businesses in the
Black Country since the service was launched by the WMCA,
providing one-to-one tailored support and help in accessing
£100m of fully funded specialist support. We’re looking at how
we can do even more to support SMEs and entrepreneurs to
ensure they get what they need to grow.
I was recently at the launch of a network community-led
business hub that will support entrepreneurs in some of our
most ethnically diverse communities, giving them better
access to support and advice to help them grow. Two of those
hubs are in the Black Country.
Continued on page 20
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 19

MEET THE MAYOR: RICHARD PARKER
Continued from page 19
In this issue of Prosper we are looking at sustainability and net
zero. What will you as Mayor be offering businesses in the
Black Country who recognise they need to become greener in
their operations but need practical support to make a
meaningful difference?
Richard Parker: I want to accelerate our journey to net zero.
Your members who share that ambition can access the
multi-million-pound Business Energy Advice Service, which
the WMCA is pioneering with the Department for Energy
Security and Net Zero.
Around 250 businesses across the Black Country have
already had a free energy audit, opening up the opportunity to
apply for grants of up to £100,000 to implement energysaving
measures. This will help free up money to invest in jobs
and skills and I’d urge Chamber members to apply at www.
businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk.
On a personal level, what does it mean to you to be
the Mayor of the West Midlands?
Richard Parker: Moving from the business world into public
service has been a real shift for me. As Mayor, every decision I
make impacts real lives, and that brings a deeper sense of
responsibility. But the biggest difference is that the stakes feel
higher because it’s about making sure people have the
services, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. It’s a
privilege to serve in this role and to be able to make a
difference. I called my wife in the first few weeks and said it was
the best job I’d ever had. It means a lot to be able to deliver for
our region.
2024 has already been a year of elections. When the Mayoral
vote comes round next time, what do you expect to have seen
happen under your leadership?
Richard Parker: When I left school at 16 uncertain of my
future, I was lucky to have people around me who supported
me and helped me find my path. Not every young person has
that.
That’s why I am committed to opening doors for more young
people. Alongside that I want to deliver the reliable transport
network that truly meets the needs of our community, tackle
the housing crisis by building more homes, particularly social
and affordable homes, and create a fairer, more inclusive
economy that leaves no one behind.
Out and about:
Richard Parker meets
Pathway Group’s
Chris Jobson, and
two of the firm’s
apprentices,
Harry Scolding and
Josh Davis
‘‘
I am committed to
opening doors for
more young people,
to deliver a reliable
transport network,
tackle the housing
crisis and create a
fairer, more
inclusive economy
‘‘
20 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the role of a
PR consultant has expanded beyond traditional
practices to embrace cutting-edge technologies.
We are still utilising our wealth of experience,
knowledge and use of traditional methods of PR
and marketing, but in addition there is a growing
trend for PR firms to delve into the world of
generative AI.
ConsuLT PR & Marketing Limited is an example
of this. Led by Laura Tatton – that’s where the cap
LT comes in to the name! – we have a longstanding
reputation for excellence in traditional PR
and marketing services. However, with the rapid
evolution of technology in the industry, there is a
need to adapt and showcase expertise in
leveraging Gen AI for enhanced client outcomes.
AI in PR explained
Through our AI-focused workshops and
webinars we can offer invaluable insights and
advice to clients on how they can harness the
power of AI-driven strategies to enhance brand
visibility and engagement, delivering innovative
and impactful solutions.
In these sessions you’ll gain a comprehensive
understanding of what Gen AI is and how it works,
empowering you with the knowledge to leverage
its capabilities effectively.
Discover why Gen AI is crucial in today’s
NEW MEMBER PROFILE: CONSULT PR & MARKETING
Sprinkle a little Gen AI on your PR and marketing
“
With the rapid evolution of technology in the industry,
there is a need to adapt and showcase expertise in leveraging
Gen AI for enhanced client outcomes...we can offer invaluable
insights and how to harness the power of AI-driven strategies
competitive landscape and learn how it can
elevate your marketing efforts to new heights.
By the end of the session you will be equipped
with practical tools and techniques that you can
implement immediately in your daily workflow,
ensuring you leave with actionable takeaways to
drive tangible results.
Tradition counts, too
However, while embracing innovation, we
remain steadfast in our commitment to the
timeless principles of PR and marketing. With a
deep understanding of traditional practices and a
keen eye for emerging trends, we can combine
the best of both worlds, ensuring clients receive
comprehensive and forward-thinking solutions
tailored to their unique needs.
LAURA TATTON is a seasoned PR and
marketing consultant with over two decades of
experience in the B2B sector. During this time she
“
has planned, implemented and delivered
numerous strategies and successful campaigns
for a broad range of clients.
As a qualified generative AI specialist Laura is
now helping clients adopt generative AI into
company strategies to ensure they get the best
results by levelling up their marketing efforts.
Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just
starting out, these sessions are packed with
valuable insights and tips on how to leverage AI in
your business strategies.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to stay
ahead of the curve, to unlock the full potential of
AI tools in marketing and take your marketing
game to the next level. Contact us to book your
place today!
To find out more see the advert below
or visit https://consultltd.co.uk
ConsuLT PR & Marketing
... where traditional PR skills
meet next generation AI...
PR/Marketing consultancy
One-off projects, advice on
strategy or we can become your
PR department
B2B Corporate PR
Tailored business-to-business
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targeting key decision-makers and
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Content creation
We can craft compelling narratives
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Press releases
We have an impressive track
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deliver big ROI
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Generative AI
From streamlining mundane
tasks to providing valuable
insights, AI is revolutionising our
industry and is a tool that PR and
Marketing professionals simply
can’t ignore.
Join us at one of our workshops
and webinars giving you access
to an AI toolkit, deep dives into
chat GPT for marketeers and
much, much more.
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 21

SPOTLIGHT FEATURE: READY FOR 2024
Members looking to future
after uncertainty in 2024
At the start of the year the Chamber published the hopes and goals of a range of members in our
Ready For 2024 campaign. As we head into the autumn, some of those featured spoke to Prosper
about their progress after a year of uncertainty on the political and economic fronts.
Our members have reflected on the challenges overcome and opportunities ahead, and tell us
about their progress in what has been a year of change.
We’ve weathered the mini-storm
– and now we’re ready for growth
Nella Share, commercial director at Platinum Group member
MET Recruitment, says her team of employment specialists
have worked towards their goal of sourcing high-quality
employees to meet client needs as the firm expands into new
geographical areas.
The business is investing in young talent and taking on a
new specialist to focus on higher levels of service, having
overcome the challenges of customer business
closures and the impact of the ‘micro
recession’ they saw hit local firms.
What has your business been
focusing upon in 2024?
Nella Share: We have pretty much
focused on the same things we
planned at the start of the year, so
we have been hugely channelled into
growing our client base even further
with new business clients, in new
geographical locations where possible,
and also growing our team.
Not only have we been
recruiting a lot for clients this
year, but we have been heavily
involved in attracting new
talent to the MET Recruitment
team. Thanks to our friends at
Juniper Training, we have two
new apprentices starting in
September. We also have a
business accounts manager
joining the team who will be
focusing on a higher level of
service to our more regular
users.
Nella Share: We have
been focused on growing
our client base and
attracting new talent
How has the economy been for the Black Country and its
businesses so far in 2024?
The economy has been turbulent and we have sadly seen
news of local businesses entering administration this year.
As a business we have at points felt the pinch of the ‘micro
recession’ but in general we have managed to weather the
storm really well in terms of gaining the opportunity to work
with new businesses and demonstrate to them the level of
service we already offer to our existing clients, many of which
include fellow Black Country Chamber members.
How has the Black Country been as a place to do business in
the year so far?
The region has been a buoyant one. We have seen no
shortage of vacancies, which leads us to believe that market
confidence is still good in the Black Country.
Businesses still want to grow and we are happy to help them do
that. The candidate market has eased slightly, though there
are still shortages in some sectors.
How have you used your Chamber membership? How else do
you plan to use it?
We love to network within the Chamber. The opportunities
to do so are endless and it really helps us to get our message
out to prospective businesses. Alongside this we have taken
huge advantage of the Platinum Group forums for the coaching
and training, excellently organised by Gail Arnold who is key to
our relationship with the Chamber.
What do you now hope will happen for the UK economy as a
whole?
We hope that now the General Election has passed, inflation
will continue to come down and the cost-of-living crisis will
start to ease. We have a new government in place that
hopefully will make the economy continue to improve.
This is crucial to business confidence and we would love to
see the Black Country region experience even further growth
in the conclusion of 2024 and throughout 2025.
22 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

Opportunities for collaboration and innovation
Carolyn Smith is managing director of
Wombourne-based creative marketing agency
TPSquared. As well as recruiting new staff, the
business has marked its fifth anniversary with
winning new client work and is looking to grow
with the support of the Chamber.
Carolyn
Smith with
the
TPSquared
team
What has your business been focusing upon in
2024?
Carolyn Smith: TPSquared celebrate its fifth
anniversary this year, and has welcomed two
new members to the team. We have had a
successful 12 months for client growth, winning
new business with the University of
Wolverhampton, leading Midlands care group
Integra Care Group and local charity Access to
Business, among others. Our priorities have
been investing in the team and focussing on
technology, innovation and sustainability so that
we stay at the forefront of industry trends.
How has the economy been for the Black
Country and its businesses so far in 2024?
I think there have been some positive signs
that confidence among Black Country firms is
growing. While there are always challenges such
as rising business costs, businesses seem to
have a positive mindset to achieve great things.
Companies have been keen to support other
local businesses when choosing their suppliers
and partners, which has been great for the Black
Country economy. We certainly enjoy working
with other Black Country businesses too.
How has the Black Country been as a place to do
business in the year so far?
The region has brought us opportunities for
collaboration and innovation. We have won new
business locally, and there has been a lot of
support available to help businesses thrive and
grow, either through the Chamber or the local
authority and other independent organisations.
How have you used your Chamber membership
so far in 2024? How else do you plan to use it?
We used our membership for networking
opportunities, relationship building and member
services. Being a member has generated several
business enquiries. Looking ahead, I hope to
enter the Black Country Chamber Awards and
take advantage of more opportunities to
enhance TPSquared’s market presence.
What do you now hope will happen for the UK
economy as a whole?
The UK economy had a stronger than
expected start to 2024, with GDP growth
outpacing expectations, so hopefully this
momentum will continue. I hope to see a
continued emphasis on innovation, sustainability
and collaboration. Continued investment and
business support will help increase confidence.
Walsall has an eye on a brighter future, and we’ll help
James Norris, assistant principal for commercial development
at Walsall College, provides an update on the college while also
discussing progress on regeneration in Walsall.
What has the college been focusing upon in 2024?
James Norris: We have launched new facilities and courses in
renewable energy and green technologies, to help businesses in
the electrical, gas and plumbing and automotive sectors thrive
in a net zero climate. We are also increasing our employer
support with apprenticeships and other work-based
programmes. As a lead delivery partner for The Link, Walsall’s
new multi-service facility for jobseekers, we are working to
remove barriers to jobseekers accessing employment
opportunities while helping employers identify suitable
candidates.
How has the Black Country been as a place to do business in
the year so far?
We believe Walsall town centre’s regeneration plans, which
include a new facility for our adult learners, will create
opportunities for businesses in future. Additionally, our support
for the council’s We Are Walsall 2040 campaign, which aims to
establish a strong investment brand, increase adult skills and
job growth and develop the net zero economy, will help attract
and retain businesses in the area, making us a place to do
business.
How have you used your Chamber membership so far in 2024?
How else do you plan to use it?
We enjoy hosting Third Week Wednesday each month as a
way to bring Chamber members together, to showcase what
makes our region special and spark future collaborations.
Partnership building is vital to how the college prepares
students for the world of work, so as T Level qualifications
rapidly expand, we are intensifying efforts with Chamber
members to secure industry placements.
What do you hope will happen for the UK economy as a whole?
That the new government will continue supporting
investment in the combined authority area, allowing us to act as
an enabler of business growth through emerging skills
programmes.
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 23

SPOTLIGHT FEATURE: READY FOR 2024
Confidence is returning... now for investment!
Steve Grice, Midlands area manager, and regional
executive Mike Lowe from responsible lender
UKSE want to support businesses looking to grow,
innovate and bring employment opportunities to
the West Midlands. Offering strategic loan and
equity packages of up to £1m, UKSE’s Midlands
arm supports firms across Birmingham, the Black
Country, Coventry, Staffordshire and Telford
looking to grow.
What has UKSE been focusing on in 2024?
Steve Grice: UKSE has been focusing on SMEs
unable to secure support from high street lenders
but with strong opportunities to create growth
and deliver employment opportunities through
innovation, which has been our key aim since the
company was formed in 1975.
Mike and I came on board last year, since when
we have enabled a diverse range of firms to begin
the next phases in their journeys.
How has the Black Country economy been this
year?
Mike Lowe: Given the uncertainty companies
have faced in the recovery from high inflation and
the wait for the General Election, we have seen
many positive signs around the Black Country that
despite the challenges, the region’s businesses see
opportunities ahead and many have plans to grow.
Getting investment has been harder than at
many times over the last decade or so because
interest rates climbed to higher levels but we have
been pleased to step in to support firms and are in
dialogue with others.
How has the Black Country been as a place to do
business in the year so far?
Steve Grice: We have found businesses very
interested in what we can offer to help shape their
growth plans. Among our highlights has been
helping Cameron and Elizabeth Wakeman secure
the acquisition of wire mesh business Midland
Wire Mesh Ltd of Halesowen, realising their
ambitions of running their own company.
The Black Country remains a great place to do
business.
How have you used your Chamber membership?
How else do you plan to use it?
Mike Lowe: Networking opportunities remain
one of the strengths of membership. We have
benefitted from promoting our services through
the Chamber’s marketing channels, along with
updates on our community impact for the good
causes we support. We enjoy getting out and
meeting new people at Chamber events. The
Chamber remains a supportive environment but
like all memberships you have to get involved.
What do you now hope will happen for the UK
economy as a whole?
Steve Grice: Stability is vital after a difficult five
years. A reduction in interest rates will help
businesses plan for the future. For us, we are
looking to build on the progress to date which has
seen UKSE West Midlands named finalist in the
Funder of the Year category at the Midlands
Dealmakers Awards.
Businesses are keen to improve
their digital presence
Wolverhampton-based digital agency VOiD
Applications won the Excellence in Professional
Services prize at last year’s Black Country
Chamber Business Awards. Chris Carter,
managing director, explains how the company
is sharing its expertise with its target
audiences while benefitting from client wins in
the year to date.
What have you been focusing upon in 2024?
Chris Carter: Our focus has been on
developing bespoke new web and app solutions
for businesses and organisations to help them
grow their online presence, increase leads and
boost sales.
Staying at the forefront of industry trends
and innovation has been key.
We have also been busy winning new clients.
Recently we have been preparing to launch a
free Mastering SEO Essentials webinar, which
we will be running every six to eight weeks, and
a new monthly digital marketing podcast, which
will launch in September.
How has the economy been for the Black
Country and its businesses so far in 2024?
Many businesses are feeling quite optimistic.
Despite the challenges, we are still receiving
lots of new enquiries from companies hoping to
invest in new web and app solutions so that
they can expand, launch new services and
improve their operations.
Businesses across the West Midlands region
have been keen to partner with other local
companies for services, which is great.
How has the Black Country been as a place to
do business in the year so far?
It’s been keeping us very busy! We’ve really
enjoyed working with our clients, and Black
Country Chamber has continued to offer a
fantastic range of support services. There are a
lot of businesses across the Black Country, so
there are always new opportunities.
How have you used your Chamber membership
in 2024? How else do you plan to use it?
By taking advantage of marketing and
networking opportunities to help us win new
business. The Chamber membership is a great
opportunity for us.
Last year we won the Excellence in
Professional Services award at the Black
Country Chamber Business Awards, so we will
be entering again this year.
What do you now hope will happen for the UK
economy as a whole?
We are hoping for stability, growth and falling
interest rates. It would be great to see business
confidence improve and more companies keen
to invest in their digital marketing and web
presence.
24 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

NEW MEMBER PROFILE: GET LOGICAL ACCOUNTING
Get Logical: Because helping our clients
succeed shapes everything we do
Get Logical is a Halesowen-based consultancy
that delivers practical and logical business
solutions. It was founded by Carol Phillips, a
chartered management accountant with over 17
years of experience working with Black Country
businesses. She explained to Prosper why she
was keen to set the business up...
‘‘
I grew up in a family business, and that
experience perhaps explains why I have
always thrived in the business environment.
Looking to help other businesses succeed shapes
everything we do here at Get Logical.
We look to help business owners realise the
value of the financial information they already
have at their fingertips, to use it to their advantage
and not waste it. Financial data is a logical puzzle,
and sometimes you need a helping hand to put all
of the pieces in the right place.
People often find finances intimidating, and I
completely understand why. Early in my career I
was faced with a long, dull set of monthly
accounts and I realised, that although I enjoy the
numbers, this was overwhelming and added no
value to the business owner. The reports only
made sense to the finance director who prepared
them.
But that’s when I realised I had a unique set of
skills: I can make complex financial data
understandable and relevant to the reader, so
they can see at a glance the information they
need. In short, I deliver useful financial data, and
make sure the value is visible, allowing you to
react and make proactive business decisions.
Best of all, I really enjoy doing it!
The problem with finance...
In my experience, people in the finance world
often overdo the numbers, bombarding their
clients with a blizzard of figures. What they should
do is take those numbers and translate them into
information that is actually important to the
Carol Phillips: We put
the financial
information you need
at your fingertips
person you are working with. Which figures are
important can differ for each client; in my case, the
client who is a sole trader running an ecommerce
business may want different figures and focus, to
the multi-site client who is turning over two
million. One of my finance partnering clients put it
perfectly: “Get Logical shows us exactly where we
stand financially. Knowing that has helped us
make more money.”
How we help
At Get Logical we help business owners make
more profit, control cashflow, reduce stress and
increase efficiency with our tailored Finance
Partnering services.
When a business owner is working on their
business day in, day out, they haven’t got time to
check on every little thing that is going on, it’s
impossible. But that’s why it is easy to lose control
of small parts of your operation that become a
major problem further down the line.
Our job is to go in with an objective view and
identify these issues before they get out of
control. But it’s not only about identifying
problems: it’s about finding the positives as you
go along so you can capitalise on the good times,
and react quickly to mitigate the bad times.
We dive into your numbers and make sense of
them for you. We will tell you, for instance,
whether you really are making money out of that
new product line or that high-earning sales
person, or tell you when your core costs are rising
and in danger of running out of control.
If you are looking to expand, we can offer
accurate forecasts and projections that will
underpin your decision making, while always
keeping an eye on the all-important cashflow.
On the non-financial side, we offer strategic
planning, ensuring staff are engaged and utilised,
trained and skilled, making sure internally the key
vision is understood by all staff, and people are
coming together to focus on the same end goal.
Finally, we can guide your plans for process
improvements; this could be anything from
utilising software better to redoing the entire
sales process, or improving reporting for a specific
team to make sure they run more smoothly. On
the security side, we can tighten controls to better
protect against fraud.
Everything we do at Get Logical is about
making our clients lives easier, giving an unbiased
view of how they operate and helping the
business thrive.
And that is ultimately why we do what we do:
we enjoy it, we truly care about our clients, and
when they succeed and grow, so do we.
We never stop learning; we gain knowledge
with every client we work with, which only adds
more value to each of our clients.
We have lots of exciting things coming in the
pipeline, to further help businesses to
grow and to use their numbers and time
more proactively. Watch this space.
If you want to find out more
about Get Logical and Carol,
follow her on Linkedin, scan
the QR code right or see
www.getlogical.co.uk
‘‘
What our clients say...
“Having a company I can trust
has allowed more time to both
develop the business and give me
some free personal time...”
Ray – Newlands
“Fantastic company to work
with. Get Logical made it so much
easier to deal with and they take
on all the hard work! So glad I
found you...”
Sue – Jack In The Box
“They are incredible. They have
removed every ounce of finance
related stress. I wouldn’t want to
be doing business without
them...”
Chrissy – The Letter Shed
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 25

SPOTLIGHT FEATURE: NET ZERO
Not too late
to play your
part in
tackling
net zero
Businesses should not be daunted by the prospect
of taking meaningful steps towards reducing their
environmental impact.
That was the message from the experts who took part in a
recent Black Country Chamber of Commerce panel
discussion focusing on how businesses are responding to the
challenge of Net Zero and complying with Carbon Border
Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulation.
Black Country Chamber is encouraging members of all
sizes to look at how they can reduce their environmental
impact, and with companies in supply chains across all
sectors now expected to show progress on reducing their
carbon footprint, we brought together leading voices at the
recent Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Data Reveal event
to focus on the issue.
Giving context to the event were the QES results from
questions in the most recent survey on Net Zero – the
cutting of carbon emissions to a small amount of residual
emissions that can be absorbed and durably stored by nature.
According to data in the QES, 68 per cent of respondents
believe their business can achieve the government objective
of net zero by 2050.
However, half of respondents say they would not be able
to or are not currently measuring their carbon emissions.
A CBAM is a mechanism implemented by governments to
account for the carbon cost of producing imported goods,
with the ultimate aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions
and supporting global progress towards net zero.
Of the businesses which export to the EU, the QES
showed there was an even split between those for whom
CBAM regulations will enforce a change in their business, and
those who do not foresee needing to make any adaptations.
The Chamber survey showed most respondents are not
thinking about any changes that a UK CBAM might mean for
them. The results showed 78 per cent had not been thinking
of the changes, versus 22 per cent who have.
This comes despite the introduction of a UK CBAM from 1
January 2027 on imports of certain carbon intensive goods
from sectors including aluminium, cement, ceramics,
fertilisers, glass, hydrogen, iron and steel.
The Chamber panel discussion included expert input from
Stuart Smith, managing director of Oldbury-based
commercial heating and hot water specialists Lord
Combustion Services and Ben Towe, group managing director
of Hadley Group, a global business in cold roll forming with its
HQ in Smethwick and more than 70 dedicated rolling mills
across seven manufacturing centres.
The speakers gave practical advice to attendees on the
ways that businesses could cut their impact on the
environment.
Ben explained how all businesses can review their energy
use. He said: “The biggest, quickest and cheapest route to
reducing energy usage for our business was to look at
transport, which is 35 per cent of our total carbon footprint.
Other than that it comes down to investment in things like
heating, the things you can afford to do.”
Lord Combustion Services has won awards for its work on
sustainability, including introducing modern heating systems
‘‘
Yes, we have to
decarbonise, but at
the moment do not
overthink it. Look at
the simple things you
can do to reduce
energy costs, like
cutting down on the
amount of time your
heating is on
‘‘
Stuart Smith
26 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

Key takeaways:
n Log your costs and carbon emissions
on a spreadsheet
n Map out energy use and you could
find major savings
n Transport is the ‘low hanging fruit’ in
most organisations. Switching your
fleet to electric/hybrid could have a
big impact on your organisation’s
overall emissions.
to landmark buildings such as Edgbaston cricket stadium. MD
Stuart said: “Transport is a major part of our energy use. We
have changed our fleet to hybrid vehicles.
“We are monitoring how many journeys we do, so we put a
GPS tracker in every vehicle, and if we have a vehicle five
miles away we pull that vehicle to a site rather than one that
is 60 miles away. We reduce our energy consumption by
clever usage and application of technology that way.”
With Labour now in power, the experts were asked what
they wanted to see Sir Keir Starmer’s government introduce.
Stuart said: “Within our sector, the focus is too much on
moving everybody onto electricity. At the moment we have
a range of options with electricity, natural gas, LPG or oil if
you are off-grid.
“Going forward, if you are retrofitting existing buildings and
trying to improve your business, you need a toolbox of
solutions, so the government needs to not just focus on
electricity but look at hydrogen and other options and
emerging technologies.”
Ben added: “I would like to see, whoever is in government,
how we generate power to change to sustainable sources.
Until the government can ensure the UK is generating
sustainable, green electricity, I am struggling to see how
things could work.”
He added: “The only people who can earmark space for
energy plants and solar farms and provide the surrounding
infrastructure required are people in government, so there
has got to be government-led investment.”
In terms of first steps, Ben had clear advice for all
businesses. “Start by making a spreadsheet and logging all
your costs and carbon emissions before you approach an
external organisation for support,” he said.
“Start now, trying to map out your energy usage as best
you can. You will save a bit of money because you will
understand more about where costs are coming from. And
when you do approach an expert, if you do need to take that
next step, then you will reduce costs because you have
already summarised as much as you know.
“For those of you who trade with the EU, there is
opportunity to exploit the fact that the EU’s CBAM and UK’s
CBAM are different. In the EU they have to pay cash up front
for the carbon that they think they are going to consume in
the next quarter whereas in the UK we will consume it and
For more information on CBAM, please CLICK HERE
or contact the Chamber’s export team by clicking HERE
pay for it afterwards, so I would really push for growth in
those areas.”
Stuart recommended business leaders be kind to
themselves when looking at the challenge ahead.
He said: “Yes, we have to decarbonise, but at the moment
do not overthink it. Do not be blinded by efficiency figures
and thinking that you necessarily have to spend thousands
on new energy-efficient boilers and heat pumps.
“Look at the simple things you can do to reduce energy
costs like cutting down on the amount of time your heating is
on for first.”
The discussion came as the most recent economic survey
by the region’s Chamber showed confidence among Black
Country firms grew in the second three months of the year.
The new data, based on surveys completed by local
Chamber of Commerce member businesses from May 13
until June 6, revealed that in the lead-up to the General
Election 71 per cent of Black Country businesses said
turnover would improve over the next 12 months, up from 59
per cent in Quarter 1.
The results were announced at the Black Country
Chamber of Commerce’s third Quarterly Economic Survey
Data Reveal event at the Mercure Birmingham West Hotel in
West Bromwich in July.
The survey event, sponsored by Business Growth West
Midlands, also included a presentation by Munminder Gill and
Paul Harper from Auditel on the theme of carbon emissions
and CBAM. Harry Long of Pro Enviro Ltd updated the
audience on the energy audits available for businesses.
‘‘
I would like to see,
whoever is in
government, how we
generate power to
change to sustainable
sources. Until the
government can
ensure the UK is
generating
sustainable, green
electricity, I am
struggling to see how
things could work.
‘‘
Ben Towe
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 27

CHAMBER NEWS: PLATINUM GROUP
£200bn worth of trade that passes through Heathrow
each year, reaching every corner of the UK.
Chamber’s Platinum Group
welcomes Heathrow Airport
Black Country Chamber of Commerce has secured one of the world’s busiest airports, Heathrow,
as a new member of the Platinum Group. Heathrow provides vital trade and business links that
are essential for the UK’s economy, and has joined the Chamber to play an important role in
connecting Black Country businesses with global markets, customers and suppliers, as
Nigel Milton, its chief communications and sustainability officer explains.
Chamber members will be excited to see Heathrow, as one of
the world’s busiest airports, join the membership. Can you
explain the appeal of joining Black Country Chamber of
Commerce?
Nigel Milton: We are delighted to become members of the
Black Country Chamber.
Businesses in this region play a vital role in manufacturing
goods (such as airfield lighting) and providing services (such as
some of our technology services), that Heathrow relies on. In
2023, we spent over £100m in the West Midlands and we want
to increase that amount.
Our vision is to be an extraordinary airport, fit for the future
– to get there we need to work with innovative businesses
across the country, just like those the Chamber represents.
Heathrow is the UK’s biggest port by value. How much comes
from the Black Country or wider West Midlands? How does
our local economy contribute to Heathrow?
Nigel Milton: We know that exporting is the backbone of the
Black Country economy. While we don’t yet have Black
Country specific data, across the West Midlands 10,000
businesses export £30 billion of goods per year, supporting
over half a million jobs.
We are proud to support the Black Country’s industrial
heritage, acting as the global gateway for high value
manufacturing exports being flown to 200+ destinations.
What is the roadmap like for the growth of Heathrow? What
can business people expect to see happen over the next five
to 10 years?
Nigel Milton: We are already growing and expect to serve a
record 82m passengers this year. In the coming years, we will
be upgrading key parts of the passenger journey, including all
146 security lanes, and a replacement baggage system in
Terminal 2.
In the shorter-term, our growth will focus on efficiency and
best use of existing infrastructure. Rapidly and reliably turning
around bigger and fuller planes means more people and
businesses can tap into the benefits of the UK’s hub. Longer
term, we continue to review our plans for further growth.
While we haven’t made any final decisions yet, we’re clear
that all these plans must be done in the right way, with the
next decade seeing us continue the acceleration of aviation’s
decarbonisation.
Could you elaborate on Heathrow’s strategy for developing
and maintaining links with businesses in the West Midlands?
Nigel Milton: Our strategy is fairly simple – we want to work
closely with the Chamber to engage with the business
community in the West Midlands, understand challenges for
‘‘
We engage
directly with
local chambers
across the
country to build
relationships
with businesses
who rely on
Heathrow, so we
can flourish
together...
‘‘
28 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

Referral paves way to
Platinum membership
businesses, and support the community in addressing those
challenges.
We want to get to know the local business community and
help play our part in local economic growth.
Heathrow is active in Chambers of Commerce at national and
regional levels. How do you leverage your membership, as a
UK and global brand?
Nigel Milton: Last year we were delighted to take our
partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce to the
next level by joining their new Business Council as a proud
founding member.
The council has given us the opportunity to work closely
with fellow leaders to address the challenges facing
businesses. Just as importantly, we engage directly with local
chambers across the country to build relationships with
businesses who rely on Heathrow, so we can flourish together.
For many business people around the world, Heathrow and
London are synonymous with the UK and our economy. How
does Heathrow help move the global spotlight to regions like
the West Midlands?
Nigel Milton: Heathrow isn’t just a London airport, it’s the
UK’s only hub. The West Midlands is the country’s leading
destination outside of London for international investment, so
to get the most benefit for the UK economy we need to shine a
light on that.
The £200bn worth of trade that passes through Heathrow
each year doesn’t stop and start within the M25, it reaches
every corner of the UK.
Our teams regularly get out to meet and learn from
businesses and discuss what else we can collectively do to
boost exports and support jobs on home soil. If you’re a
member, and you’re interested in being showcased as a case
study on our social media channels or in our reports, please
get in touch with Sarah Ralphs, our external affairs lead.
n Contact Sarah at sarah.ralphs@heathrow.com
Sarah Ralphs,
Heathrow’s
external affairs lead
(above), is on hand
to showcase Black
Country
businesses’ export
success stories
Black Country Chamber of Commerce has welcomed IT services
provider Blisstech Solutions to its Platinum Group.
Blisstech Solutions, based in Cleobury Mortimer, provides a
comprehensive range of IT support services. The company helps
businesses in the West Midlands and surrounding areas to get the
most of their technology, improve cybersecurity and streamline
operations.
Blisstech director Matt Yarranton said: “As a company that
specialises in helping small and medium-sized businesses across the
West Midlands, we see great value in building up our network across
the region via the Black Country Chamber.
“We look forward to connecting with other businesses through our
Platinum Group membership and sharing our expertise in IT services
to support other organisations.
“We are excited about the new opportunities our membership will
bring and look forward to being actively involved with the Chamber.”
Black Country Chamber of Commerce head of premium
membership Gail Arnold added: “I am pleased to welcome Blisstech
Solutions to the Platinum Group, following a recommendation from
Chris Dowen of MoRServ Ltd, a valued and supportive member of the
Platinum Group.
“Blisstech Solutions has more than 30 years of experience
supporting the IT systems of businesses in a variety of industries, so it
has great knowledge and expertise to offer our existing members.
“We hope to include Blisstech in a wide range of opportunities to
help them engage with businesses across the region and make the
most of their membership.”
‘‘
We look forward to connecting with other
businesses through our Platinum Group
‘‘
membership and sharing our expertise in
IT services
Matt Yarranton
Head of premium membership Gail Arnold with Blisstech Solutions’
managing director Matt Yarranton
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 29

ADVERTISING FEATURE: CYBER SECURITY / EBC GROUP
Hallmark Whatley Hulme Solicitors:
A success story with EBC Group
Overview
Hallmark Whatley Hulme Solicitors (HWH Law),
Worcester’s oldest law firm, dating back to 1790,
faced considerable challenges in 2015. Its
outdated IT systems were not only hampering
current operations but were also preventing
future growth. Lacking remote access, reliability,
and burdened by multiple service providers,
inefficiencies and high costs were a persistent
issue.
To modernise its operations and secure its
future, HWH Law turned to EBC Group. With a
comprehensive IT overhaul, EBC Group provided a
scalable, reliable solution, complete with enhanced
security measures, a robust disaster recovery
plan, and improved connectivity through a new
leased line to EBC Group’s data centre.
Why EBC Group?
The relationship between HWH Law and EBC
Group began with EBC Group’s management of
their print services. Given its positive experience,
HWH Law saw the potential to consolidate all its IT
needs under one provider to streamline operations
and reduce costs.
After evaluating potential partners, HWH Law
determined that EBC Group’s expertise and
full-service offerings were the best fit for its IT
strategy.
EBC Group’s role extended beyond providing
hardware; it also installed tailored software and
implemented cybersecurity solutions to protect
HWH Law’s sensitive data and network from
threats.
By centralising its IT operations with EBC Group,
HWH Law improved its security posture, enhanced
operational efficiency, and gained the confidence
to focus on growing their business.
Addressing emerging cybersecurity challenges
In 2023, HWH Law recognised the growing
complexity of the cyber landscape. Despite
holding Cyber Essentials certification since 2014, it
knew its IT strategy needed to evolve to stay
ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats.
Handling sensitive client data and client funds,
HWH Law was keenly aware of its responsibility to
safeguard against fraud and cyberattacks,
especially in compliance with the Solicitors
Regulation Authority’s (SRA) Code of Conduct.
EBC Group worked closely with HWH Law to
review and enhance its approach to cybersecurity,
ensuring the firm remained protected and
compliant with regulatory requirements.
This proactive approach enabled HWH Law to
continue serving its clients securely, while staying
vigilant against emerging threats.
The Solution
EBC Group began the process by conducting
on-site visits and delivering a detailed service
report outlining areas for improvement. This
in-depth analysis revealed opportunities for
significant cost savings, which were reinvested
into upgrading the firm’s infrastructure.
Key improvements included:
n New mail and firewall defences: Further
investment in servers and security, coupled with a
migration to EBC Group’s data centre.
n Virtual back-up and disaster recovery plan:
Advanced back-up solutions now replicate HWH
Law’s data at EBC Group’s secure data centre.
n Remote desktop environment: Offering
flexibility for employees to work remotely,
seamlessly accessing a unified platform.
n Leased Line Implementation: This direct
connection to EBC Group’s private cloud improved
communication infrastructure and facilitated Voice
over IP (VoIP) capabilities.
The impact
The system upgrades provided by EBC Group
‘‘
HWH Law values its
longstanding relationship
with EBC Group, which is built
on trust, understanding, and
mutual respect. The support
and guidance provided by
EBC Group have been
instrumental in navigating
complex IT decisions, ensuring
that HWH Law’s needs are
met with expertise and care.
‘‘
transformed HWH Law’s IT infrastructure,
significantly enhancing their security, reliability,
and scalability. The improvements allowed the
company to streamline its operations and position
itself for future growth.
Additionally, EBC Group trained HWH Law’s
staff on cybersecurity best practices, ran
awareness campaigns, and implemented
SentinelOne, a cutting-edge cybersecurity
product. This further strengthened the firm’s
ability to mitigate cyber risks.
A lasting partnership
HWH Law values its longstanding relationship
with EBC Group, which is built on trust,
understanding, and mutual respect. The support
and guidance provided by EBC Group have been
instrumental in navigating complex IT decisions,
ensuring that HWH Law’s needs are met with
expertise and care.
As it looks to the future, HWH Law plans to
continue leveraging EBC Group’s expertise,
particularly as it transitions to cloud-based legal
management software in the next two years.
EBC Group’s ongoing support will ensure that
HWH Law remains focused on practising law, while
EBC Group takes care of the IT environment,
keeping it secure, reliable, and future-proof.
As a leading IT solutions company and an integrated Managed Service Provider, at
EBC Group, we offer customised IT solutions to suit the needs of companies of all
scales and sizes. Our team of technology experts offer a range of bespoke business
IT solutions, including:
IT & Telephony | Cyber security | Cloud Solutions | Managed IT
Find out more at www.ebcgroup.co.uk, by calling 0121 368 0154
or email EBC Group at: hello@ebcgroup.co.uk
30 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 31

MEMBERS’ NEWS: INNOVATION & COMMUNITY
Mannok happy to stick
with Aldridge firm for
its adhesive solutions
Aldridge-based Chemique Adhesives has been
the trusted supplier of adhesives to Mannok, a
leading Irish building products manufacturer, for
two decades.
Advancements in adhesive and machinery
technologies have led to the creation of a new,
state-of-the-art production line to create a new
adhesive. The adhesive used is from the Solfre
range of polyurethane adhesives and its unique
formulation provides superior resistance to
chemicals, heat, humidity, and thermal shock.
James Thorpe, sales manager at bronze
member Chemique Adhesives, said: “Tailoring the
open time and cure time to meet the specific
requirements of the application proved successful,
and we were delighted with the final outcome.”
Pallet-Track tech investment
puts it on the road to growth
Pallet-Track is making a multi-million-pound
investment in its technology to drive growth for
its network and shareholder members.
The Wolverhampton-based gold Chamber
member is staging a series of major updates to its
IT systems and tracking technology throughout
2024.
The investment will secure Pallet-Track’s
position at the top of the market by increasing
efficiency and future-proofing its growing
network.
Pallet-Track’s technology overhaul will roll out
during its 20th anniversary and coincides with the
recent recruitment of several new shareholder
members.
Stuart Godman, CEO at Pallet-Track, said: “This
is our biggest ever investment in technology and
will mark Pallet-Track’s arrival as the sector
disrupters.”
Pallet-Track launched in 2004 with 46
shareholder members and handled 852 pallets
during its first night of operation, now moving 4m
pallets per year.
Meanwhile, Trailer Freight International (TFI) has
moved to a new headquarters in Navigation Way,
West Bromwich, after outgrowing its previous
10,000 sq. ft site in Walsall.
Such has been the speed of its growth that it
has upsized again just three years after moving to
the Walsall depot from its original home, which
was also in Walsall. It has also increased its fleet to
18 vehicles, up from its original nine.
TFI director Allan Collins said a huge part of the
company’s success is down to its shareholder
membership of the Pallet-Track network, which it
joined in September 2021.
Allan said: “Our recent growth has come off the
back of our Pallet-Track membership – our team
are doing an excellent job with the Pallet-Track
work, and it has really paid off.”
Trailer Freight International (TFI) has
moved to a new HQ
Inset, Pallet-Track is on the road to growth
Simworx opens exciting
new Barbie attraction
Simworx has opened a new Barbie-themed
attraction in Abu Dhabi for the Mattel FEC.
The media attraction specialist has worked with
world-famous brand Mattel to create Barbie
Ultimate Road Trip, now open at the Galleria Al
Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi.
This attraction is part of the Barbie section
of Mission: Play! By Mattel, an interactive physical
and digital place to play that features Mattel’s
iconic brands.
Guests climb aboard one of six two-seater
scooters to race through the pink, sunny streets
of Barbie’s world.
Platinum member Simworx CEO Terry Monkton
said: “We are really excited to bring the Barbie
brand into a new interactive format.”
Paints firm celebrates 50 innovative years
Intercoat Industrial Paints, a pioneering force in
the industrial coatings sector, is planning to
invest in research and development while
proudly marking its 50th anniversary
this year.
Since its establishment in July 1974,
Intercoat has been at the forefront of
developing advanced coatings suitable for
wood, plastic, and metals, consistently setting
new industry standards.
The company has continually invested in
research and development, driving the industry
forward with groundbreaking solutions.
Based in Bridgeman Street, Walsall, Intercoat’s
team of in-house chemists and technical experts
has played a crucial role in this journey, bringing
unmatched expertise and creativity to
developing cutting-edge coatings.
Michael Vann, managing director
(pictured), said: “Celebrating 50 years is a
testament to our unwavering dedication
to innovation and quality.
“We are proud to lead the way with our
water-based coatings, which meet the highest
performance standards and support our
commitment to a more sustainable future.
“Our ongoing investment in research and
development and our team’s expertise ensure
that we will continue to set new benchmarks in
the industry.”
32 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

Good start, Ofsted tells YMCA
nurseries after inspections
Lord runs in with
sponsorship deal
Lord Combustion Services helped a school
academy trust raise more than £20,000 to
give basic comforts to every child in its group.
Oldbury-based Platinum member Lord
Combustion Services, the commercial heating
and ventilation specialist, sponsored a run
organised by Windsor Academy Trust to raise
the money for its Bed and Breakfast campaign,
which aims to ensure every child in its family of
schools has their own bed to sleep in and
breakfast each morning.
Wearing shirts emblazoned with the Lord
logo, staff and students across the Trust’s
schools took part in a two-day running
challenge, completing a distance equivalent to
running two marathons in two days and a 5km
fun run, to raise funds for the campaign.
Lord Combustion Services MD Stuart Smith
said: “We were pleased to support this run, as
we recognise the incredible impact the Bed and
Breakfast makes.”
Chamber charity of the year YMCA Black Country
Group has seen two of their nurseries receive
“good” ratings in their first Ofsted inspections
following recent visits.
YMCA Pelsall Lane Nursery in Rushall, Walsall, and
YMCA City Gateway Nursery in Wolverhampton
have both been rated as “good” for overall
effectiveness after being assessed on a range of
criteria, including the quality of education along
with staff leadership.
Both reports highlighted the welcoming
atmosphere for children, the positive feedback
from parents and the quality of the development
activities delivered by staff.
With 115 places the City Gateway Nursery
registered with Ofsted in 2021 and employs 15
members of staff. The Pelsall Lane centre, which
registered the same year, has 56 places and nine
employees.
Both nurseries are open every day between
8am and 6pm all year round except bank holidays
and Christmas, to provide funded early education
for children aged between two and four.
The report for YMCA Pelsall Lane said: “Children
thoroughly enjoy their time in this vibrant,
welcoming and inclusive nursery.”
The YMCA City Gateway report said: “Babies
are happy, settled and content. Staff provide
plenty of praise and encouragement.”
YMCA Black Country group chief officer for
early years Helen Brown said: “Across all nine
YMCA Black Country Group nurseries we provide a
warm, happy, safe, and stimulating day care
experience, where our children feel safe, secure,
held in mind and value, so to have the progress at
these two recent openings recognised by Ofsted
means a great deal.”
SPR boost for youth
sport group
Chamber patron Starting Point Recruitment
has donated football kits to the Birmingham
Youth Sports Academy as part of its new
sponsorship package.
Anwar Khattak, the founder and CEO of the
Academy, visited the Walsall branch of Starting
Point Recruitment to receive the kits.
Anwar said: “I extend my heartfelt thanks to
Starting Point Recruitment and Steps to Work
for their unwavering mentoring and support.”
Paul Cadman, CEO of the Steps to Work
Group, said: “We aim to establish stability that
will enable us to support clubs like this,
enriching the lives of young individuals and
nurturing brighter futures through our
investments.”
King’s birthday honour for hospice chair
The chairman of bronze member Acorns Children’s Hospice Mark Hopton was awarded
an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours in recognition of his services to education,
healthcare and charities in the West Midlands.
Mark, who has been chairman of Acorns since 2017, dedicated his award to the
charity which provides specialist palliative care to hundreds of life limited and life
threatened children and support for their families across the region.
He said he was “deeply humbled to be recognised in this way”, adding that the award
“is testament to the vital work of Acorns and across the children’s hospice sector.”
TPSquared in tune with charity choir concert
Design agency TPSquared has sponsored a charity choir
performance for a third consecutive year as it raised money
for local charities. The Kingswinford-based Gentlemen
Songsters starred in the concert at Springdale Methodist
Church, with all the proceeds from the evening of song going
to local charities Compton Care and Sponsored Breaks.
Carolyn Smith, TPSquared’s managing director, said: “Our
aim is to support local businesses and community projects
wherever possible, so being event sponsors and bringing the
Gentlemen Songsters, Sponsored Breaks and Compton Care
together is a really exciting project for the whole team. We
were thrilled with the success of the previous two years’
concerts, and this year was even better.”
Ken Crane of Gentlemen Songsters is pictured with
Carolyn Smith and Simon Love of Sponsored Breaks.
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 33

MEMBERS’ NEWS
Like father, like son, as leader
awarded honorary doctorate
Carl Richardson has been awarded an honorary
doctorate by Birmingham City University (BCU) in
recognition of the exceptional contributions to
both regional and global business made by the
Richardson family.
After receiving the award at the Symphony Hall
in Birmingham, Carl encouraged BCU business
graduates to remain resilient: “Like business, there
will be obstacles you must overcome in your own
lives. Our world is obsessed with success and
fears failure. The key is to get back up, dust
yourself off and keep going. It’s only failure if you
fail to try.”
The award was presented by the outgoing
Chancellor of BCU Sir Lenny Henry in his final
ceremony after serving as the leading figurehead
of the institution for the last eight years.
Carl Richardson jointly leads gold member
Richardson Capital LLP, a distinguished multigenerational,
international investment firm
founded in the first part of the last century in
Oldbury in the West Midlands. Carl’s father and
uncle, Roy and Don Richardson, founders of
Richardson Capital LLP, also received honorary
doctorates from the university 26 years ago,
highlighting their own contributions to the West
Midlands. Roy Richardson was present to watch his
son achieve the same recognition.
David Mba, Vice Chancellor of BCU, said: “Carl’s
leadership and global vision embodies the values
and aspirations of our university. We hope that our
students can draw inspiration from the success of
Carl Richardson and his family who have shown
that Midlands businesses can thrive on the
international stage.”
AJT Equipment lands Thrive at Work certification
Bronze member AJT Equipment has received
the Thrive at Work foundation level
certification from the West Midlands Combined
Authority. The award underscores its
commitment to fostering a healthy and
supportive workplace environment.
By earning this certification, AJT has
demonstrated its dedication to implementing
effective health and well-being strategies,
ensuring that its team members feel valued,
supported, and empowered.
Achieving certification involved a
comprehensive assessment of workplace
practices, including mental health support,
physical activity initiatives, and overall
employee engagement.
National Express
apprentice takes
national award
Thomas Moore has been named best apprentice
bodymaker at the Institute of Road Transport
Engineers (IRTE) skills challenge competition.
The 20-year-old from Bushbury started his
apprenticeship with platinum member National
Express West Midlands only last year.
Thomas secured the top spot over 60 other
qualified and apprentice engineers by
demonstrating bodymaker skills learned during
his apprenticeship. He said: “I did not think I had a
chance of winning, especially as I am a first-year
apprentice. I took part for the experience and
hoped it would help me if I competed next year, so
to win is an unimaginable feeling.”
Thomas had to repair a dent in a wing panel as
well as undertake online tests and a three-hour
welding task, including precisely measuring and
cutting part of a vehicle before a repair.
Fellow apprentice, Neave Sproson (20) from
Northfield in Birmingham was named Best Electric
Driveline Apprentice, was runner-up in the
Electrical Apprentice and took home the coveted
Judge’s Choice Award.
Wire specialist named ‘Manufacturing Champion of the Year’
A Black Country wire specialist that exports to more than 65 countries
has been named as the region’s manufacturing champion.
Bronze member Alloy Wire International (AWI), which is owned by its
34 employees, beat off the competition from Addfield Environmental
Systems and Voestalpine Metsec plc at the 2024 Express & Star
Business Awards to receive the accolade. The company’s rapid growth
and ambition of the young management team were praised by the
judges, as well as its ability to supply a 62-strong range of exotic alloys
to customers involved in automotive, aerospace, medical, nuclear and oil
and gas sectors, and a strong commitment to being carbon neutral.
MD Tom Mander said: “This is the first time we’ve ever gone in for
anything like this, so to win one of the big awards on the evening was a
fantastic feeling. We’re very passionate to have our home in the Black
Country. This win reinforces the culture we have built and that is very
much about our people, who all own a part of our business.”
Alloy Wire International is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of
round, flat and profile wire, supporting more than 6,000 customers at
home and abroad.
34 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

Many people with older relatives know only
too well that the demands of modern life
mean they can’t spend as much time as they
would like with their loved ones.
When those loved ones want to retain their
independence and continue to live in their
own home, the desire to be in two places at
once can become too much.
Fortunately, Bridgewater Home Care
Sandwell is in a position to offer the help your
family badly needs.
Run by Chris Taylor and his son, Kane,
Bridgewater Home Care offers in-home care
packages tailored around the client, ranging
from an hour’s companionship once a week
to full live-in care.
Chris launched the business in May, after
18 years’ service in the RAF. He says a new
way of caring for our elderly is vital: “Our
ageing population means more people are in
need of care, and while it would be lovely to
think that their families can provide it, for
many people that is just not practical. They
either don’t have the room or the time to care
for loved ones.
“Many older people are healthy and want to
continue living independently, but need
support. That’s where we come in. We tailor
care packages to match your loved one’s
requirements. Some just need
NEW MEMBER PROFILE: BRIDGEWATER HOME CARE SANDWELL
First-class care for the ones you love
companionship: a visit to check
on welfare, have a chat and
ensure all is well. But our
flexible packages also
cover help with personal
hygiene, household
chores, meal
preparation, even live-in
care.”
For many clients,
companionship is all they
are looking for. “We know
many older people living on
their own can be lonely. That’s where
companionship care comes in. We ensure
your loved ones have someone to talk to and
interact with, someone who can relate to
them and help to re-engage them in the
world. We take them out on trips, to the park,
local museums – we even took one client
bowling the other week! (see photo)”
The company’s respite care package is
particularly useful for people who provide
most of the care their relatives need, but
need cover for when they go away, or other
commitments crop up.
Chris became involved with Bridgewater
Home Care after being impressed by its
founder, Phil Eckersley. Phil established the
company in 2010 after his family had great
difficulty in finding reliable care provision
for his grandmother. It was this
experience that led him to set up a
home care company that could
make a real difference to
vulnerable people in the
community.
In Sandwell, Chris is looking to
expand his focus to two specific
areas in the future: dementia care,
and support for veterans. To the
latter first: “As an 18-year veteran
myself I’m looking to offer extra support
for former service personnel. Care packages
for ex-services aren’t readily available, and we
feel we can offer something different to
support them in their homes.”
The increased demands that dementia
creates are also a key focus. “We’re looking to
specialise in providing in-home support for
those with dementia.
“Having a loved one with dementia is
upsetting, but with the right care package in
place there is no reason why they cannot
retain their independence.”
See the advert below
to find out more

MEMBERS’ NEWS EDUCATION, SKILLS & TRAINING
Louise delighted to step up at city college
A new principal has been appointed to lead
gold member City of Wolverhampton
College after the previous postholder
decided to stand down.
Louise Fall, who was previously the
college’s deputy principal, took up the
position of principal and chief executive on 1
August and replaces Mal Cowgill who stepped
down after six years in the role.
Ms Fall said: “I am committed to ensuring the
college continues to serve the needs of local
people and local employers and that we continue
to develop courses and apprenticeships to meet
local demand.”
Mal Cowgill said: “I have worked with Louise for
a number of years and am confident that I am
handing over the reins to someone who will
continue the college’s position as a leading
provider of further education in the region.”
Meanwhile, work has begun to erect the
steel framework of the college’s new city
centre campus as part of the council’s
transformational Phase Two City Learning
Quarter masterplan (pictured right).
Situated around the Old Hall Street and St
George’s Parade area, incorporating a site on the
corner of Garrick Street and Bilston Street where
the former Faces nightclub building once stood,
the development is also utilising the college’s
existing Metro One building.
n Staff from the college’s rail training academy
are celebrating after winning a prestigious
regional award. National Infrastructure Solutions
(NIS), which provides rail training at the college’s
Transport, Rail and Infrastructure Academy, was
named winner of the Engaging Adults in Learning
category at the West Midlands Combined
Authority’s Adult Learning Awards.
Flying start in Jet2 deal
Sandwell College, a gold member, has
partnered with one of the UK’s leading travel
brands to showcase career opportunities for
students.
The Jet2.com Open Day attracted a huge
turnout, with lots of eager participants keen
to find out about work routes in travel.
The event was made possible through the
collaborative efforts of the business
development team and Jet2.com’s
Birmingham Airport team.
Organisers said their combined expertise
created a vibrant atmosphere, fostering a
sense of optimism and excitement
throughout the day for all that attended.
The Jet2.com Open Day at the college
provided aspiring candidates with a gateway
to a bright future at Birmingham Airport.
Lunch is on us, says Halesowen College
Bronze member Halesowen
College opened its doors to
community groups as part of the
UK’s ‘Big Lunch 2024’ celebrations,
the annual event which brings
communities together for
friendship, food and fun.
Among the guests who enjoyed
the college’s hospitality was
Deputy Lieutenant Nick Venning,
representing the Lord-Lieutenant
for the West Midlands, Sir John
Crabtree OBE.
Nick said: “It was a really uplifting
afternoon and good to see the
college engaging with such a
diverse gathering of local
community organisations.”
Supported interns class of 2024 honoured at graduation
Kidderminster College celebrated the
achievements of young people who have
overcome challenges to gain work experience with
a graduation ceremony for its supported interns
class of 2024.
A supported internship is a programme aimed at
young people aged 16-24 with a statement of
educational needs or an education, health and care
plan who want to move into employment and need
extra support.
Bronze member Kidderminster College held the
ceremony for its first cohort of supported interns
at The Point Business Centre.
With employer engagement manager Danny
Pardoe leading the ceremony, Catherine Darwen,
project support officer for INclusive
Worcestershire run by Worcestershire County
Council, added her words of wisdom in addressing
the supported interns.
Pictured left are just some of the successful class
of 2024. The college was full of praise for both the
students and the employers who help them
Principal Cat Lewis presented the certificates,
making the ceremony a celebration of the hard
work, determination, commitment and
enthusiasm shown by the learners.
Natasha Allmont, job coach for supported
interns, said: “We could not be prouder of what
they have accomplished and we know they are
destined for amazing things.
“A heartfelt thank you to the interns’ employers
for their incredible support and mentorship.”
36 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

Serco and Sandwell Council
unite to help SEND individuals
Serco has been working with Sandwell Council to
organise work experience sessions for people
special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) .
The Restart Scheme is part of the Plan for Jobs
programmes to help people develop their skills so
they can find sustainable employment.
Serco delivers the Restart Scheme in West
Central England on behalf of the Department for
Work and Pensions (DWP).
The Restart Scheme launched an inaugural
SEND work experience programme, organised by
Serco social value lead Suki Gill from the
company’s West Bromwich office. The work
experience spanned six sessions and covered
various functional areas within the Scheme.
This initiative supported two participants who,
although not affiliated with the Restart Scheme,
receive support from the Sandwell Council
Specialist Employment Team.
The relationship between the Serco Restart
Scheme and Sandwell Council developed after the
council interviewed them as a finalist at the 2023
Black Country Chamber Awards.
The work experience spanned six sessions and
covered various functional areas within the
Restart Scheme.
Lisa Ellis, partnership co-ordinator for the
Restart Scheme, said: “By supporting our SEND
work experience students, it gave them a great
insight into how the partnership team support all
other teams and our participants.”
Janus, one of the SEND participants said: “Being
at Serco for a few weeks has helped me to see the
different types of jobs that are happening and how
everyone’s job is important for a company to run. I
hope more people who are in a similar situation as
us are able to get the experience that they need to
help them and gain the confidence to get the job
that they are interested in.”
T-Level student opens firm’s eyes to
future employment pathways
A work experience opportunity at a Walsall-based
manufacturer has turned into a two-way training
model for its workforce and a Walsall College
student.
Albert Jagger, a gold Chamber member,
welcomed Lewis Edrop to its head office to
complete a 45-day industry placement as part of
his T-Level course in engineering and
manufacturing. Umar Farooq, head of engineering
at Albert Jagger, said: “Having seen Lewis settle in
so well, we know the potential is there to share our
expertise and experiences more widely.”
During his time with the company, Lewis
worked on the shopfloor and in new product
development. “I am grateful for the opportunity
that Albert Jagger has provided me with,” said
Lewis, who is pictured above with Umar.
Chamber on hand to guide on AI adoption
Black Country Chamber CEO Sarah Moorhouse
joined representatives from Tech WM and WMCA
on the judging panel for a brand new 12-week AI
adoption programme for West Midlands SMEs and
manufacturers.
The AI Adoption Accelerator Programme is a
collaboration between AND Digital and Tech WM
offering a free 12-week programme for SMEs
trying to compete in an AI-driven market.
Sarah joined Naomi Nash from Tech WM and Iain
Mansell from WMCA on the judging panel for the
Accelerator Programme, which will help
businesses break down the cost and skills barriers
to AI adoption. The programme welcomed eight
West Midlands businesses looking to adopt AI to
speed up processes and improve efficiency.
Mayor visits Sandwell
Start-Up Hub
The Sandwell Start-Up Hub in Oldbury
recently hosted a visit from West Midlands
Mayor Richard Parker.
The visit showcased the hub’s role in
supporting local businesses and
entrepreneurs. It is a dedicated space offering
desks, resources, mentorship and a
collaborative environment for new and
growing businesses.
Mr Parker said of his visit: “I am incredibly
impressed by the dedication and innovation I
have seen here. The support and resources
provided to local businesses and
entrepreneurs are truly commendable.
“This hub is a shining example of fostering
growth and success within our community
and I wish everyone involved all the very best
for the future.”
The Start-Up Hub also had a separate visit
from Sandwell Council’s chief executive
Shokat Lal, along with executive director Alan
Lunt. Shokat expressed his admiration for the
entrepreneurial spirit present in Sandwell.
“The Start-Up Hub provides a space for local
businesses and entrepreneurs to collaborate,
network and learn from each other’s
experiences. I look forward to visiting again to
hear about their progress,” he said.
College apprentice rate
beats national average
Kidderminster College’s latest apprenticeship
achievement rate stands 16% above the
national average based on the latest results
from 2022/2023.
The college works with local businesses to
deliver a viable recruitment, growth and
community-focused option for their
employment planning, and is pleased to be
above average in the number of apprentices
who complete their course and help local
organisations to thrive.
Danny Pardoe, the college’s employer
engagement manager, added: “This
performance has been a true team effort and
thanks have to go to our lecturers,
apprentices and employer partners for their
contribution to this achievement.”
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 37

MEMBERS’ NEWS
Law firm selected to trial AI in
pioneering research project
Dennis to head
Waldrons’ property
commercial work
Bronze member law firm Waldrons has
appointed Dennis Thomas to head its
commercial property department.
Dennis brings with him over 25 years of
extensive experience in commercial property
law, making him a valuable addition to the
Waldrons team.
His expertise encompasses a wide range of
matters including acquisitions, disposals, leasing,
and development projects.
Joseph Norton, MD at Waldrons, said:
“Dennis’s reputation for excellence and his
proven track record in commercial property law
makes him the ideal candidate to lead our team.”
Dennis said: “I look forward to working with
the talented team here to deliver exceptional
service and innovative solutions to our clients.”
New directors appointed
by financial group
Jerroms, a gold Chamber member and leading
Black Country-based financial group providing
personal, business advisory and corporate
services, has appointed two new directors.
Chasz Coulsting becomes director, corporate
finance with a brief to focus on developing and
growing the corporate finance and transaction
support offering.
Previously he has spearheaded buy-side
advisory and transaction support projects at
Crowe, Begbies Traynor and Leonard Curtis,
where he specialised in restructuring advisory
services.
Daphne Hemingway has been appointed as
VAT director for Jerroms Miller Specialist Tax to
spearhead the establishment of a dedicated VAT
advisory department.
Daphne brings a wealth of experience and
expertise to the team, starting her career at “Big
Four” firms and a further 10 years as a VAT
partner in the mid-tier sector.
Lucas Markou, director, Jerroms, said: “We are
thrilled to welcome Daphne and Chasz to the
group. Their combined expertise will drive
innovation, enhance our service offerings, and
align with our mission to support clients through
their entire personal or company lifecycle.”
A leading Midlands law firm is trialling the
use of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of
a pioneering nationwide research
project to assess how it might shape the
future of the legal sector.
Bronze member FBC Manby Bowdler
is one of just eight firms across the country
exploring the potential benefits of AI for the
eight-month project being run by Lancaster
University.
The firm, which has offices across Shropshire,
the Black Country and Worcestershire, is using AI
to see if it can help save time and clients’ money
during leasehold property deals.
Law firms taking part in the university’s
Technology in Professional Services project will
examine the way AI might be used in a different
part of the legal sector.
FBC Manby Bowdler managing partner Neil
Law firm picks hospital
as charity partner
Platinum member Thursfields Solicitors has
committed to supporting Birmingham Children’s
Hospital Charity for the next 12 months.
Having raised £3,917 for Alzheimer’s Research
UK in its previous fundraising drive, the firm is
eager to support another significant charity that
aids the local community in the upcoming year
through fundraising, awareness campaigns, and
volunteer initiatives.
Courtney Litwinko-Smith, family solicitor and
head of the junior law committee at Thursfields,
expressed enthusiasm for the new partnership,
said: “Birmingham Children’s Hospital holds a
Lloyd (left) said the firm was using digital
software called Orbital Witness Co-pilot to
read leases and then generate a report.
He said: “To have been selected as one
of just eight firms taking part in this
groundbreaking work is a great honour.
“Stephen Burke, a partner in our
commercial property department, is leading our
team for the project, which is using the software for
both commercial and residential reports and then
working with a researcher from Lancaster
University to assess the results.
“Work which was previously taking two or three
hours can now be generated in minutes, though
clearly everything must then be checked over
thoroughly by our expert team.
“AI is advancing all the time and is going to play a
huge part in all our professional lives in the coming
years.”
special significance for many individuals at
Thursfields and we are very excited to be
supporting them over the next 12 months.”
Duo strengthen firm’s
property presence
Gold member Talbots Law has strengthened its
ranks with two senior hires into its commercial
property team in Wolverhampton.
Tracy Pyatt made the move from Pickering &
Butters and Andy Ward moved from MFG
Solicitors to join as senior associates in the firm,
now working to continue Talbots’ momentum as a
commercial property partner to individuals and
businesses across the country.
Andy and Tracy will work from the company’s
Wolverhampton office to offer commercial
property support to the surrounding region’s
business community. The new hires mean the
commercial property department now houses 12
specialist members and turns over more than £1m
per year, supporting clients with sales, purchases,
leases, bridging finance and more.
38 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

Increased demand drives
solicitors’ move to new offices
Gold member Enoch Evans Solicitors has relocated
its Cannock team to new modern spacious
premises in Progress Drive following a period of
significant growth and increased demand.
With three locations across the West Midlands,
the firm provides advice on company and
commercial, commercial property, residential
conveyancing, dispute resolution, family,
employment and wills, probate, and trusts.
The move comes as the firm celebrates its
140th anniversary and reflects its commitment to
growth and improvement. The new location will
better accommodate the expanding team and
allow them to continue providing the highest
quality service.
The new offices reflect the firm’s modern
approach to the provision of legal service and with
the added convenience of free on-site client
parking, visiting the office will now be more
accessible and stress-free for everyone.
David Evans, managing partner, said: “We are
thrilled to be starting this exciting new chapter in
our firm’s history by moving to our new premises
in Cannock, the move is a strategic step forward
and the contemporary space reflects our
commitment to adaptability, collaboration, and
innovation.
“This relocation represents our dedication to
growth, improvement, and most importantly, to
continue offering top-quality legal services to our
valued clients.”
College powers up skills
Halesowen College has launched its Power Pack of
Skills programme – an exciting initiative unique to
the college that will be incorporated into each
post-16 learner’s study programme.
In addition to their studies the programme will
help learners develop key skills required in the
modern workplace, including digital, resilience and
confidence, independent living, communicating,
problem solving and time and workload
management. It aims to provide a balanced and
well-rounded education that supports progress
on to the learners’ chosen career path.
Sarah Moorhouse, CEO at the Chamber said:
“This programme will hone learners’ abilities to
handle vital challenges and so equip them with the
key skills needed in the workplace.”
Jacquie Carman, principal and CEO at the college
said: “We already provide a range of fantastic
courses to our learners, but this programme goes
beyond that and equips our learners with the
work-ready skills they require, not just the
practical skills but the soft skills employers need.
“We are delighted that the Black Country
Chamber has chosen to endorse this programme
and recognise the value it has for our learners.”
Law firm gets nursing
home sale over the line
Lawyers at law firm Clarke Willmott in Birmingham have advised on the
sale of two nursing homes.
Kim Klahn, partner and head of corporate at the Chamber Gold member
firm, supported by Aidan Clucas, associate, handled the sale of Bryn Marl
Nursing Home in Llandudno Junction, and Coed Isaf Nursing Home at
Lllanrhos, near Llandudno, to London-based Vshans Care Ltd.
The two homes, which have been owned and operated by John and
Margaret Haydon, provide care for around 70 residents.
Kim said: “It was a pleasure to work on this transaction, which involved
colleagues from several of our teams working seamlessly together and
provided an exit into a well-deserved retirement for John and Margaret.”
Businesses receive award
writing advice
Businesses were given tips on preparing compelling award entries at a
workshop staged by PR experts and bronze member Osborn
Communications.
Representatives of 12 companies attended a free award writing
workshop held to enable firms to prepare submissions for this year’s
Black Country Chamber of Commerce Awards.
Advice shared included the best ways of preparing the required
information, ways of impressing judges and knowhow on keeping to the
word limits.
The workshop, held at the Black Country & Marches Institute of
Technology in Dudley, also enabled attendees to ask for practical steps in
a question and answer session with Osborn director Chris Leggett.
Tickets for the awards ceremony go on sale on October 8, via the
Black Country Chamber website: see
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/awards
FESTIVE PARTY NIGHTS
DATES INCLUDE
29th and 30th November
6th, 13th and 19th December
December race
dates: 2nd, 7th,
9th, 14th, 16th,
20th, 21st, 26th,
27th and 30th
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 39

CHAMBER NEWS
Chamber teams up with members for
Word of Mouth marketing campaign
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce has
teamed up with members across the region to
launch a high-profile marketing campaign
promoting the value of membership.
The past 12 months have seen the Black Country Chamber
enhance its offering to businesses and welcome new
colleagues to support its members in more ways than ever
before.
And now the Word of Mouth marketing campaign features
different Chamber members, from start-up businesses to
patrons, talking about why they value their membership.
Black Country Chamber head of marketing and
communications Stephanie Sullivan said: “We have launched
this campaign because we want to challenge people’s
perception of our organisation and Chambers of Commerce in
general.
“By inviting our members to tell us in their own words how
their businesses are benefitting from Chamber membership
we hope to raise awareness of all the ways we can support
businesses in the region, whether they’re a start-up, a
multinational, or somewhere in between.
“All our members are different, and the part we play in their
success stories is as individual as they are. Whether it is
networking opportunities, marketing support, business
savings, training, lobbying or HR and legal advice, the Chamber
is here to help.”
The marketing campaign offers participating members a
great opportunity to raise their own profiles, with features
running across the Chamber’s website and social media
platforms, as well as across emails and e-newsletters.
The Chamber worked in partnership with local marketing
communications agency Plum Ideas to design the Word of
Mouth campaign, with PR experts Osborn Communications
also helping to interview Chamber members.
The marketing materials use concepts that are bright, bold
and different to previously run Chamber campaigns.
Plum Ideas director Brendan O’Dea commented: “As proud
members of Black Country Chamber, it’s been a real pleasure
to help develop this campaign, promoting the great work the
Chamber does and how it supports all its members.
“It has been fantastic to work with Chamber members who
are so keen to provide positive feedback on their membership.
It is clear that they see great value in it.
“A big thank you to all at the Black Country Chamber,
Osborn Communications and the team at Plum Ideas.”
Representatives from campaign participants Walsh Funerals
& Memorials, Dev That Speaks, BlackRook Academy, Juniper
Training and Plum Ideas all attended a full-day studio
photoshoot in July at Redfrost Photography in Bromsgrove.
Professional photographers took shots of colleagues from
the member businesses in different poses, outfits and lighting
to bring out their personalities, resulting in a selection of
photographs from which to choose the final images.
Posting on LinkedIn after the photoshoot, Rainer Derry said:
“Having tried almost every networking group and event run
within the Black Country, I can honestly say the Chamber’s
have always been my favourites.
“So how could I pass up on the opportunity when I was
asked to be featured in their new campaign showcasing some
“We’re engaging
with double the
number of
businesses since
we joined the
Chamber...”
Lucy Rook,
BlackRook Academy
“The Chamber is
always our first
port of call when
looking for local
services...”
Sam Hale, Walsh Funerals
and Memorials
40 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

How the campaign developed... original concepts from the team at Plum Ideas
(below) ... and members at the photoshoot with Redfrost Photography
Are you making the most of
your Chamber membership?
EXCLUSIVE BUSINESS SAVINGS
We have teamed up with several partners to offer a range of
discounts and savings for your business and your people.
of the amazing members within the Chamber?
“It was a pleasure to have been a part of this for
you! Thank you for the opportunity.”
Gagandeep Kurl from Dev That Speaks said: “I
am very proud to be featured in the Black Country
Chamber of Commerce’s new marketing
campaign! Watch this space for more!”
Stephanie Sullivan added: “Thank you to
everybody involved in the campaign. It has been
really well received, especially on social media. We
have seen more businesses want to engage with
the Chamber as a result, which is really positive
news for the Black Country region .”
Here are some of the
comments from other
businesses featured in the
marketing campaign:
“The Chamber
provides us with
excellent brand
exposure and new
business
opportunities.”
Neil Shakespeare,
Juniper Training
“Being a Chamber
member means we
save on our energy
bills and get free
legal and HR advice.”
Stuart Marsh,
Plum Ideas
HR, LEGAL, TAX AND HEALTH & SAFETY SUPPORT
Quest Cover provides HR, Legal, Tax and Health & Safety,
and gives Black Country Chamber members access to an
extensive library of advice for your business. The four
services offered for Chamber members include Chamber
HR; Chamber Legal; Chamber Tax; and Chamber Health and Safety.
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
The AA’s business breakdown cover will make sure your
drivers get back on the road quickly – and with minimum
disruption – if the worst happens. Whether you just have
a single vehicle or run a whole fleet, the AA can cover
your cars, vans, trucks. Call 0800 55 11 88 for eligibility criteria.
COMMERCIAL ENERGY
Discover how to best manage your business energy
costs, both in negotiating ongoing supply contracts and
exploring opportunities for retrospective refunds.
Working with Control Energy Costs (CEC) you can:
n Discuss your energy requirements to assess potential savings
n Explore a range of new technology to enhance your business’s
energy efficiency
n Attend quarterly interactive seminars to learn more about
efficient energy and utility management.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Halo Financial provide a better way to transfer money
across borders. Its experienced team of currency
consultants are focused on mitigating foreign exchange
risk associated with international trade. By applying
bespoke solutions, Halo Financial will protect revenues and profits,
helping your business trade successfully across borders.
IGNITE
IGNITE is a FREE-to-use business workspace and
start-up centre to help encourage co-working. Located in
ground floor units 3 and 4 of the i10 office, IGNITE provides
FREE bookable workspaces, resources and business
support. It is a City of Wolverhampton Council-led project, supported
by the University of Wolverhampton and Black Country Chamber.
CHAMBER FINANCE FINDER
The Chamber Finance Finder matches members’
businesses with the right funding opportunities across
loans, equity investment, grants and commercial
mortgages. A team of experts are available to support you
throughout the process, with several exclusive benefits.
AIRPORT PARKING & HOTELS
Black Country Chamber members receive a range of
discounts for airport parking and hotels.
All offers are provided by the specified company and not by the Chamber.
All offers are subject to the provider’s terms and conditions.
See https://www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/savings
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 41

GOVERNMENT PROMOTION
BEAS steps in to lower the
heat of rising energy bills
Rising energy costs are challenging for many
businesses, but a new government scheme
aims to relieve some of the pressure...
The Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) is a pilot scheme
run by the Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM), aimed at
helping SMEs reduce their carbon footprint.
As energy costs continue to rise, it has become increasingly
urgent for businesses to minimise their energy consumption.
Fortunately, there are many simple and straightforward steps
they can take to decarbonise and save money in the long term.
BEAS supports this effort by offering free energy assessments
and grants ranging from £1,000 to £100,000 for SMEs in the
West Midlands.
Founded in 2009 in the heart of the Black Country and
supported by a team of 15 full-time employees, ALPHA-ROWEN
is the UK’s largest specialist sub-contractor for the
austempering of spring steel with a heat treatment process that
strengthens metal for the spring and presswork market.
As an energy-intensive business which uses furnace burners
daily, energy costs are a significant expense and with gas prices
rising six-fold, the viability of the business was in jeopardy and at
real risk of closure.
The company registered with BEAS in the hopes of improving
the energy efficiency of their site and ultimately reducing costs
to the business.
In search of energy efficiency
After registering online, they were referred to the local delivery
partner, Pro Enviro, who ran an assessment which revealed that
modifying the control on Alpha-Rowen’s furnace would improve
energy efficiency and result in reduced gas consumption. It was
also noted that once the number of furnaces was reduced and all
put onto one site, the company’s monitoring system would
require re-configuration to be able to track energy consumption.
Once Alpha-Rowen implements the changes recommended
by Pro Enviro – optimising the furnace burner and reconfiguring
the energy monitoring system – the company is expected to
save enough natural gas to heat approximately 30 homes for a
year. This will also reduce annual carbon emissions by an amount
equivalent to taking 12 cars off the road.
Mike Leach, managing director of Alpha-Rowen says: “I was
delighted by the depth of insights gained from the free business
energy assessment provided by the Black Country delivery team
(Pro Enviro) for the BEAS-Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme.
The recommendations supported our plan and the assessments
provided were not only practical but should also lead to a
reduction in our energy costs.
“Without the Grant Funding support we wouldn’t have been
able to move forwards. The added benefit is that the quantified
opportunity it generated also made the grant application far
more straightforward.”
Assessments and grants
Energy assessments and grants are still available for SMEs
across the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Coventry,
Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton, as well as
Worcestershire and the Marches, Warwickshire and Stoke and
Staffordshire.
After a business undergoes an energy assessment, there will
be an opportunity to apply for a grant to invest in energy
efficiency measures. Whether your business is considering
upgrading to energy-efficient lighting systems, implementing
heating, or cooling optimisations these grants offer financial
support to turn your sustainability aspirations into concrete
actions.
Additionally, after the assessment BEAS also offers tailored
one-to-one advice, webinars, workshops, and peer networks to
help businesses gain the knowledge needed to maintain
sustainable practices.
BGWM helped
Alpha-Rowen
improve its
efficiency and
lower energy
costs
To learn more
about BEAS and to
take the first step
towards a more
sustainable and
cost-effective
future for your
business, please
CLICK LOGO
and register for a
free business
energy
assessment
today.
42 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

PROSPER AUTUMN 2024
XX

TRAINING AND SUPPORT
Start-up businesses get moving
with specialist Chamber support
Start-up businesses in Walsall and
Wolverhampton have continued to benefit from
expert support from the Black Country Chamber
of Commerce to realise their plans to launch or
grow.
To date, 130 entrepreneurs have received
support from the first three cohorts for
Wolverhampton, with 48 fledgling companies
supported in Walsall’s first two groups to complete
their initial programmes.
As the leading regional support agency for local
businesses, the Chamber is helping new and
growing businesses through partnerships with
Walsall Council and City of Wolverhampton Council
after two successful tender bids.
Support is offered through the Start-Up
business support programmes, led by Alison
Trinder, our Start-Up Club business account
manager and membership relationship manager.
Alison said: “It has been incredibly rewarding
working with these new entrepreneurs. They have
some wonderful and innovative ideas which I am
sure will turn into thriving enterprises.
“Our team have had the privilege of assisting
new entrepreneurs in setting up their businesses,
guiding them through the complexities of starting
up.
“By providing tailored advice and support, we
have helped raise their aspirations and turn their
dreams into reality. We have helped make their
path into the business world so much easier.”
Launched in 2018, the Start-Up Club provides
platforms and opportunities for new company
owners to build their skills, benefitting the region’s
economy and creating job opportunities.
The three-stage programmes for Walsall and
Wolverhampton kick off with a two-hour
engagement and awareness seminar introducing
the opportunities and challenges of setting up a
business.
Entrepreneurs then undergo an intensive
two-day training course focusing on business
planning, finances, bookkeeping, sales and
marketing, branding and social media platforms,
followed by a one-to-one review of their business
plan, identifying needs for any further tailored
support.
Across both locations, the Start-Up Business
Club team provide a positive environment and
offer useful introductions including access to a
dedicated business relationship manager.
To find out more about the
Start-Up Business Club, visit
startupbusinessclub.co.uk
‘‘
It has been incredibly
rewarding working
with these new
entrepreneurs. They
have some wonderful
and innovative ideas
which I am sure will
turn into thriving
enterprises...
‘‘
The two most recent cohorts of the
Wolverhampton programme have seen 67
companies take part, on top of the 63 firms to go
through the first groups.
Attendees have been part of sessions held at
leading venues across the city, including IGNITE,
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, YMCA and the
University of Wolverhampton, organised by the
Chamber to broaden the horizons of
entrepreneurs and make them aware of the
support available.
Alison Trinder said: “The Wolverhampton
programme has received great feedback with
some really positive success stories.
“The courses are relatively short but the
support we offer has inspired people to realise
their ambitions. Some of our pre-start businesses
have gone on to register as self-employed or to
register with Companies House, while others have
grown and gone on to take on employees.
“Across both courses, they can benefit from
support through the programmes until March next
year.”
Delivered under the City of Wolverhampton
Council’s ‘Our City Our Plan’ strategy, the
Chamber is offering firms in and around the city in
the early stages of development a suite of activity
to help them start up, scale up and thrive.
Funded by the Government through the UK
Shared Prosperity Fund the programme, which
runs until next March, is set up to increase the
city’s number of new enterprises, ranging from
sole trader and micro business to small
businesses, including social enterprises.
The fifth and final programme will get under
way on October 2.
For more info on future
Wolverhampton cohorts, see
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/startupwlv
44 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

‘‘ “We have been pleased to
help the economy by
enabling businesses to
grow revenues and increase
job opportunities...
In Walsall, the third cohort is getting under way
this autumn as the Chamber continues to help
young businesses on behalf of Walsall Council to
grow the town’s economy.
Following a successful Walsall tender
application, the Business Growth Walsall
programme is allowing Walsall residents to receive
expert support to engage and access skills to plan,
begin and thrive in business. Sessions for all of the
Walsall programme cohorts have taken place at
West Midlands House in Willenhall.
Alison Trinder said: “The team at West Midlands
House have been great with our groups and it has
been a good venue for our programme because of
all the facilities they offer.
“Referrals for our programme have come from
Walsall Council, with many of them being
established businesses who are looking for help to
grow sales.
“On that basis, we have put on additional
training courses on business planning, finance,
social media and digital marketing to meet the
needs of these cohorts.
“We have been pleased to help the economy by
enabling businesses to grow revenues and
increase job opportunities.
“Walsall Council has been a great partner for
this programme, introducing us to companies
which have been at crucial stages in their
development and need expert support in the scale
up programme to shape the opportunities of the
future.”
To find out more, contact Alison Trinder
alisontrinder@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Business Builder announced
as new partner for Chamber
The Chamber’s Alison Trinder with
Business Builder director Lynne Thomas:
“I look forward to building on the close
relationship I have with the Chamber and
working with more local entrepreneurs to
help them achieve business growth.”
Digital marketing and design agency The
Business Builder has been announced as a
business partner for the Black Country
Chamber’s popular Start-Up Business Club.
The Business Builder is a one-stop marketing
shop that supports clients looking to build a
business from scratch, grow to the next level or
scale up. It offers web design, branding and
marketing services and tailored training,
mentoring and networking support.
Business Builder director Lynne Thomas will be
supporting the Start-Up Business Club, which
helps hundreds of businesses to launch and grow
each year, with the delivery of a series of
marketing strategy workshops for firms in the
early stages of development.
Lynne said: “I am delighted to be one of the
partners supporting the Chamber with its
start-up business workshops, which provide
much-needed help and support with all aspects
of running a new business.
“I look forward to building on the close
relationship I have with the Chamber and working
with more local entrepreneurs to help them
achieve business growth.”
From networking opportunities to one-to-one
business advice, marketing support and savings
on essential business tools, the Start-Up
Business Club is the place for start-ups to make
new connections, learn from industry experts
and develop the skills and understanding required
to take their businesses to the next level.
Chamber Start-Up Business Manager Alison
Trinder added: “The Start-Up Business Club is a
great place to meet fellow entrepreneurs who are
at the same stage of business growth, share
ideas and best practice, meet with our experts
and learn new skills.
“With years of experience helping businesses
develop their marketing strategy, Lynne is a
perfect partner for the Chamber and will play a
vital role in supporting the delivery of its start-up
business workshops. Her expertise is going to be
invaluable to the Start-Up Business Club.”
The Black Country Chamber offers a wide
range of support for start-ups to help them to
innovate and accelerate productivity and
business growth.
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 45

EXPORTS ADVICE
Emissions
know no
borders
Understanding how the Carbon Border
Adjustment Mechanism will change exporting
The CBAM is the EU’s way to prevent carbon
leakage by subjecting the import of certain groups
of products from 3rd (non-EU and non-EFTA)
countries to a carbon levy, linked to the carbon
price payable under the EU emissions trading
system when the same goods are produced in the
EU.
This levels the playing field for companies within
the EU because companies based outside the EU
will have to pay the same production cost to get
their goods into the EU as those companies
making the products inside the EU.
The EU CBAM currently covers six sectors:
cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers,
hydrogen, and electricity. These will be extended
to include other sectors in the Emissions Trading
Scheme.
From 1st January 2026, EU importers will have
to purchase carbon certificates, which will be
priced at the average price of EU Emissions Trading
System allowances. You should carefully check CN
codes when importing or exporting – you may
find that your product falls outside the scope of
CBAM.
The UK will introduce its own CBAM from 2027.
While we do not yet know much detail about the
scheme, we do know that the government is
monitoring the EU CBAM to see what works and
what does not. We also know that as well as the
six sectors listed above, ceramics and glass will be
included.
It will take time to become comfortable with
CBAM, and how to accurately measure the
emissions embedded in your products (both
upstream and downstream).
The knowledge and expertise available is still
limited, but you can start by mapping every step of
your production process, using either
spreadsheets or specialist software. This can help
you to identify where and what data you will need
to obtain, whether that is from your own suppliers,
or by calculating your own emissions data.
The opportunity for businesses lies in the
chance to reduce carbon emissions as much as
possible, reducing the costs paid and giving you a
competitive advantage.
For more information and guidance on
CBAM, please contact the Chamber team
on
export@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Export procedures and documentation
Date: October 8
Time: 09:30 - 13:00
Venue: Online
Cost: Members £200 + VAT
Non Members £250 + VAT
Export documentation problems often lead to
delays in getting goods to customers, increased
costs and charges, not to mention a breakdown of
goodwill between seller and buyer.
We will take you through a detailed look at
export documents taking a practical approach to
why and when documents are needed. Includes
background, uses and key requirements for
different countries.
Outcomes: the learner will be able to:
n Understand how to produce the necessary
documents for an international shipment
n Prepare a price build up for an export quotation
n Identify the appropriate documents from the
3 categories required to expedite the shipment
n Describe any additional special requirements or
documentation for particular markets/sectors
n Gain an overview of Incoterms 2020
n Identify modes of transport
n Identify where to go for sources of international
information
Understanding the
Incoterms 2020 Rules
Date: October 15
Time: 09:30 - 12:30
Venue: Online
Cost: Members £200 + VAT
Non Members £250 + VAT
This half-day online workshop is for anyone
working in international trade – from industry
newcomers to experienced exporters and/or
importers.
It is also appropriate for corporate service
providers and advisers, including freight
forwarders, banks and accountants.
It gives you a clear understanding of how the
Incoterms® rules map out the obligations, costs
and risks involved in the delivery of goods from
sellers to buyers, a practical guide to correctly
applying Incoterms® rules to your global sales and
purchasing activities and the opportunity to
review practical case studies based on a range of
scenarios.
46 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

International trade events at a glance
Date Event Time Style Venue
Wed, Sept 25 Trading with Japan 09:30-10:30 Webinar Online
Thurs, Oct 08 Export Procedures and Documentation 09:30-13:00 Training Online
Tues, Oct 15 Understanding the Incoterms 2020 Rules 09:30-12:30 Training Online
Wed, Oct 30 Special Customs Procedures 09:30-12:30 Training Online
Tues, Nov 12 Export: Letters of Credit 09:00-13:00 Training Online
Wed, Dec 04 Introduction to UK Export Controls and Licensing 09:30-12:30 Training Online
More details on the Chamber website, at www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/export
Easing admin burden of special customs procedures
Special Customs Procedures
Date: October 30
Time: 09:30 - 12:30
Venue: Online
Cost: Members £200 + VAT
Non Members £250 + VAT
Most businesses are now having to use special
customs procedures such as inward processing,
outward processing and customs warehousing,
among many. Some businesses may need to
consider using these schemes in the future or
may be currently using but are unsure of how to
best manage it.
This workshop looks at benefits and potential
risks to business of using many of these:
n Inward processing
n Outward processing
n Customs warehousing
n Return goods relief
n Temporary admissions
n Temporary exports including ATA Carnets
This event is aimed at importers & exporters,
finance, logistics, procurement, sales, supply chain
managers/directors and those with responsibility
for auditing records within the business.
Smoothing the financial Letters of Credit
Export: Letters of Credit
Date: November 12
Time: 09:00 - 13:00
Venue: Online
Cost: Members £200 + VAT
Non Members £250 + VAT
This Letters of Credit training course has been
devised to assist companies and/or departments
that are regularly receiving or handling Letters of
Credit.
It will help you to reduce risks, bank charges and
improve efficiency of administrators.
Introduction to UK Export Controls and Licensing
Date: December 4
Time: 09:30 - 12:30
Venue: Online Event
Cost: Members £200 + VAT
Non Members £250 + VAT
This half-day online workshop will help anyone
involved with licensable products and dual-use
items. You will be guided through the types of
licence available and how to determine if your
goods require a licence.
Specifically, the session will cover:
The course will cover:
n The Letter of Credit administration, procedure,
costs, types and levels of security
n The terminology, form and structure of L/Cs
n Incoterms and L/Cs
n The documents – an in-depth study of the
specific Letter of Credit documents
n Tips to ensure you get it right at all stages of the
Letter of Credit transaction
n UCP 600 considerations
n The significance of L/Cs in the current
economic climate
Making sense of licensing and dual-use issues
n Introduction to export controls
n Reasons for needing a licence
n UK Legislation
n UK Strategic Controls List - Military and
Dual use lists
n Types of licence
n OGELs (Open General Export Licence)
n Adhering to T & Cs
n Reading an OGEL
n Individual licences
n SPIRE and the application process
n Compliance
Do you want to
be big in Japan?
Trading with Japan
Date: September 25
Time: 09:30 - 10:30
Venue: Online
Cost: Free (Members and non-members)
This webinar, in partnership with the British
Chamber of Commerce in Japan, will highlight the
wealth of trade opportunities available to UK
businesses in the Japanese market.
Japan is currently the UK’s 14th largest market,
with 2023 UK-Japan trade valued at £27.6 million.
This webinar will provide delegates with:
n A brief overview on trading with Japan.
n Opportunities open to UK Business
n A UK traders prospective.
n Information on Expo 2025, Osaka, Japan
Speakers:
n Richard Lyle - VP, Deputy MD, Intralink,
Japan & President of the British Chamber
of Commerce in Japan
n Anne White - Head of International Trade
& Compliance, Thames Valley Chamber
of Commerce
For more information on export training events, please visit
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/export or email training@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 47

CHAMBER EVENTS
The Chamber has a busy schedule of events planned for the coming months and we cannot wait to see you join us!
We have social events, networking opportunities and workshops among a host of options for you to put in your
calendar. For more information on any event, please contact Marie Shuker, events officer on 0330 024 0820,
email events@blackcountrychamber.co.uk or go to www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/events
A professional
lunch event
Professionals At The Table (PATT)
Date: October 10
Time: 12noon-14:30
Venue: Queens Cantonese Restaurant,
41 Queen Street WV1 3JW
Cost: Members £25
Non-members £30
Please note event is by invitation only
Members of the professional services
community are invited to attend a new
networking event organised by the Black
Country Chamber.
Professionals at the Table (PATT) is a new
lunch-time networking session for
professionals working in the banking, legal,
accounting, surveying and auditing sectors. It
is ideal for them to network and share best
practice over a lovely three-course lunch
provided by our hosts, Queens Cantonese
Restaurant on Queen Street, Wolverhampton.
The event will take place on a quarterly
basis and feature guest speakers and
insightful presentations to connect and
engage the professional services community.
Gail Arnold, the Black Country Chamber’s
head of premium membership, said: “There
was a demand for a networking session that
brought together those working in the
professional services.
“The PATT networking event will be a
fantastic opportunity for them to share best
practice, exchange ideas and contribute to
sector specific discussions.
“We encourage businesses from across
the professional services industry to attend.”
Find out more at
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/events
Come and meet the
Chamber team!
Black Country Chamber of Commerce is hosting a
‘Meet the Team’ event at Vaal & Vaal, Chapel Ash
in Wolverhampton on Tuesday, September 24,
from 5pm to 7pm.
The free-to-attend event aims to give local
businesses the opportunity to meet the Chamber
team face to face and find out more about the
roles each colleague plays in supporting and
connecting organisations across the region.
Since Sarah Moorhouse was appointed Black
Country Chamber of Commerce CEO in 2022, the
Chamber has welcomed a number of new faces to
the team, including new look marketing and
communications, and membership teams.
Date: October 22
Time: From 9am
Venue: University of Wolverhampton
Millennium City Building, Wulfruna Street
Wolverhampton WV1 1LYE
Cost: £20 members, £25 non-members
Black Country businesses looking to increase their
presence on social media are invited to attend the
next Women in Leadership event, to educate and
upskill leaders on the benefits of using social
media as a force for good.
Socially Savvy Me is the second Women in
Leadership event this year and aims to equip
business leaders with the tools and knowledge to
confidently promote themselves on social media.
As part of the event, attendees will learn how to
use social media effectively to promote their
business and shout about their achievements,
including hints, tips and case studies to show how
Sarah commented: “The Meet the Team event
is a fantastic opportunity for both Chamber
members and non-members to get to know the
team in an informal setting.
“There have been a few changes in the team
lately, and we want the Black Country business
community to get to know us a little better, find
out more about the roles we each play within the
Chamber and how we support our members,
partners and stakeholders.”
To book your place please go to:
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/events
Women in Leadership: Socially Savvy Me
social media can be used in a positive way.
BlackRook managing director Lucy Rook is the
Chair of the Women in Leadership Steering Group
and as part of her role will help guide, inspire, and
raise the profile of women within the region.
Lucy commented: “The Women in Leadership
network 2024 is gaining momentum and I’m
thrilled that we are hosting an event to support
female leaders in engaging with social media in a
positive way.
“We will have lots of useful information to share
together with an opportunity to network and
share best practice.
“Through events like these, we are achieving
our aim of championing inclusion, education and
awareness so that women can reach their full
potential and thrive.”
For more information on Women in Leadership see
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/wil
48 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

Network with Black Country Business Club
Dates: September 19, October 3, October 17,
October 31, November 14, November 28,
December 12
Time: All 09.30am-10.30am
Venue: The Confederation Of British Metalforming,
47 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, B70 6PY
The fortnightly Black Country Business Club gives
you the chance to build business relationships and
promote their services or products to fellow group
members and its wider network of business
contacts.
The Club is exclusive to Chamber members.
However, you can visit twice as a guest even if you
are not a member.
Our member businesses are proud to represent
Sandwell, Walsall, Dudley and Wolverhampton.
It’s Third Week Wednesday
networking in Walsall
Dates: September 18, October 16, November 20
Time: 9.45am-11.30am
Venue: Littleton Restaurant, Walsall College, Wisemore
Campus, Littleton Street West, WS2 8ES.
Free parking available on site.
Come along, relax and network with our club
members. We allow two businesses from each
sector/industry and guests are allowed two visits
before we have an informal chat about applying for
membership.
Joining the Black Country Business Club still
works out much more economical than joining a
traditional breakfast club, plus you get the huge
range of benefits open to Chamber members.
This is a face-to-face event. For more details
or your invitation, contact Alison Trinder:
membership@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
or call/text Alison on 07980 906921
Each Third Week Wednesday, Chamber members and
non-members meet for FREE monthly networking
sessions. As well as meeting like-minded local business
people, you can raise your business profile via your social
media platforms while at the event by tagging in the Chamber and the event.
Tuck in to the
Big Business
@B63 Breakfast
Dates: October 2, November 6, December 4
Time: 7.45am-9.45am
Venue: Halesowen College - Bistro @B63,
Whittingham Road, Halesowen B63 3NA
Cost: Free
• Please note priority will be given to members
where the event has reached capacity
There are limited spaces available for this
fantastic opportunity to network with
like-minded businesses every month in the
south of our region.
The Big Business @B63 ‘breakfast event’ is
hosted by Halesowen College, sponsored by
Halesowen BID and powered by the Black
Country Chamber of Commerce.
Arrive with other businesses to network in
the Bistro at B63, grab a drink then enjoy some
short business themed talks/updates in our
adjoining event seminar room.
Once the talks have completed, return to
the Bistro at B63 to meet other delegates in an
‘open networking’ environment, while enjoying
a complimentary vegan, bacon, or sausage
breakfast sandwich, courtesy of the
Halesowen BID.
To avoid disappointment you MUST book
your place on the Chamber website (one
delegate per member business) as walk-ins
could be refused entry.
Free parking available in Carpark A in front
of the college.
For more information and to book a place:
membership@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Join us at Wolverhampton Wednesday
business networking
Date: September 25
Time: 2pm-4pm
Venue: City of Wolverhampton College,
Wellington Road Campus, Wolverhampton
WV14 6BT
The Chamber training and events
programme is being updated
all the time.
For the latest details, see
www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Ready to celebrate?
Date: October 23
Time: 9am-11am
Venue: Wolves Foundation, Molineux Stadium,
Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton WV1 4QR
Date: November 27
Time: 9am-11am
Venue: The Way - Wolverhampton Youth Zone
- School Street, WV3 0NR
Be part of this popular business networking
event in the heart of Wolverhampton! Grab
yourself a tea or coffee, then enjoy an ‘open
networking’ environment. To avoid
disappointment, book your place via the
Chamber website.
Due to limited places only one delegate per
business please. For safeguarding reasons you
MUST book prior to the event as we cannot
accept walk-ins.
Get your tickets
for the Black
Country
Chamber
Awards 2024
See the Chamber
website for
details, or
page 14
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 49

CHAMBER TRAINING PROGRAMMES
Unleash your potential
with the Chamber’s Management
Development Programme.
The Management Development Programme is designed to build a comprehensive toolkit which
can be used by participants who are either in a management role currently or are aiming to be in a
management position in the future.
Providing insights, techniques and tools; the programme provides participants with the time
and space to challenge their own ways of working, improve overall performance and develop
approaches which add value to their business.
Developed to match business needs
The programme has been developed based upon an analysis of business needs and what is
needed for the region’s managers to deliver success to those businesses. This programme is the
perfect development companion for:
n New managers or those about to become managers
n Managers of systems or process
n Managers of people and teams
n Experienced managers who want to develop core competencies
n Experienced managers who want to tap into new thinking and approaches
n Managers delivering change management within their business
n Managers seeking new ways to drive efficiency and performance.
Delivery and Environment
The programme is designed to stretch and challenge participants by taking them out of their
business. Programmes run with participants from different backgrounds, experiences and
industries – creating a safe and diverse environment where individuals can test and apply
learning and develop together.
Many of the groups go on to form bonds following the completion of each programme and
continue to develop together.
The programme will take place via in-person workshops and in a group format. Our next
cohort will start in spring 2025, however participants can also join individual modules on the
cohort currently running.
Want to know more?
For more information, please email training@blackcountrychamber.co.uk, call 0330 024 0820
or visit www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/mdp
Programme content
The programme can be completed as a 12-month
learning journey to create a holistic and immersive
development experience.
As a new option to the programme, each module can
also be taken individually in order to focus on the
learner’s specific development needs.
We recommended taking the full course to gain the
full benefits of the programme.
The programme consists of 12 whole day sessions
– each covering a management theme or topic,
including:
n What is a Manager? Introduction to management
and the manager’s role
n Using your time effectively and efficiently
n Communication and delivery of the right
messages at the right times
n Styles and dynamics which create a good team
n Getting the most from meetings
n Delivering a great presentation which gets the
right results
n Building commercial awareness and acumen
n Preparation and successful management of
change
n Stakeholder and relationship mapping and
management
n How to run and deliver a project well
n Getting the best from your team and helping them
to perform better
n Coach and develop your teams and people
50 PROSPER AUTUMN 2024

ADVERTORIAL: ART BUSINESS LOANS
Navigating a route
to better borrowing
by Dr Steve Walker,
Chief Executive,
ART Business Loans
For many SMEs, the challenges of
the Covid-19 pandemic meant that
they were forced to switch into survival mode,
using up cash reserves and / or borrowing funds
to simply stay afloat.
Businesses that had to borrow to survive
lockdown may now be seeking funds to either
accelerate future growth or to refinance their
pandemic loans - perhaps having optimistically
borrowed over a shorter period.
It’s crucial for every small business owner to
adopt a thorough and robust approach to taking
on new debt - and have a clear understanding of
the pitfalls to avoid.
Businesses might not be able to produce the
level of figures and forecasts being demanded by
lenders post pandemic, and smaller loan
amounts are not always as attractive to major
funders.
Post-Covid, SMEs have been turning to
alternative lenders who, for the first time, now
account for over 50% of the loans made each
year to SMEs in the UK. These include those that
operate solely online.
It’s easy to see the rationale for this -
decisions are quick and convenient online, and
can provide fast access to finance.
When using some online lenders,
depending on circumstances, interest
rates can be very high, reaching well over
30%. Couple this with short payment
terms, which in some cases can be as little
as two years, and there can be a lot of pressure
on cashflow, with businesses struggling to make
the repayments.
As a lender, ART is seeing a growing trend
- with an upsurge in demand in the last quarter
- of organisations coming to us for refinancing in
addition to larger loans geared to growth. This
may be because businesses can’t meet the
requirements of their original loan and are
struggling to obtain funds from banks or other
finance sources, even if seeking a new loan to
support growth.
Not every lending request can end in a ‘yes’.
But for those SMEs facing a financial dead-end, a
relationship-based approach that is built on
“For those SMEs facing a
financial dead-end, a
relationship-based approach
that is built on transparency
and viability can provide an
important route to long-term
financial security - with no
short-cuts...”
transparency and viability can provide an
important route to long-term financial security
- with no short-cuts.
This is where Community Development
Finance Institutions (CDFIs), like ART Business
Loans, can help.
CDFIs are prepared to lend in three key
scenarios:
1) when other lenders say ‘no’;
2) when other lenders have already lent all
they can; or
3) when they can lend as part of a package
alongside other banks or finance sources.
Crucially, CDFIs can say ‘yes’ because they take
a people-centred and relationship-based
approach when supporting businesses - with a
deep understanding of the organisation, and the
financial support it needs to thrive.
Find out more
Details of CDFIs across the country, many
operating in targeted geographic areas,
can be found at www.findingfinance.org.uk
AREAS
WE COVER
Cheshire | Shropshire | Herefordshire | Worcestershire
Warwickshire | West Midlands | Staffordshire | Derbyshire
Northamptonshire | Leicestershire | Oxfordshire | Gloucestershire
n SUPPORTING BUSINESS SINCE 1997
n BUSINESS LOANS FROM £10k - £150k
n EXPERIENCED RELATIONSHIP MANAGERS
n MEETING FUNDING NEEDS OF BUSINESS
n FOR MOST BUSINESS PURPOSES AND ALL SECTORS
n FOR JOBS, GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY
www.artbusinessloans.co.uk • 0121 359 2444
PROSPER AUTUMN 2024 51