Business Desk West Midlands Headlines

Flybe pledges future to Birmingham after decision to quit Gatwick

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:03:17 +0100

LOW cost airline Flybe has pledged to continue operating services out of Birmingham and Manchester after it announced it is to quit Gatwick Airport from next year because of high service costs.Flybe s...

M&B cautious as squeeze on consumer spending continues

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:52:36 +0100

BIRMINGHAM-based pubco Mitchells & Butlers has said it is cautious about growth prospects due to the ongoing squeeze on discretionary spend.The group said in its interim results today that in the five...

Halfords launches battle plan after alarming profit slump

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:36:53 +0100

HALFORDS Group is aiming to address a sharp dip in profits through its new Getting into Gear 2016 campaign, which is intended to radically revamp its retail offer.The Redditch-based automotive and lei...

Coventry manufacturing institute set for share of £50m skills package

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:45:04 +0100

A NEW manufacturing institute to be created by Coventry University in partnership with Unipart Group is set to receive part of a £50m fund from the government to help drive growth and support the futu...

Birmingham Publicity Association appoints new chair

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:28:11 +0100

BIRMINGHAM Publicity Association has appointed a new chair. Jo Harrington, regional agency manager at Free Radio was appointed at the BPA’s 67th annual general meeting.Ms Harrington succeeds Ste...

Restaurant critic McComb launches Midlands food blog

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:56:40 +0100

AWARD-winning food writer Richard McComb has launched a new blog for restaurant reviews, luxury hotel features and food news.The former restaurant critic of the Birmingham Post has set up RichardMcCom...

Business Masters: Cutting edge technology the key to export success

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:18:48 +0100

THE winner of the Exporter category in TheBusinessDesk.com’s Business Masters awards has said it needs to keep operating at the cutting edge of technology to continue prospering.David Mintrim, g...

Coup for Grant Thornton in the Midlands as deals chief moves to Birmingham

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:45:19 +0100

THE head of accountancy firm Grant Thornton’s national corporate finance business is relocating to Birmingham.Geoff Davies will lead the firm\'s corporate finance and wider advisory activities i...

Churchill China chief executive to step down next year

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:59:44 +0100

THE chief executive of Staffordshire pottery manufacturer Churchill China, Andrew Roper, is to step down from the business.The firm, which makes and distributes ceramic and related products to hospita...

EEF spends millions on new apprentice training centre in Birmingham

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:18:35 +0100

MANUFACTURERS’ organisation EEF is investing millions of pounds in a new state-of-the-art Apprentice & Skills Training Centre in Birmingham.The bespoke training facility at Nexus Point, Witton, ...

Second major manufacturing survey predicts sector growth

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:26:54 +0100

A SECOND survey of the manufacturing industry in as many days has suggested the sector is set for a major bounce with strong output growth expected during the next three months.The findings of the CBI...

Shaylor Group founder dies aged 69

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:56:15 +0100

FRED Shaylor, founder and chairman of Aldridge-based construction firm Shaylor Group, has died after losing his fight with cancer. Fred came from modest means, starting life in Handsworth in Birmingha...

Top quality panel set to debate Midland aerospace sector

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:36:33 +0100

THE health of the aerospace sector and the crucial role it plays in the West Midlands economy will be the focus of a major breakfast seminar next month organised by the University of Birmingham in ass...

Strong Asian demand helps boost profits for Dunlop Aircraft Tyres

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:20:49 +0100

BIRMINGHAM-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has seen big increases in turnover and profit as demand for its products surges in the Far East.The firm, the world’s only dedicated aircraft tyre manufact...

CSR Briefs: SCC; The Binding Site; Couch Perry Wilkes; Credit Suisse

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:36:18 +0100

SCC helps to launch Byte NightJAMES Rigby, chief executive of Birmingham-based SCC, Europe’s largest technology solutions provider, has helped charity Action for Children to launch Byte Night, a...

Wates and EFA agree contract on £4.89m Coventry school

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:38:49 +0100

THE Education Funding Agency (EFA) and Wates Construction have reached financial close on a Coventry school which is the first to be delivered under the £2.4bn capitally-funded Priority Schools Buildi...

LSH welcomes Government boost for office conversions

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:48:23 +0100

CHANGES to the Use Classes Order announced by Eric Pickles and the Department for Communities and Local Government have been welcomed by property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).This relaxatio...

Tenant immigration checks poorly thought out - Shakespeares

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:05:34 +0100

PLANS to make private landlords in the Midlands responsible for carrying out immigration checks on prospective tenants are poorly considered and just an attempt by the Government to duck its responsib...

Lovell takes plaudits for being considerate

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:04:02 +0100

BIRMINGHAM-based affordable housebuilder and regeneration specialist Lovell is celebrating three prestigious award wins. Within a matter of days Lovell saw one of its employees take home the TPAS Resi...

Brooke Smith Planning flies the flag for Birmingham at RTPI awards

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:49:21 +0100

BIRMINGHAM-based Brooke Smith Planning is flying the flag for the Midlands in the annual Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) awards.The firm is the region’s sole representative and has been sho...