ADVANTAGE West Midlands has vowed it will go down fighting as the agency nears its final 12 months as the region’s foremost economic development organisation.
Agency chief executive Mick Laverty said the organisation’s aim during its last year in existence was to ensure it upheld the standards it had set for itself.
“We set ourselves the highest professional standards and our work has been driven by a determination to continuously improve performance,” he said.
“In March 2012 that work will end but we will ensure the agency closes down in an exemplary manner, with the best interests of the region and its people firmly in focus.”
The agency’s work has recently been recognised when it was named by judges of the Midlands Excellence Awards as the region’s top performing organisation.
Mr Laverty said the award was well deserved and was a testament to the professionalism and commitment of the agency’s staff.
He said: “The team at AWM have been using their expertise and experience to support the region and its economic development for more than 10 years.
“We know that every year we have been getting better and raising the bar on what we have achieved as an organisation, but to have this recognised externally is fantastic.
“We have made a difference. Independent evaluation has shown that every £1 invested by the agency generates an average £8.14 return back into the region’s economy – as public sector activity goes that’s an outstanding return.”
Previous Midlands Excellence winners include Severn Trent Water, E.ON UK Power technology, BMW Plant Hams Hall and Siemens Communications.
Ian Nield, Midlands Excellence chief executive, said: “Winning a Midlands Excellence award is a fantastic achievement and it’s a huge privilege to recognise inspirational organisations like Advantage West Midlands, which is truly committed to the principles of excellence.
“To get this far, Advantage West Midlands has undergone rigorous independent assessment, consistently demonstrating a genuine passion for excellence and performance improvement. An example to all of us, the organisation has earned its place in the Midlands Excellence hall of fame.”
Asked why AWM stood out, the awards jury said: “This is the fourth Awards Submission that Advantage West Midlands has made, and each year, significant progress has been made. The jury members were impressed with the organisation’s leadership and the engagement and involvement of employees in continuous improvement activity.”
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