City makes moves to increase attractiveness to inward investors

GREATER BIRMINGHAM is unveiling a new relocation service in response to growing demand from people and businesses moving to the city.

Tailored to firms moving to Birmingham’s city centre Enterprise Zone, the service is being operated by inward investment agency Marketing Birmingham and supported by Birmingham City Council.

City leaders believe that, by providing for a seamless transition for workers moving to Greater Birmingham, it will gain an edge in the increasingly competitive race for regional investment. The service is already being used by HSBC after it chose to locate the head office of its new ring-fenced bank at Arena Central in the city, moving 1,000 roles to Birmingham from London.

A team will provide staff with advice on areas ranging from property to local schools, healthcare provision, transport networks and leisure destinations. A website, city tours and lifestyle magazine are also available.

Cllr John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “This is the first time an Enterprise Zone has launched a dedicated relocation service, and we’re already seeing its success through HSBC’s use of the scheme. For businesses looking to locate or expand in the UK, this professional service will place Greater Birmingham ahead of other regions.”

More companies are locating to Greater Birmingham than any other LEP area in the UK. It attracted 73 foreign direct investments alone in 2014/15, according to UK Trade & Investment, which created and safeguarded more than 6,000 jobs.

Across the LEP area, 45% of investments were in the business, professional and financial services (BPFS), IT and digital sectors – the main target sectors for Birmingham city centre’s Enterprise Zone.

Neil Rami, chief executive of Marketing Birmingham, added: “It has been critical to Greater Birmingham’s success that we target inward investment from sectors that will deliver the greatest economic value and employment opportunities – such as BPFS, IT and digital media.

“These industries, as part of the knowledge economy, all rely on employing talented staff that are part of the local workforce. Our new relocation service is therefore vital in attracting and retaining both foreign and domestic investors in Birmingham city centre’s Enterprise Zone.”

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