In Brief: Millennium Point Charitable Trust makes almost £5m in donations; House builder on hunt for local suppliers ahead of final phase of regeneration project

Millennium Point Charitable Trust has announced it made donations of more than £4.8m to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) projects across the West Midlands last year.

All of the commercial activity that takes place in the 46,450 sq m landmark Millennium Point building feeds back into the charity, enabling it to donate and invest in STEM-related organisations, projects and initiatives.

This has included a robotics lab and 3D printing facilities at Bishop Vesey Grammar School in Sutton Coldfield, allowing students from surrounding schools to gain experience, knowledge and skills in advanced technology; more than £281,000 to fund four projects by Birmingham Museums Trust including Year of the Engineer 2018 and a Science and Heritage Career Ladder Legacy; working with Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment to offer a free undergraduate STEM degree through the Millennium Point scholarship, now in its fifth year.

Applications for the 2019 scholarship are now open.

Rebecca Delmore, commercial director of Millennium Point, said: “We are immensely proud of the quality and breadth of STEM-related projects that the Millennium Point Charitable Trust has been able to support.

“The Trust has made a significant difference and it is encouraging to see young people taking a real interest in STEM as a future career. It is what Birmingham, the West Midlands and Britain need.”

Opened in 2001, Millennium Point is the largest landmark millennium project in England, outside of London. Inside, it is home to event spaces including a 350-capacity auditorium, flexible workspaces, meeting rooms and offices, and largest tenants ThinkTank and Birmingham City University (BCU).

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A house builder is looking for local suppliers ahead of starting on the final stage of Walsall’s largest regeneration project.

Keepmoat Homes, which was recently granted planning permission for its 407 home development at Goscote Lane, is now looking to engage with local suppliers and contractors ahead of work starting in spring 2019 by holding a special event at The Workplace in Leamore on 11 January.

The two-hour breakfast event from 8am till 10am offers local businesses the chance to meet with supply chain managers at Keepmoat Homes and explore the potential business opportunities which the third and final stage of the ambitious Goscote Lane Corridor Regeneration Programme will provide.

The event is part of Keepmoat Homes’ commitment to supporting the local economy and community, with the home builder also committed to supporting 14 apprenticeships during the development of the site.

Mike Nolan, land and partnerships director for Keepmoat Homes in the Midlands, said: “We were delighted that the scheme was granted planning approval in November and are excited to start on site this year. At Keepmoat Homes we believe that our developments should support the local community and economy which is why we’re committed to working with local suppliers and contractors.

“I would encourage any businesses which are interested in working with us to attend this event on 11 January and discuss the opportunities further.”