Bank of England on hunt for West Midlands Citizens’ Panel members

Bank of England

The Bank of England is recruiting members for its new Citizens’Panel in the West Midlands, one of 12 being set up around the UK.

The West Midlands panel will meet in Birmingham in early May when members will discuss a range of issues such as jobs, pay, housing and the cost of living.

Sir Jon Cunliffe, one of the Bank’s deputy governors, has called on people across the region to take the opportunity to speak directly to the bank.

Sir Jon, deputy governor for Financial Stability, said: “The Bank has set up Citizens’ Panels so that we can hear directly people’s views on the economy, and on the bank and the way it affects their lives and communities.

“We started these Citizens’ Panels last year and this is my first time attending one. I’m looking forward to hearing from the people of the West Midlands.”

The panels are being established following the publication of a report by the Royal Society of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce.

It called on the Bank to create citizens’ panels across the UK to improve its understanding of the economy.

The West Midlands panel will be chaired by Bridget Blow, chairman of GTP3, a data centre development business based in Birmingham, formerly president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and chair of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

She said: “I am delighted to be supporting the bank with this important initiative and am really looking forward to our first panel meeting which I am sure will be an interesting, informative and enjoyable event.

“We are really keen to hear from as many voices as possible who will bring a diverse mix of ideas and perspectives. You certainly don’t need to be an expert on the economy to come along.

“We want to talk in plain language about the things that matter to all of us in our daily lives.”

Graeme Chaplin, the bank’s agent for the West Midlands, said: “I am delighted that Bridget has agreed to chair our West Midlands panel. She brings a vast amount of experience to the role from many years of dedicated service to the West Midlands community and I am sure she will be an excellent panel chair.”

The first meeting will take place in central Birmingham on May 7.

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