A fifth of finance roles are now based in the West Midlands
Just under a fifth of all finance roles are now advertised as based in the West Midlands – a sure fire sign that Birmingham is fast becoming a financial hub in its own right.
In the past 3 years we have seen major organisations relocate to The West Midlands including the likes of HSBC, the government’s Housing Department, Deutsche Bank, and PwC to name but a few. In fact, in the last year alone we have seen finance talent in the city increase by +23%.
We caught up with Habiba Khatoon – Director of the West Midlands operation of specialist recruitment firm Robert Walters – to find out what makes Birmingham so attractive as a finance hub.
What do you think has prompted the move of financial talent to the West Midlands?
Over recent years, Birmingham has become more and more attractive to financial talent – and there are many reasons for this. Being home to five universities, a vibrant foodie scene and buzzy nightlife makes it a hub for young talent. It’s especially attractive for ACCA, AAT & CIMA students – considering Kaplan’s major exam hall is located here in Birmingham’s city centre.
What’s more, Birmingham scores high on the affordability scale and enjoys great transport links all over the country – taking under an hour and a half to reach central London.
What has contributed towards Birmingham’s status as the financial hub it is today?
There are many factors that contribute to this – for one, Birmingham now has the UK’s second largest Banking and Finance sector, just behind the capital. It was also ahead of the curve in embracing the future of tech in finance and is now home to over 7,000 fintech start-ups which add over £2 billion to the economy each year.
The University of Birmingham is contributing to this growth by training up the next generation of financial talent – offering a range of globally-recognised Masters programmes in Finance. Add to this the 500 companies operating in Birmingham’s esteemed Colmore Business District – employing over 35,000 professionals occupying about 5.6 million square feet of office space – and you start to realise it’s no wonder Birmingham has reached financial hub status.
That is why we decided to launch our own finance awards for the region; the West Midlands Finance Awards, a one-of-a-kind accolade which celebrates Birmingham & the surrounding areas’ top financial talent.
Who are the awards celebrating in the finance industry?
Everyone! From the candidates making ripples at the beginning of their careers in the Rising Star category, to finance directors who are continuing to guide their teams through economically turbulent times – not forgetting the finance teams themselves, who’s collective efforts and collaboration make sure their operations are the most successful they can be.
Why is it important to celebrate financial talent?
Any chance to recognise the work and achievements of the individuals and teams that power local finance industries is extremely important – not only for the morale of an industry but also in providing a platform to uplift those excelling in their careers helps to inspire the next generation of go-getters. Smooth-running finance operations underpin the success of almost all businesses, across all industries – this is something that should be celebrated at every opportunity!
Entries for Robert Walters’ West Midlands Finance Awards close on Friday 9th June 2023. To find out more about Awards and register interest, click here.
