VisitBritain/VisitEngland chooses Birmingham for new HQ
National tourism agency VisitBritain/VisitEngland has chosen Birmingham as the location for its new headquarters from April 2024.
The body – which raises Britain’s profile worldwide to develop the country’s visitor economy – said it picked Birmingham thanks to its strong international and UK transport links and availability of local talent.
VisitBritain/VisitEngland also cited its successful working relationship with the Birmingham, Solihull and Black Country LVEP (Local Visitor Economy Partnership). As part of the global Business and Tourism Programme (BATP), the region helped to deliver the UK’s most popular Commonwealth Games in 2022.
The West Midlands Growth Company, the region’s investment promotion and destination management agency, supported VisitBritain/VisitEngland throughout the competitive national process.
It will continue to assist the tourism body during the coming months by securing the right long-term office space, sourcing local talent and helping it to forge links with West Midlands partners and educational institutions.
Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, said: “The West Midlands Growth Company led a decisive bid that showcased the West Midlands’ irrefutable strengths as a growing and successful headquarter economy.
“VisitBritain/VisitEngland’s decision to establish its new office in Birmingham is testament to the well-evidenced talent pool, transport connectivity and business support infrastructure we have in place to enable important and far-reaching organisations to thrive.
“The move also underscores the significance of the West Midlands’ vital contribution to the visitor economy and our ability to meaningfully shape policy in this space. We look forward to our continued, productive partnership with VisitBritain/VisitEngland and making its Birmingham headquarters a roaring success.”
VisitBritain/VisitEngland will follow in the footsteps of other government departments and bodies, which have successfully relocated to the West Midlands in recent years. These include HM Revenue & Customs to Birmingham; Homes England to Coventry; and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to Wolverhampton.
Patricia Yates, CEO, VisitBritain/VisitEngland, said: “Following many months of careful consideration, we are delighted to announce that VisitBritain/VisitEngland will be opening a new hub office in Birmingham from April 2024. Birmingham has excellent transport links for both our international and Britain based staff and key stakeholders, a broad talent pool and good office space.
“Basing our hub office in Birmingham also brings us closer to our regional stakeholders across England including the West Midlands Growth Company, a Local Visitor Economy Partnership, with whom we already have a strong working relationship.
“We have seen other government departments and private sector companies successfully transition their operations to the city. We are excited about the opportunities and perspectives that having our headquarters in Birmingham will bring, as we continue our work to drive the economic benefits from tourism across the nations and regions and to support the industry.
“We are currently in negotiations on office space in central Birmingham and will announce the site once confirmed. We will keep an office presence in London to maintain our relationships with key government and industry stakeholders.”
