In brief: LEP event, charity cricket match, alternative World Cup
Chamber to host LEP discussion event
BIRMINGHAM Chamber Group is hosting an event next month to discuss the Government’s proposed new Local Enterprise Partnerships. The group is attempting to form a cross-region LEP and is keen to hear the views of local interested parties ahead of and at the meeting on August 2. The partnerships, which will be business-led and work with councils, will regional development agencies such as Advantage West Midlands with their budgets likely to be cut by 75%. Chief executive Jerry Blackett is advocating the creation of an LEP “super” group that would comprise Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Southern Staffordshire and North Worcestershire. Read his thoughts on LEPs on TheBusinessDesk.com here, here and here. Anyone interested in attending should contact Katie Teasdale on 0121 454 6171 ext 2295 or k.teasdale@birminghamchamber.org.uk.
Businesses take to cricket crease for charity
PROFESSIONALS from the world of law, accountancy, finance and banking batted it out at Warwickshire Cricket Club, Edgbaston, in the annual Challinors indoor cricket tournament to raise £600 for The Lord’s Taverners charity. Organised by law firm Challinors, the tournament winners were from the Birmingham office of Allied Irish Bank (GB), captained by Jonny McGrath, who defeated JPM Insurance in the final. Now in its fourth year, the tournament involved 10 teams, representing local offices of firm’s Chantrey Velacott, JPM Insurance, BDO Stoy Hayward, St Philips Chambers, BTG Tax, Mazars, KPMG, Boundary Sports Limited and Challinors. Roger Bishop from Challinors was the appointed scorer and tournament umpire. Trevor Foster, regional chairman for The Lord’s Taverners in the West Midlands said: “The Charity is always very grateful to the support and efforts of local businesses and their fundraising initiatives, particularly so in this our Diamond Jubilee Year. Our sincere thanks go to all who took part for their enthusiasm and generosity – and there was some good cricket on the day too!” Pic: Challinors’ Andrew Thomson (left) with Trevor Foster.
Solicitors triumph in Professional Services World Cup
A PROFESSIONAL services World Cup was held at the Goals football centre in Dudley. More than 20 teams made up of various professional firms from across the region took part with Black Country solicitors Higgs and Sons taking the trophy. They beat Halesowen-based chartered accountants Nicklin 2-0 in the final. It was organised by Wolverhampton accountants Crombies and Stourbridge solicitors Talbots and followed the same qualifying format as the actual World Cup. Nicklins practice manager Mark Northall said: “It was fitting that in an event organised by solicitors and accountants that both professions should be represented in the final.” The event raised money for various local charities, including Compton Hospice in Wolverhampton. Pic: The Nicklins team.
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