Next generation of business talent bodes well for Birmingham’s future
BIRMINGHAM’S young pool of business talent means the city has a bright future, a leading business advisor has said.
Justin Benson, a director at KPMG, said Birmingham’s ambitions to be a global city could yet be realised if the up and coming generation could be nurtured.
“Whenever I speak to international visitors to the city the thing they pick up on straight away is its vibrancy,” he said.
“With ambitious plans to make it a major global city of the future, Birmingham has a lot to be proud of, not least of all its developing talent pool, and with more 15 year olds than any other city in Europe, we have a substantial opportunity to lay the foundations for future success.
“Our universities have strong international reputations and with increased connectivity between business and educational institutions, our core sectors such as automotive, aerospace and healthcare, have a healthy outlook in developing talent and innovation for the next decade and beyond.”
His comments came as KPMG hosted a conference featuring representatives from three of Birmingham’s Business Improvement Districts. The event, which attracted more than 100 of the city’s young professionals, was arranged by Birmingham Future and Birmingham Forward.
Participating BIDs were Retail Birmingham, the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust and Colmore Business District. Each explained about the projects they are working on as well as laying out their future plans.
David Kuczora, a member of Birmingham Future’s city centre committee, said: “There is some admirable work happening at a regional level to drive economic growth. But how do you get change moving at a local level: making the streets cleaner and safer, delivering significant public realm improvements or throwing large-scale events which attract and retain visitors?
“Birmingham is dubbed the ‘BID capital of Britain’ outside London, as we are home to 10 of the 150 currently in existence. They have shown at our event that they get things done. They have also shown leadership and a vision for future activity all geared around making Birmingham a better place to live and to do business.”
