All aboard the Platinum bus for Black Country Chamber group 

BIRMINGHAM-based public transport group National Express has shown off its new Platinum bus to appropriately enough, the Platinum group of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

National Express, which operates bus services in the West Midlands, has launched the new upmarket buses as part of  a new £4m fleet that will give passengers extra leg room, free WiFi, high backed leather seats and next stop announcements as well as faster journeys.

Drivers will wear suits and each route will have a dedicated manager who will be responsible for making sure that buses run on time and are responding directly to customers’ concerns.

The new vehicles are ultra-low emission with Euro 6 engines and will reduce harmful emissions such as NOx by 75% and greatly reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

The buses look completely different from the mainstream fleet. Each has an eye catching grey livery with flashes of brilliant red – unlike anything currently on the roads of the West Midlands.

The buses are part of a record £34m investment in 171 new vehicles by National Express West Midlands during 2015. 

Top manufacturer is guest speaker at ABCC dinner

AN internationally acclaimed manufacturer is to be the principal speaker at the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) dinner at the ICC in November.
 
Dr Hamid Mughal is director of manufacturing at Rolls-Royce, a position he took up in 2001 after moving from BMW Group, where he was director of new product programmes.  
 
Saqib Bhatti, president of the ABCC, said: “We are delighted to have secured Dr Mughal, a recognised global expert in his field of manufacturing. This will ensure that the sell-out evening will be a huge success.”
 
Dr Mughal has more than 30 years’ experience in the automotive and aerospace industries. During this period he has worked for multi-national companies in a number of senior positions, ranging from product engineering to supply chain management.  
 
In his current role Dr Mughal is responsible for leading the manufacturing activities and strategies across the company’s manufacturing bases.  
 
This includes the development and deployment of manufacturing methods, standards, technologies, systems and lean practices and behaviours to achieve best in class performance.  He is also responsible for the professional development of the global manufacturing community in the company.  

Smith & Williamson supports Watercolours exhibition

THE Birmingham office of accountancy firm Smith & Williamson is supporting the Sunday Times Watercolour exhibition.
 
The event, which is taking place from October 10-18 at Castle Fine Art gallery in Birmingham, is the largest watercolour competition in the UK. Now in its 28th year, the competition celebrates and rewards the excellence and originality of painting in the medium of watercolour.

As supporters of the event since 2009, the Smith & Williamson Cityscape Prize attracts applicants from across the country. 

The competition offers a total prize fund of £17,500, including a first prize of £10,000,

John Hodgson, head of Birmingham tax and business services at the firm, said: “We are delighted to be a part of such a fantastic, cultural event. It promises to be a great exhibition for all involved.”