Merry Christmas from TheBusinessDesk.com

THIS will be our last daily email bulletin of the year. Normal service will be resumed on Tuesday January 3.

I think we will look back on 2016 as a mixed year for the West Midlands economy – but there is plenty to look forward to in 2017.

Our crucially important automotive sector continues to go from strength to strength – despite fears over Brexit and a weakening of the pound – while investment into Birmingham city centre and elsewhere in the region is transforming its appearance, and hopefully its fortunes.

One of the watch-words for 2017 is likely to be collaboration, with much of the responsibility for the direction of future policy resting with new partnerships such as the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Midlands Engine.

2017 will also see the appointment of the region’s first elected mayor – the Boris-style supremo who will effectively be the Prime Minister of the West Midlands. What that holds for the future offers tantalising prospects.

For many, the rollercoaster nature of the economy since Brexit – today marks the sixth-month anniversary of that momentous vote – will shape their own fortunes. However, many will be just glad to get through the next 12 months unscathed.

Whatever the outcome, TheBusinessDesk.com will be covering the news as it happens and as it affects you.

We will have some interesting developments of our own to report next year – on what is out tenth anniversary.

In the meantime, it just remains for me to thank you for your support throughout 2016 and to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

See you in 2017.