Brave new world The latest chapter in Digbeth's evolution - FREE April/May 2019 - Birmingham Business

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Brave new world The latest chapter in Digbeth's evolution - FREE April/May 2019 - Birmingham Business
FREE • April/May 2019

                        Brave
                         new
                        world
                        The latest
                        chapter in
                        Digbeth’s
                         evolution

birminghambiz.co.uk
Brave new world The latest chapter in Digbeth's evolution - FREE April/May 2019 - Birmingham Business
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        Make
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                                                                   our team for an initial                                                      Diane Benussi                                      Helen Benussi
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         Newater
          NewaterHouse,
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                           11Newhall
                              NewhallStreet,
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         Telephone:
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                           2484001
                               4001
         Email:
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         Website:
          Website:www.benussilaw.co.uk
                    www.benussilaw.co.uk
Brave new world The latest chapter in Digbeth's evolution - FREE April/May 2019 - Birmingham Business
04
contents                           12                                                    34                                41       Welcome                                                                              05
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         contents
                                                                                                                                    Welcome to the fourth edition of          be turned towards Edgbaston. The
                                                                                                                                    Birmingham Business, the first            stadium has a busy and high-profile
                                                                                                                                    spring issue we have put together.        summer of cricket ahead, but this is
                                                                                                                                       On the subject of new life, there      more than just one of the country’s
           ON THE COVER                    FEATURES                      COLUMNISTS                                                 are few areas in Birmingham enjoying      great sporting arenas. We meet the
                                                                                                                                    such a vibrant regeneration as            off-the-pitch team – led by chief
           18 James Craig                  12 Barkley Plastics           16 Ninder Johal                                            Digbeth, particularly within the maze     executive Neil Snowball – which
               Meet the man in                                                                                                      of streets and buildings which lie        operates the magnificent venue all
                                               Constant re-invention           Keeping up with                                      in the estate behind the Custard          year round as a thriving business,
               charge at                       for family firm                 evolving technology                                  Factory.                                  cementing its place as a pride of
               Birmingham’s                                                                                                            Scores of businesses, the majority     Birmingham.

               Custard Factory             26 MIPIM                      51 Ciara Keeling                                           with a strong creative focus, operate        In 2022 Birmingham’s sporting
                                                                                                                                    from the 15-acre site now owned           cannon will be bolstered as the city
                                               News from the                   Boosting                                             and managed by Oval Real Estate.          hosts the Commonwealth Games.
           INTERVIEWS                          conference                      connections                                          We catch up with Oval’s boss, the         The starting gun has long since been

                                                                                                                       52
                                                                                                                                    seasoned property investor James          fired for start of the preparations, but
                                                                               for small
           34 Pioneer                      41 Edgbaston                        businesses
                                                                                                                                    Craig, to find out why acquiring this
                                                                                                                                    dynamic corner of Digbeth was
                                                                                                                                                                              there are a wealth of opportunities
                                                                                                                                                                              for businesses in the region to
               Dr Mahnaz Hashmi                More than just cricket                                                               too good an opportunity to turn           partner with the Games, and now
                                                                                                                                    down, and also his team’s plans for       is the time for them to take an
           47 Joy of work                  SOCIALS                                                                                  regenerating this unique district
                                                                                                                                    steeped in industrial heritage.
                                                                                                                                                                              active approach in getting involved,
                                                                                                                                                                              according to chief executive Ian Reid.
               Bruce Daisley                                                                                                           Continuing the property theme, the        Reading through this issue of
                                           24 Awards launch                                                                         Birmingham and Midlands contingent        Birmingham Business you could
           66 5 minutes with...                Celebrating young                                                                    of delegates was once again out
                                                                                                                                    in force in Cannes this year for
                                                                                                                                                                              be forgiven for thinking it was put
                                                                                                                                                                              together against a calm and stable
               Kelly Farrell                   professionals                                                                        MIPIM, the world’s largest property       political backdrop. Obviously that is
                                                                                                                                    exhibition. As we discover, the mood      not the case. But frankly we’re fed
                                           38 St Patrick’s Day                                                                      in the Midlands UK Pavilion was full      up of talking about Brexit – what is
                                                                                                                                    of optimism at what lies ahead for        there left to say (which is printable)
                                               Drinks at bank’s                                                                     Birmingham and the wider region,          anyway? Moreover, the situation
                                               new offices                                                                          and some of the leaders from the          changes by the hour.
                                                                                                                                    private sector give us their views of        So it is with great pleasure that
                                           52 Collaboration                                                                         what the conference meant to them
                                                                                                                                    and the region.
                                                                                                                                                                              we’ve pretty much parked Brexit
                                                                                                                                                                              until the situation is more concrete,
                                               Glamorous event at
                                                                                                            By CARL JONES              April marks the start of the county    and instead focus on just a few of
                                               the Hyatt Regency                                                                    cricket season and for the next few       the many great things happening in
                                                                                                                           Editor   months eyes across the world will         Birmingham.

                       Editor                           Business development                         ONLINE                                              Birmingham Business is published by Midlands Magazines
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                       CARL JONES                       manager/head of advertising                  birminghambiz.co.uk                                 prohibited without written permission of the editor. The
                       editor@birminghambiz.co.uk       MIKE MOLONEY                                                                                     publishers have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the
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                       HENRY CARPENTER                  General enquiries                                                                                by users of any of the information and material contained in
                       henry@birminghambiz.co.uk        henry@birminghambiz.co.uk                         facebook.com/brumbiz
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                       MICHELLE DALTON                                                                                                                   www.magprint.co.uk
Brave new world The latest chapter in Digbeth's evolution - FREE April/May 2019 - Birmingham Business
Opportunity knocks
                                  The ‘O’ word was the recurring theme at
                                  the latest business briefing for the 2022
                                  Commonwealth Games, with the organising
                                  bosses urging businesses in the region not to

 06                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         07
                                  miss out on the benefits the event has to offer.
                                  HENRY CARPENTER reports.
games                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       games

        Attendees at the spring briefing for      communities of Birmingham,            next to take the microphone was         of the 2022 Games’ organising               “It’s not just about central           tickets available. This means an
        the Commonwealth Games were left          Warwickshire and the Midlands.        Ian Reid, the man charged with          committee.                               Birmingham,” he said. “It is set to       enormous amount of people coming
        in no doubt: this is their big chance        The event took the form of         delivering an event with the billing       “Glasgow gave me the experience       benefit Solihull, Sutton, Sandwell,       to the region, and hopefully they will
        to grasp the nettle and play their part   presentations from panel members      of one of the great track and field     to see what this event could do,         Coventry, Warwickshire and the            return in the future as well.
        in the biggest single sporting event      representing various key sectors,     competitions to be staged anywhere      both for the city and the region and     whole region.”                               “That brings a huge number
        the city will have held for decades.      followed by a group panel Q&A. The    in the world.                           I witnessed first hand the benefits to      So, where do the benefits lie? First   of jobs and in terms of business
           Given that the several hundred         two-hour briefing was compered           Having served as the chief           businesses,” said Mr Reid.               of all, in large-scale exposure.          opportunities we are talking about
        besuited men and women gathered           by former 400-metre sprinting star,   finance officer for the 2014 Glasgow       While these are the Birmingham           “Look at the scale of the Games.       approximately £300 million of
        in the suite at Stoneleigh Park were      Katharine Merry.                      Commonwealth Games, the powers          Games in name, Mr Reid – and             There are 6,500 athletes from 71          organising committee contracts
        clearly professionals, this was a clear      After the welcome given by         that be have found a man with           indeed the other speakers –              nations taking part, with a global        alone for suppliers and infrastructure
        push to strengthen the ties between       Jonathan Browning, chair of           seriously relevant experience to take   emphasised that this was very much       audience of 1.5 billion spectators. We    work.
        the Games and the business                Coventry & Warwickshire LEP, the      on the position of chief executive      a region-wide event.                     will hopefully have about one million        “It is important to realise what
Brave new world The latest chapter in Digbeth's evolution - FREE April/May 2019 - Birmingham Business
“The programme
                                                                                                                                     is structured to
                                                                                                                                   give sponsorship
                                                                                                                                    opportunities to
                                                                                                                                       businesses of
                                                                                                                                      varying sizes.”

 08
games
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          09
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          games
            Artist’s impression of the   we want to achieve from the event:        roll up their sleeves, step up to the    the supply chain works, understand           Commercial opportunities don’t          sponsorship opportunities to
                  competitors’ village   bring communities together, improve       plate and deliver.”                      mobilised labour, understand              just lie in the provision of services or   businesses of varying sizes.”
                                         health and wellbeing, and leave              The audience at Stoneleigh            transport infrastructure and so forth.    products. Mr Reid also addressed the          The idea has clearly been to
                                         legacies across all levels.               was taken through an overview of            “A proven supply chain is              potential of sponsorship.                  make the engagement process as
                                            “It is about putting the region        the procurement process which            obviously very helpful, and financial        “Yes, we do need to raise some          straightforward as possible, and for
                                         on the map. A huge opportunity            is operated by the organising            stability is a necessity. We carry out    money through sponsorship,” he             that Mr Reid suggested businesses
                                         to showcase what we can do in             committee; that means reaching           standard due diligence tests but          said. “But that also brings huge           register at the Games’ official online
        “We will be looking              organising such an event and show         into the supply chain to find the        we’re not going to take a draconian       opportunities. We are looking for          portal. This is a one-stop-shop for
                                         of the city and region to the world.      ideal providers of services and          approach to this. And suppliers must      suppliers who could perhaps either         all Commonwealth Games-related
               to work with                 “We are saying: let’s not waste        commodities who are going to have        provide value for money, a balance        provide services at a discount or          opportunities, structured to be easy
            companies who                this opportunity, we’ve got all these
                                         people coming to the event and
                                                                                   to demonstrate they meet some key
                                                                                   requirements, social values being
                                                                                                                            of price, quality and social benefits.
                                                                                                                               “There will be some very specialist
                                                                                                                                                                      free of charge in return for marketing
                                                                                                                                                                      rights.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 to navigate and understand.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    He concluded: “I urge you all
            might not have               watching it on television. Let’s do the   one of them.                             requirements which might be best             “This isn’t about multi-national        to register on the portal – that is
          applied for public             best job we can in maximising that
                                         exposure.”
                                                                                      “We want businesses to tell us
                                                                                   how they’re going to help skills
                                                                                                                            suited for international organisations.
                                                                                                                            Our challenge to them will be to
                                                                                                                                                                      businesses coming in and spending
                                                                                                                                                                      tens of millions of pounds; the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 where all the opportunities will be
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 advertised. And then be ready to
           contracts before                 Mr Reid went on to point out           development, how they are going          engage with local businesses.”            programme is structured to give            respond to those opportunities.”
                                         that the organising committee is a        to employ local people and help
        through the tender               government body, therefore bound          younger people, and what they plan
         process – support               by public procurement regulations.
                                         The big positive in that, he said,
                                                                                   to do about the environment and
                                                                                   sustainability.
               will be made              is that all the opportunities will be        “Companies have to be able to
                 available.”             openly and transparently advertised.
                                            “That does come with a degree
                                                                                   demonstrate to us that they have the
                                                                                   capability to deliver. Also, they must
                                         of bureaucracy and administration,”       share our values and understand
                                         he continued. “We will be looking         there is no compromise in that
                                         to work with companies who might          delivering mentality.
                                         not have applied for public contracts        “We do want experienced people,
                                         before through the tender process –       and that’s not necessarily people
                                         support will be made available.           who have worked in several events
                                            “This is a process with a deadline     but those who are experienced in the          Established in 1997 ART Business Loans provides finance to businesses and social
                                         though, and we need businesses to         region, those who understand how
                                                                                                                                 enterprises across the West Midlands where full bank support is not available.
                                                                                                                                 n Up to £150,000                                                      n Relationship Loan Manager - real people
                                                                                                                                 n In house decision                                                   n Business must be based in the
                                                                                                                                                                                                       West Midlands, Staffordshire,
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                                                                                                                                 n Any sector / most business purposes                                 or Warwickshire

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                 Jonathan Browning       Ian Reid
                                                                                                                                                             ART Business Loans – Fast, Flexible Finance
Brave new world The latest chapter in Digbeth's evolution - FREE April/May 2019 - Birmingham Business
Have you moved                                                                                    Bright future
    your telephony                                                                                    Future Faces will celebrate a record-
                                                                                                      breaking year at its annual showcase
                                                                                                      event at the ICC in September.
                                                                                                                                                12 months.
                                                                                                                                                  Future Faces helps businesses
                                                                                                                                                support young colleagues during
                                                                                                                                                                                       president (pictured above), said:
                                                                                                                                                                                       “Now in our seventh year, the Future
                                                                                                                                                                                       Faces network has grown from             11
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                news
    or data to the
                                                                                                          The young professionals’ arm of       their career development and its       strength to strength.
                                                                                                      the Greater Birmingham Chambers           membership profile now spans              “Our numbers have grown
                                                                                                      of Commerce, which has doubled in         across multiple sectors, comprising    exponentially and we are excited

    cloud yet?
                                                                                                      size over the last year, is staging its   professional, financial and IT,        that our awards dinner is graduating
                                                                                                      fifth annual awards and dinner on         manufacturing and construction,        to one of Birmingham’s biggest
                                                                                                      Friday, September 20.                     charity and public sector, marketing   event spaces.
                                                                                                          A move to the ICC, one of the         and events, leisure and business          “I can’t wait to see the awards
                                                                                                      largest conference and event venues       hospitality, technology, engineering   applications coming in over the
                                                                                                      in the city, reflects the organisation    and entrepreneurial and creative.      next few months – particularly as
                                                                                                      achieving record growth in the past         Mark Hipwell, Future Faces           Birmingham continues to hit massive
                                                                                                                                                                                       highs with entrepreneurs and small
                                                                                                                                                                                       businesses, and with its ever-
                                                                                                                                                                                       changing skyline.
The cloud is here to stay with 75% of UK                                                                                                                                                  “I’d highly recommend any young

SME businesses having adopted cloud                              Key reasons why                                                                                                       professional who is keen to develop
                                                                                                                                                                                       their career or promote themselves

services in one form or another. Do you                          our customers are                                                                                                     beyond their own business sector to
                                                                                                                                                                                       apply for the awards.”

have a cloud strategy for your business?                         moving to the cloud:                                                                                                     At the 2018 awards, marketing
                                                                                                                                                                                       expert Rebecca Halbert from
                                                                                                                                                                                       commercial property consultancy
                                                                 • 41% Reduced costs                                                                                                   Avison Young was crowned the
At Pure Telecom we take the time to understand                                                                                                                                         Future Face of Greater Birmingham,
                                                                 • 36% Flexible scalability                                                                                            having also won the Future
and immerse ourselves in your organisation to tailor                                                                                                                                   Face of Sales, Marketing and
our solutions to suit you.                                       • 27% Improved performance                                                                                            Communications award.
                                                                                                                                                                                          The winner of this year’s overall
                                                                 • 26% Increased efficiency                                                                                             Future Face of Greater Birmingham
We provide full support including training, number                                                                                                                                     award will also receive a fully-
                                                                                                                                                                                       funded Executive MBA scholarship
porting, onsite installation and UK-based assistance             • 23% Increased productivity                                                                                          from Future Faces patron Aston
giving you complete peace of mind.                                                                                                                                                     University. The scholarship is worth
                                                                                                                                                                                       up to £30,000.
                                                                                                                                                                                          Mark Smith, executive director
                                                                                                                                                                                       of business engagement at Aston
                                                                                                                                                                                       University, said: “Aston University is
                                                                                                       A great place to work                                                           delighted to support Future Faces
                                                                                                                                                                                       by offering a fully-funded MBA
                                                                                                       A Black Country law firm has been           Chief executive Mary Mocklow        programme to the winning member.
                                                                                                       named one of the best places to          said: “The Sunday Times Best              “Alongside the excellent
                                                                                                       work in the Midlands.                    Companies programme ensures            opportunities offered by Future
                                                                                                          Talbots Law, which has an office      we are benchmarking what we do         Faces, the Aston Executive MBA –
                                                                                                       in Dudley and announced 10%              against the best firms in the West     one of the best in the world – will
    MOBILE       TELEPHONY     CONNECTIVITY              CLOUD     BUSINESS APPS   MANAGED SERVICES                                                                                    equip them with the knowledge
                                                                                                       growth in 2018, has been ranked          Midlands and the UK.
                                                                                                       65th in the regional league table           “We want Talbots to continue        needed to thrive in their sector.
                                                                                                       compiled by The Sunday Times and         to grow and this means we need            “We look forward to welcoming
                                                                                                       Best Companies, recognising its          talented, motivated and values-led     the winner into our Aston Business
Contact us for more                         Michael Place, Anchorage Avenue,                           commitment to investing in its staff,
                                                                                                       their careers and to its charity work.
                                                                                                                                                staff doing the right thing for our
                                                                                                                                                clients.
                                                                                                                                                                                       School alumni.”
                                                                                                                                                                                          This year’s awards will feature two
                                Shrewsbury Business Park, Shropshire, SY2 6FG
information on 0121 227 5855                       www.pure-telecom.co.uk
                                                                                                          The legal specialist was named
                                                                                                       in the regional list after securing
                                                                                                                                                   “We invest heavily in recruiting
                                                                                                                                                locally, promoting from within and
                                                                                                                                                                                       new categories – the Future Face
                                                                                                                                                                                       of Charity and Social Enterprise and
                                                                                                       significant improvements in scores       investing in our apprenticeship        the Future Face of Public Sector and
or email info@pure-telecom.co.uk             @puretelecom       /puretelecom                           for leadership, employees being
                                                                                                       treated fairly and ‘giving something
                                                                                                                                                programme. Our strong score
                                                                                                                                                shows that the strategy is paying
                                                                                                                                                                                       Education, reflecting the network’s
                                                                                                                                                                                       multi-membership base.
                                                                                                       back’.                                   dividends.”                               The Future Faces Ambassador
                                                                                                                                                                                       Award is sponsored by Common
                                              FINALIST
                                              FINALIST                WINNER
                                                                      WINNER
                                                                                                       From left, Jack Pugh, Jess Perry, Amy Nichols and Victoria Gardner, all         Purpose, with the winner receiving
                                                                                                       apprentices at Talbots Law.                                                     their Streetwise MBA, worth £5,000.
Brave new world The latest chapter in Digbeth's evolution - FREE April/May 2019 - Birmingham Business
12                                                                                                                                                                                                                  13
                                                                                                                                    Matt Harwood

                                                                                                                                    ago this year.                            of steering column components for
profile                                                                                                                                The two Harwoods, along with
                                                                                                                                    fellow director Peter Tedd, preside
                                                                                                                                                                              Mini,” confirms Matt.
                                                                                                                                                                                 “Furthermore, we are doing a lot
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      profile
                                                                                                                                    over a company which is turning           of retail and medical-related tooling
                                                                                                                                    over £7 million – “we’ve been at          and moulding at the moment. Items
                                                                                                                                    that level for a while,” admits Matt –    to help with deep vein thrombosis,
                                                                                                                                    and manufactures from 40 hi-tech          and components for Vileda mops
                                                                                                                                    moulding machines which produce           and cleaning products are two such
                                                                                                                                    millions of units for the automotive      examples.
                                                                                                                                    and consumer goods industries.               “We also provide Honeywell with
                                                                                                                                    An average of £200,000 a year is          various electrical security items.
                                                                                                                                    invested in updating the machines         We are capable of making almost
                                                                                                                                    (they are never more than 15 years        anything for any industry but the
                                                                                                                                    old) and staff levels have risen          automotive sector has always been
                                                                                                                                    steadily through the years.               and remains our biggest market.”
                                                                                                                                       In many respects, not much of             Barkley Plastics is in many ways
                                                                                                                                    the original formula has changed          an old-fashioned Birmingham
                                                                                                                                    since the company was formed in           manufacturing powerhouse. People
                                                                                                                                    the 1960s – “same precision tools,        continue to assemble and inspect

          Breaking
                                                                                                                                    same lasting high quality,” says Mark.    the components off the machines
                                                                                                                                    Much of this revolves around the          provided by state-of-the-art robots
                                                                                                                                    automotive industry with the majority     and staff clock in and out of their shift
                                                                                                                                    of parts they produce ending up in        as they always have.
                                                                                                                                    Nissan, Mini and JLR vehicles. This          And the mood on the factory floor

          the mould
                                                                                                                                    continues the legacy started by           is good, with apprentices being
                                                                                                                                    making Jaguar E-Type lenses, the          shown the ropes by experienced
                                                                                                                                    light covers on the back of the cars,     hands and many of the machines in
                                                                                                                                    more than 50 years ago.                   full throttle. There are 126 members
                                                                                                                                       Flashing beacons and interior          of staff on the payroll, and men
                                                                                                       Above: Matt Harwood, left,   components are still made for             and women over a wide age range
                                                                                                    Peter Tedd and Mark Harwood     many car makers, not to mention           operate the machines and assembly
                                                                                                                                    door handles for JLR and rear lamp        stations. Even most of the flooring
                HENRY CARPENTER meets the                                                                                           items for Nissan. A speciality is light   we walk over was made by the firm –
                family behind a plastics firm which                                                                                 guides, which are installed in many
                                                                                                                                    new cars to create ambient lighting.
                                                                                                                                                                              PVC tiles called Plasfloor.
                                                                                                                                                                                 “We are primarily a sub-contractor
                is undergoing constant re-invention                                                                                    “We are producing exterior
                                                                                                                                    and interior lighting units for the
                                                                                                                                                                              making our customers’ products
                                                                                                                                                                              but we do diversify into our own
                whilst remaining true to its roots.                                                                                 300,000-plus Qashqais made each           innovations,” explains Matt.             Below: The Highgate
                                                                                                                                    year and around the same number              It is accurate to point out that the factory in the 1960s

                If straight talking is a virtue, Mark     repercussions of being located in a
                Harwood deserves the status of a          proposed clean air zone. These two
                saint.                                    factors are going to present serious
                   He talks about the many highs –        challenges so if you ask me if I am
                and occasional lows – the plastics        confident for the future, I am not
                injection moulding specialist and         going to lie – it’s going to be tough.”
                toolmaker Barkley Plastics has been          This exchange is just a snippet
                through in its 55-year-old history, but   of our chat in the firm’s offices in
                when we turn to what lies ahead, the      Highgate and this was the only
                boss and owner of the family firm         negative tint to a largely positive
                is in no mood to pull the wool over       discussion about Barkley Plastics,
                anyone’s eyes.                            a firmly established and highly
                   “Am I optimistic about the future?     respected name amidst the
                Well, I would be if the national living   Birmingham manufacturing fraternity.
                wage wasn’t always creeping up. It           We are accompanied by Mark’s
                hammers us, as it has a knock-on          son and the firm’s business
                effect throughout the factory.            development manager, Matt, who
                   “And we’ve also got the                joined the family operation 10 years
Brave new world The latest chapter in Digbeth's evolution - FREE April/May 2019 - Birmingham Business
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                                                            Barkley Plastics relocated     and his three colleagues from Lucas        his mother became the shareholders.       discussing it because no one knows         plastics and we are actually working
                                                                  to Highgate in 1968      got together and bought Mrs Barkley           Mark, who is 58, aims to “semi         what’s going to happen.”                   with a company to produce eco-
                                                                                           out; they kept the same name               retire” when he is 60. “I am trying to       He adds: “We’re still getting lots of   friendly packaging for dishwasher
                                                                                           because it was at the top of the           build a team for the next five years as   work in and we’re still investing for      tablets.”
                                                                                           telephone directory. The firm upsized      part of a succession plan,” he says.      the future. Defence is a sector we            And what else does the future
                                                                                           to our premises here in 1968.”             “Matt and other team members will         are looking at very closely.”              hold?
                                                                                              Many incarnations and investment        be directors and Peter will become           As far as Barkley is concerned,            “We are looking to develop more
                                                                                           decisions later, Barkley Plastics          managing director. I will chair the       Mark is happy to deflect the fact          cutting-edge engineering over the
                                                                                           now boasts an 85,000 sq ft facility        company.”                                 that plastics is something of a dirty      next five years. We have developed
                                                                                           full of plastic injection moulding            Which brings us back to those dark     word with the ocean-polluting issue        specialist processes which very few
                                                                                           machinery that is working 24 hours         clouds – statutory wage increases         at the forefront of the environmental      moulders in the UK, let alone in the
                                                                                           a day to keep up with demand,              and the tax demands for operating         agenda.                                    Midlands, have.”
                                                                                           while the dedicated tool room is           in a clean air zone, whilst trying to        “What we produce is not                    Suddenly the future is looking
                                                                                           also flourishing with a series of new      remain competitive to a demanding         disposable packaging. This is              bright again. Barkley Plastics has
                                                                                           projects in the pipeline.                  customer base. As far as Brexit           very much a focus. In fact, we are         evolved with demands before and it
                                                                                              The factory has seen some famous        is concerned “there’s no point            developing new bio-degradable              looks set do so again.
                                                                                           products go through its shop floor,
                                                                                           including the iconic 70s Homepride
                                                                                           Flour Men, the Big Yellow Teapot
                                                                                           for bluebird toys, paintball products,
                                                                                           skateboard wheels and parts for the
                                                                                           Raleigh bike.
                                                                                              Barkley Plastics’ five decades                                                                                                                   Webster & Horsfall, one of
                                                                                           in business have certainly been                                                                                                                      the West Midland’s oldest
                                                                                           eventful, covering the automotive                                                                                                                      companies, has secured
                                                                                           boom of the 1970s and MG Rover                                                                                                                     over £710,000 in Research
                                                                                           going under to the global recession                                                                                                                and Development Tax relief.
                                                                                           of 2009 and the subsequent re-
                                                                                           shoring phenomenon.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               You probably don’t
                                                                                              In the 1980s the company set up
                                                                                           another factory in Nechells which
                                                                                           was purpose built to make more of

         “We are capable of making almost anything                                         the same products to come out of
                                                                                           Highgate.                                                                                                           even realise that
      for any industry but the automotive sector has
      always been and remains our biggest market.”
                                                                                              “Unfortunately, overheads were
                                                                                           killing it,” remembers Mark, who
                                                                                           joined the firm in 1978. “It only lasted
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 you are doing R&D...
                                                                                           about 10 years and then we brought
                                                                                           over all the machines and expanded                                                                                                  If you employ more than
                                                                                           the Highgate part of the business.”
                                                                                              Another milestone in Barkley’s                                                                                                       25 employees, we can help
          thriving operation we see today in      the ad for tool makers. They knew
                                                  how to do that.
                                                                                           history has been its involvement in                                                                                                        you claim your R&D tax
          this corner of Birmingham can be                                                 the Midlands Assembly Network,
          attributed to an advert in the local       “The company was incorporated         a group of nine sub-contract                                                                                                                  refund from HMRC.
          paper back in the early 1960s.          in 1965 and at the time was based in     manufacturers that work together to
             It was then, in 1963, that Mark’s    Hallam Street in Balsall Heath.          win work at home and abroad.
          father, Maurice Harwood, along with        “My dad and the other three were         The company was a founder
          three others, answered an appeal        told that a milling machine, a grinder   member of the unique collective and
          placed by local entrepreneur John       and other bits of equipment were         has benefitted hugely from sharing
          Barkley for local tool makers.          needed so they started making their      best practice, learning about new
             Mark takes up the story. “The        own tools. Wheels for shopping           processes and collaborating on
          three of them were doing a lot of       trolleys of the sort used by the         apprentice training programmes.
          moonlighting while working at Lucas.    elderly were the first items made.          Barkley is now owned in its                   TO START YOUR CLAIM...
          John Barkley, who didn’t know              “A couple of years after the          entirety by the Harwood family.                  call us on 0845 003 0140 or email refunds@rdtaxclaims.co.uk
          anything about engineering but saw      company was incorporated, John           Maurice had bought his partners out
          a bright future for plastics, put out   Barkley passed away so my father         and after he passed away, Mark and
Brave new world The latest chapter in Digbeth's evolution - FREE April/May 2019 - Birmingham Business
By NINDER JOHAL
                                   Deputy Lieutentant for the West Midlands

                                                                                                                                         plc of a creative future workforce.      workforce in terms of skills – with         Only if we produce an environment
                                                                                                                                            There is clear evidence that          apprenticeships and graduates            in which art and culture is
                                                                                                                                         children exposed to subjects such        at the forefront – so too we need        appreciated will we be able to attract
                                                                                                                                         as music and drama tend to be            a generation that thinks and             inward investment.
                                                                                                                                         more creative, and generally have        understands grey areas. Too often           Businesses looking to invest in

   16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 17
                                                                                                                                         a greater propensity to succeed in       students are asked to think and          the region want a well-balanced
                                                                                                                                         life. They are more innovative and       understand situations only in a binary   and plentiful workforce but also an
                                                                                                                                         forward thinking.                        fashion.                                 environment in which workers are
                                                                                                                                            Our education system removes             There is ample evidence to show       able to live, rest and work.

column                                                                                                                                   those subjects which foster creativity
                                                                                                                                         – this is a serious problem as, in a
                                                                                                                                                                                  that top surgeons and physicians are
                                                                                                                                                                                  accomplished musicians. We must
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Whilst we all sit and fret over
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Brexit (and quite rightly so!) we must     column
                                                                                                                                         post-Brexit world, our international     encourage the arts and culture. We       not forget that we have long-term
                                                                                                                                         competitiveness will depend on an        must treasure our museums and art        structural issues that need to be
                                                                                                                                         ability to be innovative and more        galleries and encourage a thriving       addressed.
                                                                                                                                         forward thinking in an increasingly      visitor economy to provide balance          The Midlands, and in particular
                                                                                                                                         disruptive world.                        for our next generation.                 Birmingham and the Black Country,
                                                                                                                                            Evidence shows that as children          They must be encouraged to            were at the centre of the first
                                                                                                                                         get older, they become less              dream, and we must remove all            industrial revolution – we led the way
                                                                                                                                         innovative and more risk averse.         barriers to learning and understand      in innovation and creative thinking.
                                                                                                                                         Our school system does not allow         that the next generation learn in a         As we enter the fourth revolution, it
                                                                                                                                         creativity to flourish but proceeds      different way to us.                     is our duty to ensure that this country
                                                                                                                                         to straitjacket children with rigid         Only if we produce well-balanced      remains at the forefront of innovation
                                                                                                                                         teaching systems and an inflexible       creative people will we produce          and forward-thinking, and leave a
                                                                                                                                         curriculum.                              a future productive and creative         long-lasting legacy . . . as was the
                                                                                                                                            Just as we need a balanced            workforce.                               case with our forefathers.

                                                                                                                                         Ninder Johal is chief executive of the Nachural Group of Companies, organiser of the Birmingham-based Signature
                                                                                                                                         Awards, and a newly appointed deputy lieutenant for the West Midlands.

         Creativity is key to
         economic success                                                                                                                    Award-Winning
                                                                                                                                             Conference & Events
         I can still vividly remember the day
         when Steve Jobs announced the
                                                   through a different lens.
                                                      It means that the future success
                                                                                               span of attention and find themselves
                                                                                               frustrated by the education system.           Venue in Birmingham
         launch of the iPhone.                     of cities such as Birmingham will be           So we need a workforce that is
            As the owner of a relatively           based on innovation, new ideas and          nimble, multi-skilled and outward
         successful record label, and having       ‘out of the box’ thinking.                  thinking. A workforce that will               • 1.5 miles from the city centre
         seen the increasing threat from illegal      With increasing global competition       embrace lifelong learning to remain
         downloads, the iPhone was the first       and a world where disintermediation         relevant.
                                                                                                                                             • A range of suites overlooking the pitch
         sign that this technological disruption   is the norm – all business models              With Brexit looming and evidence           • From 10 to 800 delegates
         was here to stay.                         are susceptible to being ‘yesterday’s       that EU immigration is dwindling,
            What we in the music industry also     news’ with the click of a mouse.            local talent must be ready to replace         • Over 600 free on-site car parking spaces
         knew was that it would extend across         So how do we deal with this new          the skills shortages that will worsen
         the entire entertainment sector.          world? How do businesses compete            over the coming months and years.             • Fantastic menus by our award-winning
         Retailers who specialised in music        with a world where your business               The Government has continued to              Executive Head Chef
         collapsed overnight, and chains such      could be rendered redundant by              shape the education system for the
         as Blockbuster were also put to the       artificial intelligence, or an algorithm?   future without understanding the role         • On-site AV support
         sword by newcomers such as Netflix.          The answer lies in education and         of creativity. It has decided to take a
            Music itself has evolved from          skills – whilst disruption is now ever-     more traditional route by quite rightly
         downloading to streaming, and this        present, and changing our business          emphasising the importance of STEM            From meetings, conferences, award dinners, banquets
         phenomena of renting rather than          and personal lives at a frantic pace,       (Science, Technology, Engineering
                                                                                                                                             and weddings, we cater for all events, budgets and requirements.
         owning assets such as CDs and             education remains outdated.                 and Maths) subjects.
         DVDs has also spread to films.               It has not moved with a new                 But by removing subjects such as
            The next generation have grown         generation who learn everything and         music, art and drama, it is denying           Visit edgbaston.com or call 0121 369 1994 (opt 3)
         up with technology as part of their       resolve problems by platforms such          the next generation of the skills
         DNA; they think and see the world         as YouTube. They have a shorter             required to be creative – robbing UK
Brave new world The latest chapter in Digbeth's evolution - FREE April/May 2019 - Birmingham Business
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           All creatives   The Custard Factory is part of a rich and varied network of
                           work spaces in Digbeth.

        great and small    HENRY CARPENTER meets the owners of this unique estate
                           to discuss the ongoing regeneration of a post-industrial gem
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        Fazeley Studios

        It is not exactly a long walk from           only part of a team, and we’ve got a       old, artificial routes.
        Fazeley Studios to the Custard               brilliant one here.”                          You get the impression that this
        Factory – perhaps only a couple of              An integral member of this team         heritage held a fascination for Craig
        hundred yards – but try completing           is Jo Salmon, Oval’s asset manager         and Nick Prior, the other co-founder
        the journey quickly in the company           who heads the Digbeth operation            of Oval, when they got to know the
        of James Craig.                              when Craig is away – which is              area. He continues:
            The slow journey isn’t due to a          frequently.                                   “There are all these interesting
        mobility issue. No, this is all about           “I’ve been told the mood on the         bits of man-made infrastructure
        the seemingly endless stream of folk         estate has improved hugely since           put in place around the time of
        who want to stop and have a chat             Oval took it on,” she confides, as her     the Industrial Revolution. I guess if
        with him – and very much vice versa          boss chats to yet another tenant.          you extrapolate that over the time
        – along the way. This is Craig’s patch,         “There’s a really good feeling          elapsed since, I think you’ll find that
        literally, as the ultimate owner of this     here, largely because everyone             Digbeth, in many respects, hasn’t
        dynamic, creative corner of Digbeth          can see the sort of investment             changed very much. It is still full of
        which his company Oval Real Estate           Oval are putting into the site. But        people making things.
        bought in 2017.                              the appreciation goes both ways.              “That creativity and diversity of        “From day one we
            He perhaps doesn’t fit the profile of    From day one we have been made             creativity is totally unique. That for us
        the sort of landlord you might expect,       to feel really welcome here. I am          is the starting point of what this place    have been made to
        given that Oval’s portfolio of assets
        extends right across Birmingham, the
                                                     enormously grateful for that, and I
                                                     know James is too.”
                                                                                                is all about.”
                                                                                                   While Craig clearly has an astute
                                                                                                                                            feel really welcome
        Midlands and beyond.                            We are now in the boardroom in          business brain and a strong grasp           here. I am enormously
                                                     the Scott Building which sits centrally    of the sums, perhaps his greatest
            Aloofness is not part of Craig’s
        armoury, and he is genuinely                 in the Custard Factory complex. The        strength is the feel he has for             grateful for that.”
        interested in – and cares for – the          room gives a blatant indication of         properties – and indeed districts – in
        multitude of tenants which occupy            the sort of legacy Craig and the Oval      which to invest.
        the network of offices, studios and          team took on when they bought the             Digbeth only came onto his
        other work spaces which comprise             estate, with Birds Custard branding        radar about eight years ago, even
        the 15-acre site in Digbeth.                 placed along the walls. If there is        though Oval has been investing in
            He is not going to pass up the           one building in Digbeth emblematic         Birmingham for nearly 20 years,
        opportunity of catching up with any          of past industry it is this: the factory   predominantly in Edgbaston, Broad
        tenant of his who wants a word.              which Alfie Bird set up in 1902 to         Street and the city centre. The
            He loves it. “It’s a wonderful           make his famous custard powder.            firm, Craig tells us, has either asset
        antidote to suited-up meetings in               But there is so much more to the        managed or refurbished more than
        London,” he admits.                          estate than this iconic building –         1,000,000 sq ft of commercial space
            Despite an affable and easy-going        scores of post-industrial factories        in the city.
        demeanour, the only discomfort he            and warehouses stretch to Fazeley             So why Digbeth?
        registers is that this article will be too   Studios (a conversion of a former             “We felt that Digbeth, which
        focused on him as an individual.             chapel and warehouse) and on               already had a great offer, was an
            “You must make it clear that the         towards the Bond (a bonded building        interesting place to see if we could
        success of the estate is down to the         which once acted as a warehouse for        improve. First of all, it really is well
        talent and hard work of the tenants,”        HP Sauce). The site is surrounded by       situated. It is 500 metres from Moor
        he says in between exchanges. “I am          canals, viaducts and other centuries-      Street, it will be 500 metres to newly
                                                                                                                                                                    Jo Salmon
“When we arrived, we found
                                                                                                                                 fascinating buildings and this very

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                                                                                                                                 interesting mix of tenants in a very
                                                                                                                                 varied community which I guess
                                                                                                                                 we can describe as independent,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               23
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story                                                                                                                            individual and industrious.”                                                                                  story

        Office space at the Custard Factory
                                              regenerated Smithfield, it will be 500   varied community which I guess            that. I believe we have an amazing         launched the company – “we’re
                                              metres from HS2 and a walk to the        we can describe as independent,           opportunity to improve an already          an investment, development and
                                              Bullring takes six minutes.              individual and industrious,” continues    brilliant district.                        regeneration business, but in no
                                                 “It wasn’t until late 2016 that we    Craig.                                       “I think in five years’ time we would   particular order,” according to Craig
                                              started talking to the owners of the         “We’ve got nearly 500 tenants         like to see a thousand tenants, not        – their assets have included hotels,
                                              Custard Factory. We raised the idea      and almost 1,000,000 sq ft of space       500, on our estate. We’re still on the     data centres, training centres and
                                              of us becoming partners to invest        in Victorian buildings here which         acquisition trail. While we might have     airfields.
                                              money in all the redundant buildings     bring together a lot of Birmingham’s      a London office, we’re a Midlands-            “I suppose we’re an eclectic
                                              across the estate.                       industrial past.                          based firm.”                               investor,” he explains. “We are driven
                                                 “It soon became clear that they           “The very interesting thing is the       At this point Salmon, the on-the-       by projects which are based in value
               “I believe there               would be interested in selling. If
                                              I’m being totally honest, we didn’t
                                                                                       incredibly eclectic tenant mix we
                                                                                       have, everyone from international
                                                                                                                                 ground head of operations here in
                                                                                                                                 Digbeth, points out that there is a
                                                                                                                                                                            and are esoteric in nature.
                                                                                                                                                                               “We like to be seen by our tenants
              are few estates,                expect to find ourselves as owners of    design agencies, theatre companies,       rolling programme of investment and        and have regular contact with them.
                                              the Custard Factory and everything       ad agencies, one-man bands, artists,      activity on the estate.                    We don’t just hang around collecting
         anywhere else in the                 which goes with it.                      recording studios, textile start-ups         It is all to do with regeneration,      the rent; we’re more than that.
          UK, which can rival                    “We didn’t have a radical vision      . . . I believe there are few estates,    she says, whether it is towards the           “The hard work is done by the
                                              – we wanted to replicate what our        anywhere else in the UK, which can        courtyard of the Scott Building in         people who live and work in Digbeth.
        us for tenant mix and                 predecessors at the Custard Factory      rival us for tenant mix and creativity.   the heart of the Custard Factory,          We’re very fortunate that all those
                    creativity.”              had done. In many ways they were
                                              the pioneers for the regeneration of
                                                                                       As landlords we create a platform on
                                                                                       which these companies grow. That is
                                                                                                                                 retail spaces, or an events space
                                                                                                                                 available for weddings, conferences
                                                                                                                                                                            people care about the area a huge
                                                                                                                                                                            amount.
                                              this part of the city.”                  literally any business from a one-man     or festivals, not to mention the bars,        “Digbeth is more than just
                                                 Any regrets? Far from it. The site    band to a 200-strong operation.           cafés and other hospitality units.         Oval’s plans – I want to make that
                                              has a burgeoning tenant base and             “That’s something we want to             The investment needed for this          absolutely clear. There are other
                                              while there is a reluctance to go into   harness. A lot of the time we get         programme of regeneration is               landlords in the area who we’re
                                              too much detail with some of the         asked what our plans are for the          significant – a £150,000 heating           working closely with to create a
                                              planned projects, there is a sense of    future and I think it’s all about         system was installed at Scott House        formal response to all the other plans
                                              excitement at what the future holds.     positive change – or improvement.         – but Oval as a business clearly has       which are happening in the city such
                                                 “When we arrived, we found            There are so many good things             the experience, confidence and             as HS2, the Metro, Smithfield, so that
                                              fascinating buildings and this very      going on throughout the whole of the      depth of pockets to take it on.            this area retains its independence
                                              interesting mix of tenants in a very     estate and we really want to build on        Since the two co-founders               and its character.”

         The boardroom at Fazeley Studios                                                                                        The market hall                                                                     One of the many offices
Laura Thursfield,
                          Katie Fulcher and
                                 Kirn Dibra

 24
social                                                                                                                                                                         Hannah Frost, James Frost, Robbie Holden
                                                                                                                                                                               and Hattie D’Souza
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         25
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         social

                                                                                                                                Henrik Court and Elizabeth Mee

         Awards launch                         The Mailbox’s Aluna was the venue       which will take place at the ICC
                                               for the launch of the Birmingham        on May 16. Guests were greeted
                                               Young Professional of the Year          by Aluna’s mixologists before key
                                               Awards 2019. Almost 200 people          BYPY figures took the floor, with Kirn
                                               attended the event – run by             Dibra, chair of BYPY 2019, and Katie
                                               BPS Birmingham Future – with            Fulcher, chair of BPS Birmingham
                                               nominations opening across six          Future, sharing an insight into BPS
                                               categories of the awards celebration,   Birmingham Future and BYPY.
                                                                                                                                Imogen Smazanovich and Gift Hamisi             Ifraz Ahmen, Chrissie Wolfe and Anita Chumber

                                               Main picture: Katie Fulcher, Azeem Qadir, Jodie Tipper, Katy Paddock,
                                               Gishan Abeyratne, Kirn Dibra, Greta Geoghegan, Chandni Kotak, Lucy
                                               Gray, Nicola Storey-Wood and Matt Cockett

         Chandni Kotak, Ally Roberts and
         Cally Godfrey

         Laura Davis and Harriet Park-Davies   Alex Green, Jonathan Noad and Gishan Abeyratne                                   Libby Roberts, Jess Hurley and Jonathon Gray                              Becky Knott and Leah Calvert
Roll up, roll up...
 26                                                                                                                                                                                                  27
                                                                                                                                                            Poet Casey Bailey

MIPIM                                                                                                                                                       UK returned from the Riviera more
                                                                                                                                                            than satisfied.                          MIPIM
                                                                                                                                                               Sir John Peace, chair of the
                                                                                                                                                            Midlands Engine, said: “This year’s
                                                                                                                                                            Midlands UK delegation offered
                                                                                                                                                            exciting updates about existing major
                                                                                                                                                            projects in the region and unveiled a
                                                                                                                                                            number of new ambitious investment
                                                                                                                                                            opportunities to MIPIM’s international
                                                                                                                                                            delegates.
                                                                                                                   Poet Casey Bailey
                                                                                                                                                               “The region’s diverse range of
                                                                                                                                                            investment opportunities proves that
                                                                                                                                                            the Midlands is a prime business and
                                                                                                                                                            investment destination. MIPIM has
                                                                                                                                                            enabled us to present these schemes
                                                                                                                                                            to thousands of potential investors
                                                                                                                                                            during just one week.
                                                                                                                                                               “The collaboration between both
                                                                                                                                                            private and public sector partners
                                                                                                                                                            was key to this year’s successes and
                                                                                                                                                            is crucial to maintaining the global
                                                                                                                                                            competitiveness of the region in the
                                                                                                                                                            long term.”
                                                                                                                                                               Throughout the week regional
                                                                                                                                                            leaders showcased £11 billion of
                                                                                                                                                            major developments throughout the
                                                                                                                                                            Midlands to potential investors, but

        Invest in
                                                                                                                                                            while property was naturally a central
                                                                                                                                                            theme, the region itself, and its
                                                                                                                                                            culture, was also celebrated.
                                                                                                                                                               The region’s cultural and creative
                                                                                                                                                            economy featured heavily in this

        Birmingham
                                                                                                                                                            year’s programme, with the most
                                                                                                                                                            popular event of the week featuring
                                                                         The message, according to one             and the Midlands, and at its forefront   Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
                                                                         MIPIM veteran from Birmingham             was the Midlands UK Pavilion, a          The writer and director spoke about
                                                                         Airport, was made loud and clear.         central space which hosted umpteen       the region’s creative quarter and
                                                                           “The Midlands is open for business      scheduled talks and events, as           his plans for a new film studio in the
                                                                         and is the place to invest, live and      well as acting as a meeting and          Midlands. He was joined by local
                                                                         work,” she said. “It’s where things are   networking forum.                        poet Casey Bailey, who delivered
        Every year, professionals from all corners of the planet         made, where industry is powered and          The pavilion was a central            an emotive poem called Midlander,
                                                                                                                                                            which focused on the people, place
                                                                         where people are connected – and          focus for the delegation brought
        descend on the Mediterranean town of Cannes for the globally     with the dawn of HS2 arriving in less     together by Midlands UK, the brand       and heritage of the region.
                                                                                                                                                               Meanwhile, the ‘Game Changers’
        renowned property and investment conference that is MIPIM.       than a decade, the Midlands is where
                                                                         history will once again be made.”
                                                                                                                   set up by the Midlands Engine
                                                                                                                   specifically for MIPIM. It welcomed
                                                                                                                                                            panel discussion discussed the

        Deals are made, contacts are forged and relationships are          Rousing words, but by no means
                                                                         hollow ones as they were echoed
                                                                                                                   potential investors, property
                                                                                                                   agents, developers and the media
                                                                                                                                                            drivers behind inward investment
                                                                                                                                                            into the region, from its quality of
        strengthened. But the world’s largest property exhibition also   throughout the contingent of              from across the world; the events
                                                                                                                                                            life to the arrival of HS2 and 5G, and
                                                                                                                                                            following the ‘Regeneration through
        acts as an ideal shop window for regions to showcase some of     Midlands delegates which numbered
                                                                         several hundred.
                                                                                                                   programme alone attracted footfall of
                                                                                                                   more than 3,500 visits, an increase of
                                                                                                                                                            Sport’ event, Olympic silver medallist
                                                                                                                                                            Gail Emms joined the Midlands UK
        the very best of their assets.                                     This was the 30th year that
                                                                         20,000-plus business men and
                                                                                                                   18% from 2,900 last year.
                                                                                                                      This year saw the strongest
                                                                                                                                                            delegation for a lively ‘Question of
                                                                                                                                                            Sport’ quiz.
                                                                         women from 100 countries joined the       delegation yet brought by Midlands          Was the journey to Cannes and all
        Birmingham Business gauged the mood of some of the key           MIPIM conference to meet and forge
                                                                         property deals in and around the
                                                                                                                   UK to the event, with some 100
                                                                                                                   private and public partners in
                                                                                                                                                            the hard work – not least by Midlands
                                                                                                                                                            UK – worth it? The comments from
        players as they returned to the Midlands . . . and found it to   famous Palais des Festivals.              attendance. The private sector           some of the key private sector
                                                                           As ever, there was a strong             partners numbered 78, a record, so       delegates suggest an emphatic
        be overwhelmingly positive.                                      representation from Birmingham            no wonder the team from Midlands         thumbs-up across the board.
Proplist                                                                             “Our region already tops the UK
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          table for foreign investment and
                                                                                                                                        Proplist is a commercial property                                                 continues to have one of the highest
                                                                                                                                        portal.                                                                           start-up rates in the country. With
                                                                                                                                           CEO Richard Howells said:                                                      major developments including the
                                                                                                                                        “Unsurprisingly, Brexit was a hot                                                 i54 western extension (and additional
                                                                                                                                        topic all week, however it wasn’t                                                 100 acres dedicated to advanced
                                                                                                                                        blamed for two of the current major                                               manufacturing and engineering), the
                                                                                                                                        concerns in the UK – property prices                                              Friargate redevelopment in Coventry,
                                                                                                                                        and retail. A pending slide in the                                                and the Interchange Commercial
                                                                                                                                        market, even in robust areas such as                                              district in Wolverhampton, MIPIM
                                                                                                                                        London, was put down to inevitability                                             delegates all agreed that the region
                                                                                                                                        due to unsustainable current growth.                                              has a lot to be excited about.
                                                                                                                                           “The high street decline sat at                                                   “MIPIM is the hub for property
                                                                                                                                        the door of county councils, with                                                 networking. It is hugely beneficial

 28                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                29
                                                                                                                                        business rates hurting all occupiers.                                             for all attendees to meet investors,
                                                                                                                                        Panellists suggested it may be time                                               experts and agents, put faces to the
                                                                                             Carl Potter                                for local governments to purchase          Richard Howells                        names they have been emailing for

MIPIM                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              MIPIM
                                                                                                                                        empty spaces and transform them                                                   months, and simply exchange ideas.
                                                                                             Avison Young                               into more profitable options, such
                                                                                                                                        as office, residential or fresh retail     West Midlands than ever before,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             “From a PropList point of view, we
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          generated dozens of appointments
                                                                                             With a workforce numbering more            space.                                     driven from the changes that will      off the back of conversations had
                                                                                             than 400, Avison Young is the                 “Globally though, the UK is still       occur with the arrival of HS2 at       in Cannes, and had an opportunity
                                                                                             largest commercial real estate             seen as a safe investment location         Curzon Street. With the planned        to showcase the good technology
                                                                                             consultancy business within the UK         and there does seem to be more of          Metro link to the city, these faster   being pioneered by us. We also
                                                                                             outside London.                            an interest in areas outside of the        connection times north and             introduced our own unique, downhill
                                                                                                Carl Potter, managing director of the   south east for investment.                 south give Birmingham a massive        mountain biking networking event,
                                                                                             firm’s Birmingham office, said: “One of       “There was more focus on the            opportunity for growth.                PropBike – which proved popular.”
                                                                                             the key enablers in the transformation
                                                                                             of our urban environment is the
                                                                                             successful fusion of public sector
                                                                                             assets with private sector expertise
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          St Joseph
                                                                                             and financing. MIPIM represents                                                                                              Birmingham property developer
                                                                                             a unique environment that brings                                                                                             St Joseph is part of the Berkeley
                                                                                             together both investors, developers                                                                                          Group, which has scores of property
                                                                                             and local authorities who are keen to                                                                                        interests in the region.
                                                                                             demonstrate opportunities they feel                                                                                             Tony Pidgley CBE, Berkeley Group
                                                                                             can be unlocked or the regeneration                                                                                          chairman, said: “There was great
                                                                                             that can be achieved through a joint                                                                                         energy and excitement around the
                                                                                             approach.                                                                                                                    Midlands delegation and it was a
                                                                                                “As an agency, part of our role is to                                                                                     privilege to be involved. This part of
                                                                                             bring the right partners together. This                                                                                      the country is truly open for business
                                                                                             is partly why MIPIM is so important,                                                                                         and was out there showing the drive
                                                                                             providing as it does an atmosphere                                                                                           and vision to create homes and
                                                                                             where parties have made themselves                                                                                           strengthen communities.
                                                                                             more receptive to approaches and                                                                                                “This is about uniting the public
                                                                                             discussions.                                                                                                                 and private sector behind a shared
                                                                                                “Whilst it might seem very strange                                                                                        agenda and working in partnership
        Sir John Peace, chair of the Midlands Engine                                         that one needs to travel to the south                                                                                        to make sure local people feel the
                                                                                             of France to meet people who are
                                                                                             based in your home city, it is this
                                                                                                                                        Paradise                                                                          greatest benefits. That was the key
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          message the Midlands took to MIPIM
                                                                                             volume of key individuals within a         Paradise is a £700 million                 Birmingham to those both inside and    and there was no mistaking the
        Birmingham Airport                                                                   very small area that ensures these
                                                                                             connections are easily made.
                                                                                                                                        development that is set to transform
                                                                                                                                        the centre of Birmingham.
                                                                                                                                                                                   outside the UK.
                                                                                                                                                                                      “For those who don’t know
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          passion and bold civic leadership
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          driving this region forward.
        Birmingham Airport is no stranger         showcase our growth plans that will           “As outlined in our Evolving               Director Rob Groves said: “MIPIM        the city and region so well, it’s a       “Berkeley Group has made
        to the four-day long event and has        help us to become one of Europe’s          Birmingham report – which highlights       is a great opportunity to do two           chance to open eyes and change         lasting, far-reaching commitments
        partnered with the Midlands UK            leading airports, providing the air        the most influential schemes of            things – be part of a larger, collective   perceptions. The sheer quality and     to Birmingham and we are proud
        MIPIM delegation for three years,         connectivity to drive the region’s trade   the last 10 years and those due            approach to telling the story of           range of projects that come into       to be playing our part in the city’s
        since the Midlands Engine coalition       and inward investment even further.”       to be delivered over the next              the Midlands and in particular             the conversation proves the scale      remarkable growth story.”
        began. This year was an important                                                    decade – the sheer weight of future                                                   and reality of our ambition and the
        occasion for the airport as it unveiled                                              opportunities underlines the amount                                                   potential of the event.
        its 15-year development plan to a                                                    of ambition within the city. The 2022                                                    “The sheer calibre of the
        bustling Midlands Pavilion.                                                          Commonwealth Games and arrival of                                                     connections that can be made
           Nick Barton, the airport’s chief                                                  HS2 in 2026, for instance, milestones                                                 benefits from the environment of
        executive, said: “2019 is a significant                                              which any city would be proud to                                                      the event itself where investors,
        year for Birmingham Airport as we                                                    showcase as exceptional influencers,                                                  developers and occupiers can come
        celebrate eight decades serving the                                                  demonstrate a successful and highly                                                   together. For Paradise, the Midlands
        Midlands region and embark on a                                                      connected city of international                                                       team and delegation has always
        £500 million development programme                                                   influence.                                                                            been a supporter of the scheme.
        to shape our future.                                                                    “Once again, both the East and                                                        “A combination of both public
           “Our ‘Master Plan’ will enhance                                                   West Midlands showcased a truly                                                       and private partners has helped us
        capacity, grow global connectivity and                                               collaborative approach under the                                                      firmly establish ourselves on the
        improve the customer experience for                                                  Midlands Engine banner, enabling us                                                   development map of the region
        the forecast 18 million passengers that                                              to demonstrate the region’s economic                                                  and indeed, of the entire UK. This
        we are set to handle by 2033.                                                        advantages and highlight the growing                                                  is an exemplary scheme that rightly
           “We were proud to be part of this                                                 clusters generating the 4th industrial                                                deserves a reputation for innovation
        year’s successful MIPIM event and to      Nick Barton                                revolution.”                               Rob Groves                                 and partnership working.”              Tony Pidgley
“There was a great atmosphere in the
            Midlands Pavilion and it was very evident
            that all partners were rallying round
            Birmingham’s collective vision.”

                                                                                                Rob Valentine

 30         Bruntwood
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       31
                                                        “There was a great atmosphere in        playing a key role in this.
                                                     the Midlands Pavilion and it was very         “For Bruntwood and for me, MIPIM
            Over the last four decades,              evident that all partners were rallying    is extremely useful on many different
MIPIM       Bruntwood has built up a formidable
            portfolio of commercial buildings
                                                     round Birmingham’s collective vision.
                                                     This vision is based on partnership
                                                                                                levels. Our main objective is to help
                                                                                                create thriving cities and communities                                                                                                                                 news
            which has seen it become one of          and growth and the importance              and every year attending MIPIM
            the major players in the provision       of high-speed rail to our regional         supports our mission on this.
            of office space in the whole of the      economies and ensuring that it links          “It always throws up many new
            UK. It currently supports more than      to the wider network of transport          opportunities, the chance for new
            3,000 customers and a community          solutions.                                 collaborations, the ability to develop
            of 50,000 people in over 110                “Yet it’s much more than that. It’s     relationships across the sector and
            properties around the Midlands and       about our desire, one very much            with other sectors. For example, since
            the north of England.                    held by Bruntwood, that our growth         returning from France I am already       From left: Andy King, Christine Allen-Lloyd, Barbara Seaton, Steve Walker, Rozna Haque, Martin Edmonds and
               Rob Valentine, Bruntwood’s            is inclusive and our communities also      having conversations with others         Graham Donaldson.

                                                                                                                                         Tax saving lures
            director for Birmingham, said: “Once     benefit. Tech was also to the fore; it     in the city about how we can work
            again we went to MIPIM buoyant. The      is a key driver to our future prosperity   together.
            West Midlands is doing really well       and creating opportunities for young          “What MIPIM provides is the space
            and there’s every indication that this   people. Our emerging talent is of          and time to talk about mutually
            upward trajectory will continue. To my   paramount importance and clearly           beneficial opportunities for growth

                                                                                                                                         investors to scheme
            mind this year’s MIPIM emphatically      the education sector – our leading         and to support those trying to make a
            underlined this.                         universities and institutions – is         difference.”

                                                                                                                                         The team behind a pioneering               to leverage further funding bringing         “When the going gets tough, we
                                                                                                                                         share offer which raised more than         the total funds ART has to lend in        are needed more than ever, and

Time for a digital                                                                                                                       £250,000 in its first round said the
                                                                                                                                         initiative has helped put them in a
                                                                                                                                         position to lend up to £3 million for
                                                                                                                                                                                    2019/20 to almost £3 million.
                                                                                                                                                                                       “So, due to the positive response,
                                                                                                                                                                                    we will be re-launching the scheme
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              have a track record of helping SMEs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              continue trading through loss of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              customers or markets, or glitches in

spring clean?                                                                                                                            the forthcoming year.
                                                                                                                                            ART Business Loans – which
                                                                                                                                         lends to predominantly micro
                                                                                                                                         enterprises to help them grow and
                                                                                                                                                                                    through the leading positive
                                                                                                                                                                                    investment platform Ethex but
                                                                                                                                                                                    haven’t finalised exactly when we will
                                                                                                                                                                                    do so.”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              cashflow.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 “In the short term that has
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              protected thousands of jobs and in
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              the longer term helped to create
Contact us for a free digital audit and consultation                                                                                     diversify – said there will be a further      ART was established in 1997 to fill    thousands more around the West
                                                                                                                                         opportunity for both individual and        a gap in lending left by the banks. It    Midlands.
                                                                                                                                         corporate investors thanks to the          is a mutual organisation, owned by           “The year ahead is likely to bring
                                                                                                                                         positive response from the pilot           its members, and provides loans of        more than the usual challenges to
Creative                    Digital                         Marketing                                                                    project.                                   between £10,000 and £150,000 to           businesses in the West Midlands, but
                                                                                                                                            The offer provided both a financial     businesses and social enterprises         whatever happens has money ready
Branding, Print             Web, Ecommerce,                 Strategy, SEO, PPC,                                                          return in the form of Community            across the West Midlands, helping         to lend, thanks in part to the success
Design, Packaging,          Support, Hosting,               Email Marketing,                                                             Investment Tax Relief and also the         them to create or preserve jobs.          of our latest share offer.”
Advertising                 Integrations                    Social Media                                                                 knowledge that the investment was             ART’s current loan portfolio is           Dr Walker said the ART team
                                                                                                                                         helping to support the West Midlands       around £5.5 million with more than        is looking forward to helping
                                                                                                                                         economy.                                   200 clients. Money to lend is raised      businesses of all kinds – from
                                                                                                                                            Dr Steve Walker, chief executive        from the public and private sectors       restaurants to providers of hi-tech
                                                                                                                                         of ART Business Loans, said: “We           and from individuals interested in a      solutions, manufacturers to facilities
                                                                                                                                         were pleased that 30 investors came        social as well as financial return.       managers – to survive and thrive.
                                                                                                                                         on board for our inaugural share              In addition to receiving tax relief,      “Many businesses struggle to
                                                                                                                                         scheme.                                    investors in ART know that their          access loans up to £150,000, which
Get in touch                                                                                                                                “They realised the benefits lay         money is being put to good use            we provide,” he said.
Edmund House, 12-22 Newhall St, Birmingham, B3 3AS                                                                                       in the tax relief gained rather than       through loans that allow businesses          “We are appreciative of those
                                                                                                                                         capital return – 5% of the investment      to grow, diversify and survive            individuals who choose to invest
0121 726 6849 springclean@cleardesign.co.uk cleardesign.co.uk
                                                                                                                                         can be claimed as a deduction from         challenging trading conditions,           their money to help us achieve our
                                                                                                                                         the income or corporation tax bills        thereby boosting the West Midlands        mission to ensure that businesses
                                                                                                                                         each year for five tax years.              economy.                                  with viable plans can access the
                                                                                                                                            “They grasped the fact that                “We have been here for more than       finance they need. Interestingly,
                                                                                                                                         this was basically a Government            21 years lending to viable businesses     throughout our history it has not only
                                                                                                                                         incentive to encourage investment in       unable to access the finance they         been local people who have invested
                                                                                                                                         underserved areas.                         need from the banks,” continued Dr        in us to support the West Midlands,
                                                                                                                                            “The money raised will be used          Walker.                                   but people from all over the UK.”
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