Prosper - Black Country Chamber

THE REGION’S LONGEST-RUNNING BUSINESS PUBLICATION
BLACK COUNTRY
PROSPER
We’ll be right at the
heart of the recovery
Chamber’s new chief executive
Sarah Moorhouse sets out her goals

WELCOME TO PROSPER
After two years of change, chaos and crisis management, it’s good to be getting
back to a more normal way of life – and that includes the welcome return of this
magazine in a printed format , says Sarah Thompson, Editor, Prosper
We’re back in print – and we couldn’t be happier
And here we are – Prosper is back in
print! It’s been 30 months since the last
printed edition of Prosper and no one is
more delighted than me to see the
region’s longest running business
publication back in print and in the hands
of our members, stakeholders, politicians
and influencers.
When Prosper became a digital-first
offering in March 2020, a monthly then
bi-monthly digital entity, it worked hard to
bring you the constantly changing news and
support that many of our businesses in the
Black Country, and beyond, required at a
time when they were pivoting daily and
trying to make sense of a changing
landscape.
Putting pen to paper (proverbially) is a
surreal, calming experience, being able to
paint the landscape of the last two-and-ahalf
years into something palatable seems
so odd, because the experience before has
been nothing short of total madness.
The past two years have been extremely
difficult for us all, as individuals and as
businesses. With several lockdowns,
working from home orders in place and
‘‘
The past two years have been
extremely difficult for us all...
one key lesson has been the
importance of crisis
management and being in a
constant state of readiness
for whatever’s next
PROSPER SUMMER 2022
‘‘
supply chains impacted, the pandemic has
been a real challenge for many businesses,
and sadly, firms continue to struggle with
the many issues faced as a consequence of
both the pandemic and leaving the EU.
One key lesson has been the importance
of crisis management. Successive lockdowns
– and repeated false ‘ends’ to the pandemic
– meant that Black Country businesses have
had to learn to be in a constant state of
readiness for whatever’s coming next.
One of the lessons we have learnt is that
you don’t need to be going into the office
to get the job done, and for those who
could work remotely, it has been an
acceleration of focusing on performance, on
outcomes and being less concerned about
presence or input. The pandemic has
accelerated a series of fundamental
changes in the world of business, including
the provision of trust in employees.
Although for many of the region’s
manufacturing businesses, as with our
essential workers, working from home was
not possible, we knew people would not be
able to access physical editions of
magazines, and so digital-first became the
ethos for Prosper.
But times have changed again, and as we
forge ahead into the second half of 2022,
with our businesses continuing to struggle
with supply chains, logistics, recruitment,
skills and rising business costs, this first
printed edition of Prosper of ’22 introduces
you to the Chamber’s next big campaign,
‘This Is the Black Country’.
A year-long campaign, running inconjunction
with business partners, Crowe
UK, Higgs LLP, Pertemps, EBC Group and
the University of Wolverhampton Business
School, focuses on three specific areas;
people, place and power to frame much of
the Chamber’s work over the coming
months.
In this issue we also introduce you to
Sarah Moorhouse who, at the end of the
summer, will step into the role of chief
executive to lead the Black Country
Chamber of Commerce.
Prosper talks to Sarah about her aims and
ambitions and learns more about her plans
to support the region’s firms in the months
and years ahead.
We also celebrate a decade of the
Chamber’s Platinum Group, introduce you
to the newest Patron member and our latest
Business Start-up Club partner, and we also
talk Commonwealth Games, female
entrepreneurs and levelling up the West
Midlands.
There’s news from across the Chamber
membership, legal advice on redundancy
and employee whistleblowing, and
recruitment and revenue recovery with
Pertemps and BDO Midlands.
Finally, there’s all the regular updates
from the Chamber with details on the
recently launched Black Country Think Tank,
lobbying work with the APPG, news from
the Chamber Military Network, plus more of
what’s on offer from the Chamber’s training
courses, networking events, business clubs
and our forthcoming golf day.
Bigger, better, bolder and back in print
– welcome back to Prosper Magazine.
Enjoy!
CONTACT: SARAH THOMPSON
e: SarahThompson@
blackcountrychamber.co.uk
@SarahT_BCCC
linkedin.com/in/
sarah-thompson-83931813/
O3

CONTACTS
Editor
Sarah Thompson
0330 024 0820
07971 322693
prosper@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
BLACK COUNTRY
PROSPER
Marketing & Policy
Neil Anderson
Director of External Affairs
0330 024 0820
neilanderson@
blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Membership
Karen Webb
Director of Business Services
0330 024 0820
membership@
blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Publisher
Chamber Media Services
4 Hilton Road, Bramhall
Stockport, Cheshire
SK7 3AG
Advertising
Colin Regan
01942 537959
colinregan001@yahoo.co.uk
Production
Rob Beswick
0161 426 7957
07964 375216
rob@chambermediaservices.co.uk
Black Country Prosper Magazine is the official magazine of the
Black Country Chamber of Commerce.
It provides news, views, interviews, opinion and debate along with
information and insights.
Prosper is the region’s longest running business publication .
Produced on a quarterly basis, the magazine is supported by an array of the
Black Country’s most influential business leaders and is read by business owners
throughout the region and further afield.
To find out more about advertising in Prosper, contact
Colin Regan on 01942 537959.
THE CHAMBER PATRON GROUP
The work of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce is supported by these strategic
business partners working together to make the region a better place for business.
Cover Photography
Angela Grabowska
Although every effort is taken to ensure
the accuracy of material contained within
this magazine, neither the Black Country
Chamber of Commerce nor Chamber
Media Services can accept any
responsibility for omissions or inaccuracies
in its editorial or advertising content.
The views expressed in this publication
are not necessarily those of the Chamber.
The carriage of adverts in this publication
does not constitute an endorsement of
the products or services advertised.
READ ONLINE
We’re delighted that Prosper is back in a
printed version, but you can still read it
online. Go toprospermagazine.co.uk
You can also follow Prosper at
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/bcccprosper
All articles within this publication are
copyright Black Country Chamber of
Commerce. Consent from the Chamber
and the publisher must be obtained
before any articles are reproduced either
in printed form or electronically.
Prosper Magazine | Facebook
@MagazineProsper
prospermagazine.co.uk
O4 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

CONTACTS & CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Hurray - the Chamber Awards are back in person
20
24
Wolverhampton Grand
Theatre signs up as a
Platinum Group member
Welcome to the
Chamber’s new
chief executive
08
36
The Games
excitement is
building, says
Andy Street
47
Nant backs entertainers
Appetite still there
to take on apprentices
41
New partner
for Start-Up
Business Club
22
18
Starting Point
are latest
Chamber
Patrons
Levelling-up
in the
West Midlands
52 40
Rich is on the run
for a good cause
REGULAR FEATURES
Members’ News 12
Business is Done Better Together 18
including Chamber Patrons, Awards,
The Platinum Group, Start-Up Business Club
and the Chamber Military Network
This is the Black Country 29
including Championing the Black Country,
Think-Tank update, Skills for the Region
Business in the Community 40
Members’ Milestones 43
Events Diary 54
Training 57
Professional Development 58
Prosper People 60
PROSPER SUMMER 2022
O5

WELCOME
Phil Purssey
Chair of the Black Country
Chamber Board
Changes at the top, and new campaigns
At the end of June, we said a fond
farewell to Corin Crane, our CEO who,
over the past six years, has worked
tirelessly on behalf of members and
transformed the Chamber into a modern,
dynamic business support organisation.
Later this summer, we’ll be welcoming
our former President, Sarah Moorhouse,
who will take up the mantle of leading the
Chamber and continue our ambitions as a
membership organisation and key
regional partner.
Until then, I get the honour of
welcoming readers to this issue of
Prosper magazine. And what an honour it
is.
Prosper is back, in print, for the first
time since January 2020 and while in the
intervening time the team has been
bringing you news, updates and analysis
in a digital-first format, there is nothing to
beat the feeling of getting your hands on
the latest physical issue which you can
flick through at your leisure.
And there’s so much to share with you
– from our latest campaign, ‘This is the
Black Country’ through to a packed
programme of events, features and the
latest news from members across the
region, as well as an interview with our
new CEO Sarah.
On behalf of the Chamber team, we
hope you enjoy the new-look, back-toprint
Prosper, and I look forward to
catching up with you all to hear what you
think.
Andy Street
West Midlands Mayor
Prosper is a vital platform to reflect Chamber’s work
It’s great news that Prosper Magazine, the
region’s longest-running business
publication, is back in print once again.
Like so many publications, Prosper
switched to a digital model during the
pandemic, ensuring that local businesses
were kept up to date through their in-box.
But I’m delighted that it’s now back in
print, and with a fresh new look, too.
As someone with a business
background, I know how important
communication is between firms and
across the diverse sectors that exist here.
From the entrepreneurial spirit that
drives innovation to the exports that put
us on the map, the businesses of the
Black Country always have a compelling
story to tell.
Prosper provides a vital platform to
share ideas and debate issues, as well as
reflecting the brilliant work of the Black
Country Chamber of Commerce.
I look forward to reading all about the
Black Country business community, which
continues to play such a key part in the
renewal of the West Midlands.
Welcome back, Prosper!
PROSPER SUMMER 2022
O7

WELCOME... TO OUR NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SARAH MOORHOUSE
‘The Chamber is
right at the heart of
the Black Country’
New Black Country Chamber chief executive Sarah Moorhouse
tells Prosper about her excitement at taking the helm at
what she sees as the region’s most popular business group
Current Black Country Chamber of
Commerce President Sarah Moorhouse is
to be its next chief executive – and to say
she’s excited by the task ahead is a huge
understatement.
Sarah replaces Corin Crane, who has
taken on a similar post at Coventry &
Warwickshire Chamber after six years at the
helm in the Black Country. “I can’t wait to
get started,” she says.
“I’ve worked closely with the Chamber
since 2018 when I joined the Board and
know how hard the team works for its
members – and how much it’s appreciated
by the business community.
“It’s rare to find any organisation that
generates the amount of positivity that the
Black Country Chamber manages,” she
adds. “Every time I mention that I’m
involved here, people are so enthusiastic.
The Chamber is loved by members who see
that it’s right at the heart of business life.
“I think businesspeople see in the
Chamber a reflection of themselves: hard
work, a spot of gumption, a real thirst to
succeed and an entrepreneurial spirit – that
sums up the Black Country business
community, and the Chamber, too.
“I just can’t wait to get stuck in, to meet
more of our members and make my
contribution to what the Chamber does
best: helping businesses respond to the
challenges ahead and drive the economic
recovery.”
Sarah’s background highlights strong links
with SMEs – either through working at them,
or on their behalf. She will join the Chamber
following 11 years as operations and
marketing director at BCRS Business Loans,
and her day-to-day contacts are within the
West Midlands SME community with whom
she has built strong connections.
“BCRS is a not-for-profit lender that
supports the growth of SMEs, so the links
between its clients and the membership of
the Chamber are strong. I’ve had a
wonderful time at BCRS, but I was looking
for a fresh challenge. I’m one of those
people who’s always looking to get out of
their comfort zone, to push myself to the
next level.”
Part of the impetus to seek a fresh
challenge came – as with many people at
the moment, it seems – as a response to the
pandemic. “The past two years have been
crazy for BCRS. We were asked to manage
the Government’s Coronavirus Business
Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILs) in the
region. The workload was intense: from
initial contact to starting to deliver the
programme, we had a couple of weeks to
pull everything together. The pace never let
up. It was incredibly busy but I’m really
proud of the way the team responded.”
But the pandemic also “reignited
something in me. I felt that I had grown at
BCRS but wanted a new challenge and to
get my teeth into something different.
When Corin announced that he was moving
on I jumped at the chance to throw my hat
into the ring for the chief executive’s role.”
‘Jumping in’ is something she’s been
happy to do throughout her career – from
day one. Her first break after university –
Sarah’s an alumni of the University of
Wolverhampton, and she’s proud to have
stayed close to her Black Country roots –
came at Wolves. “I had a degree in
marketing and media and wanted to put it
to good use in my local area.
“I drew up a list of all the big employers
and Wolves was top of the list. I steeled
myself and just walked in, clutching my CV,
and asked the receptionist if she knew of
any vacancies in marketing, PR or comms.
She listened politely but said she didn’t
think there were any – only for a lady in the
back of the office to suddenly turn around
and ask if I fancied coming in tomorrow to
shadow her on a match day.
“I said ‘yes’ straight away – I couldn’t
believe my luck.”
Continued on page 10
08 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

‘‘ It’s rare to find any organisation that
generates the amount of positivity
that the Black Country Chamber does ...
every time I mention the Chamber, people are so enthusiastic about it – it’s
loved by the members. I think businesspeople in the Black Country see in the
Chamber a reflection of themselves: hard work, a spot of gumption, a real thirst
to succeed and an entrepreneurial spirit – that sums up the Black Country
business community, and the Chamber, too.
‘‘
Photos: ANGELA GRABOWSKA
with thanks to Dr Euripides Altintzoglou, FHEA,
Course Leader (Photography), Senior Lecturer (Fine Art)
University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton School of Art

WELCOME... TO OUR NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SARAH MOORHOUSE
Continued from page 8
By chance, the lady hovering in the back
of the office that day was none other than
Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, English cricket
legend and a close friend of Wolves’ then
owner Sir Jack Hayward. Rachael led the
club’s PR and marketing and undertook
ambassadorial duties on match days –
which she willingly threw Sarah into.
“It was brilliant. I trailled her for the
whole day, finishing up exhausted but I
loved it. Rachel told me that she’d been
impressed with my confidence and for
having a bit of gumption to walk in off the
street, front up and ask if there were any
jobs going.”
Sarah obviously impressed as by the
middle of the next week, “I had an
interview with the marketing director who
offered me a job.”
She stayed at Molineux for 18 months,
loving every minute, before moving to
Connect PR where one of her key clients
was Johnstone’s Paint – at the time, the
sponsors of the cup competition for lower
league clubs. “I loved the diversity of the
work at Connect: one minute I was helping
put on the Johnstone’s Paint final at
Wembley, the next I was at Weston Park
stately home, then I was extolling the
wonders of a new adhesive in a press
release for Bostik.”
“It was a fantastic experience. Perhaps
crucially, given what was to come, it also
drew me closer to SMEs and how they
operate.”
From there Sarah took on a change in
pace and vision as she worked for a
housing association in South Staffs: “I went
from working with Richard Branson on a
couple of Virgin Galatic PR launches with a
huge budget at Connect, to helping
tenants tell their stories to local media and
promoting the organisation’s new
dementia assisted living facility; the
contrast was amazing!”
This was followed by a short spell with
Poundland as it looked to expand
operations into Ireland.
From there the next move was to BCRS,
and eleven happy years – and her first
hands-on contact with Black Country
Chamber. “I was intrigued by the Chamber
from the start,” she says. “I couldn’t get
away from the positivity around it and how
members feel it is on their side.”
She joined the board in 2018 “to get
closer to how it operates and support the
team. I could see from the start what it
could achieve for members; it has such a
strong message and membership offer.”
The strength of that offer is going to be
crucial if the Black Country’s economy is to
withstand current shockwaves. “Businesses
have never needed a strong Chamber
working on their behalf as much as they do
today,” Sarah says. “Our support and
‘‘ I see our role as being to inspire,
to drive the recovery and make a difference in all our
‘‘
touchpoints with members ... there’s a real passion in
this organisation, a fire in the bellies of the team, and
they want to have a positive impact...
10 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

services have never been more necessary.
It’s our job to help drive the economic
recovery as we emerge from the triple
challenges of Brexit, the pandemic and now
the Ukraine crisis.
“I see our role as being to inspire, to
drive the recovery and make a difference in
all our touchpoints with members – whether
that’s in training, helping with technical
matters such as exports, professional
development events or networking. There’s
a real passion in this organisation, a fire in
the bellies of the team, and they want to
have a positive impact on the business
community, the economy and the region.
That’s a testimony to the work Corin and his
team have put in during his years as chief
executive.
“I’m really looking forward to working
with the incredibly talented team to
accelerate innovation and create value and
impact for our members.”
The Chamber has many strengths, but
what can be improved?
“I think we are guilty of doing too much
on occasions. We’re so keen to help that
over the years, we’ve taken on more and
more tasks and increased our reach – but
possibly at the cost of spreading ourselves
too thin. It’s a consequence of always
wanting to help and deliver answers.”
So, moving forward, where does she see
her priorities?
“There are four main strings to our bow
– lobbying, campaigns, support services
and networking – and all four have to be
focused on the economic recovery. We’re
here to support businesses, whether they
are struggling, flourishing, starting up,
looking to export for the first time, or to
grow. Whichever description matches your
current position, we have people with the
expertise to help.”
But Sarah’s the first to acknowledge that
it isn’t going to be easy. “We’ve come
through some tough times, haven’t we,”
she says ruefully. “I think if you’d have said a
few years ago that we’re going to shift our
focus away from the EU, have a global
pandemic and then a war in Europe, people
would have assumed that we would have a
total economic collapse. But that hasn’t
happened. Businesses have worked
incredibly hard to keep going. They’ve
brought in dynamic new methods of
operating and diversified in ways that they
would never have considered before. We’re
working harder, and smarter, than ever.
“The way companies responded to the
work-from-home directives is a case in
point; overnight new systems and
programmes were put in place so
businesses could keep going. We’ve a real
‘‘
I know it’s an old cliché but:
the thing I always say about:
the Black Country is that we:
take strength out of adversity.:
Nothing phases us...::
‘‘
‘can-do’ attitude in the Black Country that
lets nothing get in our way. We roll up our
sleeves, get down, get dirty and get the job
done.”
But it will be hard going, and “sadly, we’ll
lose good businesses along the way. The
disruption to supply chains, rising costs and
the skills shortage will take their toll, but I
know the vast majority won’t give up the fight.
“I know it’s an old cliché but the thing I
always say about the Black Country is that
we take strength out of adversity. Nothing
phases us.”
The lessons learned from the pandemic
will surely help businesses overcome today’s
challenges, but what did Sarah learn about
herself during the pandemic?
“The biggest thing I took from it was a
better awareness of my limitations. I’ve
always been resilient and that stood me in
good stead, but I think I pushed myself too
hard. It’s too strong to use the phrase
‘burn-out’ but I felt jaded for a time once
we’d got back to normal. I realised I needed
to build some ‘me’ time into my life.”
Some of that ‘me’ time now includes a
lively Doberman. “I admit it, I was one of
those people who bought a ‘pandemic
pup’,” she laughs. “I grew up in a ‘doggie
house’ so always wanted one of my own
and decided to take the plunge during the
first lockdown.
“She demands long walks as she’s a
bundle of energy and needs an abundance
of mental stimulation, but looking after her
gives me the release I need. We go on long
meandering walks near where I live on the
edge of the city. I do my best thinking while
I’m with her.”
Other than that, it’s always been holidays
and a good book that helps her unwind –
with a spot of adrenaline-junkie fun thrown
in. “I said earlier I like to push myself out of
my comfort zone… well, I’m not great with
heights but I’ve tried paragliding, done
parachute jumps, anything to give me a bit
of a buzz and release some energy.
“I’ve always loved travelling and that’s
been my treat to myself after all the hard
work, so not being allowed to travel for a
couple of years since March 2020 was
miserable. I love immersing myself in
different cultures, foods and lifestyles; it’s the
one thing I’ve loved getting back to, since
airspace and countries opened up again.”
But from late summer her focus will be on
Black Country Chamber. “I can’t wait to get
started, get to know the team better and
understand more about our services. As a
board member I thought I knew a lot about
the Chamber, but I’m starting to appreciate
there’s lots more to what we do, and the
people we serve, that I need to get to grips
with.
“It will be a huge challenge, but it’s one
I’m excited to take on.”
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 11

IN BRIEF: NEWS FROM MEMBERS ACROSS THE REGION
Mayor Andy Street and local MP James Morris
head up the business and local people
backing the Halesowen BID
Employees tell survey,
Pertemps is world class
Pertemps, a This is The Black Country
Business Partner, has been named one of
the top 25 large companies in the country
to work for in a new survey.
The latest Top Companies listings,
formerly the Sunday Times Top 100, were
revealed by TV presenter Dan Walker,
with Pertemps given a three-star,
world-class accreditation for employee
engagement.
This is the 16th consecutive year
Pertemps has been included in the Top
100 Companies list, with this year seeing
it achieve its best ever results.
As well as placing 24th nationally in the
large companies list, Pertemps achieved
the number one position in Scotland and
second in the South West region.
Pertemps was the highest-placed
recruitment business in the large
companies list.
The company’s
Chief Executive
Officer, Steve West
(pictured), said he
was “delighted” with
the staff’s backing in
the latest survey.
Businesses back return
for Halesowen BID
A campaign to secure the future of the
Halesowen BID for a further five years
launched in April.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and
the MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis,
James Morris, joined businesses from across
the town gathered in Somers Square to
officially launch the three-month campaign
encouraging businesses to vote yes in
continuing the work of the Halesowen
Business Improvement District (BID).
The BID’s vision for the future will focus on
three key areas of the town’s future including
Members of the Paycare team attended the
Inspiring Leadership Education Conference
at the ICC in Birmingham in June to share
ideas with attendees about how they can
support staff health and happiness.
Paycare is seeing an increase in schools
approaching them to enquire about
supporting teachers, seeking solutions such
as virtual GP appointments which fit more
readily into their busy schedules.
support for the local economy and its
businesses, the local environment and visitor
experience.
High on the BID’s agenda for its second
term is to obtain further investment for
Halesowen; having already secured over
£180,000 in additional funding during their
first term.
Maintaining increased customer footfall
will also remain as one of the key objectives
after Halesowen was listed as having the
greatest footfall recovery rate in the UK in
June 2021.
Paycare promote teacher wellbeing at conference
Stephen Burton-Pye, himself a former
teacher and now a corporate account
manager at Paycare, said: “We all know that
being a teacher is extremely rewarding, but
can also be incredibly stressful – so we want
to ensure schools are aware of how they can
support their staff.”
12 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

IN BRIEF: NEWS FROM MEMBERS ACROSS THE REGION
Manufacturing needs a
seat in the Cabinet
The UK would benefit from a Minister for
Manufacturing to recognise the strategic
importance of this vital sector, according to
the head of manufacturing at national, audit,
tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe.
Johnathan Dudley, who is also managing
partner of the firm’s Midlands office, said the
post should be at senior Cabinet level to
recognise the critical contribution
manufacturing makes to the UK economy.
He said: “A dedicated minister would be
well placed to target the previously
unsupported plight of manufacturers in
terms of frightening energy costs, supply
chain issues around spiralling costs and
unavailability of certain raw materials, and
add value by meeting the Levelling Up and
Regeneration objectives at the same time.”
CSCM Ltd sponsorship
keeps on running
The Black Country Road Run is back again
with CSCM proud to be the main sponsor.
This fantastic community event take place
on Sunday, 24th July in Halesowen town
centre. There are lots of options to take part,
including a Corporate Challenge, a 10k run
and a 5k family fun run. It’s open to all levels
and is a great morning out for anyone who
wants to either get into the competitive or
community spirit.
CSCM would love to see some fellow
Chamber members getting involved.
• You can register to run at
theblackcountryrun.com
National Express board UK victory bus
for employee wellness initiative
National Express has been named best in
the UK at the British HR Awards for its
employee wellness initiative.
Showcasing two initiatives, National
Express came out on the top spot among
entries from over 100 organisations.
Judges had special praise for the
transport company’s innovative Health Bus
– a mobile health facility which travels
across sites to allow employees with varied
working patterns to access medical checks.
The National Express Health Bus has
reached over 11,700 employees since its
launch on 2014, following comments in an
annual employee survey which praised
employee safety awareness but asked for
similar support in health and wellbeing.
The Health Bus offers early identification
of potentially serious conditions, including
BMI, body fat, visceral fat, blood pressure,
cholesterol and blood glucose, as well as
advice around exercise, smoking, alcohol,
sleep, work-life balance and stress levels.
VAS signs up to the net zero pledge
Furnace and heat treatment experts Vacuum
& Atmosphere Services (VAS) has signed up
to the West Midlands Net Zero Business
Pledge in a bid to reduce its environmental
impact.
The Smethwick-based firm will work
through a programme of measures to
reduce damage to the planet by improving
fuel and energy efficiency in their operations
and play its part in the regional drive to
become net zero carbon economy by 2041.
MD Mike Long said the company “was
committed to making a positive difference.”
New survey recognises university’s world-class research
Research at the University of Wolverhampton
is at its highest ever level, a national
assessment of research quality has found.
The Research Excellence Framework
2021 (REF 2021) evaluates the quality and
impact of research at UK universities across
all disciplines. It grades research from
nationally recognised (1*) to world-leading
(4*) and was last carried out in 2014.
Since then, the University of
Wolverhampton has significantly grown its
research and submitted four new subject
areas and 75% more staff than in REF2014.
The results show that more than half of its
research is judged as internationally
excellent (3*) and world-leading (4*).
Professor Silke Machold, Dean of
Research at the university, said: “I’m
absolutely delighted with the outcome. We
have fantastic research in all our schools
and institutes, which is making a real
difference to people’s lives. It’s rewarding
to see this work nationally recognised.
Professor Ian Campbell, Interim
Vice-Chancellor at the university said: “The
outcome of the REF is closely aligned to
our vision to transform our place through
inclusive student success and world-class
research – and these results truly reflects
that vision.
“I’m so pleased to see that REF2021 has
highlighted the world-class work we do
within the institution. Our research has an
impact on business, industry, and society,
and our students will continue to benefit
from high-quality research-informed
teaching.”
Sixteen subject areas submitted have
elements of world-leading research,
including research on changing
perceptions of the Black Country,
eliminating gender and race discrimination
and improving health outcomes for all.
Among the areas to be classed as
‘world-leading’ is Professor Sebastian
Groes’ research exploring the link between
smell and memory.
14 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

Windsor High School and Sixth Form
joins global community of schools
Windsor High School and Sixth Form has
become part of a select group of global
schools by joining the Partners for the Future
(PASCH) initiative.
The school is only the twelfth in the UK
and the first within the West Midlands to join
the PASCH initiative, which connects young
people worldwide through its network of
2,000 schools across 100 countries.
The initiative, which the German Federal
Foreign Office launched in 2008, was
founded to create and strengthen a global
network of partner schools that have special
links to Germany. Windsor High School and
Sixth Form places a high value on foreign
languages and international culture.
Staff left seeing double as twins land
Juniper apprenticeship posts
Visitors to Juniper Training’s Head Office at Hilton
Cross Business Park wonder if they are seeing double
as twin apprentices Hannah and Sophie Keeling greet
them in the office.
Hannah, initially recruited to the Business
Administrator Level 3 apprenticeship in June 2021
having seen the vacancy on the government’s Find an
Apprenticeship site, got stuck into the role right from
day one, leading to the team joking that they needed
to find ‘another Hannah’ to fill an outstanding vacancy.
It was at that stage Hannah mentioned that she had a
twin sister – Sophie – who might fit the bill.
Lisa Nealen, line manager for the apprentices, asked
Sophie if she would be interested in applying – and the
rest is history, with Sophie joining the team in October
2021.
Sandwell College staff
and students in final
running for awards
A number of staff and students at
Sandwell College have been
announced as finalists in this year’s
Titan Awards.
Associate principal Nargis Bostan
has been shortlisted for Leader of the
Year, sponsored by Wesleyan, after
showing ‘exceptional leadership, and
supporting students and staff to
realise their potential’, according to
her nomination.
In addition, health and social care
lecturer Amanda Black has also been
shortlisted for the Further Education /
Higher Education / PTP Teacher of the
Year category.
Not to be outdone, two students
have also made the final lists, with
business student Ethan Whitehouse
and childcare student Sangeya Bailey
both in the running for the Further
Education / Higher Education / PTP
Student of the Year award.
More than 200 leaders, senior
leaders, teachers, support staff and
key stakeholders from across the
education sector will be invited to
attend the Titan Awards and Charity
Dinner later this month.
Nargis
Bostan
Renfrewshire secures its school, thanks to ASSA CLIQ technology
More than 70 schools and early learning centres across
Renfrewshire, Scotland, are benefiting from improved
security, key control and key management, as a result of
upgrading to ASSA CLIQ® Remote.
With schools previously using complex master key
systems, Renfrewshire Council faced a number of challenges,
including consistency of approach, who had access to keys,
and how this was managed.
To address these challenges, the ASSA ABLOY Door
Hardware Group recommended its ASSA CLIQ® Remote
solution.
To date, this has been installed in a total of 76 premises in
Renfrewshire, covering a mix of primary
schools, secondary schools and early
learning centres.
The initiative won ‘Security Project
of the Year’ at this year’s Fire &
Security Matters Awards, recognising
the impact that the ASSA CLIQ®
Remote system has made to
Renfrewshire Council.
The ASSA CLIQ® Remote system (right)
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 15

IN BRIEF: NEWS FROM MEMBERS ACROSS THE REGION
Chamber helps to tackle youth unemployment
The Black Country Chamber is delighted to
have partnered up with the City of
Wolverhampton Council’s City Ideas Fund to
tackle youth unemployment.
Unemployment among young people was
unacceptably high pre-pandemic and the
region is now reported as having the highest
rate nationally.
Individuals aged 18-24, who live in
Wolverhampton, will be invited to join a
dedicated business start-up programme,
designed to help them understand how to
set up and run a business.
The programme will cover topics such as
business planning, finance, marketing,
networking and communications and
e-commerce.
The programme will begin with a
90-minute virtual webinar, followed by a
two-day intensive training workshop.
Those who complete stage 2 will be
partnered with a mentor who will review their
business plan, help with any grant
applications or further training and generally
support the individuals at a personal level.
An online peer-to-peer networking group will
be set up, to encourage participants to share
ideas and support each other.
The programme will culminate in a pitch
day where participants come together to
pitch their ideas to businesses and potential
investors. The most successful idea wins £500
and will receive coverage in Prosper
Magazine and across social media.
Do you know of any individual who would
be interested in joining the programme,
which is totally free of charge for
Wolverhampton residents aged 18-24? Let us
know.
We need mentors!
Could you help this programme succeed
by becoming a mentor? It’s a satisfying role,
knowing that you are supporting young
adults in their development as a confidential
sounding board.
It helps build confidence, understanding
and communication skills of both the mentee
and mentor.
Would you or your team like to know more
about becoming a mentor?
If so, please contact Sarah Walker at
sarahwalker@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
A&M EDM ups ante on
aerospace investment
A&M EDM, precision engineers in Smethwick, hosted
Andrew Mair, chief executive of the Midlands Aerospace
Alliance (MAA) as the company commissioned new
manufacturing equipment.
A&M used the super deduction capital allowance on
equipment to invest £1,000,000 since October 2021 in
two wire eroders, a large 5-Axis CNC mill and a spark
eroder in response to rising demand from customers.
This was a major investment during a pandemic for a
company with 70 staff, demonstrating A&M’s confidence
in the future and a strong manufacturing recovery from
Covid.
It increases A&M’s spark and wire eroders for electro
discharge machining and milling and turning centres to
61 CNC machines.
Mr Mair is pictured left during his factory visit
Primary school parents head back to the classroom
A group of local parents have been
following timetables of their own at their
children’s school. The six mums have been
attending Whitehall Nursery & Infant School
as community learners on a study
programme delivered by Walsall College.
The six-week course supporting children’s
maths and English was specially-developed
to help the group to develop their children’s
reading, writing and maths skills during
everyday family routines and activities.
Rachel Davies, faculty director for Adults,
Foundation and Community at the college
said: “Following discussions with the school,
a need was identified to help parents take a
hands-on role in their child’s development
of literacy and numeracy skills; doing so in
ways that would be proactive, effective and
of course, fun.
“It’s not necessarily about parent and
child sitting together in front of a book or
device. Mealtimes, bath times and being
out and about all offer the potential for
great conversations about phonetics,
multiplication and measurements, making
learning more fun and engaging.
She continued: “We’ve received some
fantastic feedback, with the mums saying
how much they enjoyed trying out different
learning techniques.”
16 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

BUSINESS IS DONE BETTER TOGETHER: CHAMBER UPDATES
As a business community, we continue to
face many challenges and pressures. In
many aspects, though, the world seems to
be finding a new balance as we gradually
carve out what a ‘new normal’ means for
us all. We’re delighted to welcome back
Prosper, to print, as part of that process.
For those challenges and pressures, as
we continue to support our members, our
new This is the Black Country campaign is
designed to champion the region and
ensure that those factors holding back
regional growth and prosperity remain
high on the agenda of decision and
policymakers. See from page 29 for more.
Over the following pages you’ll also
learn more about our Patrons, our
collaboration with key partners to create a
Business Hub, the welcome return of our
Awards as an in-person, live experience
and our work supporting the armed forces
community and how are members are
working together to benefit their business
and the region.
Later this summer we welcome Sarah
Moorhouse, a familiar face to many of you
already, who will be joining us as the new
Chamber chief executive, and we look forward
to sharing with you more about plans for the
region’s longest-established and largest
business support organisation.
Above, the Chamber’s
leadership team.
From left,
Neil Anderson,
Calum Nisbet,
Karen Webb and
Lorna Taylor
Perfect fit for Starting Point as it becomes
Chamber’s latest Patron member
The latest Black Country business to join the
Chamber’s Patron Group is Walsall-based
Starting Point Recruitment (SPR), a
responsible recruitment specialist.
Since its formation in 2003, Starting Point
Recruitment (SPR) has committed to
reinvesting 100% of its annual profits through
charitable giving. To date, the agency has
gifted more than £3.1m to employment
support projects that help those who are
positioned furthest away from the jobs
market. This includes those with a range of
disabilities, sensory impairments or mental
health issues, as well as refugees, migrants,
ex-offenders and the long-term unemployed.
Projects SPR has supported over 8,200
people across the region, raising their
aspirations and helping them access training
and secure sustainable, rewarding and
meaningful employment.
Bhanu Dhir, chief executive officer for
Starting Point Recruitment, told Prosper: “We
are delighted to be joining the Chamber
Patron Group.
“Following consecutive years of recordbreaking
growth, we were keen to work more
closely with the Chamber in order to further
raise our profile across the Black Country.
Becoming a Patron was a no-brainer for us!
“As a recruitment agency, we are proud to
be truly unique and pioneering in our
approach, with social responsibility integrated
into everything we do. Going beyond pure
Black Country Chamber’s Gail Arnold (left)
with Nadine Watts, Starting Point’s chief
operating officer, and Caroline Hill, the chief
finance officer
profit motivation, we are committed to
delivering a socially conscious recruitment
experience that provides local employment
opportunities, helping businesses to thrive
and communities to flourish.
“We look forward to forging lasting
partnerships with Chamber members by
using our knowledge and expertise to
connect ethical employers with diverse
talent.”
Head of the Chamber’s Premium
Membership, Gail Arnold, said: “Our Patrons
are the Chamber’s strategic partners and
support us in our work as the champion of
local businesses.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Starting Point
Recruitment to the Patron Group, and I look
forward to continuing our on-going work with
all our members of the Patron Group.”
18 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

BUSINESS IS DONE BETTER TOGETHER: CHAMBER PATRONS
Chamber announces partnership
for IGNITE Business Hub
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce
will deliver an exciting new contract with the
City of Wolverhampton Council at the new
iGNITE business workspace and start-up
centre in the i10 building.
Standing for Innovate, Growth, Navigate,
Ideas, Technology, Entrepreneurship, iGNITE
will be the go-to place for enterprising
thinkers, start-up businesses, events, training
and a place where business people can
meet, share ideas and work from in an
informal but professional environment.
The City of Wolverhampton Council
announced the new business and enterprise
hub in December 2021, with a mission to
inspire start-ups, growth and help people
into employment and training. It is located
on the ground floor of the council’s i10 office
and retail complex at the heart of the city
centre’s £150million award-winning transport
Interchange.
iGNITE, opening this summer, is being run
in partnership with the University of
Wolverhampton and Black Country Chamber
of Commerce to join up the business support
infrastructure in the city.
City residents are being welcomed into
the hub to get advice and guidance on
training and employment opportunities and
utilise the free workspace. It will also support
the Council’s £3million Wolves at Work 18-24
programme to tackle youth unemployment
in Wolverhampton.
Council Leader, Councillor Ian Brookfield
said: “With 97% of businesses in the city
employing 50 people or fewer, the need for
more joined-up business support for SMEs is
critical.
“By working with partners to establish a
business and enterprise hub in the city, the
council can maximise the reach and impact.
“As a council we have stepped in with
funding to accelerate the delivery of the
iGNITE hub, which we view as a priority to
support our businesses and residents.”
iGNITE will place an emphasis on
improving digital skills and online
acceleration and growth, utilising 5G and
cyber enabled opportunities. Training in
website development, selling online, social
media, online marketing, cyber security,
international sales and managing teams
remotely will all be on offer.
For more details, see
W: ignitehub.co.uk
T: @IGNITEHubWolves
Major Black Country players renew Chamber patronage
Walsall-based centre of learning, Walsall
College, home to 11,000 people studying
vocational technical qualifications,
apprenticeships and higher education
programmes each year, has renewed its
patronage with the Chamber alongside the
region’s largest shopping and leisure
complex, Merry Hill.
The Chamber’s Patrons work as strategic
partners alongside the region’s leading
business support organisation and work
hand in hand to support the Chamber’s work
as they champion local businesses.
The assistant principal at Walsall College,
James Norris said: “Post-pandemic, it is
more important than ever for education and
industry to be in sync; with employers
investing in their workforces and liaising with
their local skills providers so they can act
swiftly to level up our economy.
“The Skills Accelerator programme – a
new employer training portfolio led by six
Black Country colleges – and Walsall
College’s own Employer in Every Classroom
initiative are key examples of this.
“The Chamber has always been key drivers
of the business innovation, ambition and
excellence our region is known for. We look
forward to another year of collaboration and
mutual success across our business
community.”
Meanwhile Jonathan Poole, centre
manager at Merry Hill, confirmed his
organisation was also renewing its
patronage. He said: “We are proud to be
Patron members of the Black Country
Chamber of Commerce and delighted to
continue this membership throughout 2022.
“Membership provides Merry Hill with an
important business network and
opportunities to be actively involved in
regional matters. It also means we can
engage in national policy and benefit from
being an active part in these conversations.
“We continue to look forward to working
shoulder-to-shoulder with the Chamber and
our fellow members over the next 12
months.”
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 19

BUSINESS IS DONE BETTER TOGETHER: CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS
Let’s celebrate: The Chamber
Awards are back LIVE!
The Black Country Chamber
Business Awards are back again
this year, with a host of new
categories and a live ceremony.
It’s a glamorous night that
rewards the region’s outstanding
businesses and is always a great
evening to look forward to.
Now in their 21st year, the very best of the
Black Country will be celebrating in style on
September 16 as the Chamber Awards once
again reflect the challenges and
opportunities post-Covid-19. We have a
host of new categories this year which
reflect the changing economic climate, and
a programme that has rapidly been
established as a mark of quality for the
region’s businesses.
The awards will shine a spotlight on
individual businesses and people working in
vital parts of the region’s economy while
championing innovation, collaboration and
outstanding practices which put the Black
Country on the map.
The Black Country Chamber Business
Awards, delivered by the region’s longest
established business support organisation,
are supported by a judging panel of
industry representatives along with a
distinguished list of business sponsors,
including The Black Country and Marches
Institute of Technology, Birmingham Airport,
CK Chartered Accountants, EBC Group and
the University of Wolverhampton.
The awards will culminate in a spectacular
live evening event of celebration at
Wolverhampton Racecourse, heralding a full
fanfare return for this prestigious event
following its virtual and hybrid delivery over
the last two years.
Calum Nisbet, director of commercial
development at the Chamber, said: “This is
a fantastic opportunity to showcase the
innovative, successful and high-performing
businesses that are located right across our
region.
“With a wide range of categories on offer,
our 2022 Business Awards will offer
recognition to a range of sectors and
business approaches, which all contribute to
driving forward growth and investment
across the area.
“There is a huge appetite for the return of
our Awards gala night for the first time since
2019, and these Awards are only possible
because of local business support; I would
20 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

Our winning
line-up from 2021.
Will you or one of
your colleagues be
featuring in this
photograph later
this year?
like to thank all the sponsors involved again
this year.”
Book your ticketsNOW!
Tickets are available to purchase in tables of
10 or as an individual ticket.
To purchase your table/tickets, please
contact us at
awards@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Prices:
Gold Table of 10 - £1350 + VAT
Silver Table of 10 - £1100 + VAT
Individual Silver Tickets - £110 + VAT
2022 Award Categories…
Large Business of the Year
Family Business of the Year - sponsored by Azets
Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Sandwell Council
Start Up Business of the Year - sponsored by Black Country
and Marches Institute of Technology
Excellence in Professional Services
Excellence in Manufacturing and Engineering - sponsored
by CK Chartered Accountants
Third Sector Business of the Year
Excellence in International Trade – sponsored by
Birmingham Airport
Black Country Businessperson of the Year - sponsored by
University of Wolverhampton
Business Commitment to the Community
Marketing or Communications Campaign of the Year
Excellence in Diversity and Equality
Excellence in Tech and Innovation – sponsored by EBC Group
Outstanding Support to the Armed Forces
If you’d like to discuss becoming a
sponsor of our Awards this year and
learn how being involved can enhance
your company’s brand please email:
calumnisbet@blackcountrychamber.
co.uk or call 07810 377 793
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 21

BUSINESS IS DONE BETTER TOGETHER: START-UP BUSINESS CLUB
Start-up Business
Club gains exciting
new partner
Black Country & Marches IoT
announced as new partner for
the Black Country Chamber
Start-up Business Club
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce
has announced that the Black Country &
Marches Institute of Technology has been
named as business partner for its popular
and expanding Start-up Business Club.
The Club, which helps hundreds of
businesses to launch and grow each year, will
be supported by the major new education
site in Dudley.
The Black Country & Marches Institute of
Technology (BCMIoT) officially opened in
September 2021. The government’s flagship
new centre is a collaboration between further
education providers, universities and
employers, and specialises in delivering
higher technical education at levels 4, 5 and
6 with a focus on STEM subjects.
Georgina Barnard, Managing Director at
the (BCMIoT) said: “We are delighted to be
supporting the Chamber on this important
initiative.
“Initiatives such as the Chamber’s Start-up
Business Club, led by Alison Trinder, provides
much-needed help and support with all
aspects of running a new business.
“Our employer-led Institute of Technology
has already formed strong relationships with
many organisations of all sizes, and
businesses are benefiting from the state-ofthe-art
facilities available in our new
multi-million-pound facility.
“We offer a wide range of support for
start-ups to help them to innovate and
accelerate productivity and business growth.
This includes access to a multi-purpose
research and development facility,
comprising of industry-standard machinery
and equipment, collaborative networks,
workshops and industry specific events,
industry innovators and experts and
signposting grants and funding.
“We’re really proud of the close
relationship we already have with the
Chamber, and we are looking forward to
developing this further by working with more
local entrepreneurs to help them achieve
business growth.”
From networking opportunities to
one-to-one business advice, marketing
support and savings on essential business
tools, the Start-up Business Club helps small
businesses to the next level. It has helped
over 200 businesses since its inception in
2018 and offers a one-stop-shop for business
advice, personal development training and
marketing, all as part of a vibrant networking
community.
The Club also delivers a number of events
and masterclasses where entrepreneurs and
new business owners can meet, network and
hear from experienced businesspeople. In
addition, it also provides two years’ worth of
business support.
​The driving force behind the Start-up
Business Club is the highly experienced
business relationship manager, Alison
Trinder, who has more than 30 years’
experience in establishing and maintaining
Georgina Barnard of BCMIoT with
the Chamber’s Alison Trinder
strong business relationships.
She said: “Small businesses are the
beating heart of the UK economy, bringing in
around half of the turnover in our country’s
private sector.
“But we found that new business
entrepreneurs felt very lonely and isolated
working on their own. They wanted to
belong to a group where they could share
their problems and challenges, talk to other
start-up owners and keep motivated to
achieve their goals in business.
“The Start-up Business Club is a great
place to meet fellow entrepreneurs who are
at the same stage of business growth, share
ideas and best practice, meet with our
experts and learn new skills.
Simon Walters, from Lower Gornal, a
director at ERW Logistics who joined the
Business Start Up Club earlier this year, said:
“The help, guidance and information I
received benefited me considerably.
“My stepfather, Tony Davenport, and I
have over 50 years’ experience in the
logistics industry and to get our own
business off the ground is something we
have wanted for many years.
“Joining the Chamber’s Start-up Business
Club has been a great decision. The
networking has been invaluable and we have
received great advice on vehicle financing
22 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

and insurance, saving us thousands, and help
with marketing led to our creative branding
and website.
“We have now moved into our own
premises and have picked up contracts in the
food, manufacturing and air freight sectors
and are working hard to target new clients.”
Another Black Country business that has
benefited from joining the Start-up Business
Club is Wolverhampton-based intelligence
and investigation company, Morserv.
Director Chris Dowen said: “Alison has
provided us with excellent support and
guidance.
“She takes time to understand your
business so that she can tailor the support
she offers and goes above and beyond to
support and connect us with companies who
have helped develop our business.”
​To find out more about our Start-up
Business Club, get in touch with our
expert, Alison Trinder via 01902 912301
or alisontrinder@blackcountry
chamber.co.uk
or see startupbusinessclub.co.uk
About the Black Country &
Marches Institute of Technology
The £22 million scheme on Castle Hill in
Dudley was developed as part of the
Government’s drive to develop
higher-level skills. It was funded by the
Department for Education with support
from the West Midlands Combined
Authority.
BCMIoT offers a variety of technical
training opportunities including higher
level apprenticeships, degree level
programmes, higher technical
qualifications as well as short courses
designed for people in work in key
sectors focusing on advanced
engineering and manufacturing,
modern methods of construction,
medical engineering, healthcare and
digital technologies.
BCMIoT brings together employers and
further education providers to offer
higher level technical education that
will help to close the skills gap and drive
innovation.
Providing industry-led training that is
designed by employers with clear
career progression, the centre of
learning ensures young people and
adults have the skills they need to build
well-paid rewarding careers, while local
businesses gain highly skilled and
productive workers.
Higher-level courses are available in a
number of sectors including advanced
engineering and manufacturing, digital
technologies, medical engineering and
healthcare and modern methods of
construction.
Find out more via iot@dudeycol.ac.uk
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 23

BUSINESS IS DONE BETTER TOGETHER: PLATINUM GROUP
This spring, The Platinum Group, the exclusive platform for business leaders and senior-level representatives,
celebrated its first decade. Its eight founding members – ASSA ABLOY, CSCM, Moog Wolverhampton, Robinson
Brothers, Thomas Dudley Group, voestalpine Metsec plc, Wedge Galvanising Group and Welbilt – still work closely
together and actively engage with the group. Prosper speaks to those involved about what the network has meant
to them over the years and their priorities as we move into a post-Brexit, living-with-COVID world.
Group celebrates a
decade of successful
collaborations
One of the region’s most well-known
business advocates, the Chamber’s head of
Premium Membership, Gail Arnold, reflects
on the early days of The Platinum Group.
“It was January 2012 and while everybody
was thinking ahead to the London Olympics
and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the
Black Country Chamber of Commerce had
just observed its ten-year anniversary as the
legacy organisation to Chamber operations
in the region since the 1860s.
“With the attention of the world firmly on
the UK, there was a desire to ensure that the
contribution Black Country firms made to
the economy wasn’t overlooked and the
creation of a group for its most prominent
leaders, focused on confidential discussions
to overcome their most pressing challenges,
felt like the most visible way to celebrate
the Chamber’s own milestone.”
Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd has been
a long-standing supporter of The Black
Country Chamber of Commerce and
remains a proud founding member.
Looking back at his firm’s involvement, its
managing director, Chris Woolridge, said,
“Our local roots are incredibly important to
us as a business and our head office is still
based in Willenhall, where John Wedge
started galvanizing over 150 years ago.
We’re resolutely committed to supporting
the business community and, over the years,
The Platinum Group has made a real
difference to its members and become a
vital link between business leaders and the
PLATINUM
GROUP
wider business community.”
He added: “Joining like-minded business
leaders allows us to understand the
opportunities and challenges within our
organisations and wider industry within the
context of what others are experiencing
and, through that shared focus, see how we
can improve the region’s prospects. One of
the most beneficial aspects of The Platinum
Group is the training and workshops
available to our team, providing them with
ongoing opportunities to develop their
individual skills and knowledge.”
Other founding members are just as
passionate about The Platinum Group.
voestalpine Metsec plc’s general manager,
Maged Hassan, adds: “Like the other seven,
we were there from day one! For us, it is
important to build and maintain ties with
both our local and business communities,
and the group is a great way for local
‘‘
The Platinum Group has
strengthened relationships
between the region’s
biggest employers... it’s a
powerful collective of peers
‘‘
businesses to forge connections with one
another and support each other.”
“From the start, we knew The Platinum
Group was something special to be
nurtured and cherished,” says Matt Daly, UK
& Ireland operational excellence manager
for ASSA Abloy. “The regular best practice
events and workshops enable us to bring in
colleagues from across the many different
areas of our business, so they can get the
latest insights into sectors such as HR, sales,
innovation and lean manufacturing.
Membership also connects us with the
economic and policy work where we get
frequent updates from the Bank of England
and the chance to talk directly with those
making business policy.
“Additionally, the group remains one of
the best platforms for linking into the
Chamber brand and widely promoting our
successes to a wider audience.”
Bringing in members from across the
Black Country representing a broad
spectrum of different-sized businesses and
sectors is, for Robinson Brother’s Jaspreet
Minhas, one of the group’s strongest assets
as it establishes its members as part of an
exclusive, powerful voice within the wider
family of Chamber businesses.
“Being part of the group has given us so
much,” said Jaspreet, “and not just the
training, networking programmes or forums
on current business thinking. As a key
contributor to the Black Country region and
its economy, we have always aspired to
24 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

BUSINESS IS DONE BETTER TOGETHER: PLATINUM GROUP
make long-lasting links and, over the past
decade, The Platinum Group has proved ideal
to make new connections and bring powerful
business minds together.”
Peter Broadhead, site director from leading
aerospace design and manufacturers Moog
Wolverhampton, endorses the view of his
founding peers, adding: “As leaders we
sometimes don’t have the opportunity to really
think about our businesses. The Platinum
Group encourages us to think more deeply
about the strategic direction for the business
and plugs into a vibrant support network of
peer experts who challenge each other to
think differently and broadly.”
Thinking back to the climate which led to
the Platinum Group’s creation, chairman of the
Thomas Dudley Group, Martin Dudley, said
“In 2011, the Chamber brought together its
members with the largest number of
employees and identified that the region holds
a unique position at the heart of the Midland
Engine with some specific needs. This meeting
was the start of the Platinum Group, and it has
been growing in significance ever since. It’s
definitely helped us to develop and strengthen
relationships with local businesses.”
For former Chamber President and
managing director of CSCM Ltd, Jude
Thompson, the work of The Platinum Group
holds a special place. “We initially joined the
group to help us gain a higher profile and take
advantage of the knowledge and experiences
of others facing similar, or occasionally vastly
different, business issues. It has become a
high-level peer group where that peer learning
really adds value to the way you think and
operate.”
Gail Arnold knows the best days of The
Platinum Group are still to come. “While
businesses have experienced huge upheavals
and overcome many hurdles recently, the next
decade is full of opportunities to break into
new markets, establish new ways of working
and make new connections.
“Over the past decade, The Platinum Group
has gone from strength to strength, and it’s
been an absolute thrill to work with our
founding members and our other members as
we’ve grown into a powerful collective of
peers.”
If you are interested in joining
The Platinum Group,
you can contact Gail Arnold
on 07810 377819.
Gail Arnold with Paula Jones
from Wolverhampton Grand
Theatre as the theatre joined
The Platinum Group
New members join Platinum Group
Walsall-based Steps To Work and The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre have
recently joined the growing number of businesses to become part of the
Platinum Group. Their involvement is a testament to the group’s success and
longevity of its work, and that of the Chamber’s, and demonstrates its
continued support for leading Black Country businesses in a post-Brexit and
Covid-19 world.
Karen Smallwood, director of finance & commercial activities at The
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, said: “After a difficult period for everybody, we
are thrilled that audiences have returned to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in
their droves. It is now the right time to re-join the Platinum Group as the
corporate services at the theatre have been relaunched and are thriving.
“Membership of the Platinum Group creates strong, meaningful and mutually
beneficial contacts within the business community,” she added. “The
marketing, mentoring and sales forums provide the opportunity to share, learn
and evaluate latest trends both regionally and nationally.”
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 25

BUSINESS IS DONE BETTER TOGETHER: CHAMBER MILITARY NETWORK
Chamber Military Network
launches virtual Career Expo
As UK employers grapple with a
shrinking talent pool, post-Brexit and a
global pandemic which has accelerated the
talent crunch by a significant degree,
business leaders across the country
continue to talk of a skills shortage across
most, if not all, sectors. There are
particularly acute shortages in many trades
including manufacturing, engineering, IT,
innovation, servicing, building and
construction industries; the list is endless.
One way for the business community to
tackle this challenge is to embrace the huge
skill-set offered by former members of the
armed forces who, having left the service,
are looking for employment. To connect
employers with this sizeable pool of talent,
the Chamber Military Network launched the
Virtual Career Expo on May 6, running until
December 2022, to help connect those
trained and highly skilled workers from the
armed forces community with employers
across the UK.
Businesses are now being urged to sign
up to the FREE Virtual Career Expo and
register their live vacancies in a bid to
attract talent from the armed forces.
Each business will be able to highlight up
to three job vacancies at any one time and
an allocated account manager will log
regular updates through the dedicated
portal, in line with firm’s individual
recruitment needs.
Brian Cape, chief executive at Sandwellbased
SIPS Education, told Prosper: “We’re
a Black Country co-operative employer and
public-services organisation, so naturally
we’re very proud to support the Armed
Forces Covenant and the Virtual Careers
Expo.
“As a large community business, we
generally have a range of vacancies,
especially in catering, schools governance
and IT.
“Ex-service personnel have a fantastic
and very transferable skill set, and we’re
really keen to be able to offer career
opportunities to people who have served
and will complement our already committed
team of public-service professionals. “
On exhibiting at the Expo, Mark
Reynolds, the people, communications and
quality manager at another Sandwell-based
organisation, IPU Group, told Prosper: “At
IPU Group we have a proud history of hiring
ex-military, predominately in our fuel service
team.
“By signing up to the CMN Virtual
‘‘
Ex-service personnel have a
fantastic and very
transferable skill-set, and
we’re really keen to offer
career opportunities to
people who have served...
‘‘
Careers Expo it allows us to advertise any
available jobs we have at IPU Group and
gain access to the wonderful talent that is
available. This time we are looking for a
service delivery co-ordinator and potentially
a sales and proposal engineer.”
David Roberts, managing director at
Wolverhampton Racecourse, added: “We
have always recognised that the Armed
Forces train their teams well and we have
need of those skill sets, particularly in
catering, stewarding and use of heavy
machinery.”
Meanwhile, Halesowen-based Windsor
Academy Trust, which delivers education to
7,000 students across a number of schools
told Prosper: “We are pleased to be part of
the Armed Forces Virtual Careers Expo. We
employ several armed forces veterans and
reservists across our family of schools and
are proud to support the armed forces
community and increase opportunities
through the Armed Forces Covenant and
events such as the expo.”
Two further companies who have
first-hand experience of recruiting former
service personnel in recent years are Black
Country-based VAS – Vacuum &
Atmosphere Services Ltd – and Lord
Combustion Services.
VAS employs 31 people and provides
furnace services for a range of clients
including Mercedes, GE Power, Moog, and
Collins Aerospace. Having found it
increasingly difficult to locate, recruit and
retain service engineers for their growing
and thriving Oldbury-based company, they
reached out to a number of highly skilled
former armed forces personnel.
Mike Long, managing director at VAS,
said: “We took a risk taking our first
26 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

Members of the Armed Forces combine
outstanding logistical skills, discipline and a
willingness to learn – which makes them
great recruits for a host of businesses in
Civvy Street
interviews, as well as develop skills to help
them secure their next role.
Sarah Walker, armed forces champion at
the Chamber Military Network said: “This
Virtual Career Expo is ideal for both
employers to register their vacancies and for
job-seekers to search for their next role at a
time when many firms are finding recruiting
the right people a real challenge.
“Our Virtual Career Expo will serve as a
hub of information, providing recruiters with
access to a pool of talented candidates from
across the country with multiple skill sets
suitable for a variety of business sectors I
would urge companies and individuals to
sign up now to be part of this exciting
opportunity.”
ex-forces recruit back in February 2018, but
to be honest it was one of the best business
decisions we have ever made. Since then, we
have employed other ex-service personnel.
“Each and every one has been trained to
an incredibly high standard, with unique
service, engineering and transferable skills
and a great work ethic. They are eager to
learn, are excellent at taking instructions and
provide a great asset to our business.”
That’s a sentiment echoed by Stuart Smith;
managing director of another Black
Country-based business, Lord Combustion
Services, which signed the Armed Forces
Covenant in 2017. Stuart said: “We have
provided work placements and employment
opportunities to service leavers, supporting
their training programmes, and assisting with
their transition into civilian life.
“As a business we are committed to
supporting the Covenant and have
recognised the excellent work ethic and
transferable skills that service leavers have,
and more often than not have offered them
full-time positions within our team.”
The Virtual Career Expo, which launched
on May 6, will also host two ‘live’ events
when recruiters will be able to hold real-time
conversations with candidates who are
interested in their organisation, meanwhile
the platform itself will serve as a hub of
information providing candidates with the
support to find a role and prepare for
For further information and to sign up
to the FREE Virtual Career Expo, visit
armedforcescareersexpo.co.uk
For further information about the
Chamber Military Network, please visit:
chambermilitarynetwork.co.uk
Chamber Military Network Expo exhibitors
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 27

BUSINESS VOICES: THOUGHTS, COMMENTS AND ADVICE FROM THE REGION’S EXPERTS AND INFLUENCERS...
With great candidates at a premium, it’s the dynamic and
adaptable businesses that will come out on top in the recruitment
stakes, says Richard Bourne of Pertemps Network UK
Don’t leave recruiting until you have a vacancy
The jobs market continues to make
headlines as the number of vacancies
exceeds the number of candidates.
Candidates can afford to be picky. They are
not just chasing any job at any cost.
At Pertemps, our advice to businesses
over the past few months on how best to
manage this has been clear and consistent:
if you want to attract the right talent and
ensure a healthy people pipeline, you need
to have a long-term recruitment strategy.
It is not enough to strike up a liaison of
necessity with a recruitment specialist when
a colleague leaves and you have a hole to
fill. You need to look at your business’s
recruitment needs in a more holistic way
over a longer term.
Recruitment specialists can best serve
your needs if they fully understand them:
how the business works, what the culture is,
when are the peak periods, what is the staff
turnover? They can then start looking at a
more strategic approach to your people
needs and so, when those vacancies do
come, ensure they put forward the best
people for the role. This is not just about
someone being competent in a skills sense
‘‘
Candidates can afford to be
picky... they are not just
chasing any job at any cost
... to attract the best, you
need a long-term
recruitment strategy
‘‘
but also looks at the cultural fit.
Client engagement has been key to
recruitment success in a very fluid market.
Often candidates have multiple choices
when actively looking for a new role. The
most dynamic and adaptable businesses,
therefore, will come out on top when
attracting new talent.
Flexibility to meet candidate
requirements is an essential part of
recruiting in this challenging market.
Understanding changes in motivating
factors can be an important tool for
employers to remain competitive. An
open-minded approach to candidate
placement can be beneficial – an employer
should consider the abilities and aptitudes
of speculative candidates rather than
looking for an exact fit to a role.
This creative approach enables
businesses to attract broader skillsets which
often add extra value.
Taking a proactive stance – rather than a
reactive one – to recruitment strategy is an
important factor in hiring success.
Engagement with a recruitment partner
allows a flexible recruitment strategy to
adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic recruitment
market. This style of closer working
relationship fosters a deeper understanding
of a client’s needs to help ease attrition and
aid retention when recruiting for a role.
You need to take stock of the image of
the company and how attractive it looks – or
otherwise – to potential new recruits. What
do you want to showcase? What is the
employee value proposition (EVP)? Is
flexible working an option? What career
development and support do you give?
What is the training offering? Only by taking
this longer-term, more strategic view to
recruiting will you be able to attract the best
talent.
• Pertemps produces a monthly Labour
Market update in partnership with
the CBI which can be accessed free at
pertemps.co.uk
CONTACT: RICHARD BOURNE
e: richard.bourne@pertemps.co.uk
28 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

Chamber champions the region and its
people with launch of new campaign
People
Attracting, retaining
talent and ensuring
that business has the
right skills for now and
in the future
Place
Championing the
region as a dynamic
and innovative place to
do business, as a place
that is future looking,
green, inclusive and a
great place to live and
work
Power
Ensuring the region has
the best infrastructure,
connectivity and access
to green energy –
enabling our economic
future as a region of
makers that sells around
the world
More on the Champions of the Black Country, the Think-tank
and skills in the region on the following pages
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 29

THIS IS THE BLACK COUNTRY
Neil Anderson, the Chamber’s
Director of External Affairs
Championing the Black Country,
its connections and its people, is the
overarching theme of the latest campaign
launched last month by the Black Country
Chamber of Commerce.
Running until Spring 2023, ‘This is the Black
Country’ is the next big campaign by the
region’s longest running business support
organisation and focuses on the three specific
areas: people, place and power to frame
much of the Chamber’s work over the coming
months.
Working in partnership with national audit,
tax and advisory firm Crowe UK, recruitment
experts Pertemps, Dudley-based legal firm
Higgs LLP, IT and tech experts EBC Group
and the University of Wolverhampton’s
Business School, the campaign will champion
the region as a dynamic and innovative place
to do business, promote the area to attract
and retain talent and help ensure the Black
Country has the best infrastructure,
connectivity and access to green energy for
the years ahead.
Neil Anderson, the Chamber’s director of
external affairs, explained the thinking behind
the new campaign: “Coming on the back of
Brexit and COVID-19, businesses might have
breathed a sigh of relief after one of the most
intense periods any of us had known, which
saw a break with our biggest trading partner,
followed by the strictest restrictions we’ve
seen on working and personal lives in
peacetime.
“However, while many of us knew we’d still
be dealing with the legacy of this for some
time to come, new challenges such as inflation
are compounding longstanding issues which
have traditionally held the region back. That is
Championing the
Black Country
why ‘This is the Black Country’ is needed. This
Chamber campaign will set the agenda for
much of our policy, communications and
engagement work for the remainder of 2022
and into 2023.
“With the help of the campaign’s business
partners, Crowe UK, EBC Group, Higgs LLP,
Pertemps, and the University of
Wolverhampton’s Business School, we’re
bringing together sector experts who will help
set the agenda and priorities of the campaign
as it looks to raise awareness of the issues
many in the region are facing.
“Through events, including the region’s
second Business Economic Conference in the
Autumn, advocacy work and briefing to
policymakers and thought leadership across
the Chamber’s channels and dialogue with
media, ‘This is the Black Country’ will provide
the focus and a rallying cry for members and
those in the business community who want to
ensure that the region isn’t left behind.”
“Covering a range of topics and themes,
the campaign is divided into three main areas:
People, Place, and Power. It will look in detail
at factors such as skills gaps, attracting and
retaining talent, connectivity and
infrastructure.
“But the campaign will also shine a
spotlight on the best of the region. There’s so
much great work across all areas of our
economy that we actively want to be talking
about the Black Country as the ‘Innovative
Country’, the ‘Diverse country’, and the
‘Green Country.’
“Future-focused, the campaign will
celebrate the region’s greatest
accomplishments and play its part in helping
the region to be competitive on the national
and global stage.”
The Chamber will continue its extensive
lobbying activities and advocate for the right
decisions to be made which meet the needs
of businesses and people, and ensure that the
region is on a level playing field in terms of
investment and policy.
MEET OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS: CROWE UK
Crowe is a national audit, tax, advisory and risk firm offering
global reach and local expertise. An independent
member of Crowe Global and one of the top ten
accounting networks in the world, it has
exceptional knowledge of the business
environment and is trusted by thousands of
clients for its specialist advice, the ability to make smart decisions
and readiness to provide lasting value. Its broad technical
expertise and deep market knowledge means it is well placed to
offer insight and pragmatic advice to all the organisations.
Crowe UK’s Johnathan Dudley, head of manufacturing business
and Midlands & South West managing partner at Crowe UK,
said: “I’m delighted to be associated with this showcase of the
Black Country, building on its rich heritage to deliver world
beating products services and opportunity in the future.”
30 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

Meet our business partners
PERTEMPS NETWORK GROUP
For more than 60 years the name of
Pertemps has been synonymous with
permanent and temporary recruitment.
Starting life as an independent family run
business in 1961, Pertemps has grown to
become one of the largest providers of
staffing solutions in the UK, owned and
controlled by its own employees. As one of
the UK’s largest recruiters, Pertemps
provides permanent, contract and
temporary staffing solutions across
all sectors and industries, with
over 100 branches and 1000s of
jobs available nationwide.
Richard Bourne, regional
manager for the Pertemps said:
“Midlands’ businesses have
suffered their fair share of adversity over the
years, but one constant has been their
ability to roll with the punches to remain the
heartbeat of the UK economy.
“Pertemps is proud to have worked with
many Midlands-based firms across multiple
sectors over the years, helping them grow,
prosper and manage whatever challenges
come their way.
“Being part of the Black Country
Chamber of Commerce helps us continue
that, supporting businesses for the
benefit of our local communities.”
HIGGS LLP
Nick Taylor, Managing Partner at Higgs LLP said: “Tracing its
roots in the Black Country back to 1875, Higgs continues to
forge long-term relationships with its business partners and is
delighted to form part of the team championing the Black
Country as a great place to do business.
“We are always looking to have a positive impact upon our
community and are excited about what this project can achieve.”
EBC GROUP
EBC Group is an award-winning managed IT
service provider of IT solutions, cloud
hosting, cyber security, print and data
solutions. As an integrated managed IT
service provider, it plans, implements and
supports clients’ IT and technology,
enabling them to run their businesses
smoothly and securely.
The company has been providing trusted
technology solutions for over 30 years,
reducing clients’ downtime and
keeping them running efficiently at
all levels.
Richard Lane, CEO/founder
of EBC Group said: “EBC Group
has become a partner on
the ‘This Is The Black Country’
campaign because it’s an
excellent way for
businesses across the
region to work with the
Chamber to focus on
ensuring we are attracting and retaining the
right talent to equip us for the future,
promoting the region as a great place to do
business and raising awareness to overcome
any obstacles to success.
“We are focused on providing
innovative technology to the Black
Country which drives growth for
businesses and helps them stay
competitive.”
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON
BUSINESS SCHOOL
The University of
Wolverhampton
Business School
has a mission to
educate and
develop the
responsible
business professionals, leaders and
entrepreneurs that we need for a
sustainable future, supporting its students,
businesses and the community.
Its vision is underpinned by four
pillars: sustainability; responsibility and
professionalism; entrepreneurship; and
innovation. These pillars guide the
university’s teaching, learning, research,
and business support activity, enabling it to
deliver targeted support to students, local
businesses, and the community.
The Business School considers it
essential to give each student a positive
experience on their course, and its
innovative, inclusive curriculum puts the
individual at the heart of their learning.
Sarah Williams, interim director of the
Business School at University of
Wolverhampton said: “The University of
Wolverhampton Business School is
delighted to be supporting the BCCC ‘This
is the Black Country’ campaign.
“Our mission is to support and champion
business in the region as well as preparing
people for work and being part of this
important campaign helps us to serve and
celebrate the business community in the
Black Country.
“The campaign highlights the
innovation, entrepreneurship and
opportunities created by businesses in the
Black Country and allows us to celebrate
the fantastic organisations responsible for
it.”
Delighted to
support This is
The Black Country
– that’s Sarah
Williams
Find out more about This is The Black Country
by visiting thisistheblackcountry.info.
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 31

THIS IS BLACK COUNTRY: CHAMBER THINK TANK
Chamber Think Tank is committed to
making the case for the Black Country
The new Black Country Think Tank, launched
at the Chamber’s Black Country 2.0
Conference in November 2021, continues its
work of publicising key economic issues and
offering solutions while delivering thought
leadership for the region.
Helping to focus the Chamber’s lobbying
‘‘
We explored businesses’
priorities and how to retain
and attract talent when
looking at the skills needs
of the future
‘‘
and advocacy work, the Think Tank meets
throughout the year to highlight, debate,
and discuss issues which impacting the
region’s economy. Members of the Think
Tank include business leaders, academics,
and various experts representing a range of
firms and sectors.
Neil Anderson, the Chamber’s director of
external affairs, said: “​Our policy work this
year will align to the ‘This is the Black
Country’ campaign and will focus primarily
on people, place and infrastructure.
“The Chamber has a commitment to
connecting, supporting and representing its
members, and the Think Tank is widening its
work to see benefits for the Black Country
as a whole.”
“At the most recent meeting, held on the
May 25, we explored the issue of skills, what
are the gaps in people’s knowledge and
capabilities who are fresh to the world of
work following nearly two years of
lockdown, how do local businesses retain
and attract talent and what are the priorities
of businesses when looking at the skills
needs of the future.”
For further information on the Think Tank
and its work, please contact
Jon Gray, policy & campaigns manager:
jongray@blackcountrychmaber.co.uk
32 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

Meet the Think Tank members
Carl Baker MBA, CMgr FCMI,
Managing Director, Nant Ltd
Anthony Burns, commercial director at
not-for-profit Health Cash Plan provider
Paycare
Christopher Barlow, partner with the
Chartered accountants, business and tax
advisors, MHA MacIntyre Hudson
Charlie Hopkirk, senior researcher, Black
Country Consortium’s Economic Intelligence
Unit
Paul Hull, director/co-owner at
KMB Shipping Group
Gareth Jones, managing director,
In-Comm Training
Richard Lane, CEO / founder of EBC Group
(pictured right)
Debra Lawrence, sales director at Lawrence
Cleaning.
Colin Leighfield, director at Wedge
Terry Monkton, CEO of Simworx Limited
Sarah Moorhouse, incoming chief executive,
Black Country Chamber of Commerce
James Norris, assistant principal, Walsall
College – Commercial Development
Nicholas O’Hara, chairman, Thursfields’
Solicitors
Jonathan Poole, centre manager of Merry
Hill in Brierley Hill
Vicky Rogers, manager of Halesowen
Business Improvement District.
Nella Share, commercial director for Dudley
based MET Recruitment
Nick Taylor, managing partner at Higgs LLP
(pictured right)
Jude Thompson, managing director of
CSCM Limited
Ben Towe CEng, MBA, IMechE, MCMI –
group managing director, Hadley Group
Carmen Watson, chair of the Pertemps
Network Group (pictured below)
Paul Sissons, University of Wolverhampton
(pictured below)
• Think Tank Members also include:
Johnathan Dudley & Mark Evans, Crowe UK;
Richard Bourne, Pertemps; Martin Dudley,
Thomas Dudley; Sophie Wardell, Higgs LLP;
Paul Sissons, University of Wolverhampton;
Liam Powell, Marston’s; Colin Chapple, AEG;
Nick Barton & Antoinette Farrell-Jones,
Birmingham Airport; Jon Kiteley, Balfour
Beatty, Vicky Price, Wolverhampton Grand
Theatre; Martin Levermore, MDTi; Nadine
Watts, Starting Point Recruitment; Alan
McCardle, JLR; and Adrian Hanrahan,
Robinson Brothers.
Nick Taylor
Richard Lane
Carmen Watson
MPs unite to put
Black Country first
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for
the Black Country (APPG-BC) brings
together parliamentarians from across
the political spectrum to raise awareness
of and to discuss the importance of the
Black Country economy.
Launched in February 2020, the
cross-party coalition of parliamentarians,
businesses and industry organisations
works together to develop new policy
ideas, critique existing Government
decision-making around regional growth
while enhancing and facilitating better
business engagement with the policy
process.
Keeping the Black Country sub-region
high on the political agenda, the Black
Country APPG raises awareness of the
issues the sub-region faces among
parliamentarians and encourages them
to promote the importance of the
sub-region and its economic potential in
their constituencies and other spheres of
influence.
In May, the Black Country Business All
Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) held
its AGM in Westminster where the
following parliamentarians were
re-elected: Mike Wood MP (chair), Rt
Hon Pat McFadden MP (Deputy Chair),
Stuart Anderson MP (vice chair), Shaun
Bailey MP (vice chair), Marco Longhi MP
(vice chair).
The Rt Hon Valerie
Vaz MP and Jane
Stevenson MP
(both pictured
right) were also
elected vice chairs,
and the Black
Country Chamber of
Commerce
reappointed as
Secretariat.
Paul Sissons
For more information about the
work of the APPG, please email
policy@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 33

THIS IS THE BLACK COUNTRY: SKILLS FOR THE REGION
Corin Crane
addresses the
Skills for the
Region meeting
Skills for the Region
campaign launches as
chief executive bids
farewell to Chamber
‘Skills For the Region’, an early morning
breakfast event, was held at Wolverhampton
Racecourse at the end of June, the first event
in the year-long campaign.
The event was the final meeting for
outgoing Chamber CEO Corin Crane, who
hosted a panel conversation with campaign
partners exploring the skills and recruitment
required for the region’s businesses to
compete locally, nationally and
internationally.
Representatives from campaign partners
Pertemps, EBC Group, Crowe UK, Higgs LLP
Members of the Chamber team
with campaign partners
and the University of Wolverhampton
Business School joined Corin as the
Chamber continued to champion the region,
its people and its power during its latest
campaign which runs until Spring 2023.
Join us on Twitter for the
BLACK COUNTRY
HOUR
KEEPING BUSINESSES
CONNECTED
Looking for a place to network online?
To help businesses connect, the Chamber has
announced that its popular TWITTER HOUR will
continue to run every Wednesday from 11 am – 12 pm.
​So, don’t forget to share your news and promote your business!
@blkcountryhour
#blkcountryhour
If you have any questions about our events, please get in touch
via events@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
34 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

ADVERTISING FEATURE: THURSFIELDS
SMEs must be clear on how they
treat different classes of shares
Offering an ‘alphabet soup’ of
share categories might sound
straightforward for SMEs, but
within them lies a trap to snare
unsuspecting businesses.
Fiona Boxwell of Thursfields
Solicitors explains more
At Thursfields, we work with many small
and medium-sized companies that are
owner-managed, and often see various
owners spending differing amounts of time
in the day-to-day running of the business.
We also often see SMEs’ senior
employees incentivised with shares so that
they can receive dividends that are linked to
their contribution to the company’s success.
These arrangements mean that the shares
held by an SME’s various shareholders are
split into what are described as ‘alphabet’
shares. This means you have A shares, B
shares, C shares, and so on, where dividend
amounts are varied between these shares to
reflect varying contributions made by the
shareholders.
For example, the A shareholder may be
an investor shareholder and not work in the
company, and so would receive a basic
dividend each year. In contrast, the B
Shareholder may be a major shareholder
who also works full-time, and so would
receive a larger dividend per share. And
then the C shareholder may be a minority
employee shareholder who will receive
varying dividends based on their
performance each year.
In each case the dividends are proposed
by the SME’s board of directors using their
discretion and the shares are treated as
different classes of shares. However, this
treatment of the A, B and C shares as
different classes may not be correct and, if
that is the case, it leaves the dividend
payments open to challenge.
Quite often, we have seen that the only
description of the rights attached to the
varying shares are those detailed in the
statements of capital lodged at Companies
House. In many cases, these make no
mention of differing shares in the Articles of
Association. What this means is that even
though each of the A, B and C shares are
described as though they are separate
‘‘
In each case the dividends
are proposed by the SME’s
board of directors using
their discretion and the
shares are treated as
different classes of shares.
‘‘
classes, the rights which each has will be
stated as identical in each case.
Therefore, each of the A, B and C
shareholders will be described as having a
right to attend and vote at company
meetings, a right to participate in dividends
and a right to participate on a winding up or
return of capital.
In such cases, if the Articles of Association
of the company fails to state more explicitly
that each of the A, B and C shares constitute
separate classes which differ for the
Fiona Boxwell is an associate director in the
Corporate Law team at Thursfields.
You can contact her at 0345 20 73 728 or
via info@thursfields.co.uk
Alternatively, find out more at www.thursfields.co.uk
or watch this video, at https://youtu.be/WjzW97iKfyM.
purposes of dividends, companies could be
challenged over their dividend payments.
This is because the much overlooked
section 629(1) of the Companies Act 2006
provides that shares are of one class if the
rights attached to them are in all respects
uniform. This means that the A, B and C
shares are not different classes of shares but
merely differing name designations within
the same class of shares.
Crucially, this would technically mean that
A, B and C shares should have identical
dividends paid on them, which took place in
the recent Routledge v Skerritt (2019) case.
This potential banana skin could have
serious and costly consequences for any
SME.
But fear not: such disasters can be easily
avoided by ensuring appropriate provisions
are included within the Articles of
Association of the company and by having a
properly adopted dividend policy.
If you want to know more about how to
do this, contact me on the details below.
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 35

WORDS FROM THE MAYOR
Everyone wins
from a
successful Games
The economic legacy of the Commonwealth Games can help level up
the entire region, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street tells Prosper
The countdown to the Commonwealth
Games is nearly over, with the opening
ceremony on July 28.
Across the globe, 72 nations are set to
send teams to England to compete in the
second biggest sporting event ever held in
the UK – with more than 5,000 athletes
taking part in 283 events, across 20 sports.
Those talented individuals are, of course,
in the final stages of their personal
preparations, reaching peak fitness with
their sights set on gold.
And as the final touches are applied to
the venues and excitement builds for the
arrival of the Queen’s Baton Relay, here in
the West Midlands we are also working hard
to ensure that the region’s businesses are
also match fit, and ready to take full
advantage of the huge opportunities the
Games will bring.
I’m proud to have played my part in
securing the Games early in my Mayoralty
and have seen the people of the West
Midlands embrace the opportunity of
hosting such a massive event.
In this column I want to explain how that
Government-backed strategic approach has
been preparing the ground to ensure that,
alongside a sporting spectacle that the
nation can be proud of, the Games also
deliver an economic legacy that will benefit
local people for years to come – not just for
Birmingham but for the Black Country, too.
At the heart of this is a £24million
Business and Tourism Programme, built
around four key objectives:
n creating a resilient and diverse
economy
n shaping the reputation and profile of
the region,
n generating jobs
n positioning our region as an epicentre
for net zero ambitions.
Crucially, built into this strategy are ways to
evaluate its progress, from the immediate
benefits of engagement with investors and
solid business leads to medium-term goals
to shift the world’s perception of the West
Midlands.
Ultimately, the final outcomes we want to
see are not only investment and tourism
that drives jobs and growth, but also export
opportunities for local businesses, and
attracting further major events off the back
of the Games.
While it is early days – the programme will
run until 2023 – there are already very
encouraging indicators that it is delivering
against the tough targets we set.
First of all, we have landed two more
major events. During the Games the first
ever Commonwealth eSports
Championships will be held at the
International Convention Centre in the heart
of Brum, giving out medals to the best in
the ever-growing field of virtual sport.
Then, in 2026, our region will host a world
conference on Women in Sport, which is apt
given that the Games will, for the first time,
offer more medal-winning opportunities for
female entrants then male.
Early signs also show that hard work to
bring inward investment on the back of the
Games is bearing fruit, with the strategy
targeting markets in places like Australia,
India, Malaysia and Singapore. This goes
hand-in-hand with our push to shift
perceptions of the West Midlands.
The West Midlands Growth Company,
which along with the DIT and VisitEngland
are delivering the programme, has reported
an 817% increase in traffic to its inward
investment website from India in the last six
months. More than 640 media hits have
been secured in primary markets of India,
Australia, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore,
spreading the word about the Games and
the West Midlands.
In terms of trade, Department of
International Trade figures show 293 unique
businesses have been engaged so far, with
many more in the pipeline. A big part of this
has been a clever link-up with the Queen’s
Baton Relay.
As the Baton has weaved its way across
the Commonwealth on its journey to
England, we have delivered a targeted sales
mission for each milestone, including
one-to-one investor meetings and tailored
seminars.
Then, of course, there is the economic
benefits that the exposure the Games will
bring us, as well as the visitors. We have
tried to shape this summer’s event as the
‘Games for Everyone’.
Now the world is coming to us. It is
estimated that 1.5 billion people will tune in
to the watch around the globe, with huge
amounts of visitors expected.
So, the programme also helps businesses
here prepare to make the most of this
36 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

The Queen’s baton
reaches Kenya
‘‘
As the Baton has weaved
its way across the
Commonwealth on its
journey to England, we
have delivered a targeted
sales mission for each
milestone, including oneto-one
investor meetings
and tailored seminars.
‘‘
global spotlight and the crowds it will being.
Our Getting Ready for the Games
scheme supplies an e-Learning course to
7,000 businesses, providing insight and
information to ensure the entire region
delivers an outstanding visitor experience
and showcases the very best of the West
Midlands.
Finally, the Global Growth Programme
provides free support for companies
wishing to enter the UK market via the West
Midlands, while selecting 25 local
businesses for targeted help in boosting
exports. The exposure provided by the
Games is proving to be a powerful conduit
for trade.
All of these economic benefits come on
top of more than a billion pounds of inward
investment in preparing for the Games.
That includes world-class facilities, such
as the £73 million new aquatics centre in
Sandwell. Procurement has ensured that
70% of contracts on projects such as this
have gone to businesses that have a base in
the West Midlands.
Training has also been boosted as part of
the preparations. For example, bootcamps
organised though our Skills Academy to
train people in broadcasting for the Games
have given them skills for life. It’s my hope
that in years to come many will be able to
look back and say that the Commonwealths
provided them with a life-changing
opportunity.
Ultimately, all of this should translate into
jobs and opportunities, starting with 35,000
projected jobs this summer.
The world-class
£73m aquatics
centre in Sandwell
will be a lasting
legacy from the
Games for the
Black Country
Along with the investment we have seen
in our transport system, housing, skills and
town centres, the Commonwealth Games has
provided another powerful tool in ‘levelling
up’ the West Midlands.
We have been looking forward to this
summer for a very long time, and we are
ready for the eyes of the world to fall on us.
However, the indications are that the
economic benefits of the Games will still be
benefitting the people of the West
Midlands and the Black Country long after
the medals have been handed out.
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 37

ADVERTORIAL: COODEN, R&D TAX SPECIALISTS
Applying for the R&D Tax Credits you are
owed doesn’t have to be... taxing
Make your business more financially
sustainable in 2022 by talking to an
expert from Cooden – R&D Tax
Specialists about an R&D Tax Relief
claim
What have you been doing since Covid-19
hit to sustain, redirect and improve your
business?
As we get ready for a full season of events
and business shows, you are probably
looking to demonstrate the fruits of your
labours over the past two or three years to
your existing customers and, hopefully, to
quite a few new ones.
So, what have you been doing during the
last two years? Is it something that someone
outside your business might describe as
challenging or exciting?
Possibly, but for you it’s routine: it’s just
solving problems, overcoming some
technical issues with a new product or a
product update, engineering out a design
flaw in one of our established products, or
looked to fundamentally redesign the
manufacturing process so that we generate
less waste.
The default answer, when we talk to
businesses like yours, that have never
claimed R&D Tax Credits, tends to be “The
work we do isn’t research and development,
it’s just what we do!”
You might have never filed an R&D Tax
Relief Claim, because you didn’t think that
you were performing any R&D and no one
has really told you any different and
challenged your way of thinking.
Well, if you always do what you have
always done, don’t be surprised if you keep
getting the same results...
Perhaps it’s time to stop, take some time
and consider what you have been doing for
the past two years. Ask yourself:
n Could anyone else have done the work
you have undertaken without spending a lot
of time and effort solving the same
challenges that you have had to?
n Would someone like to steal it or copy
it?
n Have we thought about patenting or
creating a trade mark for anything?
n Would someone have paid a lot of
money for us to do it for them?
n Have we suffered a scientific or
technological failure that has prevented us
from completing the project?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these
questions, you’ve probably been doing
some R&D and it might be worth getting in
touch with Cooden – R&D Tax Specialists so
that we can help you discover, as we have
with all our new clients, that claiming for
R&D Tax Relief isn’t quite so taxing as you
might have thought, and ultimately it can be
very rewarding.
It would appear as though our stress-free
service offering has gone down very well
with our customers. It consists of:
n a no-obligation discovery session to
determine your eligibility prior to starting
the claim;
n a low-hassle data collection process for
both the financial element and the technical
element of claims; and
n the use of our client account to receive
funds and for visibility to chase HMRC when
they haven’t been forthcoming.
So, there really are very few reasons left
for you not to at least have an initial
discussion with our Director, Simon Bulteel,
but just in case you have any others:
n If you are worried that it might not be
worth it, our average claim value is just
under £75,000;
n If you are worried that we can’t handle
large claims, our largest claim was for just
under £700,000 for a scaling up cybersecurity
business and our next largest claim
was over £575,000 for a technology
company delivering banking solutions for
instant payments.
n If you are worried, you’ll be wasting our
time, you won’t, our smallest claim was for
just under £1,500 for a start-up skincare
business.
n If you are worried that HMRC is going
to punish you for making a claim, we’ve had
one enquiry in 2021 into a Patent Box claim,
where HMRC couldn’t find a patent in the
name of the company.
There really shouldn’t be anything left to
stop you. We are here to guide you, just like
we have over a 150 businesses before you,
to a successful and rewarding R&D Tax
Credits claim.
With significant new changes coming in
2023, there has never been a better time to
start claiming for your new product
developments or improvements and with
the ability to claim for two prior years, you
could see a significant boost to your 2022
cashflow.
Book a discovery
session today
You can book your no-obligation
discovery session at a time that suits
you by visiting ...
https://calendly.com/cooden/
discovery-miod.
38 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY: CSR ACROSS THE BLACK COUNTRY
Chamber’s Rich is on the run
for a host of good causes
It’s a 5k run a day for a full year as
membership sales advisor Richard
Brooks raises money for Parkinsons’
UK and Teenage Cancer Trust
One Black Country Chamber team member
is close to concluding his own mammoth
sporting challenge after deciding to raise
funds for the Chamber’s chosen charities,
Parkinson’s UK and the Teenage Cancer
Trust.
Membership sales advisor Richard Brooks​
has been running 5K every day for a year,
starting from the opening ceremony of Tokyo
Olympics in July 2021, right through until
when the Commonwealth Games hits
Birmingham later this month. It’s a physical
challenge that has pushed his fitness,
stamina and endurance over the coming
months.
​Richard told Prosper: “I wanted a
challenge, so after running the London
Marathon in 2006, cycling from London to
Paris in 2013 and completing the London
Prudential 100m Cycle Ride in 2018, raising
money for Barnardo’s, Grocery Aid and Little
Hearts Matter respectively, I chose my
#5KADAY365 Challenge to raise money for
our selected charities this year, as they’re
both very close to the Chamber’s heart.”
​Richard, who looks after membership sales
and networking events at the region’s
longest-running business support
organisation, is currently looking for
businesses from across the region to sponsor
him or to join him for his ‘Run Your Business.’
​“I really hope to raise a good amount for
both the Teenage Cancer Trust and
Parkinson’s UK and that we hand over a good
amount of money in September when we are
due to choose our charity for 2022-2023.”
To sponsor Richard’s 5KADAY365
Challenge and help raise funds for two
great charities, please visit
www.gofundme.com/f/black-countrychamber-champions-charities
Blackthorns’ backing
Cyrille’s legacy charity
Blackthorns Accountancy practice,
based in Lye Stourbridge, chose The
Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust as its Charity
of the Year for 2022. Fundraising got off
to a fabulous start when its Annual
Charity Quiz Night, held at The Cradley
Heath Sports & Social Club in May, got
the ball rolling with £4k in donations.
The Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust serves
to honour former West Bromwich Albion
star Cyrille Regis MBE. The programme
assists and supports young people aged
13-14 who are passionate about football
and are considered to be disengaged in
school or within their community.
Rozone’s cleaning up
in support of Ukraine
Rozone’s ROwasher team is supporting
the people of Ukraine by raising money
for the Disasters Emergency Committee
Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
A Limited Edition ROwasher eco parts
washer has been created by the design
team in the flag of Ukrainian colours.
Rozone will be donating all proceeds
from the machine sales to the DEC
Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
In addition, Rozone is
holding staff fundraising
events and encouraging
customers to make
donations through a
Just Giving page,
atjustgiving.com/
fundraising/
ukraine-rowasher
40 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

APPOINTMENTS
Nant steps in to back entertainers’
care homes tour in aid of dementia
A leading specialist provider of water safety
services and products is stepping up support
for people living with dementia by funding a
tour by entertainers to care homes across the
West Midlands.
Nant stepped forward as sponsor for the
Memory Café touring show, which will visit 40
care homes as part of its wider work helping
dementia good causes.
As well as fundraising and sponsoring the
Memory Café, Nant staff are being trained to
Man’s best friend to
benefit again as one
of Thursfields three
charities for the year
Birmingham Dogs Home has been
selected for the second year running as
one of Thursfields Solicitors’ charities
of the year for 2022-23.
Two other charities will also benefit
from Thursfields’ focused efforts from 1
May to 30 April 2023. They are:
• Wings and Paws, another animal
charity based in the Black Country, and
• The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer
Trust, based in Worcestershire.
After receiving more than 100
applications, Thursfields’ staff voted on
who should be the charity of the year
for each of three areas served by the
firm’s offices.
Thursfields’ Jessica Claivin flying the
flag for Birmingham Dogs Home
The support
from Nant will
allow a team
of entertainers
to visit care
homes across
the region
and work
with
dementia
sufferers
be “dementia friends”, which sees
colleagues who go into care homes learn
about the condition and how to support
people living with it, as part of the company’s
ongoing activity.
Through the Memory Café scheme,
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre reaches
approximately 140 people every month. The
Café’s 2021 tour of care homes reached more
than 2,000 people.
New finance manager
joins expansion drive
at SIPS Education
Sandwell-based SIPS
Education has appointed
Sarah Howard as its
new finance manager
and company
accountant.
She joins the
not-for-profit
organisation with over 25
years’ experience in accounting
and finance, most recently working for
a physical education charity based at
the University of Worcester and at a
Birmingham marketing agency
SIPS recently announced former
Sandwell director of education Chris
Ward as its new chair.
Super move to
SuperTech
SuperTech, the UK’s only professional
and business services technology
partnership, has appointed Suzi Evans
to support the region’s burgeoning
ProfTech and FinTech sector.
Evans has held senior roles in three
of the top four accountancy firms,
specialising in the development of new
business practices and offerings.
At Deloitte and PWC Suzi launched
and managed emerging business
practices, embracing technology to
progress traditional consultancy into
highly desirable SAAS (software as a
service) offerings.
Her role will run alongside her
existing position as a director in
investment management at Deloitte.
She said: “I’m a born and bred
Brummie with a keen interest in the
region’s FinTech and wider ProfTech
sector. During my career I’ve seen
technology move from being a niceto-have
item only available to the
business elite, to being embraced by
businesses of all sizes in their
standard operating
model. We still have a
huge way to go in
the Midlands, and
SuperTech will be
instrumental in
progressing these
sectors for the global
market.”
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 41

BUSINESS VOICES: THOUGHTS, COMMENTS AND ADVICE FROM THE REGION’S EXPERTS AND INFLUENCERS...
Tim Foster, partner at
BDO Midlands, is full of praise for
how businesses have bounced back
from the pandemic – but the
bad news is, Covid-19 hasn’t been
the only challenge...
Revenues recover, but challenges
remain for Midlands businesses
The majority of Midlands mid-sized
businesses have returned to pre-pandemic
revenues, two years after seeing sales fall.
According to new research from
accountancy and business advisory firm
BDO LLP, nearly a third of regional
businesses are generating the same level as
they were before COVID-19, with 46%
increasing revenues.
Despite the financial recovery, the region
still faces considerable challenges, with the
biggest threat to growth over the next three
months being supply chain challenges
(28%). The ongoing impacts of Brexit, such
as complicated customs legislation also
ranked highly in the Midlands.
As a result, ongoing issues are preventing
companies from prioritising other important
issues, with 25% of Midlands businesses
sharing they feel unable to support
employee wellbeing and 29% admitting
they are pausing investment in the business
Tim Foster, partner and at BDO in the
Midlands, told Prosper, “To see such a high
number of companies return to prepandemic
revenues demonstrates the
resilience and ambition of mid-sized
businesses in the region.
“However, the fact remains that the
‘‘
The ongoing impact of
Brexit, such as complicated
customs legislation, also
ranked highly in the
Midlands’ list of challenges
‘‘
economic landscape is still fraught with
challenges – some unique and some very
much intertwined with the pandemic.
Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 ranks as the
number one issue that has adversely
impacted businesses in the last two years.
As such, the culmination of challenges is
leading many pause investment in the
business or seek external finance or
investment to counteract current trading
conditions.”
However, businesses in the Midlands
continue to support their people, with many
implementing measures to support staff
with the rising cost of living. According to
the survey, 64% of regional businesses have
increased wages in line with or ahead of
inflation, while others have offered staff
benefits, such as a one-off bonus or
childcare support.”
Foster added, “Despite the fact
businesses in our region continue to face a
range of pressures and have paused some
types of investment as a result, it’s hugely
encouraging to see the majority are
investing in people and doing what they can
to support their teams with the cost-of-living
crisis.”
42 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

MEMBERS MARKING MILESTONES
Net Zero pledge as
Lord Combustion
marks 40th year
Long service awards for
Claverley employees
Long service awards were presented to 26
Claverley employees who have completed
25, 35 and 45 years with the company.
The presentations held in the board room
at the Express & Star offices in Wolverhampton.
At the event guests were treated to a
video presentation covering news highlights
from the last 45 years, after which Midland
News Association chairman Tom Graham
thanked the employees who, all together,
have contributed 810 years of service to the
company.
Award-winning Black Country commercial
heating, hot water and ventilation
specialists Lord Combustion Services is
stepping up its drive to improve fuel and
energy efficiency as the company marked
its 40th anniversary.
The Oldbury-based firm made the West
Midlands Net Zero Business Pledge on
reducing its environmental impact during
a visit by West Midlands Mayor Andy
Street as it celebrated four decades of
success serving clients across the region.
Administered by Sustainability West
Midlands on behalf of the West Midlands
Combined Authority, the West Midlands
Net Zero Business Pledge is undertaken
by businesses wanting to be part of the
region’s drive to ‘lead the green
revolution and become a net zero carbon
economy by 2041.
Air conditioning specialist Weatherite
celebrates a cool 50 years at the top
Air conditioning specialist Weatherite has
racked up 50 years of operation, a milestone
that reflects the strength, stability, and
success of the business.
Founded in 1972 by chairman John
Whitehouse, Weatherite’s early days of
business were carried out in a conservatory
with his late business partner, Lou Simmonds.
Today the business turnover is over £34
million as a group, primarily through
Weatherite Air Conditioning, which
represents the major proportion of that
turnover, at approximately £25 million per
annum.
Law firm offers Chamber members a birthday gift
Leading Midlands law firm George Green
LLP is celebrating its 125th anniversary this
year, and marked the occasion with a ball for
its staff at the Hogarth’s Stone Manor Hotel.
George Green founded the firm in 1897 in
Blackheath, and the Green family were still
involved in the firm until as recently as 2019.
The firm has grown rapidly in recent years.
It now has 19 partners and 72 employees and
operates from premises in Wolverhampton
and Cradley Heath.
Senior partner Tim Lang said: “The firm
has been an important part of the Black
Country business landscape for over a
century.
“We have always had a very close
relationship with the Chamber and are
offering a free review of employment
contracts or terms of business to Chamber
members as a birthday gesture “.
About the West
Midlands Net Zero
Business Pledge
The pledge is geared up to making
the West Midlands a leader in the
green revolution and have a net zero
carbon economy by 2041. For
businesses, a commitment to the
pledge will help you:
• Reduce your environmental
impact and save costs
• Position your business as a leader
in the net zero carbon economy
• Prepare your business for climate
change impacts.
The pledge also provides many
opportunities to publicise your
commitment to the net zero agenda.
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 43

LEGAL BRIEFING: WHAT’S MAKING THE HEADLINES ACROSS THE LEGAL SECTOR.
Whistleblowing: top legal firm issues
legal guidance for employers
A rise in workers “speaking out” about
issues ranging from workplace safety to
furlough fraud has led to legal
whistleblowing guidance for employers
being issued by Thursfields Solicitors.
The leading Midlands law firm’s advice
comes as the Covid-19 pandemic has
highlighted concerns about the legal
standing of those who make their concerns
a public issue.
Lisa Kemp, an associate director in the
Employment & HR Law team at Thursfields,
explained it is not always obvious that a
worker is whistleblowing, which is a
technical area of law with lots of angles.
Ms Kemp said: “While this is a complex
subject, if a whistleblowing complaint is not
spotted or is mishandled, an employer may
find themselves on the receiving end of
costly litigation.
“It is therefore crucial to understand that
whistleblowing, in broad terms, is a worker
disclosing information about past, present
or imminent wrongdoing in the workplace
or an attempt to conceal the same –
typically to their own employer or a
regulator.
“The disclosure of information can be oral
or in writing and need not be formal, which
is why a whistleblowing complaint can be
easy to miss.
“Workers disclosing such information
must have a reasonable belief that doing so
is in the public interest.
“A worker acting purely in self-interest
will not be protected, although they could
well be protected for blowing the whistle
about breaches of individual employment
rights where the disclosure is also in their
own personal interest.”
Ms Kemp pointed out that whistleblowing
legislation protects workers, including
employees, from being subjected to any
detriment on the grounds that they have
made a “protected disclosure”.
Employees are further safeguarded
because if the reason or principal reason for
their dismissal is that they made a protected
disclosure, that dismissal shall be regarded
as automatically unfair.
She said: “This is crucial, and employers
need to know that there is no cap on levels
of compensation which can be awarded in
such cases, where interim relief is also
available in some circumstances.
“Organisations should therefore be
encouraged to see effective whistle-blowing
procedures as part of their good
governance strategy.”
‘‘
Prohibiting staff from
speaking out is not allowed...
any provision in workers’
contracts to prevent
whistleblowing is void...
‘‘
She added: “Effective whistleblowing
procedures can uncover hidden
occupational issues, and dealing with a
complaint promptly will help to avoid issues
escalating, therefore mitigating litigation
risk and reputational damage.
“Fostering an open culture can also
create better working relationships, with
Any company or organisation needing more guidance
on whistleblowing can contact Ms Kemp at
lkemp@thursfields.co.uk or by calling 0345 20 73 72 8.
loyal employees more likely to make an
internal report than complain externally or
publicly.”
Ms Kemp stressed that “prohibiting staff
from speaking out is not allowed, and
therefore any provision in an agreement,
including a worker’s contract, trying to
prevent whistleblowing will be void, as will
non-disclosure agreements seeking to gag
workers making protected disclosures.”
Help for this challenging issue is at hand
for employers who need guidance. “We
have a team of experienced lawyers who
can support businesses by providing
bespoke management training and drafting
effective policies, and we also undertake
investigations and defend whistleblowing
claims.”
44 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

LEGAL BRIEFING: WHAT’S MAKING THE HEADLINES ACROSS THE LEGAL SECTOR.
P&O Ferry workers
protest after their
shock dismissal
It’s a tough time to be running a business.
Brexit, the pandemic, supply chain issues,
inflated material prices and now spiralling
energy costs are all impacting the bottom
line. And that’s before you factor in the usual
ebbs and flows of customers and accounts.
While some financial problems are short
term and can be ridden out, there’s times
when restructuring or downsizing the
workforce is the only course of action
available to keep the company profitable.
If you are thinking of embarking on a
course set for redundancies, it’s essential to
ensure employment law is followed to the
letter – otherwise it could end up costing you
more in the long run.
Just ask the bosses at P&O Ferries.
How NOT to make redundancies
P&O Ferries hit the headlines in March
after sacking 800 workers, without notice, via
video call. The staff were immediately
replaced with foreign agency workers who
would be paid less than minimum wage, due
to a loophole in the maritime law under
which the ferry company operates.
The actions of the company not only
breached union rules on consultation, but
they also breached employment laws on
redundancy. These regulations are in place
to protect the rights of employees whose
roles are no longer needed by their
employer, and they must be followed.
Employment law states that if an employer
is making 20 or more redundancies at the
same time, collective redundancy rules apply.
In a collective redundancy situation, a
consultation period is required to give
employees, their trade union or elected
employee rep and the company time to
discuss the reasons for redundancies, ways to
All at sea over
redundancy rules
avoid it, how to keep the number of
dismissals to a minimum and how to limit the
impact on employees (by offering retraining,
etc).
The consultation period for 20-99
redundancies must start at least 30 days
before any dismissals take effect, while 100
or more redundancies – as in the case of
P&O Ferries – should have a consultation
period of at least 45 days.
For many companies, redundancy
situations will be on a smaller scale to those
seen at P&O Ferries. There are no hard and
fast rules for making up to 19 redundancies,
but that said, you still need to speak to
affected employees about why they are
being made redundant and discuss any
alternatives.
If workers are part of a recognised union,
the union rep must be consulted as part of
the redundancy process. Failure to do so
means that the union can bring a claim to the
employment tribunal. If you have broken the
rules, the tribunal can award up to 90 days’
pay for each employee who has been
dismissed or was proposed to be dismissed.
If you’d like to discuss the best way to approach restructuring
your workforce and the possible legal implications, contact
head of employment law at FBC Manby Bowdler, Julia Fitzsimmons,
on 01952 208420 or email at julia.fitzsimmons@fbcmb.co.uk.
The real cost of breaking redundancy rules
P&O Ferries’ boss, Peter Hebblethwaite,
admitted to an MP select committee that
there was “absolutely no doubt” that under
UK employment law, the firm was required to
consult unions before making the mass cuts
and that it had broken the law. They will
surely have to pay generous compensation
to the workers affected by their actions.
But the cost of side-stepping redundancy
laws doesn’t stop at compensation costs.
There is the negative impact on staff who
remain at the company, not to mention
damage to the business’ reputation.
The best course of action is to check the
rules carefully, or consult an employment law
professional for advice, before making any
important decisions regarding downsizing
or restructuring your workforce.
If P&O Ferries’ story has taught us
anything, it’s that failure to do so could turn a
plan to keep your business afloat into a
shipwreck.
46 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

ADVERTORIAL: IN-COMM TRAINING
Barometer reveals businesses have a
renewed appetite for vocational learning
Gareth Jones, Managing Director of
In-Comm Training, looks at the
current vocational learning
landscape and explains why an
increasing number of companies
are turning to apprenticeships and
strategic training to bridge the
current skills and recruitment gap.
There is definitely a more ‘optimistic’ feel
to this year’s In-Comm Training Barometer.
Last time out, the findings painted a
worrying picture of budget cuts and a
reluctance to invest in the next generation
of talent; perhaps not surprising when you
consider the economy was still feeling the
effects of a partial lockdown.
The fear 12 months ago was whether this
was going to be a temporary blip or
whether the hard work of the previous five
years, in boosting the profile of
apprenticeships, was going to be wasted.
Thankfully, we appear to be back on track
and the renaissance in firms committing to
training and apprentices has mirrored the
economic recovery we are broadly seeing
since restrictions lifted in July 2021.
Our 3rd annual Training Barometer, which
questioned 105 companies, revealed that
68% of businesses had taken on apprentices
during the past 12 months, while a
staggering 97% kept all their learners on
despite the pressures of Covid-19.
The confidence extends into the future,
with more than two-thirds of firms (70%)
committing to taking on an apprentice over
the next year (up from 47% in 2021).
It appears that the sector has stabilised
somewhat from the pressure of the
economy, but there are new challenges
ahead.
The labour market has flipped almost 360
degrees, with companies balancing
scaling-up rapidly with a lack of available
staff or resources. This means a more
creative approach is required and this is
reflected in the results.
Demand for talent is fierce and business
are having to increase their CSR/marketing
activities to position themselves as an
employer of choice.
Training and development have also
taken on an even greater priority and is now
a key part of the package when looking to
improve employee retention and in
attracting future staff.
Continuous improvement, leadership and
management and health and safety are
viewed as the main areas where engineering
and manufacturing firms are looking to train
individuals and we are now seeing nearly
two-thirds of companies offering individuals
‘‘
68% of business had taken on apprentices
during the past 12 months, while a
staggering 97% kept all their learners
on despite the pressures of Covid-19
Gareth Jones (right)
the chance to progress through to an HNC/
Degree. There is also a move to use
apprenticeships for a multitude of reasons
and not just for the traditional means of
generating future talent.
Management teams are now using
vocational learning to increase the flexibility
of their workforces and are beginning to use
it to solve the brain drain that 69% of
companies are seeing with older workers
retiring and taking traditional skills with
them.
This is very encouraging and appears that
a message we have been trying to get
across for some time is finally resonating.
After what has been an extremely difficult
time for vocational learning and training, it
appears the sector is back on track and set
to play an increasing role in helping to not
only bridge the skills gap, but also to meet
a growing requirement for labour.
‘‘
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 47

SPOTLIGHT FEATURE: FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS
The rise of the
Fempreneurs
Do we have a black
country women logo?
The number of fast-growing companies founded or co-founded
by women has risen by more than a third in the past two years,
according to research by the Scale-Up Institute.
Black Country Women in Leadership investigates……
Female entrepreneurs have been
hitting the headlines recently, as new
research from the Scale-Up Institute
revealed that there are more fast-growing
female-led businesses in the UK than ever
before.
Not only that, but Alison Rose, NatWest
CEO and leader of the Rose Review, which
works with the Government and other
business institutions to support female
entrepreneurs, has said that female
entrepreneurs could potentially add another
£250billion to the UK economy.
While all this is good news for gender
equality, it remains a fact that female
business talent is woefully underused – as
the Rose Review has highlighted. Although
39% of board positions are now occupied
by women, this is still considerably less than
half. Only eight of the FTSE100 companies
have a female CEO.
The Guardian reported recently that Scale
Up, a not-for-profit company, had identified
261 female-owned companies with sales of
more than £10.2 million or assets worth
more than £5.1million – the threshold for
which companies have to file profit and loss
accounts at Companies House.
This is an increase of more than a third
(34.5%) since 2020. The businesses also had
to increase sales or jobs by at least 20% in
order to qualify as “fast growing”.
Two-thirds of the businesses were based
outside London, and 42% were in
professional services, with manufacturing
second at 22%.
Irene Graham, chief executive of the
Scale Up Institute, said: “Female scale-ups
are still small in number compared with the
broader male-led scale-ups, but it is
encouraging to see the growth.”
She added that she believed the increase
‘‘
Alison Rose’s review
revealed that female
entrepreneurs have the
potential to add another
£250bn to the economy
‘‘
had been driven in part by a “concentrated
effort” to focus support on female-led
companies.
Schemes such as The Rose Review and
the Investing in Women board have helped
drive things forward for female
entrepreneurs. Working in partnership with
HM Treasury and a variety of organisations
in finance and the third sector, they’ve
launched new investment vehicles,
expanded networking and mentorship
schemes, and promoted transparency to
make it easier to see which businesses are
sticking to their diversity and inclusion
pledges.
Forbes points out that a ride in femalefounded
businesses is not just a good thing
in terms of wealth creation, but also for
society, as women are more likely to launch
a business that doubles as a social venture
than are their male counterparts.
Funding is, sadly, still a major hurdle,
48 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

‘‘
Female scale-ups are still
small in number
compared with the
broader male-led scaleups,
but it is encouraging
to see the growth... which
has been driven in part
by a concentrated effort
to focus support on
female-led companies.
Irene Graham (left)
‘‘
Making a point: Joanna Smith at
Fortress Interlocks during a recent
Chamber meeting
Prestige
Protec System
however. A mere 1% of UK venture funding
went to female entrepreneurs in 2020, and
on average female-founded businesses have
starting capital that is 50% less than men.
To help address this, the Rose Review has
announced that NatWest will be doubling
the £1bn of ring-fenced debt funding for
female entrepreneurs provided last year to
£2bn.
However, many businesses over the last
two years have been started out of necessity,
as women were more likely than men to be
laid off or furloughed during the pandemic.
But for some women, the pandemic also
represented an opportunity to reflect on
what they really wanted from life – such as
starting a business.
Speaking to Prosper, Black Country
Chamber Board Member, Sarah Williams,
interim director at the University of
Wolverhampton Business School said,
“There have been some encouraging signs
of progress in recent years but there is still a
long way to go to realise the full potential of
female entrepreneurs.
“The pandemic has been a catalyst for a
lot of people to reconsider their careers and
was particularly challenging for women who
juggled parenting, care and work
responsibilities while working from home.
“The change in working patterns,
behaviours and location brought about by
the pandemic also encouraged a lot of
women to strike out on their own, and this is
evident in the Scale-Up Institute report.
“The challenge now will be to maintain the
momentum, grow those female-owned
businesses and encourage more women to
become entrepreneurs and that will require
support in the form of funding and
coaching.”
Alison Trinder, head of the Black Country
Chamber Business Start-up Club, has worked
in business support for many years and has
seen at first-hand how the landscape has
changed.
She told Prosper: “Female business
founders are the bedrock of our economy
and have an in-built entrepreneurial attitude.
COVID was a challenge for most people, but
we know from the women that it was also a
turning point. It made them realise
something had to change and look for other
avenues such as self-employment.
“We have seen more women embracing
our support, which really appeals to them.
“There is still progress to be made to help
more women realise their business goals, but
having the right support is key and we are
Above left, the
Thursfields team
and left, WELL
Training
here to help.
“My advice to any young woman charting
a path in a new world / sector, is that there is
no ‘right’ way to do things: find your style,
work to your strengths, listen and learn from
others, trust your instincts and hope for the
best!
“Most importantly: take risks and don’t be
afraid to fail – you’ll be fine!”
To find out more about the Chamber’s
Black Country Women in Leadership
initiative and to sign up for regular
updates and information on
forthcoming events, visit:
blackcountrychamber.co.uk
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 49

ADVERTORIAL: REAch2 ACADEMY TRUST
School governors play
a vital role in building
our children’s education
Chamber members looking to develop their skills and contribute to their
local communities are being encouraged to become school governors.
Prosper talks to Siobhan Chester of the REAch2 Academy Trust about
becoming a school governor, what the role entails and what you can expect
to take from the experience.
Siobhan, tells us a little about the REAch
2 Multi Academy Trust.
REAch2 is England’s biggest primary-only
academy trust, managing 60 primary
schools over a wide geographical spread.
We have schools from Burton to Brighton,
and we go as far east as Lowestoft.
The Trust is 10 years old. It was founded
by Sir Steve Lancashire, a hugely successful
headteacher and National Leader of
Education (NLE), who took a school in a
challenging London Borough to its first (and
then subsequent second) ‘Outstanding’
Ofsted Grade.
He founded the REAch2 Academy Trust
to export the concepts and strategies that
proved so successful there more widely
The current CEO, Cathie Paine, was the
Trust’s first employee in 2012 and has an
equally impressive background including
NLE status, previous head of a twice
‘Outstanding’ school in Lincoln and opening
Lincolnshire’s first Teaching School.
Academy Trusts are known to work with
struggling schools. Is this the case with
REAch 2?
It used to be, yes, but it’s not exclusively
like that anymore. The first schools to join
the Trust were ones that had been rated as
failing or given a ‘Requires Improvement’
inspection report by Ofsted, to use its
official terminology. They were schools
where the Department for Education felt
they needed to bring in specialist help to
get a struggling school back on track.
However, such has been the success of
REAch2 (at last count 91% of our schools are
rated Good or Outstanding compared to
9% rated as such when they entered the
Trust) although we still get approached to
take on schools that aren’t performing well,
we are also now approached by schools
with bold ambitions who are looking to
improve further. They appreciate the
expertise and oversight we offer.
In addition, we are also working with
housing developers, where new estates
require a new school to be built; rather than
going into talks with the local authority, they
develop a school with REAch2. A recent
example of this is Lower Farm Academy in
Nuneaton.
How does the Trust oversee its schools?
The executive team includes Directors of
Education who oversee regional clusters of
academies. But while each of our schools
operates within REAch2’s shared values, the
individual schools’ leadership teams are
tasked with running their school maintaining
its own identity and ethos in a way that is
right for its local community.
Why does the trust need governors?
Put simply, governors provide outside
support and challenge to the school’s
management team, which is led by the
headteacher. They can offer their expertise
and knowledge on specific areas – we often
‘‘
find finance, HR and issues around the
school estate are particularly important –
but more generally they provide a role
similar to that of a non-executive director on
a company board: outside ‘eyes and ears’
that bring a different perspective to
decision making.
Headteachers have a huge number of
responsibilities. The vast majority have
spent their careers in the classroom
teaching and their expertise and experience
in some areas outside the education system
can be limited. That’s where the school
governors step in, providing high quality
advice and support.
Each school has a nine-person governing
body, which includes the headteacher, two
other members of the teaching staff and
two parents. Four of the governors are
drawn from the local community and it is
these roles that we’re looking to fill.
Above the school governing body, the
cluster board provides oversight.
What experience do governors need
before taking on a role?
The most important thing to stress is that
governors need no prior experience of
teaching or the education sector, and they
don’t have to be a parent at the school, or
For many of our governors, their involvement with the
governing body is the first time they’ve set foot in a school
since their own primary school days – and boy, do they
find schools and classrooms have changed since then!
‘‘
50 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

indeed ever have been a parent. The only
qualification you need to be a governor is to
be over 18.
Indeed, for many of our governors, their
involvement with the governing body is the
first time they’ve set foot in a school since
their own primary school days – and boy, do
they find schools and classrooms have
changed since then!
What the Trust is looking for are senior
people with a broad spread of skills –
management, strategy, decision-making,
HR, finance, etc – who can assist the
headteacher and senior management team
in running the school.
The most important quality we’re looking
for in our governors is a desire to get
involved with education and to help shape
the futures of our young people.
What training do governors receive?
REAch2’s central team offers training and
support, usually over Zoom, so that
governors are well prepared for their role
and understand the concepts involved in
modern primary schools, their goals and
aspirations for the children. In particular,
training takes in key issues of curriculum,
how to monitor educational progress, as
well as HR, finance and safeguarding –
which is particularly important, as keeping
our children safe and happy at school is
always our number one priority.
What is the time commitment?
There is usually one in-person meeting a
half term, running to a couple of hours. In
addition there may be smaller meetings
covering key specialist areas, such as
finance, the building estate and curriculum.
Specialist link roles are available at every
school, covering areas such as IT, the
curriculum and special education needs, for
example. You don’t have to have specialist
knowledge but these are the types of roles
where directors and business managers can
bring their own skills and expertise to bear
directly, providing support to the
headteacher. Offering support on drawing
up budgets is one area where business
owners and directors can be particularly
useful.
Governors are encouraged to pay visits
during the school day from time to time.
Usually these coincide with a lesson
teaching a specific area in which you have
an interest, or a key meeting on a subject
you are providing support on. At school all
governors are encouraged to sit in on a
lesson, speak to teaching staff directly and
perhaps have lunch with the children.
It’s a great way to get to know the school
and understand its successes and
challenges.
Whatever role you take on, there is plenty
of support. REAch2 has a body of resources
that cover all eventualities in schools, all
backed by 10 years’ experience running
academies and our highly knowledgeable
management team.
What do governors get out of the
experience?
Our governors develop a real sense of
involvement in something that is crucial to
the wellbeing of our society: the education
of the next generation. Primary schools put
in place the essential building blocks of
education that are developed further by
secondary schools and later colleges and
universities. You will have a role in shaping
the young people of today into the citizens
of tomorrow.
You will also get an idea of the challenges
facing education and deeper knowledge of
how the education sector operates, as well
as become part of the school community.
We look on our governors as ‘Ambassadors
at Large’, promoting the school.
It’s all a positive addition to your personal
professional development.
Taking on the role of governor is also
useful for those senior business people who
work alone but want to develop board skills
and understand better how local authorities
and the public sector works. It helps you
build relationships with people from very
different sectors, who may have different
priorities to your own sector.
It’s also a great way to develop your soft
skills and is a transferable skill that will stand
you in good stead in the rest of your career.
Where do you operate – and how do I
get in touch?
Opportunities exist across West
Midlands. We have primary schools under
the REAch2 banner in Burton,
Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Stafford,
Norton Canes and Nuneaton.
To find out more, contact Siobhan at
siobhan.chester@reach2.org or call
01283 246433 . Alternatively, see
https://www.reach2.org/contact/
or you can also search ‘Inspiring
Governance - Become a School
Governor’ for wider governing body
opportunities in your area.
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 51

SPOTLIGHT FEATURE: THE LEVELLING-UP AGENDA
Whole of the
UK is open for
investment -
not just London
Local economies hold key to
the UK’s global ambitions
Levelling-up the UK’s economy has been a
central theme of this Government’s agenda,
cemented by the new Levelling Up White
Paper released in early February. There’s
good reason for this new focus: the UK has
one of the most imbalanced economies in
the developed world. This has to change.
Until this point, the Government’s leading
measure to tackle the issue was the
development of the Levelling-Up Fund – a
£4.8bn investment to support high-street
regeneration and local transport projects and
cultural assets.
There was also the ‘Towns Fund’, a pot of
£3.6bn that is being distributed to areas
across England to support initiatives such as
street cleaning and turning derelict buildings
into new homes.
This will now be bolstered by the 12
missions to create fairer societies and more
equal economies across the UK by 2030.
There is further good news, with promises
to significantly increase public research and
development spending outside of the South
East of England, and a commitment to drive
housebuilding up and down the country.
Levelling-up in the
West Midlands
Later this month, Birmingham will host the 2022
Commonwealth Games. It is an important platform for
‘Brand UK’, and will also put the West Midlands in the
spotlight with major trade partners, including India,
Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Canada. That’s a
combined audience – or market – an audience of 1.5 billion
people, and creates an opportunity to build on the region
and the UK’s existing economic ties with these
Commonwealth markets.
As the first-ever net-zero Commonwealth Games,
Birmingham 2022 will also showcase the UK and West
Midlands’ position as the home of the green industrial
revolution. Greentech and innovation from across the UK
will drive our carbon-zero economy, and regions such as
the West Midlands, with its leading cluster of automotive
research facilities and global manufacturers, will be pivotal
to this.
These sectors fly the flag for British talent, innovation
and ingenuity, which will continue to make the region
appealing to international investors.
52 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

UPS Polar Speed’s state-of-the-art logistics and
cold storage facility at The Hub in Birmingham
Delivering foreign investment
to region is vital – and West
Midlands is leading the pack
Defying global economic uncertainties
posed by the Coronavirus pandemic, the
West Midlands has once again emerged as
the UK’s leading location for attracting
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) outside
London and the South East – the fourth
consecutive year that the region has held the
top spot.
145 FDI projects landed in the region
during the 2020/21 financial year, official data
from the Department for International Trade
(DIT) shows.
Attracting more projects than Scotland
and Northern Ireland combined, the West
Midlands holds the third largest share of all
UK regions outside the capital and South
East areas, responsible for 9.4% of the UK’s
total FDI landscape.
Meanwhile, jobs created by overseas
investors during the same period totalled
4,443, bucking the declining national trend
to mark a 14% increase in employment from
the previous year.
Neil Rami, chief executive of the West
Midlands Growth Company – the region’s
investment promotion agency – said: “As
well as reinforcing the West Midlands’
consistent stronghold on inbound FDI, these
figures sharpen the case for matching the
region’s international success with devolved
investment autonomy.
“If we are serious about levelling up our
economy and indeed Britain’s declining
share of global foreign investment, we must
decentralise the country’s FDI levers away
from London and devolved nations
Levelling-Up
funds will be
invested in
transforming
urban areas
across the UK
exclusively, and towards
globally appealing, highly
productive regions like ours. As
overseas competition heats-up
post-Brexit, now is the time to unleash the
West Midlands investment potential – DIT’s
latest ranking is clear testament to that.”
The role of FDI in levelling up the UK
To level up is to reduce inequality between
places while improving outcomes in all
places. FDI does this by creating a more
competitive business environment, retaining
and attracting talent, and contributing to
increased exports.
Most importantly, these benefits lead to
economic growth and better social
conditions through employment and
innovation – creating more prosperous and
sustainable local economies.
Foreign-owned businesses are significant
contributors to the national economy,
employing nearly 16 per cent of the UK
workforce and generating 40 per cent of
turnover, according to the Office for National
Statistics.
The UK is well established as one of the
world’s most attractive destinations for FDI.
In the two decades to 2016, the number of
foreign investments made in the capital more
than tripled, while the number of projects in
the rest of the UK fell by 15%.
As Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in
July 2021: “Talent, energy, enthusiasm and
flair are evenly spread across the UK” – so
why shouldn’t inward investment follow suit?
FDI: who’s coming
to the region?
Notable investments from the past 12
months include a new specialist HQ in
Sandwell for German-owned
sustainable engineering firm
thyssenkrupp; the arrival of historic
automotive marque Lotus Cars to
Wellesbourne, Warwickshire; and the
launch of a state-of-the-art logistics
and cold storage facility from US
healthcare supply chain firm, UPS Polar
Speed.
Billy Kingsbury, chief operating
officer at thyssenkrupp UK, said:
“Representing thyssenkrupp’s only UK
investment during the pandemic, our
new fabrications facility in the West
Midlands brings together two essential
divisions of the company – Materials
and Aerospace – to create a highly
productive and specialist UK
headquarters.
“The Sandwell-based site is a
strategically important centre for our
Materials-as-a-Service capability,
supporting the carbon-neutral
production of lightweight, bolt-on
balconies, where we utilise cuttingedge,
off-site construction techniques
to drive forward a more sustainable
future for urban economies,
internationally.
“We have exciting plans to further
expand our carbon-conscious
production expertise in Sandwell and
look forward to sharing more details in
due course.”
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 53

EVENTS: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
See you Third Week
Wednesday!
Each third week Wednesday, Chamber members, and nonmembers,
meet for a FREE monthly networking session.
We’re delighted to be meeting live and face-to-face again at Walsall
College in the Littleton Restaurant, Wisemore Campus, Littleton Street
West, Walsall, WS2 8ES.
Meet at 9.45am for a short introduction from the college before
‘Open Networking’ kicks off through until through until 11.30am.
Get involved and raise your business profile via your social media
platforms and amplify your attendance by bringing along your
smartphones and tablets.
Tag, like, share and comment using the Twitter @blkcountryhour with
the following tags:
#tww
#blkcountryhour
@bcccmembers
plus your own businesses and
friends, to network, share, retweet
and raise your profile.
Don’t forget to share your
experience and post on LinkedIn too
by tagging Black Country Chamber
of Commerce and your host, Richard
Brooks.
We will also be running short
individual business interviews
broadcasted over Twitter, (live streamed) and left as a tweet via our
‘Twitter Hour’ profile – ‘The Black Country Hour’ found
@blkcountryhour from 11am, so bring your pitch and your contact
details if you want to plunge in!
For more details on these networking events
and how you can join in, email
membership@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
or contact Richard Brooks on 07796 242029
Anyone for golf?
Join us at the Black Country Chamber
Business Golf Day and enjoy a day of
high-level networking and golf in a
relaxed environment.
Teeing off on September 29 at Oxley
Park Golf Club in Wolverhampton, teams of
four are invited for the 18-hole shotgun
start after breakfast with 80 like-minded
golfers and business leaders.
Fun, food, networking and prizes are on
offer as the Chamber hosts the day in
conjunction with Neil Betteridge and his
professional golf management team at
Amros along with our charity partner, Black
Country Mental Health.
Event details:
Teams of 4
Chamber Members: £335 + VAT per team,
based on a first come, first served basis.
Non-members: £365 + VAT per team.
Charity partner
For more details contact
Richard Brooks on 07796 242029
or via richardbrooks@
blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Oxley Golf Club is a first-class
parkland course that offers a true
test for golfers of all abilities
Alternatively, if you’d like to discuss
sponsorship opportunities on the
day, please call Neil Betteridge,
Professional Golf Event Management
at Amros on 07792 620355 or email
nkb@amrospromotions.co.uk
54 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

EVENTS: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Big Business @B63 Breakfast Event
There’s a new monthly breakfast networking
event on the first Wednesday of the Month.
Providing a fantastic opportunity to
network with like-minded businesses each
month, the Big Business @B63 ‘breakfast
event’ is hosted by Halesowen College,
sponsored by The Halesowen Bid and
powered by The Black Country Chamber of
Commerce.
It starts at 7.45am, running until 9.15am.
For more details contact
Richard Brooks on 07796 242029
or via richardbrooks@
blackcountrychamber.co.uk
2022 Summer Events
Programme
JULY
13 Start-Up Press &
PR Workshop
14 & 28 Black Country Business
Clubs
20 Third Week Wednesday
AUGUST
3 Big Business @ B63
11 & 25 Black Country Business
Clubs
17 Third Week Wednesday
SEPTEMBER
6 Social Media Content,
Theory & Principles
7 Big Business @ B63
8 & 22 Black Country Business
Clubs
16 Black Country
Chamber Awards
21 Third Week Wednesday
29 Golf Day
The place to be when you’re making a start!
Taking your first steps at being your own
boss? Perhaps you want a better work/life
balance, want to be your own boss or you
have a great vision but don’t know where to
start?
Well, Black Country Chamber’s Start-up
Business Club can help!
It is the place to make new connections,
learn from experienced professionals and
develop the skills and understanding
needed to take your new business venture
to the next level.
Join today and enjoy ongoing business
support. Find out more from:
AlisonTrinder@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
Start-Up Business Club Events
Start-Up Workshop
August 16, 10am - 12noon
All About Cyber Security Workshop
September 14, 10am - 12noon
Start-Up Workshop
October 12, 10am - 12noon
Start-Up Celebration Of Enterprise &
Entrepreneurship Week
November 10, 10am - 12noon
Venue for all events: Black Country &
Marches Institute of Technology, Zoological
Drive, Dudley DY1 4AL
All events are FREE to Start-Up Business
Club members. Non-members, £25 + VAT.
• If you are not a member of the Start-Up
Business Club and would like to book your
place, email
AlisonTrinder@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
OCTOBER
12 Establishing a Presence
on LinkedIn
NOVEMBER
8 Creating Your First Facebook
Ads Campaign
22 Getting to Grips with
Financials
DECEMBER
8 LinkedIn Lead Generation
JANUARY 2023
10 Advanced Meta Ads
Management
For further information and to book
for any of the Chamber events
please visit:
www.blackcountrychamber
ofcommerce.co.uk/events
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 55

EVENTS: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Exclusive networking opportunities at the
Black Country Business Club
Exclusive closed networking club
for businesses across the region
The Black Country Business Club provides a
platform where individuals can build
business relationships and promote their
products and services within a friendly and
supportive environment.
The event is live, face-to-face and meets
every fortnight on a Thursday morning from
9.30am until 11.30am.
Chamber members and non-members
are welcome to come along and visit to see
how everything works before committing to
the Club. There is an additional annual cost
to be part of the Business Club network.
At each meeting, one delegate has the
opportunity to co-host and use a 10-minute
slot to promote their business, while every
other delegate gets the opportunity to
provide a short 60-second pitch, to share
their latest news or highlight a key product/
service.
Rules of Engagement!
Members of the club agree to the
following principles:
• Only two businesses per sector/
industry will be allowed to join
• There will be a maximum of 50
members
• Membership is on a first-come,
first-served basis with a final decision on a
membership application made by the Black
Country Chamber of Commerce
• Each business is expected to deliver a
minimum of one 10-minute ‘presentation’
each year at their Club, and all businesses
deliver a 60-second pitch at every meeting
The Club will meet once a fortnight.
Cost*. There is an additional cost for the
club dependent upon which Chamber
membership you hold.
Only one representative from a business
can attend each session.
Across 25 meetings, a no show at three
consecutive Clubs will mean that a member
has forfeited their right to be part of the
Club and will be barred from future Clubs
with no refund given.
For further information, email
membership@blackcountry
chamber.co.uk
Alternatively call Graham Croom on
07714 740818 or Alison Trinder on
07980 906921 for a free guest pass*
to the next meeting.
We would love to meet you.
Establishing a presence on Linkedin
Event In Focus
Location: Online Event
Date: October 12
Time: 1pm-3pm
Cost: Members: £100 + VAT
Non-members: £125 + VAT
LinkedIn is the largest business-oriented
networking website geared specifically
towards professionals and is the world’s
premier business network, with 722 million
members as of January 2022
A professionally written LinkedIn profile
allows you to create an online brand which
can help open doors to opportunities and
networks that you may not have been aware
of without the help of social media.
The platform gives you the ability to
showcase your profile, expertise,
recommendations and connections. Not
only is your profile the first professional
impression of you when recruiters and
employers use LinkedIn to search for
candidates, but it also demonstrates
credibility in your industry and highlights
your achievements.
Many people still underestimate the
importance of LinkedIn and are sometimes
reluctant to embrace social media.
LinkedIn has experienced phenomenal
growth throughout 2020, increasing its
membership by nearly 80 million users.
Previously seen by some as a little more
than an online directory of contacts,
LinkedIn has become a critical tool in
‘‘
Once seen as little more
than an online directory,
LinkedIn has become a
critical tool for generating
new business
‘‘
generating new business.
However, before that can be harnessed,
it’s vital to ensure that you have a presence
on the platform that not only accurately
represents you and your business but
compels people to connect and engage
with you.
Join the Chamber for this two-hour
workshop and learn:
n The importance and value of personal
professional profiles in supporting a
company presence
n How to optimise the key components
of both personal profiles and business
pages to effectively sell yourself and your
business
n How to navigate LinkedIn’s newsfeed
effectively and efficiently to save you time
and show you relevant content
To book on this event, email
membership@blackcountry
chamber.co.uk
56 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

EVENTS: TRAINING
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COURSES
Training Dates for the Diary
Since the Brexit vote, the end of the
transition period and now the introduction
of the UK and EU Trade & Co-operation
Agreement, there are many more
procedures, protocols and systems
businesses need to be aware of.
The Black Country Chamber of
Commerce has been involved in the delivery
of trade skills workshops for many years and
has an established reputation for the quality
and relevance of these courses and their
contribution to the up skilling of British
exporters.
Our courses cover a range of topics and,
working with the British Chambers of
For more information and
bookings please
contact Kristian Jones
on 07976 901502
Commerce, we have identified a curriculum
of 10 level courses which provide
foundational knowledge and skills required
to trade effectively.
These courses are accredited by British
Chambers of Commerce and are delivered
by our professionally registered trainers
virtually. At the end of each session,
participants will complete a course
assessment for that module which will be
submitted for independent approval who
will award successful participants a
nationally recognised Foundation Award in
International Trade if they complete six of
the 10 identified courses.
COURSES
July 7:
Import Procedures Training –
A Practical Guide to Importing
July 12:
Export: Letters of Credit
July 27:
Understanding Exporting
September 8:
Understanding Incoterms 2020
September 22:
Preference Rules of Origin
October 6:
Export Documentation Workshop
October 11:
Export: Letters of Credit
November 9:
Import Procedure Training –
A Practical guide to Importing
December 8:
Understanding Incoterms 2020
January 18, 2023:
Preference Rules of Origin
February 15:
Export Documentation Workshop
February 21:
Export: Letters of Credit
March 15:
Import Procedures Training – A
Practical Guide to Importing
Getting to grips with financials
Date: November 22
Time: 9:30 - 12:30
Venue: Online Workshop
Cost: Members: £200 + VAT
Non- members: £250 + VAT
This workshop allows you to understand and
improve financial processes and information
to enable you to make more effective
strategic decisions.
What this workshop will cover
n Financial Systems & Processes - what
you are currently doing and what needs to
be in place
n Financials - making sense of financials
n Profit & Loss
n Balance Sheet
n Financial Ratios
n Managing Cash-Flow & Credit Control
This workshop is ideal for people in a
business who are involved in financial
processes or someone who would like more
of an insight into the financial side of a
business.
The training will be delivered by Ralph
Savage from DRS Business Solutions.
Ralph is an experienced business advisor
and past finance director providing financial
and commercial support to businesses.
After developing and refining his financial
skills in accountancy practices, Ralph has
worked in manufacturing for over 20 years
up to senior board level.
For further information and to book
your place please contact
Kristian Jones on kristianjones@
blackcountrychamber.co.uk
or call 07951 696177
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 57

EVENTS: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Plotting a path to better directors
Developing professionals across the
Black Country and beyond with
Chamber Director and Board
development programmes
Agile programmes with fresh and
relevant content that confront the challenges
business leaders are facing today
Leadership and governance have rarely
been more crucial to enable robust
planning, critical analysis and strategic
impetus which benefit and grow our
businesses. The past two years have been a
time for business leaders to think and act
quickly in response to a continuously
evolving business environment. Looking
after the interests of multiple other people,
it is often difficult to make time to stop and
think about yourself and recharge your
batteries for the next period.
Seldom has it been more important to
devote time to understanding yourself, your
leadership approach and establishing how
you can best build and deploy your strengths.
Led by business professionals with a wealth
of cross sector experience bringing topics
and themes to life with practice, real
world examples, our Director and Board
Development series builds and reinforces the
competencies needed to be an exemplar
Director and leader by covering the vital
aspects of directorship and approaches which
make these roles more effective to tackle
issues, embrace opportunities and lead
transformational change.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
The Role & Responsibility of a Director
October 4-5 (two-day workshop)
Directors frequently underappreciate the
responsibility which comes with such
positions including statutory or fiduciary
duties and other legal obligations. This
informative workshop develops knowledge
and insights into the essential
responsibilities of being a director.
Member Price: £1500 + vat
Non-Member Price: £1800 + vat
The Role of Finance in Business
July 12-13 / November 15-16
(two-day workshop)
Directors are expected to be familiar with
the financial health of their business and be
able to interrogate information, be aware of
concepts, terminology and other factors to
make sound financial judgements in line with
their legal responsibilities. This workshop is
ideal for Non–Financial Directors.
Member Price: £1500 + vat
Non-Member Price: £1800 + vat
Leading Strategic Change
Sept 13 & 27 (two-day workshop)
These highly interactive and practical
workshops equip Directors to challenge,
drive, and confidently contribute fully to the
decision-making process based upon
understanding the situational context,
drivers and regulatory frameworks their
business operates into craft and set
meaningful and valuable strategy.
Member Price: £1500 + vat
Non-Member Price: £1800 + vat
Your Leadership Approach
October 11 (one-day workshop)
Effective Directors deploy the strengths
and talent to drive their business forward.
No universal ‘right’ approach exists and, as
such, honing self-awareness and the most
appropriate skills for the right situation are
needed to influence, enthuse and lead.
Member Price: £750 + vat
Non-Member Price: £900 + vat
Building Better Boards
November 1 (one-day workshop)
With responsibility for the oversight of
strategic change in organisation and legal
obligations, Boards need to work together
to make informed yet hard choices which are
right for the business.
Effective Boards consider and value the
multitude of voices and experiences of their
members to create a fertile ground for
debate, discussion, challenge and the
convergence of capabilities and ideas.
Member Price: £750 + vat
Non-Member Price: £900 + vat
The Effective Non-Executive Director
December 6 (one-day workshop)
Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) are there
to provide their experience, perspectives
and support directors and manager to
deliver plans and realise objectives.
Alongside the legal responsibilities, NEDs
must have highly developed self-awareness,
the ability to set strategic direction,
influencing skills and conviction.
Member Price: £750 + vat
Non-Member Price: £900 + vat
For more information visit: Director and Board
Development - Black Country Chamber of Commerce
or contact Calum Nisbet at:
calumnisbet@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
58 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

EVENTS: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Unleash your
potential:
Management development programmes
with the Chamber
Exploring new approaches, insights and taking
part in an outstanding professional journey
In order for the Black Country to remain
competitive and thrive, great business
leaders and dynamic managers are needed.
​There are many who find themselves in
management positions or elevated to roles
that feel they have missed out on essential
training which allows them to be effective
and deliver success for themselves and their
business.
​For the past five years the Black Country
Chamber has worked with Lotus Flower
Consultancy in order to help those
individuals who want to challenge
themselves to develop new insights, explore
different approaches and share invaluable
development experiences.
​Over 200 individuals have taken their
learning back to 140 businesses to
help navigate challenges, embrace
the opportunities and help their
teams and businesses grow.
​In recent months, these leaders
and managers have stepped up to
lead through the most turbulent of
times, and while utilising the
invaluable lessons learned, they
have led from the front and will
continue doing so during the
uncertain months ahead.
Designed to stretch and challenge
participants, these training programmes are
run with participants from different
backgrounds, experiences and industries
creating a diverse environment where
individuals can test and apply learning and
developing together.
COURSE MODULES
n What is a manager? Introduction to management
and the manager’s role
n Using your time effectively and efficiently
n Communication and delivery of the right messages
at the right times
n Styles and dynamics which create a good team
n Getting the most from meetings
n Delivering a great presentation which gets the right results
n Building commercial awareness and acumen
n Preparation and successful management of change
n Develop a toolkit of skills and techniques to make a
lasting impact when presenting ideas and information
n Stakeholder and relationship mapping and management
n How to run and deliver a project well
n Clarify the purpose and principles or project management
and review roles and responsibilities
n Getting the best from your team and helping them to
perform better
n Coach and develop your teams and people
n Consider development aims for the next six months which
include reflection on this Programme’s learning outcomes
COST:
Take the full 12-month programme or pick and choose a module of your choice
Full 12-month programme: Members of Black Country Chamber – £1,595.00 + VAT
Non-members – £1,995.00 + VAT
Per module: Members of Black Country Chamber – £250 + VAT
Non-members – £295 + VAT
Places are available for
the September cohort, so
for more information and
to discuss the Chamber’s
easy payment options,
please contact Kristian
Jones on 07976 901502
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 59

PROSPER PEOPLE: OUT AND ABOUT AT THE BLACK COUNTRY’S SOCIAL EVENTS
Black Country Women in Leadership
celebrate International Women’s Day
Internet sensation Jackie Weaver called on women to
recognise their own abilities and consider putting themselves
forward at a Black Country Women in Leadership event
organised to coincide with International Women’s Day. Jackie,
the chief officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils,
shot to fame during lockdown in February 2021 when a
Handforth Parish Council meeting she was chairing descended
into chaos as male councillors shouted at her – and quickly went
viral, thrusting Jackie into the limelight
Triumphing over adversity: Steps to Work hosted a glamorous
awards event for participants on the Black Country Building Better
Opportunities project; Bridges, funded by the European Social Fund
and the National Lottery Community Fund. The project supports
unemployed people across the region to overcome barriers and move
closer towards securing meaningful, long-term employment.
The event showcased some of the most inspiring achievements from
project participants, awarding those who had gone above and beyond
to overcome multiple and complex barriers in recognition of their hard
work, grit and determination.
Awards included the Achievement Against the Odds Award,
Volunteer of the Year and Outstanding Commitment amongst others.
Awards showcase: Many events and awards showcase the
contribution of the UK’s Armed Forces, but there has never been an
event focusing purely on celebrating the valued support of serving
military families. Until now that is…..
The Chamber’s Armed Forces Champion Sarah Walker gave up her
own time to help organise the ‘Celebrating Forces Families Awards’ at
the Victory Services Club in London recently.
These are the first awards aimed at celebrating military families’
resilience, altruistic attitudes, triumph over adversity, and inspiring
career paths.
Distinguished guests joined forces families from across the world as
the Military Wives Choir sang everyone through to dinner, followed by a
personal message from the Duchess of Cornwall.
60 PROSPER SUMMER 2022

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce External
Affairs Team hit the red carpet at the Express & Star
Business Awards after being shortlisted for an award in
the Best Marketing Campaign category.
Sponsored Breaks, the unique concept that raises
awareness of keyworkers and businesses that give
generously to amazing causes, became a Theo Paphitis
SBS winner recently.
The venture, run by husband and wife team Simon and
Harriet Love, involves providing free campervan holidays
to the most deserving, funded by sponsorships.
The Chamber Military Network
hosted a breakfast meeting during
Armed Forces Week in June, to
celebrate Armed Forces Reserves Day.
The event was held to help businesses
understand the Armed Forces
Reserves and their role in defence and
business. Among the speakers were
Black Country Chamber’s commercial
services director Calum Nisbet and
Chamber Armed Forces champion
Sarah Walker (pictured above).
Wolverhampton Grammar School pupils went
from ‘coast to coast’ in aid of Teenage Cancer
Trust – a charity the Chamber is supporting this
year. The group of nine intrepid Year 10
completed the arduous 170-mile hike from St
Bees to Robin Hood Bay.
Teenage Cancer Trust was chosen because of
its personal impact on members of the team.
Grace Higgins from Teenage Cancer Trust and
Morgan, a family friend of one of the runners,
were there to see the team off.
Morgan explained how at the age of 20 he
had benefited from treatment for Leukaemia in
the Young Persons Unit at the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital Birmingham funded by Teenage Cancer
Trust.
PROSPER SUMMER 2022 61

IN PROFILE: HIGGS LLP
Every day’s a learning day at Higgs LLP
Creating an environment which offers
an opportunity for all of its people to
embark on bespoke learning and
development programmes is a core strategy
for the Black Country’s leading law firm.
Higgs LLP demonstrates its support for
the career pathway of each of its colleagues
in numerous ways, from a flourishing
apprenticeship programme to an in-house
mentoring scheme.
The leading regional law firm has almost
150 years of heritage, playing its part in
helping promote the Black Country as a
dynamic and innovative place to do business.
Sophie Wardell, HR director at Higgs LLP,
told Prosper, “Our mission statement is
forging long-term relationships with our
people, clients, business partners and
community.
“We are proud to have an extremely
talented team which provides outstanding
support and advice in a range of legal
disciplines to businesses across the Black
Country and beyond, but every individual at
Higgs LLP is continually looking to develop.
“As a business, we look to provide the
framework for that development and create
a culture which offers an opportunity for our
people to build, and engage in, their own
learning programme or initiative, while at
the same time providing individuals the
chance to take ownership of their progress.”
Higgs LLP’s strategy is designed to
empower people to define their own goals,
to collaborate with each other and share
learning and knowledge.
The firm currently supports eight
apprentices studying qualifications while
learning on the job from highly-experienced
colleagues from finance, private client,
personal injury and Court of Protection.
The current tranche of apprentices
includes Higgs’ first solicitor apprentice in
Latoyah Thompson while Zoe Beviss, who
joined Higgs as an office assistant at the
age of 16, is now progressing through a
CILEx Level 3 Paralegal apprenticeship with
a view to becoming a qualified legal
executive.
Zoe said: “Higgs has been brilliant for me
and has always encouraged me to seek
progression opportunities.
“The apprenticeship has allowed me to
expand my knowledge further.”
Higgs’ commitment to the development
of the next generation of talent across the
region has been further emphasised with
the firm sponsoring the Apprentice of the
Year: Professional Services category at the
Ladder for the Black Country
Apprenticeship Awards 2022, due to be
held later this year.
Higgs also recently became a Cornerstone
Employer by partnering with the Black
Country Consortium, meaning they act as
an ambassador within their employer
network and encourage more employers to
engage with young people in the area.
The programme of development at Higgs
LLP, however, is far from restricted to
apprentices.
The firm has recently selected Litera’s
Objective Manager as its strategic planning
and performance enablement partner.
Using Objective Manager, Higgs LLP
enables its people to drive the firm’s
ambitions forward by aligning strategic
planning with individual goals and check-in
meetings, driving growth, increasing
engagement, identifying and meeting skills
‘‘
Sharing knowledge is a big part of our
learning and development programmes
and teams have the flexibility to approach
it in the way that best suits them.
Liz Gwillim, learning and knowledge manager
Members of the Higgs LLP property team
gaps and improving the client experience.
In addition, Higgs also offer an Aspire
programme to trainees, newly qualified and
early career lawyers to further enhance their
skillset, deliver on their potential and help
achieve individual and team goals.
This scheme is headlined by Olivia
Stoddart, formerly of the BBC and a Magic
Circle lawyer who delivers coaching and skills
training to the professional services industry.
In addition, an in-house mentoring
programme is in place involving more than
50 colleagues.
Liz Gwillim, Higgs’ dedicated learning
and knowledge manager, said: “We
currently have 26 mentoring relationships
and we are extremely proud of the scheme.
“Sharing knowledge is a big part of our
learning and development programmes and
teams have the flexibility to approach it in
the way that best suits them.
“We are aware that everyone’s learning
requirements – as well as the way they learn
– are very different so we ensure that
everyone in the firm can create their own
bespoke development plan which we
support in any way we can as a firm.”
‘‘
62 PROSPER SUMMER 2022