The region’s workforce has received a massive boost with good news from both the manufacturing and professional sectors.

First came the news that Jaguar Land Rover intend to build a new engine plant in Wolverhampton, creating up to 1,200 jobs, while BMW’s announcement of a £500 million investment at its Mini engine plant at Hams Hall will safeguard the future of the 800-strong workforce there, in a move Business Secretary Vince Cable hailed as “a real tribute to the success of British automotive manufacturing.”

On top of this came an announcement that the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which is responsible for the regulation of solicitors and solicitor practices across England and Wales, will be relocating 600 staff to Birmingham city centre.

In response to this news Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham’s legal and professional services sectors are strong drivers of growth in the city and their development is a key part of our strategy to attract investment. The decision to relocate these staff here, despite stiff competition, reflects the strength of our offer. Our talent pool and skills, location and continuing investment in infrastructure and transport were all deciding factors that have helped to bring these jobs to Birmingham.

“This move, when considered alongside other major regulatory bodies in the city such as the Legal Ombudsman, the Office of the Public Guardian and Gambling Commission further confirms the talent, specialist knowledge and expertise of Birmingham’s legal and professional community.”

Business Birmingham, the city’s inward investment programme, has been working with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and will continue to support them as they develop their presence in the city. The news further Birmingham’s credentials in the legal and professional services sector, which now employs just under a quarter of a million people in the Greater Birmingham area, accounting for over a fifth of all jobs in the region.