Marketing Birmingham has now recruited over 100 commercial partners as it steps up its international investment promotion efforts.
Birmingham West Midlands
A total of 28 companies have joined forces with the city’s strategic marketing partnership since the start of April 2012, including international law firm Wragge & Co, leading construction group Skanska and public services provider Amey. Also joining forces with the city promotion agency are property developer Nikal, executive recruitment providers Odgers and recent investors in the city US architects Gensler.
Marketing Birmingham’s Chief Executive, Neil Rami, commented: “We believe that involving local businesses directly in the city’s investment promotion is essential if we are to deliver significant economic growth.
“Our Commercial Partnerships programme is an increasingly valuable business development and marketing tool for local companies. The fact that some 100 companies are now supporting our national and international marketing campaigns is testament to the value they place on this activity for the city and the return it delivers for those involved.”
Commercial partners work closely with Marketing Birmingham to promote the region as a leading business destination through its inward investment programme Business Birmingham. Companies involved receive access to business and networking opportunities in addition to other benefits, including access to the company’s global marketing, business development and PR platforms and networks.
David Vaughan, Senior Corporate Partner at Wragge & Co, which has just joined as a Principal Partner, added: “Wragge & Co has signed up to become a Principal Partner of Marketing Birmingham, having been impressed with the insight and ambition of its Business Birmingham inward investment programme. We are keen to apply our expertise on Business Birmingham’s target sectors and international markets to maximise opportunities for the city to win further foreign direct investment.”
The launch of inward investment programme Business Birmingham has provided partners with the opportunity to support investors as they expand or locate in the city, particularly in key target sectors that include advanced manufacturing, business services and digital media.
Wouter Schuitemaker, Investment Director at Marketing Birmingham, explained: “Competition to lure foreign direct investment is stronger than ever, with the locations that can provide a high-quality network of sector expertise and local business knowledge tending to be the most successful. The network of commercial partners now in place to support Business Birmingham effectively acts as the bedrock of our delivery strategy. This collective effort has undoubtedly strengthened our market positioning and the breadth of services we can offer to potential investors.”
Julian Price, Area Manager at leading UK construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall, which has become a corporate partner, said: “We have recently signed up as a partner and believe in the proactive approach that Marketing Birmingham is taking to promote the area.
“Birmingham has a growing reputation both as a business and leisure destination and it’s essential that we work together for the long-term benefit of the city. Morgan Sindall works for private and public sector customers across a range of sectors to provide better working, learning and living environments as well as improved infrastructure networks. Our stakeholding in the city makes us an excellent partner to help Marketing Birmingham deliver success.”
Professional services firm PwC is one of Marketing Birmingham’s longest-established principal partners. Mark Smith, Chairman of the Midlands practice of PwC, said: “Being a partner of Marketing Birmingham is extremely positive for us and it encourages those involved to support the region’s critically important tourism and inward investment agendas. The wider Midlands business community has a vital role to play in helping to build confidence and sharing information about what the region is about, and its notable successes.”