University partners share united vision for regional growth at Westminster reception

MPs, dignitaries, professionals and academics rallied to discuss the importance of harnessing education and new technology in the regeneration of the West Midlands at an event at the House of Commons sponsored by University College Birmingham and the University of Warwick.

The Centre for the New Midlands (CNM) hosted its first winter reception at the prestigious Churchill Room in the Palace of Westminster, an event sparking lively discussion around the stimulation of the regional economy and the role local business and entrepreneurship has in renewing the region’s fortunes.

The event was the chance for University College Birmingham and the University of Warwick, which launched a partnership this year, to share their united vision for improving access to training and education through the establishment of a holistic partnership designed to develop new schemes, programmes and initiatives to meet the evolving needs of the region. 

With guest speakers including Andy Street CBE, Mayor of the West Midlands, and Saqib Bhatti MBE, Conservative MP for Meriden, the event saw local business owners share their views on boosting regional growth.

They included Haydn Povey, founder of device security experts Secure Thingz, who spoke of the importance of protecting business infrastructure to ensure longevity and continued growth in an increasingly competitive market.

Professor Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at University College Birmingham, said of the university partnership’s involvement: “The event was an excellent opportunity for us to not only share our ambitions and vision for our partnership with the University of Warwick, but to reinforce our commitment and critical role in delivering for our region. 

“The West Midlands is a region of unlimited potential, as is our partnership, and our message at the House of Commons was clear. We, along with the Centre for the New Midlands, will champion our people and our industry to build a better West Midlands.”

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick, said: “Our partnership with University College Birmingham is a unique approach to working together to make a difference to the West Midlands region through education, skills development and employability.

“We recognise the importance of building on our complementary strengths of high-quality teaching, vocational qualifications, employer engagement, and connecting graduates to high value and high demand job sectors, working together for a stronger region. 

“It’s important that we share our vision with MPs and policy makers, and work closely with advocates for the region such as the Centre for the New Midlands and with the support from Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands.”

The evening also provided members of the CNM Reimagining the Region membership the opportunity to meet with their peers, as well as parliamentarians from across the West Midlands region, in order to forge new relationships and partnerships that eventually drive real tangible change.