Wars, famine, sectarian violence and scandals are all over the news. Maybe we need to remind ourselves why the West Midlands is a great place to live and work – and why it’s going to get even better.
Why this is a great place to live and work
Vibrant cities like Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and a network of lively towns like Solihull, Walsall and Dudley offer urban life with green space and heritage.
One of the most ethnically diverse regions in the UK, with a rich cultural mix, inclusive communities and strong community ties. Look at all the different kinds of food and nightlife available on our doorsteps.
A thriving economy: over 2.8m jobs in the region and an economy worth more than £120bn. That’s bigger than the economies of Kenya, Morocco and Bulgaria to name but a few.
Home to global employers like Jaguar Land Rover, HSBC UK, BT, Cadbury, and booming sectors in tech, health, advanced manufacturing and the creative industries.
A central location with superb connectivity and it’s getting better all the time.
World-class education and talent. We are home to leading universities such as Birmingham, Warwick, Aston, Coventry, BCU and more.
A young, growing population driving innovation and workforce renewal. Nearly 40% of people in Birmingham are under 25
On food, think of the Balti Triangle and Digbeth Dining Club.
Birthplace of heavy metal and Bhangra is played everywhere. We have Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Symphony Orchestra and Coventry was the UK City of Culture in 2021.
Green spaces include the Malvern Hills, Cannock Chase and more than 23,000 hectares of parks.
Why the futue looks even better
Major investments are pouring in. Billions of pounds in infrastructure such as the Midland Metro extension, new homes, commercial districts and 5G roll-out.
Regeneration projects in Birmingham include Smithfield, Digbeth, Coventry city centre, Wolverhampton canalside and more.
Green and digital transformation are coming too. The West Midlands is the UK’s first 5G testbed and a national leader in green jobs, retrofitting, clean transport and low-carbon tech meaning we will hit net zero by 2041.
We are expanding our creative sector and technology. Emerging clusters in film, gaming, virtual production and AI are being driven by the BBC’s Digbeth move.
Create Central, and tech hubs like Bruntwood SciTech and STEAMhouse are creating thousands of new jobs in digital, creative, and life sciences.
The West Midlands Combined Authority is investing heavily in skills bootcamps, apprenticeships, digital upskilling and adult retraining – ensuring local people benefit from future jobs.
The legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games continues to drive tourism, pride and investment. We have global visibility through e-sports events, music tours and international business links.
With all the bad news going on elsewhere, let’s appreciate what we have here and be grateful.
