Unlocking tech and life sciences growth was the focus of the One Thousand Trades Group (OTTG) summer social networking event in Birmingham.
Sir Andy Street, former West Midlands mayor, and current Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, joined 100 business leaders in a packed courtyard at the Hotel du Vin last night.
Professor Paul Cadman, chief exec of the OTTG, said: “It was great to see civic leaders and business leaders discussing the future potential of Birmingham and the wider region.
“The Life Sciences Quarter, the Creative Quarter, the Knowledge & Tech Quarter, the Sports Quarter – all currently taking shape as billions of pounds of investment pour in.”
Guests heard from reps of many of the companies in the group:
- Gary Sambrook, managing partner of public affairs agency Walk Through Walls.
- Tilton Storer, special projects lead at jobs agency Starting Point Recruitment.
- Richard Fallon, chief exec of membership organisation Technology Supply Chain.
- Amy Deakin, director of medtech event Life Sciences Week.
- Simon Evans, editor of West Midlands News.
The event was a profile-raiser for the upcoming Life Sciences Week 2025, in its inaugural year, running at venues across Birmingham from September 15 to 19, as well as the annual business recognition programme, the Innovation Awards, the finale of which is on November 21.
Birmingham’s leading nature expert
Attending last night was Chris Millward, co-founder of Team4Nature, who said: “It was inspiring and uplifting to talk to so many people who carry our great city and its communities in their heart.”
This Sunday Chris embarks on the last of four “baton walks” across Birmingham’s parks to mark the 20th anniversary of the Birmingham Open Spaces Forum charity.
Next month he will feature in Life Sciences Week, creating a green ecosystem within the Conference Launch Event on Monday September 15 at Millennium Point.
On Friday September 19, from 2pm 3.30pm, he will lead a walking workshop called “Life with Nature”.
