A great year to be a Brummie...our renaissance is well underway

Street, often speaks of a renaissance. He is right.

Our employment levels are at some of the highest they have been for decades, our economy is growing and more startups are setting up here, outside of London, than anywhere else in the country.

This is in no small part due to the team at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), who work tirelessly to support and grow more businesses than ever before including our 3200 membership.

With the opening of HSBC’s new headquarters, more organisations across the country are realising what we have always known, this is the true beating heart of the country.

Two events from the past 12 months really sum up my excitement and optimism.

Firstly, we won the right to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Two statistics really epitomise its importance. In 2022 we will have 1.5 billion eyes from across the world upon us.

Try imagining 1.5 billion for a second or two, it is mind-boggling.

It will be our moment to showcase to the world what Birmingham has to offer. The second statistic is our greatest opportunity.

For the Games to be successful we will need 12,500 volunteers.

Imagine 12,500 ambassadors all over the region, being part of one of the biggest sporting events that a city can host anywhere in the world.

These volunteers will define us for a generation.

The second stand out moment was being awarded the first ever 5G pilot in the country.

Next year will be super-charged by the first ever network of 5G infrastructure. It will be transformative. Not only will I will be able to watch my favourite shows on Netflix faster, but it will mean Birmingham being at the forefront of digital innovations in the healthcare sector, driverless cars and more effective public services through “connected ambulanc- es” and police.

We aren’t without our challenges, of course.

Like the rest of the skills shortage is acute.

There is a lot of good work happening around homelessness but the job isn’t finished.

However I am confident that we have the right leaders across the region to be able to meet these challenges head-on.

As I sit with my family on Christmas Day, I will certainly be grateful for all the good things that have happened this year.

I shall be grateful that I became President of GBCC at a time when our region is roaring.

Our renaissance is well underway and the ’20s will be our decade. Saqib Bhatti is President of

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce “connected CCTV” for our country our

Not only will I will be able to watch my favourite shows on Netflix faster, but it will mean Birmingham being at the forefront of digital innovations.