Harnessing the power
Business leaders and educators discuss future strategies for finding the ‘fire in the belly’ of Birmingham’s next generation
THERE must be more sustained engagement with young people in the West Midlands to harness their future potential, said entrepreneurs and academics when they took part in a networking event hosted by Birmingham-based international law firm Trowers & Hamlins and tech company Entec Si.
Leading figures in business and academia met to discuss how they can help create a diverse, dynamic and inclusive economy as part of the law firm’s ongoing Region in Renaissance campaign – celebrating the strengths and successes of the region.
Back in April the Trowers & Hamlins Renaissance discussion focused on how the West Midlands economy had grown by 24.4 per cent in the past five years to £102 billion and how it being a testbed for 5G technology and autonomous vehicles were key drivers for the future.
This time the discussion turned to how businesses and educational organisations could ensure that a long-lasting legacy was created that would benefit the region in the coming years.
Earlier this month the law firm secured top tier rankings for 14 areas across the UK including two new first tier rankings for corporate M&A and local government West Midlands in the Chambers and Partners 2020 and Legal 500 2019 rankings.
“It is not for one person or institution to define the parameters of success, but for everyone to get together and push the concept of collaboration and collectiveness,” said Amardeep Gill, partner at Trowers & Hamlins and head of its Birmingham office.
“There are such an amazing variety of things happening in the region but it has to be inclusive not just for one segment of society because that’s the way you create diversity.”
Eman Al-Hillawi, of Entec Si, added: “There are a number of businesses here that have spearheaded projects and I’d like to ask them how can we tackle social disparity and how that can be done?”
Amardeep and Eman’s optimistic outlook was shared by guests at the Clayton Hotel in Birmingham City Centre last Thursday night.
Home-grown businesses, socially-minded entrepreneurs and high-tech startups who have relocated to the West Midlands were among those who joined an after-dinner, round-table discussion.
The event celebrated Trowers & Hamlins’ ongoing ‘Region in Renaissance’ theme, exploring how the Midlands can continue to grow and cement its position as a destination of choice for business on a global scale.
The international law firm has been among the global companies showing its faith in Birmingham, announcing double digit growth for the past three consecutive years.