Useful contacts and links

Advantage West Midlands Advantage West Midlands was established by the Government in 1999 along with seven other Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), to transform England’s regions through sustainable economic development.

Birmingham Big City Plan The Big City Plan will shape and revitalise Birmingham's city centre over the next twenty years, putting the city's sustainability, culture, creativity, technology and enterprise at the heart of its future plans, activities and development.

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry With nearly 4,000 member companies and access to 30,000 local businesses throughout Birmingham and Solihull, Birmingham Chamber offers a variety of business services including business advice, translations and networking opportunities.

Birmingham City Centre Partnership Birmingham City Centre Partnership was formed in 2001 to bring together key stakeholders to take the city centre forward to even greater success.

Birmingham Community Foundation A member of a national community focussed framework, The Birmingham Community Foundation helps to fund hundreds of local charity and community projects in Birmingham and The Black Country each year.

Common Purpose Common Purpose run leadership programmes that increase the effectiveness of leaders of all backgrounds, ages and sectors, both in their own organisations and in civil society.

Creative Republic Creative Republic is a lobbying and representative group for the creative and cultural industries in the West Midlands.

Education Business Links Education Business Links helps businesses link with education to up-skill the future workforce and develop staff.
 There are strong links between Birmingham Future and Education Business Links, which see members volunteering their time to work with school students on mock interviews, business games and careers events. If you are a Birmingham Future member, click here to download the community programme sign-up sheet.

Institute of Directors The Institute of Directors is a non-political business support organisation representing individual directors and providing a range of services including professional development and business information.

The Young Directors' Forum, launched in 2004, is an initiative that focuses on representing and supporting younger members within the IoD membership.

Locate in Birmingham Locate in Birmingham is the city’s inward investment service, managing a network of strategic partnerships and allowing businesses to achieve easy and cost effective relocations.

Marketing Birmingham Marketing Birmingham is the destination marketing agency for Birmingham; the organisation's mandate is to improve perceptions of the city and increase economic growth particularly within the visitor economy.

The B1G Idea The B1G Idea is a Birmingham based experiment in podcasting and related discussions to supplement the networking events already organised by Birmingham Future.

The Birmingham Civic Society The Birmingham Civic Society’s main objectives are to ensure that Birmingham is an attractive city by working to stimulate interest and pride in the history and wellbeing of the city; ensure high standards in planning, building and preservation; and encourage developments designed to enhance the amenities of the city and its general prosperity.

The Graduate Apprentice The Graduate Apprentice is an unrivalled learning and career development opportunity that offers one graduate the experience of three 16 week placements at three different diverse firms.

The Lunar Society The Lunar Society has several hundred members including leading practitioners from all walks of life in Birmingham and the wider region; it provides a lively forum for its members to influence change through stimulating ideas, broadening debate and catalysing action.