More than 200 business and organisation leaders from across the West Midlands region gathered at The Studio for the Coventry & Warwickshire Champions meeting.
This prestigious event celebrated five successful years of Coventry & Warwickshire Champions by outlining its achievements and highlighting its work to a regional audience, as well as exploring the new opportunities for future collaboration across the West Midlands including working with the WMCA.
Cllr John Clancy, Leader of Birmingham City Council, and Cllr Bob Sleigh, leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, kicked off the meeting by welcoming guests to the region.
Martin Reeves, Chief Executive of Coventry City Council & West Midlands Combined Authority, explained the collaboration opportunities arising from the WMCA and how businesses must engage in the new regional economic strategy in order to develop communities.
Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of University of Warwick, described the university’s powerful impact as an anchor institution and global player. Higher education in the West Midlands is one of our greatest strengths and strategic co-investment and innovative solutions are at the heart of the regional future.
Nick Blofeld, Divisional Director of Merlin Entertainment, spoke about Warwick Castle’s focus for 2017 and the exciting things taking place this year. He explained about the potential to work together with Coventry & Warwickshire to promote the region.
Chris Southall from Sega Hardlight, Chris Li from Soak.com and Duncan Spence from Imagination, each told the story of how their businesses came to thrive in Coventry & Warwickshire, whilst Paul Noon from Coventry University expanded on why businesses should be investing in our region.
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The next Coventry & Warwickshire Champions meeting will take place on the 22nd March at Coventry University.
Pictured - left to right: Chris Li, Martin Reeves, Stuart Croft, Les Ratcliffe MBE, Chris Southall, Nick Blofeld, Paul Noon, Duncan Spence