Brumbassadors: Why Birmingham Means Business

005 | Why Birmingham's economy is more diverse than ever

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Become a Brumbassador and carry on the conversation.

Over the past decade, Greater Birmingham’s economy has grown from £44.7bn to £71.2bn.

But what needs to happen to keep it growing over the next 10 years?

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Birmingham Economic Review, produced by the University of Birmingham’s City-REDI and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

To mark it, the Chamber’s head of policy, Emily Stubbs, is joined by Taj Lalli, corporate finance partner and head of automotive at Bishop Fleming, to discuss the city-region's economy.

Taj is the son of a pub landlord who grew up in inner-city Birmingham, and he has spent 25 years in the city’s professional community.

He shares his view of an economy that is “more diverse than it’s ever been”, from advanced manufacturing to professional services and the creative industries.

In this episode:

• Birmingham's economy today

• Getting it right for the next decade

• Business confidence - stability, costs and exports

• Helping businesses start, scale and succeed

• Connecting young people with opportunity

• The 2026 Birmingham Economic Summit

More from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Follow on LinkedIn and Instagram.

More from STEAMhouse

Visit the STEAMhouse website.

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

004 | The people and stories that make Birmingham great

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Become a Brumbassador and carry on the conversation.

What makes Birmingham great? According to two of the city’s best-known champions, it’s the people and their stories.

In this episode of Brumbassadors: Why Birmingham Means Business, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Henrietta Brealey is joined by Anita Bhalla and PJ Ellis.

Anita’s career has taken her from award-winning journalist, broadcaster and BBC leader to one of Birmingham’s most influential civic champions.

She chairs B:Music - the company that operates both the Town Hall and Symphony Hall - and Birmingham City University.

PJ has had a varied career as a lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, broadcaster and event host.

He is currently a presenter on BBC Radio WM, chair of the Lord Mayor of Birmingham's Charity and co-creator of the Wit+Grit Podcast.

In this episode:

Anita's role in founding the BBC Asian Network
PJ's philanthropic work - including co-founding LoveBrum
Why Birmingham is “like a comfortable aunt” and how to sum up the city’s culture
Hidden heroes and the Brummies who inspired them
What they'd change about the city if they had a magic wand
A taste test of the Brummie bacon cake from B:Eats at Symphony Hall

More from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Follow on LinkedIn and Instagram.

More from STEAMhouse

Visit the STEAMhouse website.

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

003 | Birmingham’s media landscape: Telling the city’s story

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Become a Brumbassador and carry on the conversation.

How well does the media tell Birmingham’s story, and how can the city’s businesses make better use of it?

In this episode of Brumbassadors: Why Birmingham Means Business, BBC Radio WM presenter Ed James and broadcaster and journalist Marverine Cole join Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce's head of media and communications Dan Harrison to take a look at the state of Birmingham’s media sector.

They discuss how the media landscape has changed during their careers, the roles of local journalism, independent producers and digital creators, and what key investments from organisations such as the BBC mean for the future.

They also assess whether Birmingham is fairly represented by the national media, how the city can promote itself with confidence without ignoring its challenges, and how it can attract, develop and keep media talent.

In this episode:

Ed and Marverine on how the city has shaped their careers
Their routes into broadcasting and how the opportunities compare with today
The challenges and opportunities within the city's media sector
BBC's new headquarters and partnership with Birmingham City University
Is Birmingham represented fairly by the national media?
How the city can tell its story better
Advice for building a media career in Birmingham

More from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Follow on LinkedIn and Instagram.

More from STEAMhouse

Visit the STEAMhouse website.

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

002 | Birmingham Tech Week: What are the strengths and gaps in the city's tech ecosystem?

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 06:30:00 +0100

Become a Brumbassador and carry on the conversation.

The second episode of Brumbassadors: Why Birmingham Means Business focuses on technology in Birmingham.

With Birmingham Tech Week approaching (19–23 October), the GBCC's deputy CEO Raj Kandola is joined by Jason Sahota, chair of TechWM, and Professor Hanifa Shah, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, Enterprise, Engagement and STEAM at Birmingham City University, to explore the strengths — and the gaps — in Birmingham's tech ecosystem.

They discuss why the region excels in med tech, fintech and professional services tech, why "scale-up" is the missing piece compared with the US, and why a single physical hub for founders — like Austin or Paris — could change the game.

In this episode:

Birmingham's tech ecosystem - strengths and specialisms
BCU's Future Founders Fund
Why 'scale-up' is the region's real challenge
Birmingham Tech Week - what it is and how it's evolved
Support available for SMEs and founders
Why Birmingham needs a physical "nucleus" for tech

More from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Follow on LinkedIn and Instagram.

More from STEAMhouse

Visit the STEAMhouse website.

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

001 | International Day of Birmingham: What's got us feeling bullish about Brum?

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:30:00 +0100

Become a Brumbassador and carry on the conversation.

Welcome to the first ever episode of Brumbassadors: Why Birmingham Means Business - the podcast championing Birmingham, brought to you by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and Steam House.

In this first episode, the GBCC's CEO Henrietta Brealey is joined by Stuart Cain, chief executive at Edgbaston Stadium, and Alex Nicholson-Evans, city curator director behind Birmingham Light Festival, Birmingham Restaurant Festival and the new Birmingham Jewellery Biennial.

Ahead of International Day of Birmingham on 24 September, Stuart and Alex share what's got them feeling bullish about the city right now - from the Jewellery Quarter's Worldcraft City status to Edgbaston's Ashes 2027 preparations and Birmingham's food scene.

They also set out a simple call to action for every listener - share what you love about Birmingham and challenge anyone talking the city down.

In this episode:

What International Day of Birmingham is, where it came from, and what's on for 24 September
What's got Stuart and Alex feeling bullish about Birmingham right now
Birmingham's World Craft City status for jewellery and the new Jewellery Biennial
Edgbaston's Ashes preparations and the new Radisson RED hotel
Snack time - top picks from Birmingham's food scene

More from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Follow on LinkedIn and Instagram.

More from STEAMhouse

Visit the STEAMhouse website.

Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Welcome to Brumbassadors: Why Birmingham Means Business

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0100

Become a Brumbassador and carry on the conversation.

Welcome to Brumbassadors, a platform for amplifying good news and opportunities across business, culture and sport in Birmingham.

The Brumbassadors podcast series brings you the real stories behind one of the UK's most exciting city-regions.

Whether we're talking investment and innovation, major sporting occasions, cultural highlights or Birmingham's best-kept secrets, every episode shines a spotlight on the people and stories shaping our city's future.

Subscribe today and discover why there's never been a more exciting time to be part of Birmingham.

Brumbassadors is brought to you by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with STEAMhouse at Birmingham City University.