Author: Marie

‘A time for communities to unite and support each other’: message from West Midlands Police

Posted on by Marie

In light of public disorder, West Midlands Police have issued a statement to reassure local businesses.

First published on the West Midlands Police website, the message is:

“We appreciate these are incredibly worrying times for our communities and business partners across the West Midlands.

This is a time for communities to unite and support each other and we are working together to make sure communities are fully supported and our response is coordinated, proportionate and responsive.

We are really proud of the strong links we have with businesses and local communities across the West Midlands. Over the coming days and weeks we’ve asked our local policing teams to speak to local businesses and offer them reassurance.

We would also ask you to continue to engage with your local policing teams and if you have any concerns then please contact them.

Your safety and safety of your customers is the primary concern and we would ask that you review your policies and incorporate any necessary measures in line with your business needs.

If a crime is committed we will investigate. However, it would be really help if you could ensure that you have working CCTV. If you employ security staff consider the use of body worn video.

This would help us with evidence gathering. If you are part of the business community please be reassured of the action we will take to support you and bring offenders to justice during these challenging times.

There’s also lots of crime prevention information which can be found on our website.

Please be mindful of the incredibly harmful spreading of misinformation on social media at the current time, do challenge what you see online, report where appropriate and consider the source of the posts.

We would also encourage you to seek your information from trusted sources like news outlets or through our social media pages like West Midlands Police Facebook. We will be posting regular updates on our website and social media channels.

And lastly we would like to thank you for all of your support and please get in touch with your local policing contact if you have any concerns.”

Business crime prevention pdf download
Business crime prevention pdf download

Sandwell young people’s festival gets a goodwill boost

Posted on by Marie

A youth festival taking place in Sandwell Valley this weekend will be even brighter thanks to the generosity of two businesses.

On Saturday 13 July, Sandwell Valley will be the vibrant setting for SHAPE Youth Summer Fest 2024. This brings together young people and their families from across the region for fun and entertainment.

To ensure the event has the right kind of sparkle, Dodd Group and its contractor CPS are providing electrical engineering services and generators free of charge.

Features of the one-day festival include a Youth Zone with a UV rave tent and a Family Zone with dhol drumming workshops and giant Lego. The Sports Zone will have boxing, cycling and zorb football. Meanwhile, the Music Zone will have sets from several DJs, including Rena Sparks and eleven-year-old DJ Naziah.

Sandwell Council’s SHAPE Programme team is organising the festival, together with a range of services and partner organisations.

In an act of generosity, the mechanical and electrical engineering specialist Dodd Group has pledged 80 hours of free labour to set up the electrical systems for the festival. Its subcontractor CPS, which provides generators, is also offering its services free of charge. The companies are doing this as part of their social value commitment to the Constructing West Midlands (CWM) Framework. Through this, they supply services to Sandwell Council and its Urban Design and Building Services team.

Festival goers at a previous SHAPE Youth Summer Fest, visiting a stall of plants

Keen to give back to Sandwell

Matt Lewis is Managing Director of Dodd Group Property Services. He explained why the companies are delighted to donate work ‘in kind’ to SHAPE Youth Summer Fest 2024.

“Although the festival is free for people to access, there is a huge amount of work involved for Sandwell Council and the SHAPE Team in ensuring a big event like this is safe and enjoyable for everyone who attends.

“When we looked at what we could do as suppliers to fulfil our social value commitment to the CWM Framework, this youth festival was high on our list. We are keen to give back to Sandwell and its communities, and this is an event that will benefit many of the borough’s young people.

“By taking care of the electrical side of SHAPE Youth Summer Fest, we can allow the organisers to focus their energy and budget into delivering a fantastic day filled with music, activities and fun.”

Fancy going to the festival?

SHAPE Summer Youth Festival 2024 takes place from 12 noon to 8pm on Saturday 13 July, in Sandwell Valley, West Bromwich. Go to www.justyouth.org.uk/ysf to learn more.

Our first Net Zero Navigators event was a success

Posted on by Marie

To support Sandwell businesses with their journey towards sustainability, we held our first ‘Net Zero Navigators’ workshop last week.

Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Net Zero Navigators are our special breakfast events to help Sandwell businesses start their journey towards net zero.

Our first event took place on Tuesday 16 April at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub  – our new co-working environment in Oldbury.

During the early morning session, our attendees were able to network and also explore topics that included:

  • Embracing sustainability within operational decision making
  • The work of not-for-profits in providing solar energy
  • The significant benefit of receiving a free energy audit
  • How to access funding for energy-efficiency improvement projects.

We were delighted to welcome expert speakers to deliver the workshop. Christian Byron from the Aston Centre for Growth at Aston University; Kevin Oubridge from Big Solar Co-op and Harry Long from the Black Country Industrial Cluster. Thank you to them all. 

Ben Sharpe from our Business Growth Team said: “Sustainability is a complex matter that businesses often find challenging to tackle, so we were grateful for the opportunity to connect with many Sandwell businesses and assist them on taking an important step on the journey to net zero”.

We’ll bring you news of the next session soon – watch this space!

Go to our net zero page
Go to our net zero page

Trading standards spring updates 

Posted on by Marie

TSBN (Trading Standards Business News) is here for spring 2024 – a digital magazine covering trading standards news for businesses in our region. CenTSA, the organisation that publishes it, also has a survey for you and an offer of inclusion in the magazine.

CEnTSA stands for Central England Trading Standards Authorities. It’s a collaboration between fourteen trading standards services from local authorities across the West Midlands – including Sandwell Council.

CEnTSA’s spring 2024 edition of TSBN covers a wide range of topics, including new penalties for animal welfare offences, changes to food labelling, the dangers of importing sweets from the US, and updates on workers’ rights.

You can read TSBN and find past editions here

Get featured in TSBN

CenTSA has asked us to tell you about an opportunity for West Midlands business owners to contribute to the magazine. There are two slots available each quarter for relevant articles. If accepted, your piece would include your name, business name, and photo or logo, bringing valuable exposure as well as a chance to contribute useful information to readers.

Perhaps you have a specialist area of expertise to convey, or you’ve overcome a unique compliance hurdle that you’d like to share with others? Email centsa@warwickshire.gov.uk if you’re interested in writing a piece.

How can trading standards support you better?

CenTSA is also looking to understand the needs of your business and how trading standards authorities in the West Midlands region can better engage with you.

Here are eighteen simple questions that should take less than four minutes to answer – can you help?

About the Trading Standards Team at Sandwell Council

Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards Team uses a national intelligence-led approach to tackling problems such as illegal cigarettes, overcharging, mis-labelled food and counterfeit goods. By stopping rogue traders they instil the public’s confidence in our thousands of reputable Sandwell businesses.

They are also here to help credible businesses operate legally and fairly.

Have a look at our trading standards page for information about their support:

Trading Standards Team support
Trading Standards Team support

Find us in Black Country Business

Posted on by Marie

Sandwell Council’s business support services are celebrated in the spring edition of Black Country Business from the Express & Star.

Black Country Business is a colour supplement from the Express & Star. It’s the biggest business-to-business publication in our region in terms of circulation.

The 52-page Spring 2024 edition has a regeneration section. The Editor’s Welcome describes this as an overview of “new shoots of regeneration that are springing up across our region”.

Sandwell Business Growth features in that section. On pages 48 and 49 you can read about our commitment to supporting businesses to grow “in a way that supports people and communities too”, through our:

Read Black Country Business here

Find out about other ways we’re nurturing inclusive business growth.

Get your free working space at our Sandwell Start-Up Hub

Posted on by Marie

Aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners can work from our new Sandwell Start-Up Hub in Oldbury.

If you have a new business (trading for less than two years) in Sandwell, you could qualify for a free working space for twelve months up to March 2025.

Sandwell Start-Up Hub, located in Jack Judge House, Oldbury, B69 2AJ, is available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. It offers free welcoming workspaces including collaborative spaces, kitchen facilities, free WiFi, and meeting rooms for hire.

We want you to thrive and grow

Councillor Peter Hughes is Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and West Midlands Combined Authority. He said: “We want our local businesses to thrive and grow. It’s one of our priorities. Whether you are looking to collaborate, or you’re a new entrepreneur seeking resources, we want this hub to be your gateway to success.”

You may also be able to get additional expert guidance and resources via the Sandwell Enterprise Programme.

Find out more and book your desk
Find out more and book your desk

National Apprenticeship Week 2024: two Sandwell success stories

Posted on by Marie

For National Apprenticeship Week 2024, we share two stories about successful apprentices in Sandwell: Callum in carpentry and Paige in plastering!

National Apprenticeship Week 2024 takes place between Monday 5 and Sunday 11 February. It’s a chance to celebrate apprentices, their achievements, and the positive impact they make on communities, businesses and the wider economy.

Sandwell Council recommends apprenticeships to local businesses as a way of investing in the future. You can train an employee to have the skills that are exactly right for your industry, in a cost-effective way. In the meantime, you are fostering a culture of development and learning in your workplace.

A social value commitment

So we also recognise apprenticeships as a social value commitment: a way to give back to Sandwell and its people.

Therefore, we have been very glad to hear about the progress of local resident Callum Farmer. Callum started with a trainee multi-trade position with building contractors E Manton, which led to an apprenticeship with Sandwell Council.

E Manton was the principal contractor working to expand the Ron Davis Centre in Smethwick. This is a learning hub run by Sandwell Adult and Family Learning Service (SAFL).

Funded by the Towns Fund, the £360k development added two new specialised digital classrooms to the Ron Davis Centre. It boosted the range of services that SAFL can offer.

The work enabled Callum to invest in tools and start saving for a car. Its varied nature – and further work with E. Manton – also allowed him to decide which area of the building trade suited him best.

Now Callum has gone on to do a carpentry apprenticeship with Sandwell Council’s Neighbourhoods Team. We hear that he is doing very well.

“I wanted to know how to get into a trade”

We’re also glad to hear about Paige, who is doing a three-year plastering apprenticeship.

Paige’s original plan was to work in the beauty industry. She had done a training course in beauty. She was also having one-to-one sessions with a mentor, who was helping her to find courses and look for suitable vacancies. The mentor was from Think Sandwell. This is Sandwell Council’s Employment and Skills Team, which helps local people into work and supports local employers to fill job and skills gaps in their workforce.

Paige’s career path took a change in direction, however, when her mum was having building work done on her home and struggling to find people to carry out work.

 “I realised that there was lots of work available and wanted to know how to get into a trade”, said Paige.

Responding to Paige’s change of heart, the Think Sandwell mentor arranged for Paige to do a construction overview course. This included training for a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. Carrying this card gives proof that an individual working on a construction site has the required training and qualifications for the type of work they carry out.

Paige got her CSCS card, and along the way, learned that she enjoyed plastering the most.

With support from Think Sandwell, Paige applied for relevant work experience placements. Soon, drywalling specialists DCL offered her an opportunity to work with them on the Windsor Olympus Academy site in Smethwick.

As a result of her strong work experience performance, DCL offered Paige a three-year plastering apprenticeship. She started it in April 2023.

Learning a skilled trade

Scott Joynes is a project manager at DCL. He said: “It’s nice to see younger age groups having an interest in learning a skilled trade. Having Paige on site has been a breath of fresh air, she certainly keeps us all on our toes. I started as an apprentice myself when I was sixteen and it’s great to see the support networks that are in place to support apprentices now.”

John Jacznik, director at DCL, said: “It’s refreshing to have someone with that enthusiasm on site. Her character and spirit will make her into a great asset. The support from Think Sandwell in finding an apprentice and setting up the apprenticeship has been a great example of partnership working”.

Learn more about apprenticeships in Sandwell – and read more social value stories.

Go to the National Apprenticeship Week website

Christmas gift appeal: celebrating the generosity of our business community

Posted on by Marie

Sandwell Council held a breakfast celebration event to thank businesses for donating to a children’s Christmas gift appeal.

On Thursday 18 January, around 45 people attended the morning event at our Sandwell Start-Up Hub in Oldbury. Sandwell Council hosted it to say thank you for 300+ gifts donated to Sandwell Children’s Trust’s 2023 Christmas gift appeal.

Recognising that many children and young people would receive few, if any, Christmas presents, Sandwell Council had appealed to partners and local businesses to donate new toys and gifts for Sandwell Children’s Trust to distribute in the borough.

The campaign asked for items suitable for newborn babies and appropriate toys for children of various ages. Also, for older teenagers: fragrance, vouchers, hats or scarves.

Sandwell Council’s partners and business community responded with generosity, donating more than 300 gifts. These organisations included our social value partners: businesses committed to ensuring the work they do in Sandwell has social or environmental benefits that extend beyond the scope of their contracts.

The thoughtful businesses dropped their gifts off in Oldbury by late November. This gave staff at Sandwell Children’s Trust time to wrap and distribute them before Christmas to local children and young people.

‘A business community willing to do more for people’

Councillor Peter Hughes is Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and West Midlands Combined Authority. At the breakfast, he presented each participating business with a certificate of thanks.

He said: “It made me very proud to see our colleagues going the extra mile for the borough’s children – and I’m impressed with the businesses who rose to the challenge in supporting this campaign.

Lee Kingston and Councillor Peter Hughes

“Social value is important to Sandwell Council, and this has reinforced my belief that even in tough times we have caring partners and a business community willing to do more for people.”

‘You are all making a massive difference’

Jackie Hodgkins is Communications Manager for Sandwell Children’s Trust. She said at the time: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to help put smiles on children and young people’s face this Christmas.  Particularly for the vulnerable children in Sandwell who may not get a gift this year without the generosity of those who donate. 

“Thanks to everyone for their support and know that you are all making a massive difference to children’s lives.”

People sitting in green chairs at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub, clapping

Thank you

Thank you to everyone involved, both at the event and with the Christmas gift appeal. Special thanks to our colleagues from Sandwell Children’s Trust:

Emma Taylor – Chief Executive
Tara Malik – Director of Resources
Steven Gauntley – Director of Operations
Teo Bot – Director of Quality and Performance
Tom Davies – Engagement Manager
Jackie Hodgkins – Communications Manager

And to the generous businesses who both donated to the appeal and attended our event:

  • Axis Europe Plc
  • Birmingham, Garage & Industrial Doors Ltd
  • Bryant Electrical (Midlands) Ltd
  • Corroy Products
  • Countryside Partnerships
  • Doocey Group
  • Ideal Heating
  • J McCann & Co Limited
  • Jays Sourcing Group Ltd
  • Lift & Engineering Services Ltd
  • MCP Property Services Ltd
  • Newey Group
  • PHC Parts
  • Sandwell Jobs KPM
  • Sure Maintenance Ltd
  • Tricas Construction Ltd
  • Vinci Facilities
  • Welch & Phillips Building Contractors Ltd.
Social value in Sandwell
Social value in Sandwell







Regeneration West Midlands: we’re in the Express & Star

Posted on by Marie

Check out the Express & Star‘s ‘Regeneration West Midlands’ supplement for January 2024. It contains a lot of information about our support for Sandwell’s businesses.

We have a double-page spread in the 24-page Regeneration West Midlands pull-out from the Express & Star for January 2024. Pages twelve and thirteen outline our extensive support for Sandwell businesses this year, underpinned by our Sandwell Business Growth Plan.

The support includes …

You can read the digital version here.

See the Sandwell Business Growth Plan
See the Sandwell Business Growth Plan

Merry Christmas from Sandwell Business Growth

Posted on by Marie

We’ll be back from Tuesday 2 January to bring you lots more support, guidance, opportunities and resources to help your Sandwell business thrive and grow.

In the meantime, merry Christmas!

If you’re working quietly on your business over the festive break, check out our current programmes:

For established SMEs in Sandwell

Net Zero in Sandwell grants
Grow in Sandwell grants
Sandwell Business Boost

For start-up businesses in Sandwell

Start Up in Sandwell grants
Sandwell Enterprise Programme

If you have questions, the Business Growth Team will be back on Tuesday 2 January to help you. See you in early 2024!

Provisional green light for Grove Lane funding in Smethwick

Posted on by Marie

A regeneration project for Grove Lane in Smethwick has provisionally been awarded £18m in government Levelling Up Funding.

The government has identified the Grove Lane project in Smethwick as one of 55 successfully proposed projects nationally. It has provisionally awarded the project £18,063,128 from Round 3 of the Levelling Up Fund.

In line with the Levelling Up Fund Round 2 submission, the funding will be used for land acquisitions to enable new housing around the Midlands Metropolitan University Hospital. It will also support the delivery of the Grove Lane Masterplan which Sandwell Council’s Cabinet approved in February 2022.

Funding methodology

In deciding the funding methodology for Round 3, government ministers had three primary objectives:

1. To prioritise places assessed as ‘in need’ according to metrics set out in the Levelling Up White Paper

2. To ensure a fair geographic spread so the Fund can benefit all areas of the country across its lifetime

3. To support the ‘pride in place and transport’ Levelling Up missions by focusing predominantly on regeneration and transport projects. (Please note that a smaller share of funding is going to transport projects this time compared to previous rounds, given recent wider government investment in local transport.)

The funding award is provisional and subject to project validation, subsidy control checks, and departmental sign-off. Sandwell Officers will be working through this assurance process with government civil servants.

Here in the West Midlands, Dudley Council and City of Wolverhampton Council also made successful bids in Round 3 of the Levelling Up Fund.

Visit the Regenerating Sandwell website

Read the Sandwell Business Growth Plan

Posted on by Marie

Sandwell Council has published its Sandwell Business Growth Plan, outlining how we will support our local businesses for the next two financial years.

We launched the Sandwell Business Growth Plan at a networking event at The Hawthorns on Thursday 23 November.

The plan updates Sandwell Council’s 2021 Action Plan and sets out our strategy for supporting businesses over the next two financial years, focusing on seven economic priorities:

Support in Sandwell
Start Up in Sandwell
Grow in Sandwell
Invest in Sandwell
Innovate in Sandwell
Social Value in Sandwell
Net Zero in Sandwell.

Sandwell: a great place to do business

As you probably know, Sandwell is a great place to do business. Our borough has a £6.4bn economy, with twice the number of manufacturing firms to the national average. It is home to fast-growing, high-employment, and high-turnover businesses. Sandwell also benefits from six interconnected towns, a tradition of locally focused small businesses and an economy driven by private-sector employment and growth.

More investment is coming to Sandwell. Our regeneration pipeline forecasts £2.9bn of investment by 2027 (see the Regenerating Sandwell website for more information). This brings the opportunity to make real improvements to high streets, public assets, skills provision and transport – all to ‘level up’ the borough.

In addition, Sandwell Council can support our businesses to meet the challenge of economic recovery, the carbon net zero transition, and rapidly changing global and local markets and supply chains.

Resources and expertise

This means focusing on doing the things that the council and partners can do to create the conditions for new jobs and skills, tackling inequality and keeping wealth local. Sandwell is part of the UK’s largest combined authority (the West Midlands Combined Authority), and with a range of partners delivering regional business support, our Sandwell Business Growth Team has the resources and expertise to deliver this plan.

Our overall ambition is to accelerate business growth, creating a wealthier Sandwell, gripping investment opportunities, and addressing long-term economic challenges to achieve our goal of “stronger businesses, thriving communities”.

Sandwell Business Growth Plan

Download in a new tab
Sandwell Business Growth Plan

Last week, we also launched Sandwell’s Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies Index 2023. Have a look!

It’s live! Sandwell’s Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies Index 2023

Posted on by Marie

We are delighted to have launched the 2023 edition of our Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies Index, at a breakfast event at the Hawthorns on Thursday 23 November.

The report lists Sandwell’s top 50 fastest growing companies, in turnover terms, in the past financial year. It’s the first one we’ve published since the pandemic.

By compiling the report (with support from The Economic Intelligence Unit), we thank Sandwell’s biggest-growth businesses for their huge contribution to our local economy and employment landscape. We celebrate their achievements. And we hope to inspire other Sandwell businesses to aim high with their own growth ambitions.

Thank you to everyone who turned out for the breakfast launch. More on that soon!

Read the 2023 report on our Top 50 fastest growing companies and:

  • See which Sandwell business topped the list – with amazing 158 per cent growth
  • Find out which business sector featured most frequently
  • Learn how four Sandwell businesses achieved their success, in their directors’ own words.
Sandwell's Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies Index 2023 Downloads in a new tab
Download

You can download previous editions of the Top 50 report from this page.

Sandwell Business Boost: get support to grow
Sandwell Business Boost: get support to grow

Grow Global export programme 2024: apply now

Posted on by Marie

Calling all export-focused, aspirational scale-up businesses in Sandwell. Apply for the Grow Global export programme 2024 and have the chance to join the likes of Monzo, Brompton Bicycles, Mr & Mrs Smith and Bloom & Wild in reaching your global expansion goals.

Grow Global is a fully-funded, twelve-month export initiative for tech businesses looking to scale up. The West Midlands Growth Company and the West Midlands Combined Authority are delivering it, with a unique partnership with London’s investment promotion agency, London & Partners.

Grow Global 2022 was only available to businesses in the capital. Now tech companies in the West Midlands can access the support in 2024.

This is a unique opportunity for innovative, internationally ambitious SMEs from the West Midlands to grow and scale their businesses through export.

Household names

Grow Global has a proven track record of success, having helped over 1,300 scale-ups reach their global expansion goals. These include household names such as Monzo, Brompton Bicycles, Mr & Mrs Smith and Bloom & Wild.

Your Sandwell tech business could be among ten West Midlands businesses selected to benefit from the support in achieving international growth.

Register your interest for Grow Global

Criteria for applying to Grow Global

To apply for the Grow Global programme, your business must:

  • Be a West Midlands-based, UK-registered company operating in one of the following sectors:
    • Business, professional and financial services
    • Creative and digital technologies
    • Life sciences
    • Low carbon
  • Have at least ten full-time employees
  • Have UK headquarters, with a primary UK trading address located within the West Midlands areas: Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire or the Black Country
  • Be ready to begin or scale exporting to international markets
  • Have a current annual turnover that is greater than £1m and less than £40m. Alternatively, you may have secured £1m of external equity investment.
  • Be able to clearly demonstrate 20 per cent year-on-year growth with active projects (domestically or internationally).

Learn more and apply for Grow Global at the Invest West Midlands website (part of the West Midlands Growth Company). Do apply as soon as possible, as the application window will close on Monday 4 December 2023.

More international trade support
More international trade support

Have your say on the draft Sandwell Local Plan

Posted on by Marie

The Sandwell Local Plan is a document that plans for the future development of our borough. Sandwell Council would like to know your thoughts on the draft.

In the Sandwell Local Plan, Sandwell Council outlines where it expects to build the new homes we need up to 2041. It shows what land is required to accommodate new jobs.

Sandwell Council is holding a consultation so you can have your say on the sites it has proposed for development. Give your feedback on where development should or shouldn’t take place in Sandwell.

Sandwell Council has identified enough land to build more than 11,000 new homes by 2041. However, this isn’t enough to meet the expected housing needs of our growing population. Around 97 per cent of these homes will be built on previously developed or brownfield land. The Sandwell Local Plan protects the Green Belt and does not propose any new development within it.

The Sandwell Local Plan also sets out how we will address challenges like dealing with climate change, protecting our natural environment, supporting our high streets, and encouraging sustainable travel. It includes policies that will help the council to meet its target to be a carbon-neutral borough by 2041.

Have your say

Don’t miss your chance to have a say!

The consultation is now live and will end on Monday 18 December at 5pm.

View the consultation documents and make your comments

All of Sandwell libraries have paper copies of the consultation documents and summary document, if you prefer to access it that way.

Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Peter Hughes, said:

“I would encourage all Sandwell residents and businesses to look at the draft plan and let us have their views on it. This is about our borough’s future so the more people get involved, the better the outcome for all.”

If you have issues accessing the consultation documents, or would like to arrange to speak to a Planning Policy Officer, email Sandwell_LocalPlan@sandwell.gov.uk or call 0121 569 4054.

Why invest in Sandwell?
Why invest in Sandwell?

Sandwell’s Growth Event: sign up today

Posted on by Marie

Join us on Thursday 23 November for Sandwell’s Growth Event at West Bromwich Albion Football Club. We’ll be launching the Sandwell Business Growth Plan alongside Sandwell’s Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies Index.

At the Sandwell’s Growth Event, you can network with likeminded business people and find out how Sandwell Council will be supporting local businesses to grow, thrive and prosper.

We have exciting plans to help you – and this event will tell you more.

About the event

You will hear from some of our borough’s fastest growing businesses and learn how they have achieved their success. We are re-launching our Top 50 report, which charts the 50 fastest growing companies in the borough.

The Sandwell Business Ambassadors will also be there to talk about how they are working with Sandwell Council to support the borough and its businesses. They are a collective of business people using their voices and influence to support Sandwell, its people and communities, and the wider Black Country, to thrive.

Finally, you will hear how our Business Growth Team can support you and your business.

So whether you’re from a start-up or a well-established business, come along and find out more.

The event takes place on Thursday 23 November from 7.30am to 10.30am at The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion Football Club in West Bromwich.

Spaces are limited so register today!

Sign up now

Sandwell welcomes six guests from Hangzhou, China

Posted on by Marie

This week, Sandwell Council welcomed six delegates from Hangzhou in China.

Our guests came as part of a wider four-day, self-funded research trip to the UK. They visited Sandwell to see how a UK local authority functions and how it provides social services for residents. As deputy directors for municipal departments looking after veterans’ services, they especially wanted to learn about veteran welfare services in our area.

In turn, we were keen to build on our established relationship with our Hangzhou visitors’ region of China. We are always looking to raise Sandwell’s international profile and explore further ways to establish cultural, economic and academic links between here and the rest of the world.

About Hangzhou, China  

Near to Shanghai, Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang Province. It borders the Yangtze River and has hills to the west.

The Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone became a national development zone in 1993. It has five pillar industries: machinery and electronics, biology and pharmaceutical, high-tech chemistry, textile and chemical fibre, and food processing.

The visit to Sandwell

The Sandwell Business Growth Team was responsible for hosting our guests’ visit to Sandwell Council. In preparation, we engaged with partner organisations Black Country Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Defence, as well as our council colleagues involved with homes, communities and public health. We also carried out fact funding into local support for ex-force personnel and veterans, to help our visitors get useful information from their visit.

Xu Huashui, Wang Jiang, Xu Jianxiang, Lu Qiliang, Liu Hongyin and Lan Hongxing came to see us at Sandwell Council House on Tuesday 24 October. We hosted them in the Mayor’s Parlour where Shokat Lal, chief executive of Sandwell Council, held a welcome speech. Jenna Langford, our Regeneration Manager, was among the people to make a presentation. She focused on Sandwell Council’s business support, our borough’s regeneration pipeline, and inward investment. We also heard from representatives from the Armed Forces Covenant and Stepway, organisations supporting military veterans in civilian life.

Our visitors from Hangzhou with Sandwell Council colleagues in the Sandwell Council chamber, Oldbury

Previous visits from China: a timeline

2015: Sandwell Council welcomed its first Chinese delegation from Pengzhou City.

2016: We had our first visit from delegates from the city of Jinhua. Jinhua Municipal People’s Government Mayor, Ji Junmin, and the Leader of Sandwell Council signed a Friendship Agreement. This is to promote friendly exchanges between the two regions and an exchange of cooperation in economy, trade, science and technology, culture, education, sports, health and personnel for the good of common prosperity and development.

2017: In May 2017, delegates from the Shanghai municipal government made a visit to the borough.

2018: In 2018 we had a return visit from the city of Jinhua to strengthen our business and friendship links.

2019: In July 2019, Sandwell hosted a visit from two Jinhua schools. St Michael’s CE School in Rowley Regis and one of our Q3 Academies welcomed school children and their teachers. They enjoyed activities together that included a visit to Ingestre Hall Residential Arts Centre and Sandwell Valley Park Farm.

[Feature picture: Xu Huashui from Hangzhou exchanges cultural gifts with Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council.]

Go to our international trade page
Go to our international trade page

Sandwell Start-Up Hub: your business co-working environment is now open

Posted on by Marie

Our new co-working environment in Oldbury is open. The Sandwell Start-Up Hub is a spacious, welcoming place for local entrepreneurs and businesses to network, plan, collaborate and learn.

The Sandwell Start-Up Hub is on the top floor of Jack Judge House in Oldbury, opposite Sandwell Council House. Our aim is to help small local businesses on their journey to success by providing an open-plan office with 60 workstations, collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, event space and free WiFi.

The Sandwell Start-Up Hub is a co-working environment where entrepreneurs and business owners can collaborate, network, and receive advice and support from the Sandwell Business Growth Team and partner organisations. More on that support soon!  

Within the Sandwell Start-Up Hub are three areas:

  • Collaboration Zone: for networking and collaborating
  • Quiet Zone: for focused work
  • Event Zone: hosting informative sessions by business support organisations on various topics.

“Get inspiration and share knowledge”

Carlene Taylor and Nasteha Isak are the founders of We Are Able CIC, helping parents and carers of children and young people who have special educational needs and disabilities with impartial guidance and advocacy services. Carlene and Nasteha attended the launch event at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub on Tuesday 26 September. They had accessed support from Sandwell Council’s Business Growth Team earlier in the year.

Nasteha said: “We are really looking forward to taking advantage of the resources and support on offer here. It’s incredible that we get the chance to have somewhere where we can work from, rather than having to use our homes, and we can get inspiration and share knowledge with other people while we’re here.”

Sandwell, the home of start-ups

Councillor Peter Hughes is Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and West Midlands Combined Authority. He said: “The Sandwell Start-Up Hub will be more than just a workspace. It is the Business Growth Team’s plan to create a community of businesspeople who can collaborate, network and learn from one another – as well as from guest organisations delivering useful business workshops and talks.

“One of Sandwell Council’s priorities is to promote inclusive growth that raises people and communities up alongside thriving businesses. The Sandwell Start-Up Hub offers a physical space in which that success can be incubated. With this innovative new Hub, Sandwell will truly become the ‘Home of Start-ups’ for the West Midlands, where entrepreneurs from all sectors are welcome.”

The Sandwell Start-Up Hub will be free for local businesses and entrepreneurs to access until September 2024.

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Pictured left to right: Nasteha Isak of We Are Able CIC, Helen Peach from Sandwell Council’s Business Growth Team, and Carlene Taylor of We Are Able CIC.


“Start Small; Dream Big”: help children in our primary schools to achieve their potential

Posted on by Marie

The Careers and Enterprise Company has selected Sandwell-based SIPS Education to deliver its ‘Start Small; Dream Big’ programme for primary schools in the Black Country. Now SIPS Education is looking for local businesspeople to inspire the next generation. Will you take part in employer encounter experiences for our young people?

Studies show* that, by the age of six, children have already started to adopt limiting stereotypes based on gender, ethnicity and social background. By age nine, some have already started to abandon their biggest ambitions.

Start Small; Dream Big is a £2.6m pilot project, funded by the Department for Education, set up to address these findings. It aims to raise awareness among primary school-aged children of the world of work, raising aspirations and combatting stereotypes. Delivered overall by the Careers and Enterprise Company and Teach First, its aim is to reach 600,000 children in 2,250 primary schools across the country, between now and 2025.

The Careers and Enterprise Company has selected SIPS Education as its delivery partner for schools across Sandwell and the rest of the Black Country. The West Bromwich-based not-for-profit organisation will play an important part in encouraging children from disadvantaged backgrounds to dream big about their future careers. SIPS’ work will include supporting senior leaders, teachers, parents and children with information and resources. It will build children’s understanding of the links between the things they learn in school and the world of work.

Serving schools across the region: about SIPS Education

SIPS Education (www.sips.co.uk) started in 2013. It provides professional services for secondary schools, primary schools, nurseries and special schools across the region. These include HR, financial services, software support, IT technical support and project work, catering delivery and consultancy, health and safety consultancy, data protection consultancy and support, school improvement solutions, managed work experience, and music and arts services.

SIPS Education is a co-operative and therefore governed by its members, not shareholders. CEO Brian Cape previously told us: “Our people feel it’s important to be able to put schools (members) first and we’re proud to be part of an organisation that doesn’t make profits from children”.

Brian, who is also a Sandwell Business Ambassador, explained how Start Small; Dream Big will work.

“Start Small; Dream Big will integrate with children’s learning by linking lessons to careers. It will also give them an opportunity to explore different jobs and meet inspiring employers.

“We want children in our region to reach their full potential by finding something they love, and pursuing it with confidence and ambition. So I would love to see local employers and entrepreneurs get involved and help to dispel those limiting beliefs and stereotypes that hold children back.”

How you can support the programme

SIPS is asking employers to pledge a number of days/hours for their teams to support Start Small; Dream Big. You could support multiple schools at both school-based and regional events, or one school within your local area. SIPS is keen to stress that any time you can give is valuable to our amazing young people.

So can you pledge a day or so to help SIPS and our local primary schools with Start Small; Dream Big? Please email wrl@sips.co.uk for more information. Tell them the Sandwell Business Growth Team sent you!

Or you can sign up for the information sessions in late January and February 2024.

SIPS is also looking for suitable people to become Enterprise Advisers. As well as local organisations that can offer work experience placements. Again, email wrl@sips.co.uk with your details.

* PDF opens in a new tab: ‘What works? Career-related learning in primary schools’ – Dr Elnaz Kashefpakdel, Jordan Rehill and Dr Deirdre Hughes OBE.

We amended this article in January 2023 to include the information sessions and remove a mention of SIPS’ provision covering Coventry.

More ways to give back
More ways to give back

Apply now for the Amazon Innovation Accelerator

Posted on by Marie

Amazon is looking for Midlands businesses to enrol on its Innovation Accelerator programme. Successful companies will get tailored, practical workshops to help them innovate, adopt new technologies and implement more sustainable practices.

During the Amazon Innovation Accelerator programme, one senior representative from each participating business will attend two all-day workshops. These will take place on Tuesday 17 October and Wednesday 15 November at Amazon’s fulfilment centre, just outside Sutton Coldfield. Attendees will also get three hours of free mentoring with a member of Amazon UK’s senior leadership team.

The programme combines the expertise of Amazon, Amazon Web Services, the Growth Company and Made Smarter. The latter is a government-backed initiative that helps local manufacturers overcome operational challenges through digital technology.

A catalyst for growth

Neil Travis, regional operations director at Amazon said: “Amazon has been serving customers in the UK for 25 years and we know how important it is to maintain a start-up mentality and find new ways to innovate. The success of small businesses is vital to Amazon, and we want to use the expertise of our teams to be a catalyst for growth and productivity for more local businesses and have a positive impact on jobs and the community.”

For more information, including an agenda for the first workshop day, visit the Amazon Innovation Accelerator page of the Innovation Alliance website.

To apply, email madesmarter@cwgrowthhub.co.uk. The programme can only take 20 people, so sign up quickly to avoid disappointment.

See more programmes and resources for growing your business
See more programmes and resources for growing your business