Pictured above: Richard Edwards

One of the Midlands best-known professionals has joined the board of Marketing Birmingham, the city's destination marketing partnership.

Richard Edwards, Midlands practice senior partner at "Big Four" accountancy Deloitte and immediate past president of Birmingham Forward, the city's professional services, has joined the board that oversees Marketing Birmingham activities and strategy.

Edwards, who has worked in Birmingham for almost two decades, said one of his priorities would be developing the potential of business leaders to promote the city.

He added: "It's vital that Birmingham presents a single, sophisticated and united message to the world. We want the wider business community to act as ambassadors, not just for their own businesses, but for Birmingham as a whole."

Marketing Birmingham's chief executive Neil Rami said: "Richard's decision to join our board is excellent news. He brings additional financial rigour to the organisation at time when our members are increasingly aware of the importance of a return on investment.

"Richard is incredibly well connected with the city's huge businesses community: his insights into what Birmingham's business leaders are thinking, and how we can best help them, will be invaluable in helping develop our strategies and goals."

Marketing Birmingham is a public-private partnership supported by some 300 member businesses, as well as by Birmingham City Council and Advantage West Midlands. The organisation now responsible for promoting a sector that attracts some 32 million visitors per annum to the city and make a major contribution to its economy.