Pictured above: From left, Roy Harris, Regional
Commercial Director, HSBC and Jerry Blackett, Chief Executive,
Birmingham and Solihull Chamber of Commerce and Industry
In the last two months, seven Birmingham companies and
organisations have joined the patronage of the oldest Chamber of
Commerce and Industry in the UK. Birmingham and Solihull Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and the Institute of Asian Businesses, one of
the most influential business organisations in the city, now has
more patrons than ever before in its 200 year history.
The latest prestigious company to sign on the dotted line is
HSBC Commercial Banking, bringing the total of patrons to 29.
Other newcomers include Arup, a multi disciplinary consulting
engineering company, Aston University, BXL Services Limited, GIL
Investments, the holding company for the business investments of
Midlands industrialist David Grove, Rical Limited, the engineering
conglomerate owned by Midlands businessman Byron Head and South
Birmingham College.
HSBC Regional Commercial Director, Roy Harris who heads the
commercial banking team of 370 people in the Midlands commented:
"I am delighted that we have become a patron of the
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry and look forward to
working with the chamber and its members as they look to explore
new international markets."
Kulvinder Rayat, Associate Director of Arup, new patrons of the
Institute of Asian Businesses (which is part of Birmingham Chamber)
said: "Arup is a multi disciplinary consulting engineering
company. We have offices all over the world including Mumbai.
We believe it is essential for us to make links not only with
the Asian community overseas, but we also need to make our presence
felt here in the UK. We are looking forward to making those
strong links with the Asian communities through the Institute of
Asian Businesses."
Becoming a patron gives companies an opportunity to form a
mutually beneficial alliance with the Chamber. Unless agreed to by
the organisations in a sector, Patron places are limited to two per
sector to ensure exclusivity and a good spread of business
activity. Benefits include having an influential voice on key
business issues including priority involvement in the Chamber's
lobbying activities, and attendance at meetings with key
politicians, such as the forthcoming lunch and policy discussion to
be held with Vince Cable, Deputy Leader of the UK Liberal Democrats
and MP for Twickenham.
Jerry Blackett, Chief Executive of the Birmingham and Solihull
Chamber of Commerce says: "The Chamber's brand promise is to
connect our members to opportunities. For our Patrons, the
opportunities come in all shapes and sizes, depending upon their
business goals. Our objective is to agree a targeted programme of
activity that supports some of the region's most important
organisations to deliver superior levels of performance. Also, by
understanding what these organisations need to flourish, we are
able to work with Government and local decision-makers to shape the
business environment into one that makes Birmingham the best city
in Europe in which to set up and run a business."