A recent survey of more than 200 professional services firms in the West Midlands has shown that 70% have identified the low carbon and environmental technologies sector as a key area for growth, with 41% already offering or developing specialised services in this area.

The survey, commissioned by West Midlands (WM) Knowledge, the professional services hub supported by the Advantage West Midlands Business and Professional Services Cluster, together with Birmingham Forward and other professional networking groups across the region, was carried out to analyse the region's strengths in the professional services community and identify new markets for growth. The study also surveyed more than 100 national privately held businesses, with the majority operating in the manufacturing and engineering, construction and property and IT services sectors, and found that 67% of companies reported a growing or strong demand for low carbon industry focused services.

Commenting on the findings, Jo Miners, who heads the WM Knowledge hub, says: "As a region with a strong focus on low carbon industries, the West Midlands has a leading reputation in advanced manufacturing, electric vehicle engineering, low carbon building and environmental technologies. But what we are starting to see is the knock-on growth in business advisory services that can provide the necessary support to these green economy companies."

A case in point is the Birmingham based law firm Martineau, which launched its specialist energy practice in 1994 and has since seen it become one of its principal practice areas. Catherine Burke, partner in the energy practice, says: "Our energy practice has seen tremendous growth in the past few years.  Now we not only advise big players in the energy market such as National Grid, RWE nPower and British Energy/EdF, but a vast range of clients looking to take advantage of the opportunities that the low carbon and renewables agendas have presented.  Their involvement ranges from energy efficiency advice to large scale wind farm and biomass development."

The majority of firms surveyed also highlighted the technology and digital industry and the demand in services related to an ageing population as key areas of growth.

Jo concludes: "Collectively, the professional services community in the West Midlands is ideally placed to exploit all of the new market opportunities identified in our research. The WM Knowledge hub will not only investigate new opportunities and markets, but will also bring firms together where a collaborative approach puts the community in a better position to bring more business into the region to secure greater market share."