Pictured above: Chris Loughran 

Marketing Birmingham, the city's public/private sector strategic marketing partnership, is due to bolster its Board with the appointment of two senior business figures as it takes forward Business Birmingham, the city's newly launched inward investment programme.

With strong track records in technology and financial services - two of the sectors identified as key targets for the programme - Chris Loughran, Vice Chairman and Midlands Senior Partner of business advisory firm Deloitte, and Mark Smith, Midlands Chairman and Birmingham Senior Partner of professional services firm PwC, will seek approval of their appointments as new Board directors at Marketing Birmingham's Annual General Meeting today.

Chris Loughran has returned to Birmingham from London having led Deloitte's Technology consulting practice for the last ten years; during which time he was responsible for the development of the firm's capabilities in IT strategy, governance, systems development, integration and infrastructure management. Research recently undertaken by IBM-PLI, the global location specialists, identified the technology sector as a key target for Business Birmingham due to the city's strengths in this area.

Chris Loughran said, "I am joining Marketing Birmingham at a particularly exciting time. The recent transfer of Birmingham City Council's inward investment function to Marketing Birmingham has resulted in some ambitious new targets for the organisation, including the creation of 7,000 new jobs by 2015. I look forward to helping Neil and his team to realise these goals, and will be bringing Deloitte's expertise and global influence to the table. 

"As a recent returner to the city, I am also particularly keen to play my part in getting Birmingham rightfully recognised as a great city in which to live and work." 

Pictured above: Mark Smith

Chris is joined by Mark Smith, who heads PwC's largest practice outside of London. Under Mark's leadership the practice provides a range of services including assurance and tax guidance, assistance with corporate finance issues and business turnaround counsel, to clients across the Midlands. With financial services also highlighted by IBM-PLI as an area of opportunity for the city, Mark's expertise will assist in the development of the Business Birmingham programme, providing potential investors with the industry insight, 'soft landing' and network of contacts they need to commit to the city.

Mark Smith commented, "The success of the financial services sector is critical to the future economic prosperity of the region. Those investing here need to be able to rely on access to 'on the ground' support from a quality-driven services sector that is committed to supporting Birmingham as it strives to compete in an increasingly competitive global marketplace."

Marketing Birmingham's remit was widened to include inward investment following its success in building the city's visitor economy, which now generates £4.4billion every year, and its ability to attract major events, such as the recent Conservative Party Conference - which delivered £18million in economic impact to the city

While Marketing Birmingham remains firmly committed to, and accountable for, building the city's visitor economy, its Chairman Paul Kehoe believes it now has a real opportunity to improve the city's prospects not only as a place to visit, but as a place to live, work and do business.

Paul Kehoe, Chairman of Marketing Birmingham said:

"I am delighted to have both Mark and Chris on board.  They are well respected and experienced professionals who will complement the significant expertise we now have on the Marketing Birmingham Board.

"These appointments reflect the very real need to improve the city's economic prospects, not only as a place to visit but as a place to invest and grow. The challenge for many cities in the current climate is how to promote themselves as complete entities. While some may be known for their visitor experience and others more for their business climate, Birmingham has both - by bringing together the city's marketing to visitors and investors we are creating a more persuasive package to promote nationally and internationally.

"Business Birmingham has resonated with many who already know the strength of the Birmingham offer and want to see it promoted more boldly to the wider business and investor community. We are confident that with our strong Board and the support we have received from the local business community, we can now do that."

Marketing Birmingham's Annual General Meeting takes place at the Crowne Plaza, Birmingham today, Thursday 25th November.

For more information on Marketing Birmingham, please visit their website here: www.marketingbirmingham.co.uk