New Chamber president Michael Ward (centre) receives his badge of office from outgoing president Christine Braddock. New vice-president Steve Brittan is pictured left

The new president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce (BCC) is launching a campaign to add the city's name to its world-famous cricket ground, Edgbaston.

Michael Ward, who has succeeded Christine Braddock, is also asking Birchfield Harriers to consider doing the same.

Speaking at the Chamber's annual meeting, the senior partner at law firm Gateley, said: 

"I cannot understand why some of our worldwide institutions hide the fact that they are in Birmingham.

"Edgbaston is a prime example. At the height of the riots in the city, attracting adverse global publicity, we had about 25,000 people of diverse backgrounds gathering for four days at the cricket ground for the Test match between England and India.

"There was hardly a police officer in sight and the match went ahead without trouble and in a spirit of great friendly rivalry. And yet those TV images that were sent round the world from the ground did not shout that the venue was in Birmingham while the riots did.

"The same will apply to the Alexander Stadium when the US track and field team arrive to start their Olympic build-up next year along with the Jamaicans.

"I would like to use my year of office to try to change that - to ensure that Birmingham's name is at the heart of everything that is great about the city." Mr Ward is holding talks with Edgbaston in an attempt to move his proposal forward.

The Chamber Council confirmed the appointment of Steve Brittan, managing director of BSA Tools, the Birmingham-based machine tool manufacturer, as vice-president. Simon Warr was due to assume the presidency this year but work commitments abroad mean he will remain a vice-president. 

Mr Brittan said: "I am passionate about UK plc and Birmingham in particular. There is going to be a real challenge to encourage vocational skills so that we can get talented technicians planning the future and turn those ideas into reality.

"The issue of red tape must be tackled to help the smaller business. A lot of companies in this category do not really know if they are breaking the law or not because they cannot afford to get the advice that cuts through legislation. We have got to consider this impact on smaller businesses."  

The meeting, held at the Sutton Coldfield campus of Birmingham Metropolitan College, was also addressed by Andrew Mitchell, MP for Sutton Coldfield and Secretary of state for International Development.