Birmingham bosses remain united over Manchester challenge

Midlands’ chiefs back the region during economic downturn says new research 

Midlands’ bosses still boast that Birmingham is England’s second city when it comes to business, despite recent claims that Manchester has stolen its thunder.

New ‘Midlands Matters’ research commissioned by accountants and business advisers, BDO surveyed financial directors, managing directors and chief execs from a sample of 100 top firms in the Midlands, with many of the respondents backing Birmingham for business ahead of any other city outside London.

In light of the recent Cushman & Wakefield report which claims Birmingham is lagging behind Manchester as the best UK city outside London in which to locate a business, the average Brummie would be forgiven for thinking that their runner’s up medal had been pinched by the Mancunians. But that is in stark contrast to the 77 per cent of top Midlands’ bosses who stand firm in their belief that Birmingham is very much the second city in terms of business according to the new research.

Even three per cent of respondents were so sure of the City’s industry credentials that they placed Birmingham as the capital of England for business, ahead of London.

Further good news from the ‘Midlands Matters’ business survey reveals that a high proportion of those questioned confirmed the long-term future of their company was firmly in the Midlands. A total of 83 per cent of those surveyed from many of the region’s big firms intended to remain where they are for many years to come. Just 11 per cent were considering relocation.

Mark Anslow, lead partner at BDO’s Birmingham office, said: “As a country much of what we are seeing in the media is frightening. All we’re hearing about is the spiraling downturn, closures and plummeting profits, so it’s fantastic to see such a positive outlook from the region’s business leaders, with so many of them eager to back the Midlands during this challenging time. Many of them will know what it’s like to face a recession and therefore they are probably much better prepared to weather the storm if the UK economy continues to decline over the next few months.”

The research also revealed that Midlands firms feel they are punching their weight against rival regions. Well over two thirds of respondents said they were not losing out to other regions unfairly when it comes to both winning new business and recruiting the best staff. Of the 19 per cent who did feel that they lost out unfairly, the majority stated that London centric attitudes meant the best contracts and top people were often drawn to the capital.

Mark Anslow added: “We now see businesses in the Midlands with global reach, which are cost conscious, sourcing materials and services in much smarter ways, so that they are far leaner and more efficient. They have taken their client service to a new level and above all, have had to be innovative and creative to add value, not just to survive but to prosper. I don’t doubt there is still plenty of room for continued improvement but I currently look at many of my clients and other businesses across the Midlands with real pride in their success and who, despite tougher times, are still doing well across a number of different sectors.

“Us Midlanders have always been an optimistic and resilient bunch and this research is certainly proof of that. We know that Manchester so desperately wants to be number two, however, as long as our confidence remains so will our status.”

Ends

For more information, please contact Jason Hartley / Paula Mitchell at Willoughby PR, tel: 0121 456 3004 email: jasonh@willoughby-pr.co.uk / paulam@willoughby-pr.co.uk

Notes to editors:

• The ‘Midlands Matters’ Report interviewed 100 financial directors, managing directors and chief execs from top Midlands firms between July and August 2008
• BDO LLP operates across the UK with over 3,000 partners and staff. BDO LLP is a UK limited liability partnership and the UK Member Firm of BDO International. BDO International is a world-wide network of public accounting firms, called BDO Member Firms, serving international clients. Each BDO Member Firm is an independent legal entity in its own country. The Belfast Firm is operated by a separate Partnership.

• BDO LLP and BDO - Belfast are both authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority to conduct investment business.

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