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About West Midlands Knowledge

West Midlands Knowledge (WMK) is a project funded by Advantage West Midlands, operated by Birmingham Forward on behalf of the six sub-regional networks, Birmingham Forward, Alliance 4 the Black Country, Coventry & Warwickshire First, finest (North Staffordshire), SucceSS (South Staffordshire) and Telford Business Partnership.

Its objectives are to position West Midlands Professional Services as an expert centre in the UK, exploit areas of current strength, increase turnover in regional firms, identify and develop new business opportunities, increase levels of collaboration, encourage networking and improve innovation and business processes in smaller BPS firms.

We will do this by focusing on 5 key market areas which are: low carbon, ageing population (split into financial management and healthcare), ICT & Digital and Islamic finance. Firms will be asked to initially come along to dissemination events across the region which will have industry experts to explain the sector, client side representatives to demonstrate the fee earning opportunities and then followed by firms in the region who have already embraced the market areas and how they went about it. Following on for these events we will then organise facilitated 'growth networks' where different firms and businesses will come together in small groups to share ideas within their chosen area. Over the course of the project we will be starting up 50 growth networks and engaging directly with over 200 businesses and aim to raise the GVA of all firms involved.

If you would like a more detailed break down of the project click here for our Phase 2 Delivery Plan for more information.

For a pdf handout about WMK click here.

Interested? Well if you are a part of a business or firm who are already making progress in these areas, an expert who would be willing to share some of your expertise or simply someone who wants to get involved then please make contact on 0121 632 2214.