INWARD INVESTMENT

Birmingham is making things happen. At a time when the power of regional cities is dominating the headlines Birmingham is showing that it has the economic backing to compete globally as well as nationally.

OUR RESULTS ARE BRINGING RECOGNITION

RECENT INVESTORS INCLUDE:

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT INTO THE BIRMINGHAM AREA IS AT A RECORD HIGH

Named as the UK’s most entrepreneurial city outside of London, the FDI Destination of the Future by industry leading FDI Magazine, listed in the top three ‘Best to Invest’ locations in Western Europe, and the most attractive UK regional city for quality of life – our work to make the region one of the most attractive places in the world to do business is building momentum.

• EXTRA ENERGY – Established its headquarters in the city with plans to create up to 1,000 local jobs over the next 12 months

• HYDRAFORCE – Invested in a new factory at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub. Job numbers at the company will almost double by 2018

• DEUTSCHE BANK – Continued its investment to become the largest foreign owned financial services company in the city, employing more than 1,000 and plans to double staff levels in the near future

There were more foreign investment projects in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP (GBSLEP) area last year than any other English region. The number of FDI – foreign direct investment – projects in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP area increased by 57%, to 77 projects, which trumped the 37 other regions.

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The region also created the most jobs – a total of 4,841 – a 98% increase on the previous year, compared to 3,350 from its nearest challenger. Business Birmingham led on 37 projects in Birmingham itself, creating 2,815 new jobs last year.

Birmingham is now also the top choice for those relocating out of the capital. Almost 5,500 people

moved to Birmingham from the London area last year.

INCREASING INVESTMENT IS SECURING JOBS AND TALENT

VISITOR ECONOMY

More people than ever are being drawn to Birmingham. From our world class cul ture to fami ly attract ions; foodie havens to shops galore, Birmingham is fast becoming a premier v is i tor dest inat ion – with more in store for 2015 and beyond.

INTERNATIONAL VISITOR NUMBERS ARE ON THE RISE

Birmingham attracted more international visits last year than ever before. There were almost

one million visits to the city last year – an increase of more than 225,000 on the previous year.

With numbers rising by a third in the last year alone, Birmingham’s growth in attracting visitors is higher than any other

city in the UK.

Hotel occupancy rates in Birmingham also reached an 82% average in September 2014

– the highest since records began in 2003.

THE BIRMINGHAM EXPERIENCE

For a second consecutive year, Birmingham was named the ‘Best UK Destination to Visit’ by readers of Group Leisure magazine, the country’s leading publication for group travel organisers.

The city also maintained its position as the UK’s most popular conference and events destination outside London in the sixth annual British Meetings & Events Industry Survey 2014/15 (BMEIS).

GROWING GLOBALLY

With direct flights to India and China, as well as an increase in the number of daily flights to the UK, Birmingham is becoming easier to reach for global passengers. Building on growing interest in the city’s offering, global marketing and sales initiatives to

boost our profile further, the city is reaping swift rewards.

Birmingham attracted a record 34 million visitors in 2013, contributing £5.34 billion to the local economy – an increase of 12% since 2006. The increased visitor numbers helped create 2,100 jobs over the last year, boosting the number supported in the city’s visitor economy to more than 63,500 jobs in for the local workforce.

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2015 & BEYOND

Birmingham never stops evolving. Powered by the innovative spirit of its people, Birmingham has always pushed forward.

2015 marks a next step in the landscape and development of the city, as it builds its position as a leading global destination.

RETAIL

SPORT

CONNECTED

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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• Grand Central Birmingham opens, including the flagship John Lewis store

• £150 million integrated leisure complex, Resorts World Birmingham opens

• £20 million refurbishment of Selfridges department store at Bullring

• £50 million redevelopment completed at leisure and retail destination The Mailbox

• Rugby World Cup 2015 matches to be held at Villa Park

• England v Australia: Ashes Test Match Cricket at Edgbaston Stadium

• Birmingham New Street Station £600 million redevelopment completed

• Birmingham Royal Ballet celebrates its 25th anniversary

• 300th anniversary of Birmingham Cathedral

• Cadbury World celebrates its 25th birthday

• Birmingham’s iconic Rotunda building, which now includes 5-star apartment company Staying Cool, celebrates its 50th anniversary

• Mixed-use development Brindleyplace celebrates its 20th anniversary

MARKETING BIRMINGHAM ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2014

www.marketingbirmingham.com

VISITOR NUMBERS ARE AT A RECORD HIGH

BIRMINGHAM RANKED TOP UK REGIONAL CITY FOR QUALITY OF LIFE

MORE FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT PROJECTS

THAN ANY OTHER ENGLISH REGION

4,337 NEW JOBS FROM FDIMORE THAN ANY OTHER REGION

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

30,000 BED SPACES…

AND GROWING

PROJECTS

PLACES TO SHOP

TOP THREEMOST VISITED

THE UK’S MOSTENTREPRENEURIALREGIONAL CITY

SUPPORTED

FIVE HUNDREDBUSINESSES

AND COLLEGE

BIRMINGHAMTHE LOCATION FORHS2 CONSTRUCTION HQ

2013/14TARGETS EXCEEDED

37 PROJECTS2815 JOBS

BY 87%EMPLOYMENT

4% NATIONALLY

SEC

TORFOOD

DRINK

EMPLOYMENTCOMPARED WITH

TO CHINA

WEST MIDLANDSACCOUNTS FOR80%OF AUTO

EXPORTS

34 MILLION VISITORS

MAJOR INVESTMENT