The Big Debate

The Blog Debate

Special blog ahead of Birmingham event

The Big Debate: Develop solutions online to city’s problems, says Charles Leadbeater Nov 03 2009

Birmingham’s problems like youth unemployment, low education levels and social inclusion could be a catalyst to drive its creative economy, according to innovation expert Charles Leadbeater.Read

Big Debate's ideas for supporting creative economy Nov 03 2009

Inspired by Charles Leadbeater’s keynote speech and addresses by Toby Barnes of Mudlark and David Harris of Wunderman, those attending The Big Debate came up with their own ideas on how the West Midland creative economy can best be supported.Read

Live coverage from The Big Debate Nov 02 2009

This year's Big Debate will see some of the big hitters from the country's digital sector brought together in Birmingham to discuss whether the creative industries can revolutionise the struggling UK economy and how best the West Midlands can tap into this.Read

The Big Debate looks at the importance of creative industries Nov 02 2009

Creative industries representatives from around the West Midlands will gather at the ICC today to discuss how the sector can reach its full potential in the UK economy.Read

Time to be brave with creativity Oct 26 2009

David Harris asks: Has the Midlands got the bottle for the Big Debate?Read

Creative industries' major role in Birmingham economy Oct 26 2009

The size of the creative industries in Birmingham is often a matter for debate itself, but early figures from a new report profiling the creative economy should provide a snapshot of the sector ahead of the Big Debate next week. Read

The Big Debate: Call for one voice to speak for Birmingham Oct 19 2009

The question of whether the West Midlands needs a trade body to represent its digital marketing sector is among the issues being raised ahead of The Big Debate taking place next month.Read

Why creative industries are making Birmingham a City of purpose Oct 05 2009

Mario Minichiello, of Birmingham City Universty, looks at the power of the creative industries sector in the West Midlands. Read

Create or die, business guru Charles Leadbeater tells Birmingham bosses Sep 21 2009

Creative industries and innovation expert Charles Leadbeater is to deliver the keynote speech at The Big Debate in November. He explains to ANNA BLACKABY why Birmingham needs to prioritise creativity in order to stimulate its flagging economyRead

Birmingham's Big Debate focuses on digital sector Sep 07 2009

Today sees the launch of The Big Debate which this year focuses on how the digital sector in the West Midlands can take a leading role in returning the UK economy to growth.Read

Can the Midlands creative industries revolutionise the UK economy? Sep 07 2009

Can the Midlands Creative Industries revolutionise the UK economy? Joanna Birch reports ahead of this year's Big Debate in Birmingham Read

Business Blog

Come on Irene...

If Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota, can make it to Washington to apologise to Congress, then where was Kraft boss Irene Rosenfeld last week when Kraft was hauled up before the House of Commons Business Select Committee by its Chair, the impressive Peter Luff MP? Rosenfeld's decision to lie low and to effectively snub the Committee's proceedings meant that the hearing got off to an angry start - not surprisingly MPs were not impressed at being ignored by the Kraft boss. Read