Updated 4:55am 25 May 2012

Powered by Google

Ian Taylor

Former Aston Villa midfielder Ian Taylor launches new set of headphones

Former Aston Villa star Ian Taylor is making a noise in the business world after teaming up with a Midland firm to launch a new set of headphones. Read

Manufacturing

Manufacturers lead growth among West Midlands small firms

Advanced manufacturing, engineering and business and financial services saw the biggest growth among West Midlands SMEs in the last three years, according to new research.Read

Diamond Jubilee

A third of Midlands firms unhappy about Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday

More than a third of businesses in the West Midlands are unhappy about the additional bank holiday to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.Read

West Midlands Chambers of Commerce

Changes in employment law will help ease jobs crisis, say business leaders

Measures to make it easier for businesses to hire – and fire – staff would help ease the unemployment crisis according to business leaders in the region.Read

Enterprise Zones

Enterprise zones now fully operational across West Midlands

Enterprise zones offering businesses tax breaks and fewer planning restrictions have gone live across the West Midlands.Read

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Solihull Council to launch loan fund for small businesses

Solihull Council has become the latest local authority to offer financial support to small businesses by launching a loan fund.Read

Icknield Port Loop

Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP reveals first handouts from Growing Places fund

Details have been revealed of the first eight development projects that will benefit to the tune of more than £12 million from the Growing Places Fund.Read

Advantage West Midlands

Ian Austin: How Advantage West Midlands really did help the region

As Advantage West Midlands prepares to close its doors, Minister for the West Midlands Ian Austin explains why he is so proud of its legacyRead

Settle app

Birmingham entrepreneurs Settle launch payment app for smartphones

Two ambitious technology entrepreneurs are to launch a smart phone app that allows customers to makes payments via text message.Read

Birmingham Post

Shropshire firm Cobra develops world's lightest aircraft seat

A Shropshire manufacturer claims to have created the world’s lightest economy aircraft seat – saving airlines hundreds of thousands of pounds in fuel costs.Read

Theo Paphitis

Birmingham missing out on investment, warns Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis

Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis is set to build on an awards event aimed at small businesses that he runs through Twitter by staging a conference in Birmingham.Read

Ruth Badger

Apprentice finalist Ruth Badger gives top tips to 2012 candidates

Ruth Badger, a former candidate on TV show The Apprentice, has given her expertise to Birmingham students hoping to be the entrepreneurs of the future. Read

Budget 2012 reaction: Corporation tax cut a relief for SMEs

Measures aimed at boosting small business were welcomed by the owner of a traditional sweet shop in Solihull that opened just eight weeks ago.Read

Firms vie for year's mentoring from Dragons' Den stalwart

Three companies that successfully won thousands of pounds of advertising with BPM Media titles have been put through to a regional final and a step closer to the top prize of a year’s mentoring from Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden.Read

Lord Sugar

Birmingham entrepreneur Nick Holzherr joins The Apprentice hopefuls

Birmingham entrepreneur Nick Holzherr is among the 16 contestants hoping to impress Lord Alan Sugar in this year's series of The Apprentice. Read

LaLa Rocks bracelets

Birmingham jewellery label LaLa Rocks a fashion accessory to the stars

A jewellery maker in Birmingham has had a business boost after her bracelets proved a hit with top footballers and their wives.Read

Made In Britain logo launched by Labour Party

Labour backs campaign for Made In Britain logo for UK manufacturers

Labour leader Ed Miliband is to back calls for an official “Made in Britain” logo to encourage shoppers to back British manufacturers.Read

freight, export

Minister Stephen Greene tells businesses to target exporting

The business model that relies solely on the domestic market is “bankrupt” and more needs to be done to promote exports, according to a Government minister who visited Birmingham this week.Read

New business support operation launched in wake of Government cuts

A new company has been established in Birmingham which aims fill the business support void in the wake of government cuts.Read

Birmingham Post

West Midlands businesses urged to sign up for regional growth fund

Business Secretary Vince Cable has urged West Midlands firms to bid for a share of the Government’s £2.4 billion Regional Growth Fund, after he launched a third round of grants.Read