Express & Star

Chamber launches drive to boost business investment

A two-week campaign to show businesses how they can grow and increase productivity through investment is being launched today by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Published
Director of policy and strategic relationships Henrietta Brealey

Invest to Grow aims to inspire businesses to invest in research and development, innovation, technology and machinery and at the same time boost productivity.

For the next two weeks the GBCC will highlight a wide range of content exploring what local businesses are investing in and why. It will also highlight what support is available and the barriers to investment.

Almost 20 companies have provided case studies, opinion pieces or taken part in podcasts or videos as part of the campaign.

Part one focuses on investment in R&D and innovation and is sponsored by the University of Birmingham. It will feature content from The NEC Group, Curium Solutions, MCS Corporate, Versierve, CocoonFXMedia, RSM and more exploring their experiences of fostering innovation and investing in R&D.

Part two focuses on investment in technology and machinery.

People can join the conversation on social media using #I2G18.

Henrietta Brealey, director of policy and strategic relationships at the GBCC, said: “Invest to Grow is part of our work to help businesses boost productivity. It’s often reported that the UK is experiencing a ‘productivity puzzle’ showing that despite record levels of employment our economy is not growing at the rate that might be expected.

“Firms which consistently invest in research and development have on average 13 per cent higher productivity than non-innovative firms.

“With Invest to Grow we want to pique businesses interest in investing in R&D and innovation and give them the information they need to explore it themselves.

“We also want to raise awareness of the reasons why businesses don’t invest more often and challenge stakeholders to tackle key barriers.

“We are delighted to be working with the University of Birmingham on part one of this campaign. They are leaders in the field for driving collaboration and innovation with and in the business community across the city-region and beyond.”

Gurmit Kler, director of business engagement at the University of Birmingham, said: “We’re excited to be sponsoring the Chamber of Commerce’s first Invest to Grow campaign, which highlights the importance of regional investment in innovation and R&D to boost productivity locally.

“More than ever businesses and universities need to work together to address shared challenges.

“The University of Birmingham is driving innovation through our bespoke industry collaborations.

“Since its inception in 1900, the University of Birmingham recognised the importance of university-business collaboration to drive society and the economy, share resources and knowledge, and make important things happen.

“We look forward to sharing our insight and joining the conversations around the campaign.”