Latest Bostin' businesses named as public back campaign to raise profile of the Black Country
An all-female run funeral provider, a Brierley Hill design agency and one of the UK’s theatrical gems were among the latest cohort to be named as Bostin’ Black Country businesses.
Walsh Funerals and Memorials in Bloxwich, Eighty3Design in Brierley Hill and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre headlined the dynamic dozen that also includes Black Country Women’s Aid, The Mount Hotel Golf and Country Club in Wolverhampton, Coinadrink in Walsall and children’s play and creative space Pippatopia in Smethwick.
Nearly 2,800 people got involved in the first-ever public vote demonstrating the passion for recognising the best companies, organisations and charities in the Black Country.
The votes were combined with feedback from the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors to whittle 18 fantastic nominations down to a final 12.
Sarah Moorhouse, CEO of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “We knew the Bostin’ campaign had captured the imagination, but I don’t think any of us thought we would receive such widespread public reaction.
“To receive nearly 2,800 votes - in a campaign that ran for just two weeks - is brilliant and we loved seeing how the nominated firms got involved to spread the message and generate backing for their own businesses.
“Our dynamic dozen really shows the eclectic mix of talent we have in our fabulous region. We’ve got pioneering manufacturing firms producing components that help make the world go round, we’ve got digital specialists that are creating the professionals of the future and we’ve even got a risk transformation specialist.
“What was really telling is when we asked them all what made the Black Country Bostin’, they came back with ‘the people’.”
The Bostin’ Black Country Business campaign has been created with the aim of changing perceptions and increasing economic performance by championing the most innovative, resilient, creative and globally trading companies.
The chamber plans to add new companies over the next six months, ultimately building an alumni-style community of 50 members.
The cohort currently stands at 30 businesses, with BlackRook Academy in Kingswinford, historic family firm Thomas Dudley which is based in Dudley, MoRServ security firm based in Wombourne, Regent Engineering (Walsall) and Wednesbury manufacturing firm Union Fasteners the other winners of the public vote.
Sarah added: “Our Bostin’ businesses are really driving forward business growth, helping to tell the story of our region and taking our message out to a national and even global stage.”
Lucy Rook, managing director of BlackRook Academy, said: “There’s a beautiful self-deprecating humour about people from the Black Country that’s part of our underlying charm. However, this sometimes means we don’t promote our achievements.
“We want to change that by shouting loudly about the Black Country’s innovative, hardworking and values-led businesses.
“Being able to tell those stories better - sharing what companies do, why they do it and the impact they have - helps build trust, supports recruitment and raises the profile of the area.”
