Jo Roberts, head of corporate affairs at Birmingham Airport, has called on business owners across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands to stop being 'apologetic' about the region, urging them to tell the 'amazing story' of the area.
Chamber of Commerce event highlights regional pride
Roberts spoke at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce's Quarterly Business Report launch event for Q2, held at Birmingham City University's Curzon Building. She was joined by other delegates including Aaron Dardi, founder and managing director of energy procurement experts ENERGYbubble, and Terry Gibson, development director at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
The meeting aimed to discuss the state of business sentiment in the region, alongside recruitment, investment intentions and cost pressures across Greater Birmingham.
Aviation sector resilience and HS2 opportunity
Roberts addressed the challenges facing the aviation sector but championed the resilience Birmingham Airport has shown despite global challenges. She said: 'There is a huge opportunity for the airport and for the region with HS2 that will only elevate the connectivity that we've got with road and rail.'
'If you look at the investment, the growth, and all of the amazing businesses around us, there is such opportunity for the area if we start setting out our stall properly.'
'What I find with Birmingham and the region is we're quite apologetic, and we hide behind a bushel in terms of the amazing story that we've got to tell.'
Record passenger numbers at Birmingham Airport
The airport recently announced that 13.7 million passengers passed through the airport last year, with year-on-year growth. In May alone, 1.3 million passengers used Birmingham Airport, a 3.2% increase on the previous year and a record month.
Matt Hazelwood, Chief Commercial Officer of Birmingham Airport, said: 'It has been a record-breaking month for passenger numbers here at BHX, with a 3.2% increase year-on-year.'
'There has been a fantastic energy across the airport as our development plans continue to come to fruition, alongside the launch of new routes, including Nice with easyJet and Jersey with Jet2.com this month.'
'We were also delighted to welcome a new on-site partner, McDonald's, conveniently located for customers to grab a meal either before flying or upon arrival.'
'We are now looking ahead and preparing for what promises to be a busy summer period.'
