Birmingham Airport Unveils New Icons Wall Celebrating West Midlands Legends
Birmingham Airport has officially unveiled a new Icons Wall that pays tribute to iconic figures from the West Midlands, including music legend Ozzy Osbourne, the cast of Peaky Blinders, and reggae band UB40. The installation, located just after security check-in, aims to celebrate the region's rich contributions to sports, arts, culture, and heritage.
A Tribute to Local Talent and History
The Icons Wall features a diverse array of personalities, such as Steven Knight, comedian Jasper Carrott, acclaimed chef Glynn Purnell, and the late poet Benjamin Zephaniah. According to Al Titterington, operations director at Birmingham Airport, the project was initiated to foster a stronger sense of place for both passengers and staff.
"At the airport, we are really trying to generate a sense of place," Titterington explained. "The airport is for the community, both in terms of our customers who use it and our colleagues who work here. In creating that sense of place, we wanted to recognize the contributions and inspirations from the sectors within arts, sport, and culture."
Selection Process and Community Involvement
The selection of icons was a collaborative effort, with airport colleagues nominating individuals they believed deserved recognition. Titterington noted that the final list represents a balanced mix across various fields and spans the last 30 to 40 years of contributions.
"We asked our colleagues, who do you think should be part of our Icons Wall, and we had a plethora of nominations," he said. "What we have here today is a right balance across all those areas but also in terms of the last 30 to 40 years in contributions. Right from the Industrial Revolution all the way through to Peaky Blinders—and in between with the likes of Jasper Carrott and UB40, who I grew up idolizing."
Reactions from Featured Icons
Among those honored, Brummie chef Glynn Purnell expressed his excitement at being included. Purnell, who once worked as a dishwasher near the airport, shared his heartfelt reaction.
"I used to wash up when I was about 14 on the other side of the airport by the NEC, and now to be able to walk through the airport and have my picture here—I'm speechless really," Purnell said, adding that he was "absolutely thrilled" to be featured.
The unveiling took place on Wednesday morning, marking a significant addition to the airport's efforts to highlight local talent and create a welcoming environment for all travelers passing through Birmingham.
