Patrons of BABC Midlands

Mills & Reeve LLP, one of the UK’s top 50 law firms has become a Founder Patron of the British American Business Council in the Midlands (BABC), part of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group (BCCG).

The national law firm advises on corporate, commercial, real estate, employment, private client, healthcare, insurance and public law. Clients range from global and UK-based businesses, FTSE and AIM listed organisations to private companies and start-ups. The BABC is committed to promoting trade and investment between the US and the UK and Jerry Blackett, the BCCG’s chief executive, said: “I am delighted to welcome Mills & Reeve on board and look forward to working with them. The BABC is committed to promoting transatlantic trade and investment and there is a perfect synergy with Mills & Reeve’s international aspirations and global connections.”

Guy Hinchley, managing partner of Mills & Reeve, said: “We are delighted to be a founder patron of the BABC in the Midlands. We have a long association with the organisation through our partner Steve Allen, and we were a co-sponsor of their annual Transatlantic Conference in London last year. Our work has an increasing international dimension and, in addition to India and China, the North American market is very important to us. Our association with the BABC has proven to be very effective in broadening our transatlantic network of contacts enabling us to win work and further enhance service delivery to our clients.”

Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “North American links with Birmingham are absolutely vital and Mills & Reeve’s support for the BABC will enhance our reputation in this area. It is also excellent timing with the US track and field team for the Olympics due to be based in Birmingham for training purposes which will further strengthen our trans-Atlantic links.”

Steve Allen, a partner and head of the firm’s commercial disputes team in Birmingham, is deputy chairman of the Midlands Chapter of the BABC, which has more than 100 members from around the region. He also sits on the organisation’s Executive Committee in New York, representing all the UK chapters. Steve was named “International Solicitor of the Year” at the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards 2010.

Mills & Reeve LLP is a top 50 national law firm with strong international links. The firm’s Birmingham office opened in 1998 and now employs more than 200, including 19 partners. The firm has been one of the Sunday Times Best 100 Companies to work for since 2004 and this year has achieved its eighth consecutive appearance.

Business Birmingham is the city’s official inward investment programme and part of Marketing Birmingham’s destination marketing strategy.

With Birmingham at the centre of a £94 billion regional economy, the programme positions the city, and wider city region, as a leading business destination, investment location and engine of the UK’s economic growth.

Business Birmingham’s dedicated inward investment team helps potential investors put together a compelling case for setting up business in Birmingham. So if you’re looking to relocate your business to the city, or you are already based here and have expansion plans, we are here to help.

Birmingham’s businesses have access to an extensive range of support to help them prosper – including guidance on investment, recruitment and skills development as well as how to unlock new overseas markets.

To benefit from the city’s strong enterprise culture, get help to establish or grow a presence in the city and gain access to Birmingham’s business networks, get in touch with the Business Birmingham team.

Contact information:
Telephone: +44 (0) 121 202 5022
E-mail: invest@marketingbirmingham.com
Website: www.businessbirmingham.com

Wouter Schuitemaker, Investment Director Business Birmingham, said:
“Business Birmingham has joined the British American Business Council to support our activities across the US and maximise our opportunities to secure further investors from this hugely important market.
The US is a major investor in Birmingham and the West Midlands - the area is currently home to over 350 North American companies employing approximately 60,000 people. Business Birmingham will be using this established base to showcase the city’s potential to key US investors at a series of events during an extended trade mission to the States in October. Birmingham’s central location, transport links – including direct flights from Birmingham Airport to New York; access to talent - including 100,000 graduates from the region’s 15 universities; and cost effective office space – up to 50% cheaper for Grade A space compared with the capital; make a compelling case for US companies to locate in the city.”