AGM Signals Strong Parliamentary Support and Momentum for the Region

This week, we were delighted to host our AGM in Parliament for the West Midlands APPG, welcoming nearly 20 Members from both Houses. The strong turnout reflects the real energy and enthusiasm among MPs and Peers for the region and its future.

We were very pleased to re-elect Dave Robertson MP for Lichfield, Burntwood and the Villages as Chair. Since taking on the role last October, Dave has provided exceptional leadership. We also re-elected Laurence Turner MP as Treasurer, alongside Sir Andrew Mitchell MP and Leigh Ingham MP as fellow officers. It is especially wonderful to welcome Leigh back following her time in Government. All four are deeply committed champions of the West Midlands and a genuine pleasure to work with.

Alongside the formal business of the AGM, including the annual report and financial review, we were joined by Professor Ken Sloan, Chair of the Advisory Board. Ken reflected on what has been a highly successful year and shared an exciting outlook for the year ahead. The Advisory Board continues to play an invaluable role in the APPG’s impact, with the recent Culture Inquiry standing out as a particular success.

Building on this momentum, it was a pleasure to catch up with Erica Love, Chief Executive of Culture Central and Chair of our Culture, Place and Liveability Workstream, to discuss the positive progress being made on delivering the inquiry’s recommendations. Erica recently took part in a roundtable in Birmingham with Culture Minister Ian Murray, where there was strong engagement with the region’s priorities and the APPG’s recommendations. She is also looking forward to joining Leigh Ingham MP later this month for a further roundtable focused on delivery.

It is fantastic to see such strong collaboration and meaningful progress as we work together to realise the region’s ambitions.

We look forward to sharing further updates soon!