Business Growth West Midlands

23/10/2026

🍂 Big plans for your business this season? Whether you're looking to sharpen your financial skills, grow your network, hear from inspiring entrepreneurs or explore opportunities overseas, there’s an event for you.

💷 Start-up Finance Basics: Build confidence in managing your business finances .

🤝 Birmingham Black Business Conference (31 Oct): Connect with entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators from across the region at the Legacy Centre of Excellence .

🗣️ In Conversation with Rosie Ginday MBE: Hear the inspiring story behind the award-winning West Midlands business Miss Macaroon.

🌍 International Trade Week (9-13 Nov): Gain practical insights into exporting and gaining international growth.

👉 Discover more free events and programmes:
https://www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk/events/

22/10/2026

👾 AI isn't here to replace your marketing expertise. It's here to help you work smarter.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses approach marketing, but the best results come when AI is used as an assistant, not a replacement for human expertise.

In this article, we share 5 practical ways small businesses can use AI to create content, uncover customer insights, improve messaging and save valuable time.

Read more 🔗 https://www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk/articles/5-practical-ways-to-use-ai-in-your-marketing/

09/10/2026

🚨 Aston’s 2026 cohort may now be full, but there’s still time to join Help to Grow: Management at Birmingham City University or Coventry University Business School.

Designed for SME leaders, this government-backed programme offers expert-led learning, one-to-one mentoring and practical tools to help you strengthen your leadership skills, develop a growth strategy and build a more resilient business.

If you've been thinking about investing in your business and your own development, now is the time to act.

👉 Find out more and secure your place:
https://www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk/articles/last-chance-to-join-help-to-grow-management-2026-cohorts/

07/10/2026

🌱 Sustainability and growth can go hand in hand.

With support from the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS), The Wattrus Group Ltd has invested in new equipment, reduced emissions and improved efficiency across its operations.

The business recently welcomed Cllr Heather Delaney, Deputy Leader of Solihull Council, to learn more about the impact of the support.

Read how the business is making sustainability work in practice 🔗 https://www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk/articles/the-wattrus-group-driving-sustainability-through-beas-support/

05/10/2026

🧃🔬 Expanding into new sectors can be a game-changer for growing businesses.

See how 4T2 Sensors is taking its innovative sensing technology beyond the food and beverage industry and into pharmaceutical applications, creating new opportunities for growth through the Supply Chain Transition programme.

Read how the company is exploring the Life Sciences sector 🔗 https://www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk/articles/from-food-beverage-to-pharma-how-4t2-sensors-is-expanding-the-reach-of-its-sensing-technology/

02/10/2026

📈 Is your website attracting visitors but not generating enquiries or sales?

Your website should work as hard as you do. Our latest guide explores practical ways to improve the customer journey, build trust and encourage more visitors to take action.

Our latest guide explores practical ways to improve the customer journey, build trust and encourage more visitors to take action.

Find out how to turn more clicks into customers 🔗 https://www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk/articles/how-to-turn-your-website-visitors-into-customers/

28/09/2026

🍻🍴 Good news for independent hospitality businesses. A new £10 million grant scheme will support pubs, restaurants and cafés across the UK, helping businesses start up, revitalise vacant premises, develop skills and invest in innovation and sustainability.

Applications are expected to open from the end of September 2026, so now is the time to find out more.

📖 Read the full story: https://www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk/articles/10-million-hospitality-grant-scheme-launches-for-independent-businesses/

25/09/2026

👾 AI is changing the way small businesses build and launch new ideas.

Whether you're creating a website, booking system or customer app, getting started doesn't have to be complicated. The real challenge is knowing what to build, who it's for and how it should work.

This practical guide from guest contributor Ayodele Adeyemo explores a straightforward framework to help you move from idea to launch with confidence.

📖 Read the full article: https://www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk/articles/how-small-business-owners-can-build-websites-and-applications-with-ai/

24/09/2026

🌊 Turning seaweed into sustainable packaging.

Through support, Wolverhampton-based business Symbiotex have secured a £171,000 R&D grant and recruited a new apprentice as it scales innovative alternatives to plastic packaging through the Supply Chain Transition programme and local networks.

Read their story 🔗 https://www.businessgrowthwestmidlands.org.uk/articles/symbiotex-scales-sustainable-packaging-innovation-from-wolverhampton/

22/09/2026

⚒️ If you're part of the Supply Chain Transition Programme, the Leadership for Manufacturing SMEs programme supports employees and leaders within manufacturing as they navigate change, digital transformation and supply chain transition.

The programme offers practical tools and insights to help you lead through change, from digital transformation and sustainability to shifting supply chain demands.

The programme begins at the University of Wolverhampton Business School from 29 Sep–2 Oct 2026.

Learn more about the course 👇

🚀 Develop your leadership skills and prepare your manufacturing business for what’s next.

Leadership for Manufacturing SMEs is a practical programme designed for current and aspiring leaders navigating digital transformation, sustainability and changing supply-chain demands.

The programme includes four full-day sessions, a hackathon and three online coaching sessions, with a Certificate of Recognition and Digital Badge on completion.

📅 Core course: 29 September–2 October 2026
🎓 University of Wolverhampton Business School

For manufacturing SMEs already participating in the Supply Chain Transition Programme.

Register your interest 👉 https://ow.ly/zxCp50ZKpoA

Birmingham City University Coventry University University of Wolverhampton University of Warwick West Midlands Combined Authority Business Growth West Midlands