Business leaders pledge to work with Mayor

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham have pledged to work with Andy Street to help the region get back on its feet after being “shaken to the core” by Covid-19 and Brexit.

The Conservative candidate is beginning his second term as mayor after he defeated Hodge Hill Labour MP Liam Byrne in Thursday’s election. 

Before being elected mayor in 2017, Mr Street was boss of retailer John Lewis for more than a decade. He also led the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership as chairman from 2011 to 2016.

Henrietta Brealey , chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), said: “We congratulate Andy on his re-election as West Midlands Mayor – it’s been a hard fought campaign which has taken place in the most extraordinary circumstances.

“Having worked closely with Andy and the senior team at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for a number of years, the Chamber looks forward to building on that spirit of collaboration and ensuring that the voice of business is central to the mayor’s plans for revitalising the region.

“During the election campaign, the Chamber worked to get businesses’ needs front and centre on candidates’ agendas with our manifesto, produced with and for our members: Rebounding for Business: Vision for the West Midlands Mayor.

“It was great to see Andy back a number of the actions we called for around getting the region back on track as we emerge from the pandemic, green growth opportunities and maximising the impact of two once in a generation opportunities - HS2 and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“Between Brexit and Covid-19 it has been quite the year for the business community to put it mildly. As a Chamber we stand ready to work with the mayor and ensure that the West Midlands emerges from the pandemic ready to drive ahead on jobs, investment and innovation, re-establishing our place in the country and the world.”