Birmingham's economic miracle: how we make sure everyone benefits from it?

How we can ensure Birmingham grows in a way which will allow all its citizens to benefit rather than just a few.

Join us to hear from our speakers Professor Rebecca Riley, Raj Kandola and John Street on whether they think Birmingham can grow in an equal way, and how we can achieve equitable growth.

You will then have an opportunity to ask questions.

Tea/coffee will be served on arrival.

There is parking avialable at the venue - charges apply.

Speaker Biographies:

Professor Rebecca Riley

Professor Rebecca (Bec) Riley is an experienced researcher, intelligence provider and information professional. She has been helping practitioners and policy makers make decisions and develop solutions for over 20 years. Bec has delivered over 200 research and information projects to the public and private sector across economic, social and environmental policy areas. She is a champion of using evidence for decision making, making research accessible and ensuring it has impact. Throughout her career, Bec has explored and continues to refine the use of data and intelligence to underpin strategy, policy and practice. Her research areas include place based economic development, skills and the application of economic forecasting.

Rebecca has designed and led information and intelligence services for a wide range of public and private sector organisations, providing bespoke advice and guidance, regular briefing services, commissioning, managing brokerage services for collaborative research, shared on-line research and information portals and network events. She specialises in social research methods with extensive experience in designing and delivering workshops, seminars, and interviews.

John Street (Director, Free@Last)

John Street, is the Founder and Director of free@last, a charity improving the lives of the children and young people of Nechells, a community John is incredibly close to and has served for over 30 years by delivering youth, family and community services.

The charity offers a wide range of support and opportunities for children, young people and families, providing youth clubs, parents & children activities, entrepreneurial opportunities, debt and benefit support, sport and skills opportunities to name a few.

John has a wealth of experience working in charities and voluntary organisations
and now as a Director, works to ensure free@last becomes self-sustaining through fundraising, social enterprises and other forms of income generation.

John is happiest when putting a smile on other peoples’ faces and in 2013 was listed as one of the 100 happiest people in the UK in the Independent newspapers’ Happy List in recognition of his dedication towards helping others.

His career and work are all in support of his aim to eliminate child poverty in Nechells.

Raj Kandola (Director of External Affairs, Greater Chamber of Commerce)

Raj Kandola is the Director of External Affairs at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce tasked with covering the organisation’s research, campaigning, stakeholder engagement and media & communications activity. Specific policy areas of focus include transport & infrastructure, international trade, education and environmental policy. In addition, he is responsible for managing the organisation’s Patronage scheme and the GBCC’s media and news content operations, including external media engagement and production of the organisation’s print and online news material

Prior to joining the Chamber in 2016, Raj worked in Communications for a former Shadow Minister and spent eight years in London recruiting staff across the financial services industry.

Many thanks for registering for a Lunar Society event.

Once registered we will add you to our database and you will receive mailings regarding future events, membership and surveys.

By registering for this event you have given your consent for The Lunar Society to add your data to their database and receive future mailings.

This event will be recorded and may be posted on our social media/website - by booking this event you have agreed to be recorded.

Your information will not be shared with any other organisations and is used for Lunar Society purposes only.

If you do not wish to receive these mailings please click unsubscribe on the next mailing you receive or email .