Increasing prosperity across the West Midlands cannot be confined to the centre of Birmingham, the mayor of the region told a major policy event.

The third annual Connections for Prosperity event, hosted by thinktank the Centre for the New Midlands at Edgbaston Stadium, brought together more than 250 key policymakers, businesses and academics to debate the challenges in the region and the opportunities for the future.

The event was opened by West Midlands mayor Richard Parker, who chatted to host Ed James around the success of Knighthead Capital Management’s £100m investment into Birmingham’s new sports quarter, the expansion of the region’s Metrolink tram network, and the need to truly support the entire region.

The mayor also spoke about his Growth Plan to reboot the region’s economy and drive a new era of prosperity by creating well paid jobs in fast-growing industries, improving public transport, and building 120,000 homes.

“We have to show that the West Midlands is a great place for businesses to invest,” he said.

“But we can’t just build prosperity on Colmore Row – we need to build prosperity across all our towns and cities. We have to make it easier to do business here.

“Knighthead’s investment has shown what is possible, and with our ambition to triple the size of the Metro network across the region, build thousands of houses in key areas, and support young people into good employment though our Youth Plan, we are heading in the right direction.”

A panel discussion between Joanne Roney CBE, managing director of Birmingham City Council, Tim Johnson, chief executive of City of Wolverhampton Council, and Dr Julie Nugent, chief executive of Coventry City Council, reflected on the need for better long-term thinking in the region, and the need to energise younger generations by councils better reflecting the communities they serve.

And chief executive of Birmingham Airport, Nick Barton, closed the event by speaking about the role of the airport as an enabler of significant economic growth, and how the West Midlands needs to better promote itself as a brand.

He cited the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and Black Sabbath’s recent final concert at Villa Park as ways that the airport stimulated a huge influx of travel and spending within the region.

Further discussions, speeches, and fireside conversations around innovation, people, place, and productivity, were held throughout the day between the keynote talks.

Chris Smith, founder of the Centre for the New Midlands, was delighted at the level of discussion and engagement during the event.

He said: “Connections for Prosperity is the biggest policy event in the region, and is driven by a desire to help policymakers discuss and adopt the best ideas to improve policy throughout the West Midlands.

“It was fantastic to hear the thoughts of so many key West Midlands stakeholders about some of the biggest questions facing our region.

“There’s no doubt that the West Midlands is facing some serious challenges, but ensuring the main players in the public, private, and third sectors are working in lockstep will help overcome them.”