More than 250 leaders from sport, business, infrastructure and policy gathered at Edgbaston Stadium for the Centre for the New Midlands’ Connections for Prosperity: Beyond the Sport conference.
Alongside the proposed £4 billion Sports Quarter, speakers pointed to the wider programme of sports-led regeneration activity already underway, including Aston Villa FC’s significant redevelopment plans, Edgbaston Stadium’s £45 million redevelopment and hotel project, and the continued expansion of elite training facilities and community hubs across the region.
The conference, chaired by broadcaster Amber Sandhu, opened with a discussion on the scale of opportunity facing the region.
Jeremy Dale, chief executive of Birmingham City FC, joined Stuart Cain, chief executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, Nicola Ibbetson, chief business officer of Coventry City Football Club, and Neil Rami, chief executive of West Midlands Growth Company, to examine how sporting assets are being used to unlock jobs, skills and long-term economic growth.
Across subsequent panel sessions, experts explored the region’s readiness to consistently host major events and the implications for infrastructure, tourism and legacy, as well as the importance of delivering sustainable employment and upskilling opportunities for local communities.
The roles of sporting excellence and political leadership in driving regeneration were also discussed, alongside the life-changing impact sport can have on people across the region.
The Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, addressed delegates, highlighting the role of sport in showcasing the region internationally and reinforcing the need for coordinated delivery across the Midlands to maximise economic impact.
As part of a discussion focusing on the Birmingham Sports Quarter, Richard Lawrence, executive director of place, prosperity and sustainability at Birmingham City Council, said the development would unlock major economic potential in one of the city’s youngest and most diverse areas, helping to tackle unemployment while accelerating new homes, transport links and inward investment through a dedicated mayoral development corporation
The conference concluded by examining the wider social impact of sport, with speakers highlighting how grassroots programmes and community partnerships are delivering life-changing opportunities, improving wellbeing and strengthening local pride across the West Midlands.
Chris Smith, founder and CEO of the Centre for the New Midlands, said: “Connections for Prosperity: Beyond the Sport has reinforced the West Midlands as a living laboratory for ambitious and sustainable sport-led regeneration.
“It’s been a fantastic opportunity to bring experts and policymakers together from right across the region to share ideas and engage in thought-provoking discussions as the Centre for the New Midlands network continues to grow.
“The ideas exchanged, partnerships formed, and energy generated will continue to ripple through our region’s economic and social fabric.”
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