The region’s technology sector is booming to such an extent that many businesses are struggling to recruit enough skilled people, the mayor heard during a meeting at a top West Midlands tech firm.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), heard first-hand, during a visit to Birmingham-based IT company Intercity, how staff recruitment and retention were proving to be key barriers to growth for many West Midlands tech firms. He was joined by Martin Ward, the region’s tech commissioner, on a tour of the company, which has seen year-on-year growth of around 20%, and is a key player in the local tech industry.
The West Midlands has the fastest growing tech sector in the UK, worth over £15.3 billion, and saw 2,378 tech start-ups registered in 2022 — an increase of 22%. Figures released by TechWM suggest around 144,000 employees work for a tech-based company in the West Midlands and recruitment for tech-based positions has increased by 31% in 2022.
To help plug the skills gap WMCA, during the 2022/23 academic year, has earmarked £14.7 million into tech and digital skill courses supporting approximately 11,000 individual learners. Vacancies for tech and digital roles also reflect high demand with nearly 10,000 job postings in the last month alone, according to figures from the WMCA.
The Mayor said: "When we look at the avenues open to us here in the West Midlands to power economic growth, it’s clear that technology will play a pivotal role in shaping our future.
“That’s why we’re so committed to the tech sector and excited about the opportunities it presents. As we nurture local talent and empower the next generation of tech professionals, we’re not just building a stronger tech ecosystem - we’re building a brighter future for our region in the months and years ahead.”
Intercity, which serves organisations such as the British Transport Police, Bet365, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, also announced its official IT partnership with Edgbaston Stadium & Warwickshire County Cricket Club, helping to deliver a suite of technology upgrades as part of Edgbaston’s ambitious regeneration plans. Andrew Jackson, CEO of Intercity, said: “We’ve been absolutely delighted to host West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and tech commissioner Martin Ward at our Intercity headquarters in Birmingham today.
“It’s an honour for Intercity to be recognised as a key tech player in the region and we echo Andy Street’s commitment to nurturing local talent and empowering the next generation of IT and Tech professionals. We’re working together to level up the region and really showcase what Birmingham’s growing tech space has to offer.”
The visit, designed to garner support for the upcoming Birmingham Tech Week, taking place in mid-October, which will bring together 25 sessions and 150 speakers - including tech founders, government officials and industry experts. Around 7,500 attendees are set to congregate in venues across the West Midlands during the five-day event in HSBC's HQ, The Bond Digbeth, The Exchange, and the ICC.
Speakers from previous events include senior executives from Amazon, Microsoft, BT, Google, Uber, Accenture, HSBC and Ubisoft. Tech West Mids (TechWM), the organisation behind Birmingham Tech Week, is an independent not-for-profit organisation that sits at the heart of the West Midlands tech sector.
Martin Ward, appointed as the West Midlands’ first tech commissioner, said: “Intercity is a superb example of a local tech success story. A key ingredient is its relentless focus on developing talent, especially young people, and offering long-term skills and career development.
“For evidence, you need look no further than Intercity’s market leading Glassdoor ratings and its diverse team. Intercity is showing the way on how to inspire a new generation to see tech as a great career choice.” Government figures from 2021 suggest tech growth in the region grew by an average of 7.6% a year between 2014 and 2019.
From this, at least £2.7 billion is expected to be generated for the local economy by 2025.
