Mayor appoints construction industry leader to business role
Published: Friday 08 Sep 2017
Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, has appointed Phil Carlin to head up the new Business Advisory Group.
Phil is the managing director of West Midlands property investment company Seven Capital which is behind a host of regeneration schemes across the region and beyond.
To date, Seven Capital has invested in 15 projects across Birmingham that are either complete, currently under construction or in planning. This represents more than 2.3 million square feet of development activity with a value of nearly £700 million.
Phil Carlin with Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street
Established in 2007, Seven Capital has offices in London, Birmingham and Dubai with plans for further expansion.
The Business Advisory Group will be asked to advise the Mayor on the concerns of West Midlands businesses. It will also identify ways businesses can support the WMCA's economic plans.
With Phil serving as the independent chair, the group will be comprised of representatives of invited organisations including the region's three Chambers of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry, the IoD and Federation of Small Businesses.
Phil said: It is a great honour to be asked by the Mayor to take on this role. Business has a hugely important part to play in the continuing success of the WMCA.
The only way the region's economy is going to continue to grow is if the public and private sectors work together closely.
The regeneration in our towns and cities has built on this approach and I hope to be able to play my part by making sure the Mayor hears loud and clear the concerns and issues of businesses of all sizes and all sectors
The Mayor said: In my manifesto I committed to giving business in the West Midlands a voice and a role in the work of the combined authority and this is exactly what the Business Advisory Group will do.
I am particularly pleased Phil has agreed to come on board as the independent chair.
Seven Capital has played a major role in the transformation of Birmingham city centre, most obviously, but right across the country and overseas.
The company is undoubtedly one of our regional success stories and it is hard not to be impressed by the progress they have made in such a short space of time.
I was keen that the chair was somebody who had perhaps not previously been involved in such a role, who could be fiercely independent and who won't hold back.
Phil is exactly that sort of character and I am really delighted that he will be take on this role