Our work is managed by a non-executive Board that determines our strategic direction. Working to the Board is an executive leadership team led by the Chief Executive and comprised of five Corporate Directors in charge of directorates. The leadership team ensures that we implement the actions and policies set out in our three year Corporate Plan.
Working together, the Board and leadership team help shape and influence the strategies and programmes of our partners, securing funding and investment and bringing others together to deliver actions of real significance to our region.
An overview of the role of each directorate is contained below.
Economic Development
Economic Development focuses on the key areas of areas of enterprise, innovation, manufacturing, access to finance, inward investment and business support. Seeking to grow the competitive advantage and reputation of the region in key markets and industries (clusters), through collaboration and sharing of resources, knowledge and expertise, the team also attract inward investment and raise the profile of the West Midlands both nationally and internationally via our overseas offices.
The directorate supports the Enterprise Board, Innovation and Technology Council and Regional Finance Forum, all of which are key regional bodies providing advice to the Advantage West Midlands' Board.
Economic Regeneration
Economic Regeneration leads on economic inclusion - policies which help to ensure that all the people of our region have access to the enterprise and employment opportunities that are created.
This includes developing our approach to the identified areas in need of regeneration called Regeneration Zones, management of our regeneration budget and effective engagement with both the community and voluntary sectors.
The directorate also leads on the Agency’s land and property activity, the administration of the European funding programmes and the Agency’s role in the sub-national review and support for the Joint Strategy & Investment Board.
Partnerships and Communications
Partnerships and Communications manages a portfolio of key partnerships and network relationships in the sub-regions of the West Midlands and is responsible for the development and sponsorship of projects that support the overall economic development of the region.
The directorate also leads on corporate communications, regional marketing, tourism and culture.
Resources
Resources manage our key internal processes and departments: finance, human resources, IT and office facilities as well as our property portfolio.
Strategy and Skills
Strategy and Skills formulates and agrees our contribution to regional strategies such as the West Midlands Economic Strategy, and more specifically leads on skills. Supporting the work of the Regional Skills Partnership.
The directorate leads on the work to evaluate Agency impact and performance and European policy team.