The region has much to offer:

• Our location at the heart of the UK
• The preferred Sarbanes-Oxley destination in Europe
• Our excellent transport links
• Cost effective accommodation - Average prime rentals in Birmingham are 50% cheaper than London.

The sector currently employs around 250,000 in the region. In Birmingham, the region's capital city, employs over 90,000 professionals and is the focus of our capability:

• Home to 200 law firms
• A wealth of highly talented banking specialists
• Many top accountants
• 50 major property services companies
• One of Europe's largest insurance markets

Sector Strengths:

Our strength is reflected in the number of home-grown firms enjoying success on an international platform and the number of businesses eager to relocate and expand operations into the region.

• Legal & Financial Services - Birmingham is home to the country's largest local law society; largest set of barristers' chambers in the country; and the newest branch of the College of Law
• Shared Service Centres - Alongside workforce availability, a 2004 study placed Birmingham in the 'star' category of Shared Service Centre destinations, providing 'very good value for money'
• Contact Centres - Regional strengths have attracted a number of global businesses, looking for the right location for their major back office/contact centre operations, into the region
• Business Process Outsourcing - Our superb infrastructure balanced with our competitive cost base is a real incentive for businesses looking for a location to site their processing operations.

Business Support:

• Birmingham Forward is the network for business and professional services firms in Birmingham
• FineST is the network for professional service firms in North Staffordshire
• Coventry First was created as a forum for sharing best practice and increasing employment in the Coventry-based business and professional services sector.
• Telford Business Partnership is a growing and influential group of specialist and professional business services providers

If you'd like to speak to a sector specialist about the West Midlands Region as a potential location for your business.

Call the Inward Investment Team at Advantage West Midlands on +44 (0) 121 380 3500 or email info@investwm.org.

To request a copy of the latest West Midlands business brochure, email marketing@advantagewm.co.uk.

Download the pdf for more details