BBC investment in Birmingham welcomed
Birmingham City Council and the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership have today welcomed the unveiling by the BBC Director General Tony Hall of the first phase of a new vision for the organisation in the Midlands.
The announcement marks the start of efforts to establish Birmingham as the flagship for their digital work, with benefits for skills development and job creation.
The Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Sir Albert Bore said: “Today's announcement from the BBC is encouraging news, and has resulted from eighteen months of discussion about the corporation's future role in the Birmingham. Lord Hall's initial decisions represent a clear signal of intent, and I am pleased that the direction of travel is future-focussed, with an emphasis on skills development and digital innovation. This will support our economy to grow and create new opportunities, especially for young people. I am confident that we can work together with the BBC over the coming months to further develop their presence here.”
Anita Bhalla OBE, Chair of the Creative City Partnership within the GBSLEP, which has led on the discussions with the BBC, said: “GBSLEP has identified the creative sectors as key growth areas and our discussions have emphasised how our world-leading digital, creative and cultural sectors can support the BBC towards a digital and diverse future.
The BBC's commitment to using Birmingham as the base to drive its digital agenda is a clear recognition of these strengths and recognises our potential in this area. It will push the boundaries in digital production, putting this region in the forefront of these developments. As Chair of Creative City I look forward to working with them to deliver the maximum benefit to Greater Birmingham.”
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