Over one hundred free events showcasing our region will be taking place during this year’s Black Country Business Festival, which runs from Monday 13 to Friday 24 May.

Over 67,000 people are employed in manufacturing and engineering in the Black Country across nearly 4,000 businesses, including around 600 with a turnover of over £5m. To celebrate the importance of industry to the region, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce established the two-week festival in 2018. It’s overseen by a board of local business volunteers and events are managed by local organisations to benefit people and businesses in the Black Country.

The programme includes a wide range of sessions, including tours of leading manufacturers, demonstrations of advanced technology, skills training, practical tips to reduce energy consumption, and support for new product development and intellectual property. The vast majority of events are free to attend, although tickets need to be booked in advance.

Sandwell Business Solutions Centre, supported by Think Sandwell, on Spon Lane will be hosting a number of events, including ‘Sandwell Primary Authority Partnerships and Responsible Business Schemes’ on Wednesday 22 May and ‘Meet the Funders’ on Thursday 23 May.

Johnathan Dudley of accountancy firm Crowe UK is one of the festival’s sector leads for advanced manufacturing. He said, “The Festival brings everyone together, and gives us a great opportunity to collaborate, share ideas and showcase what the Black Country has to offer to the rest of the UK and the world.”

For more details, visit our Think Sandwell events calendar or download the full programme at the festival’s website.