We undertake research on the economic themes of enterprise and innovation in the West Midlands.
Understanding the way that these key processes work in driving economic change is challenging. This task involves close collaboration with policy makers, academics, the public and third sectors, as well as businesses.
Our work aims to assess the scale of the challenge facing the West Midlands and inform policy makers as to where best to target their efforts. Our work is steered by the Innovation and Technology Council and the Enterprise Board.
Enterprise and innovation in the West Midlands
When compared with the national economy, the West Midlands region is estimated to be achieving a level of economic output £16.5bn below its potential. Analysis undertaken in preparing Connecting for Success, the West Midlands Economic Strategy, concluded that 80% of this was attributable to lower levels of output from region’s businesses, while the remaining 20% was due to below average levels of economic activity across the West Midlands.
Increasing levels of enterprise have a positive impact on overall economic growth. Enterprise is reflected through the increase and diversity of new business start-ups, stimulated by facilitating a positive entrepreneurial culture among all groups and through the growth of existing businesses; from small micro-businesses through to large international firms.
Innovation, widely defined as the successful exploitation of new ideas, can enable competitive advantage through new products, services and processes. New ideas can open up new market opportunities which enable the region's firms to be market leaders.
Our published research is free to download and can be found under our research.
Meet the team
Andrew Hermann
Senior Research Analyst
Email andrew.hermann@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3247
Andrew leads the enterprise and innovation team and is the Observatory's key contact for the Integrated Policy Model. Andrew has a background in economic development and regeneration, and has spent the last four years working on innovation support projects. He studied Economics and International Development at the University of Bath, and is currently studying for an MBA at Warwick Business School.
Russell Hornsey
Research Analyst
Email russell.hornsey@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3287
Key contact for Coventry and Warwickshire, geographical information, and inward investment and information.
Russell is the Research Analyst working on enterprise and innovation projects, as well as leading on monitoring and reporting inward investment into the West Midlands. He joined us from Advantage West Midlands where he was Intelligence & Information Manager in the Strategy Team providing data, analysis and GIS mapping solutions to Agency staff and external enquirers.
Martin Sullivan
Research Assistant
Email martin.sullivan@wmro.org
Tel 0121 202 3281
Martin collects economic information and assists with data processing, presentation and report writing.
Before joining the Observatory in 2008, Martin supported a number of projects for Medway Council's Research and Review team and Birmingham City Council's Planning and Regeneration service. Martin has a BA in Geography from Oxford University.