Fifty of the Black Country’s most enterprising companies, organisations and charities came together yesterday to celebrate the culmination of the Bostin’ Black Country Business campaign.
Created by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, the initiative has helped to change perceptions of the area by highlighting some of the hidden gems we have in the region and their increasing impact across the world.
The event, which was held at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, was the first time all five cohorts have been together to look back at what has been achieved and, importantly, how its legacy should be continued to ensure an even greater impact on local people and communities.
It was agreed that each ‘Boster’ would pledge to make one positive difference to the area, with commitments ranging from risk services management company MoRServ recruiting an apprentice and supporting the Wolves Foundation’s work to BlackRook Academy upskilling people by delivering digital skills and employability coaching.
JJX Logistics has also kitted out one of its lorries with a big ‘We’m Bostin’’ logo and will be taking this famous local saying all over the UK.
“Working with hundreds of members in the Black Country, we know exactly how much innovation, talent, business resilience and creativity there is here, not to mention the unbelievable tourist attractions we have and the charities delivering essential services,” explained Sarah Moorhouse, CEO of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.
“When we hatched the Bostin’ campaign it was built out of a desire to make sure everyone else recognised how special our region is and the reach we have – not just in the UK, but globally.”
She continued: “Roll forward eighteen months and what a fantastic sight to see nearly 50 ‘Bosters’ all in one place together. The diversity was striking, from big household names like Assa Abloy, Black Country Living Museum and Tipton and Coseley Building Society to manufacturing innovators like Regent Engineering, Alucast and A&M EDM and then thriving starts-up, including Motion in Mind, Dark Foundry No.8 and Thrive Employment.
“The atmosphere was electric, and I’m delighted to see them all making their own individual pledges to do more to support growth, jobs and our voluntary sector over the next twelve months.”
Bostin’ Black Country Businesses have received over £3m of press coverage across local, regional, national and trade media, with many companies featured on radio and television helping to influence national economic policy.
New best practice partnerships have also been formed, as well as a noticeable increase in trading between the ‘Bosters’ – a direct result of firms better understanding what other companies do.
Speaking at the celebration event, Mayor of Wolverhampton Paul Singh offered his congratulations: “The Black Country is special in so many ways, and I wholeheartedly support any campaign that shouts about our people, our companies, our attractions, our charities and the way we combine our traditional strengths with a thirst for innovation.
“Bostin’ Black Country Business has taken these messages nationally and globally, putting our fantastic region on the map.”
Rebecca Cottingham of Eighty3 Design lifted the lid on how its business is going to continue its Bostin’ legacy: “Our pledge is to collaborate more, share our knowledge freely and help elevate the voices of Black Country businesses, innovators and our future entrepreneurs and leaders.
“We’re a region built on innovation and hard graft. We invented, manufactured and built things that changed the world. We gave it chains, anchors, glass, iron and most importantly Led Zeppelin, and yet we’re still world-class at responding to something brilliant with, ‘ah, it’s alright, ay it?’
“We believe the Black Country is stronger when we share what we know, champion each other’s successes and work together. Because none of us succeeds in isolation, and together we’re a hell of a lot more than a bag of orange chips.”
She concluded: “So our pledge is to make some noise. About the people, the ideas and the businesses that make the Black Country bostin’. To turn up the volume on what’s happening here and give each other something worth shouting about. So come on and feel the noise!”
For further information, please visit https://www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/news/bostin-business-hall-of-fame/.
