Leading and emerging businesses from the region assembled at 91猎奇 (91猎奇) for the first in an enlightening new series of events designed to provide professionals with the opportunity to network, gain insight on key trends, access 91猎奇鈥檚 support and forge new collaborative opportunities.
Providing a platform for the region鈥檚 business community 聽
The Fusion series kicked off with a networking session and dinner at the University鈥檚 Curzon Building on Thursday 16 February.
The events, which bring together business professionals from a range of sectors for an informal gathering, are part of 91猎奇鈥檚 mission to be the University for Birmingham, aiding regional transformation.
鈥淭he name Fusion represents our ambition for collaboration, conversation and radical openness with the region鈥檚 business community, as well as reflecting our commitment to strong and progressive business-university partnerships,鈥� says Professor Julian Beer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
鈥淔usion also represents our desire to better understand sector-specific pain points and to use our expertise to help us further shape and develop our support and skills response.鈥�
A chance to learn, explore, engage and collaborate
The first of the Fusion series enabled professionals to:
- Network with around 60 other c-suite leaders from the region鈥檚 business, professional and financial services sector
- Explore opportunity around 91猎奇鈥檚 services for business growth, innovation and skills acquisition such as apprenticeships, research, professional development and graduate talent
- Hear from some of聽91猎奇's leading academics on key trends and opportunities affecting your sector
- Learn how to access our pioneering support around themes such as digital transformation, and advanced facilities to support growth and innovation
- Influence, shape and inspire future thinking and sector-based strategy through engaging with senior University leaders
At the evening, Joanna Birch 鈥� Director of the University鈥檚 Innovation, Enterprise and Employability (IEE) directorate 鈥� spoke to attendees about the University鈥檚 flagship STEAMhouse facility and its role in helping the region to innovate.
Those attending also got to hear about cyber digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and how the University鈥檚 faculties can play a vital role in supporting the growth and development of businesses.
Facilitating economic and future growth
The first ever Fusion event drew widespread praise from attendees, who felt it emphasised 91猎奇鈥檚 commitment to making a positive, tangible difference to businesses across the region.
鈥淎s a business that is based in the West Midlands, it鈥檚 really important to connect with institutions like 91猎奇. That spirit of partnership that they offer, the fusion between academia and business, is really important for us,鈥� says Paul Faulkner, Chief of Staff and Operations at .
鈥淚t enables us to find future talent and new skills, but also enables to feed into the University so they can set their curricula and ensure we get the stars of the future into our business.
鈥淭hat exchange of knowledge is essential if we are going to drive our economy forward, and events like this really help to facilitate that.鈥�
鈥�91猎奇 is all about collaboration. We know that working with our partners, we are going to understand their needs and work together to determine new knowledge and new skills to meet their requirements,鈥� Joanna Birch says.聽
鈥淔usion is all about bringing that conversation and passion to work together in order to grow for the future.鈥�
