Downtown in Business has said that 2026 represents a defining moment for Birmingham, urging the city to adopt a more assertive, outward-facing and growth-driven approach as it seeks to reset its image and re-establish itself as the undisputed economic hub of the West Midlands.
Despite the challenges of recent years — including budget pressures, stalled developments, and a bruised civic reputation — the organisation believes Birmingham is “perfectly placed” to drive the region’s revival if it takes a bolder, more proactive stance.
Downtown in Business chief executive Frank McKenna commented:
“Birmingham has the scale, the talent, the assets and the ambition to be one of the most dynamic city-regions in Europe. In Joanne Roney, it has one of the most talented local government executive leaders in the country, and it has secured huge investment to deliver HS2. In addition, the plans for the Sports Quarter and a new football stadium for the Blues makes the city one of the sexiest propositions for growth in the UK.
What it now needs is the confidence to act like it. The West Midlands needs an attack brand — a city that sells itself with conviction, competes hard for investment, and leads from the front. That city should be Birmingham.”
McKenna highlighted several other major opportunities opening up for 2026, from the redevelopment pipeline at Smithfield and Digbeth, to the region’s manufacturing strengths, tech growth, world-class universities, and the power of the Commonwealth Games legacy.
He said the city should now pivot from defensive repositioning to active economic leadership, championing the West Midlands brand across government, investors, and international markets.
“With the city council now moving in the right direction and a business community hungry to get moving, Birmingham has a rare chance to reset the narrative. But it can’t afford to be shy or tentative. Manchester didn’t become national success story by whispering and allowing the city brand to be diluted by a vanilla ‘regional’ approach. Birmingham needs to talk bigger, push harder, and show the rest of the UK exactly what this city and the wider region is capable of.”
McKenna added:
“Birmingham doesn’t need permission to lead — it just needs the mindset. If the city shows the confidence to be the West Midlands’ attack brand, the whole region will benefit. The potential is immense; 2026 is the moment to turn that potential into momentum.”
Downtown in Business will be hosting a series of roundtables, events, and policy discussions throughout 2026 focused on accelerating Birmingham’s growth and strengthening its role as the region’s flagship economic driver. First up, an exclusive Roundtable dinner with Birmingham City Council Managing Director Joanne Roney.
