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In July 2025, two transformative initiatives in the West Midlands underscore the region’s commitment to economic expansion and cultural preservation. The West Midlands International Trade Summit, scheduled for 12 September 2025, will empower local businesses to navigate global markets, fostering innovation and growth. Meanwhile, Birmingham Botanical Gardens has secured a £9.075 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore its historic glasshouses and enhance community engagement. Announced on 10 and 11 July 2025, these projects highlight the region’s dedication to driving prosperity and safeguarding its heritage for future generations.
Empowering Global Ambitions: The West Midlands International Trade Summit
The West Midlands International Trade Summit 2025, set to take place at The Slate at the University of Warwick, aims to equip businesses across the West Midlands and Warwickshire with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving global market. Organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, and Black Country Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority and supported by Lloyds for the third consecutive year, the event will offer practical guidance for firms looking to expand internationally.
Scheduled for Friday, 12 September 2025, the summit will feature insights from Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, alongside successful exporters and other partners. Attendees will gain actionable advice on navigating challenges like US tariffs, accessing export support, and building networks. The free event, expanded due to its success in previous years, provides a platform for businesses to connect with new and existing contacts, fostering collaboration and opportunity.
Crane highlighted the summit’s impact: “Our international trade summits have provided businesses with so much information and, crucially, inspiration over the past couple of years to help them export. So much so, that we’re growing it this year to include the whole of the West Midlands, and it will be great to see firms from all over the region coming to the University of Warwick to benefit from all of the knowledge and experience that will be packed into one room.”
David Weatherhead of Lloyds added, “In the face of an ever-changing global landscape, it’s crucial that businesses are able to access support and guidance as they look to seize on the opportunities that exist overseas. We’ve seen first-hand how bringing West Midlands organisations together has helped them to break into new markets, innovate, and grow.”
Liam Byrne MP, chair of the Business & Trade Select Committee, will deliver a keynote address, reinforcing the summit’s significance. Dan Carins, policy manager at the West Midlands Combined Authority, emphasised its broader impact, noting the role of global trade in unlocking new markets, boosting productivity, and contributing to inclusive regional growth.
Preserving a Green Legacy: Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Restoration
Birmingham Botanical Gardens (BBG) has secured a £9.075 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to launch its “Growing Our Green Heritage” restoration project, part of a £19.4 million masterplan. Announced on 11 July 2025, the funding will preserve the Gardens’ Grade II* listed Victorian glasshouses, which were recently deemed “at risk” by Historic England and faced closure within two years without intervention.
Over the next 4.5 years, the project will enhance sustainability, improve visitor facilities, and expand educational access. The restoration will safeguard BBG’s Living Collection of 30,000 plant species, including rare and threatened varieties. Plans include new green infrastructure, a welcome centre with café and plant shop, and a revitalised courtyard, all designed to boost community use and financial sustainability.
Sue Beardsmore, Chair of BBG, stated, “Our uniquely biodiverse natural environment is one of the UK’s most significant historic botanic gardens. This safe, peaceful space is part of the green heart of Birmingham. With The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s grant, we can now preserve this historic estate, nursery, and iconic glasshouses for future generations.”
Chief executive Sara Blair-Manning described the grant as a powerful endorsement, calling it the first phase of a ten-year transformation. BBG’s partnerships with the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University will advance its scientific work, while revitalised spaces will increase its value as a cultural and educational asset.
A Unified Vision for Prosperity and Preservation
The International Trade Summit and BBG’s restoration project reflect the West Midlands’ dual commitment to economic growth and cultural preservation. The summit empowers businesses to expand globally, fostering innovation and productivity that elevate living standards. By offering practical tools and building networks, it enables firms of all sizes to navigate complex markets. BBG’s grant ensures a historic space continues to serve the city as a place for education, biodiversity, and wellbeing.
Opportunities and Future Steps
The success of the summit depends on sustained collaboration between chambers of commerce, the West Midlands Combined Authority, and financial partners like Lloyds. For BBG, the £19.4 million masterplan will need additional support and community engagement to deliver its full impact. Both initiatives represent vital opportunities to align growth and sustainability in the region.
A Thriving West Midlands Legacy
Together, the West Midlands International Trade Summit and Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ restoration signal a future where economic ambition meets heritage preservation. These efforts foster regional pride, drive innovation, and create lasting benefits for businesses, residents, and visitors—strengthening the West Midlands as a place of growth, culture, and resilience.
