Following our arrival in central Birmingham we have launched a mini-podcast series ‘All Things Birmingham’ to shine a spotlight on the people who have shaped the city’s past, present, and future. Across the three special podcast episodes, we’ll be talking to those who have been instrumental in transforming Birmingham from an industrial city to a thriving, modern destination.
These podcasts follow the success of the first three series of ‘Fisher German Talks’ series which had more than 60,300 listens across 22 episodes, helping both internal colleagues and our diverse range of clients understand more about current issues being faced by the property industry.
In the Birmingham podcast series, listeners can expect an in-depth insight into the transformation of the second-largest city in the UK and learn more about its historical evolution. Special guests Nicola Turner MBE, Ian Metcalfe OBE, Philip Nell, Dav Bansal, Alex Claridge and Nicola Fleet-Milne talk about the initiatives and campaigns that have created what is now a business and cultural hub.
The first of three special podcast episodes, ‘The Past (and the Legacy of The Games) was launched on Friday 19 January 2024. Nicola Turner MBE, CEO of United by 2022 Legacy Charity, and Ian Metcalfe OBE, a pivotal figure in the 2022 Commonwealth Games bid, join Stuart Flint, our Divisional Managing Partner, to explore Birmingham's evolution from an industrial past and highlight the significant impact of the Commonwealth Games and the wonderful legacy they have left on the city.
They delve into how Birmingham navigated economic struggles to become the vibrant, cultural hub it is today. They examine the city's strategies for reinventing itself and the evolution of Birmingham's unique identity debating whether these changes have redefined the city's place on the global stage. Click here to listen to the first podcast.
In the second episode, ‘The Present (and the Nighttime Economy)’, launching on 2 February, Stuart sits down with Nicola Fleet-Milne, Chair of the Colmore Business District, and Alex Claridge, Birmingham's Night-time Economy Advisor, to discuss the city's status as a cultural and commercial epicentre. They discuss the city's evolution as a 21st-century destination and look at Birmingham as a city in 2023, what’s happening right now and what is shaping Birmingham as the cultural and business hub we see it as today.
Together they explore the role of the Colmore Business District in shaping Birmingham's modern identity, the resilience of the city through various recent challenges, and the thriving nightlife contributing to its appeal. The conversation focuses on how Birmingham is adapting to the 21st century, the impact of global events like COVID-19 and Brexit, and the city's approach to maintaining its vibrancy and investment appeal in challenging times.
The final episode, ‘The Future (and the Urban Landscape)’, launching on 16 February, focuses on Birmingham's ongoing transformation under the "Big City Plan,". This episode features insights from Philip Nell, Director of Property & Investment at Birmingham City Council, and Dav Bansal from Howells Architects. They outline the vision for the city's future, emphasizing sustainable development, zero carbon goals, and the balance between financial returns and social value in city planning. The discussion also highlights the role of landmark architecture in Birmingham's economic well-being.
They explore what the plan has achieved and look at ‘Our Future’, the masterplan for Birmingham up to 2040. Stuart is back in the host’s chair, and together they discuss the plan's objectives, focusing on sustainable development, the importance of architecture, and balancing economic growth with social values. Key questions address the integration of sustainability into city planning, what the architectural vision is that’s shaping Birmingham's future, and the strategies for creating a liveable, innovative city.
This mini-series is perfect for those interested in urban development and economic influences. Tune in to all of our podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts. Search ‘Fisher German Talks’ to listen to this series and to the first three series where you can understand more about biodiversity net gain, net zero in commercial property, the latest planning legislations and updates, hear top tips for graduates looking at a career in surveying as well as finding out more about rural diversification; where to start, how to fund a project and looking at different ways to diversify.
Click here to listen our podcasts via our website.
