Dan Storer, formerly Business Development Director at MIDAS – Manchester’s inward investment promotion agency – joins WMGC as Chief Investment Officer (CIO). Responsible for overseeing the organisation’s Business Attraction and Business Growth programmes, Storer brings with him a wealth of experience that will support WMGC’s expanding, internationally focused aims.
Prior to MIDAS, Storer held the position of Sales Director at Rolls Royce Plc - Civil Aerospace, where he led wide-scale campaigns across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Other previously held positions include a range of internationally stationed leadership roles at Anglo-Dutch shipping company Royal P&O Nedlloyd.
Cementing the company’s commitment to strengthening cross-border activity is the additional appointment of Michelle Inkpen, who joins as Programme Director. Targeting key overseas markets, Inkpen will support raising the region’s profile on the world stage.
These appointments coincide with new additions to the organisation’s Board. Professor Sir David Eastwood (Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham), Sally Scott (Chief Marketing Officer, Advanced), Professor Geoff Layer (Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton) and Rob Valentine (Director of Birmingham, Bruntwood), join a roster of cross-sector senior leaders helping to support WMGC’s mission.
Matt Hammond, Chairman of the West Midlands Growth Company, commented on the new appointments:
“The prevailing economic conditions remain a challenge, so we are laying the groundwork now to safeguard, maximise and ultimately showcase our globally competitive West Midlands offer.
“Our new appointments are an integral and welcome part of this strategy. Dan and Michelle’s leadership and insight will be invaluable in driving forward an ambitious programme of internationalisation activity that will ensure that cross-border relations are strengthened at a key point in time. I’m pleased that our growing team will be supported by fresh expertise from our bolstered industry-spanning Board.”
Neil Rami, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, added:
“As the world navigates the new normal, regaining traction in the global marketplace is a strategic imperative for the region – particularly as we gear up for major events such as City of Culture next year and the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
“I’m confident that Dan and Michelle’s distinguished expertise combined with the leading-edge industry and academic capabilities of our wider Board, will position us strongly as we enter new markets and a new era of global economic recovery.”
The new appointments follow WMGC’s recent announcement on the launch of the West Midlands India Partnership (WMIP), which aims to enhance UK-India relations and boost tourism, trade and investment between the West Midlands and India.
Founded by WMGC in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Consulate General of India in Birmingham, the Programme is Chaired by Dr Jason Wouhra OBE, Directed by Ghanshyam Nabar and forms a key aspect of WMGC’s Commonwealth markets focused activity.
The West Midlands Growth Company is aligned to the ambitions set out in the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Strategic Economic Plan. The company has been established in partnership with Local Enterprise Partnerships, local authorities, universities and a wide range of businesses across the private sector. It focuses its core activities across Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire and the Black Country.