Merry Christmas from the Sandwell Business Ambassadors

18th December 2024

We’ll be back in early 2025 to continue supporting Sandwell businesses to grow sustainably, buy responsibly and thrive – lifting people and communities up alongside them.

Looking back on 2024

This year, the Sandwell Business Ambassadors have been proud to support and deliver initiatives that make a real difference to our local business community:

• We hosted a cyber security masterclass in July at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub in Oldbury. Led by Detective Inspector Michelle Ohren from the Cyber Resilience Centre for the West Midlands, the session provided invaluable advice for businesses on protecting themselves from online threats.
• The Ambassadors launched the Sandwell Business Ambassadors charter, reaffirming our commitment to supporting the borough’s businesses. By signing this document, we pledged to boost local aspirations, employment and skills, and spend in Sandwell to build an inclusive and thriving local economy.
• A Smethwick church bell is chiming once again thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Ambassadors. When the hammer mechanism at Holy Trinity Church fractured, Sandwell Business Ambassador John Wood reached out to a local engineering company, who manufactured and installed a new mechanism free of charge.

Next year, the Ambassadors are hoping to meet with Sandwell’s four MPs to raise key business issues and concerns, we will keep you posted on this. This is part of our ongoing work to ensure that the voices of local businesses are heard and represented at every level.

Look after yourself

We know Christmas isn’t wonderful for everyone. If that’s you, we understand. Please don’t hesitate to seek help if you’re struggling. Visit our mental health resources page for support – don’t be on your own.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the Sandwell Business Ambassadors.