Director at Detail, Sunil Johal, recently attended Bisnow’s Birmingham State of the Market where he spoke about how the West Midlands can continue to build momentum and deliver on key promises.
Sunil sat on a panel alongside WMCA’s Director of Housing & Regeneration, Gareth Bradford, Susan Barrett, and moderator Matthew Crossley, Director of Burges Salmon.
As one of the leading figures behind Detail, a growing dynamic business that delivers development, construction and real estate projects throughout the West Midlands, Sunil reflected on the already visible strength of the region.
“We need to have confidence in the West Midlands. We have already secured government funding in a number of sectors and true economic growth is already being realised. The region is the heart of the Levelling Up agenda and the visible progress across the WMCA is enormous.”
Yet, as with his own work with Detail, Sunil was eager to look forward and identify ways in which these foundations could be built upon. At the core of their discussion was regional ESG.
Recently Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street spoke at the COP26 conference in Glasgow, where he outlined how the region can achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2041. Sunil and the group we’re quick to build on this ambition.
“Climate action goes hand in hand with economic growth. This is fundamental to developing the region not only locally and nationally, but internationally”, said Sunil.
“The Clean Air Zone, public transport scheme, and other action taken are big steps, but this needs to continue. Investors will be attracted to responsible regions that are focused on the future and differing emerging industries.”
“The West Midlands was once at the heart of one revolution, and it can be at the centre of the next, the green industrial revolution. If we are to achieve our Net Zero ambitions, we need to decarbonise existing transport, support the Net Zero neighbourhood initiative, and ultimately continue to work on green infrastructure throughout the region.”
For Sunil, an individual who places great focus on collaboration and connectivity with others as part of his work with Detail, he was quick to tie this with people.
“Change is not just physical. Diversification of the talent pool is key to progress. This is what attracted businesses such as Goldman Sachs to the region. The next generation of labour force emerging will be into the digital economy. Creating jobs and opportunities and collaboration for the future is essential.”
One thing was for certain amongst the group, the future for the West Midlands looks bright.
