Finlay Ward, Capital Expense Executive at West Midlands Development Business (WMGC), informs AT how designers can better line up with regional economic development top priorities, why a belief in the West Midlands in vital, and the geopolitics keeping him awake at night.
What are you looking for when dealing with architects?When we engage architects, we are looking for those most active in the region and who are working on key regrowth tasks. Typically these are partners of developers who we are working straight to help bring forward key jobs. We look for to determine those with a’ stake’in the region, whether that be dealing with key tasks & schemes, have a considerable footprint through an office or offices and a recognized labor force, or who are aiming to expand in the area and are actively interesting Local Authority and private sector stakeholders. Eventually, those who are most passionate about uplifting and working in the West Midlands positively are those which we would extend invites to and aid with networking and assembling. What’s the something an architect might state or do that would make you
NOT wish to work with them?Those who do not’think’in the area or who hesitate to engage with the existing and emerging visions about regeneration in the West Midlands are those which we would be least most likely to talk to or work with. Admittedly, however, we enjoy to assist and work along with any active architectural companies in the region so long as eventually it is our raison d’etre to act as the ‘front door’for the constructed environment in the West Midlands. At what phase do create quality and architectural thinking impact financing decisions?From the outset, I think. Tasks which demonstrate high quality from the early phase of preparation are far more likely to get consent and then get momentum from personal and public capital investment. Key examples I ‘d point to as success stories in this regard would be Paradise Birmingham(including particularly One Chamberlian Square), the continuous momentum around Birmingham Sports Quarter(specifically the new arena design ), and Port Loop Birmingham which has shown ingenious design and vision in its regeneration credentials. How can architects much better align proposals with regional economic priorities?I believe designers can seek to Regional Plans and the visions which have actually been produced by Local Authorities to help line up styles with local needs and the’instructions
of travel ‘in which regrowth is heading. For instance, BCC and its personal stakeholder partners have actually produced Birmingham Central Heart as a new vision for the city centre revealed at MIPIM 2026. Crucially, Central Heart envisions more public world and the combination of pedestrian travel and experience throughout the city centre. BCC has recognized key websites such as Martineau Galleries and Martineau Location as locations which have been neglected and are now in requirement of regeneration. Notably these sites sit at the entrance to the Eastside of the City, acting as the’front door’for the emerging Digbeth creative district and the incoming Curzon Street Station. Comprehending this vison, along with the requirements and concerns of those who live and work in Birmingham, would undoubtedly offer terrific worth to designers who are aiming to supply input on these emerging projects. What keeps you awake at night?Geopolitical instability and a difficult or moving economic environment are the primary concerns. What’s something you could talk about for hours?I could gladly talk about the importance of ‘place ‘for hours. Whether that remains in regards to national identity, politics, sports, geography, geopolitics, history or anthropology. I’m deeply fascinated about how human beings perceive themselves and those around them in the context of’place’– i.e. their home, their hometown, nation, travel, identity etc. I could likewise discuss
running and sports at length as this is something I invest a lot of time doing and watching away from operate in my extra time. What’s an objective you have for the next 12 months?An objective I have for the next 12 months is to explore my area, the West Midlands, more. Go out and travel throughout towns, locations, fields, destinations, walks, hills, whatever, simply get a more in-depth feel of the area. To be able to use this to help much better inform my
understanding of’placemaking’and the emerging regrowth landscape would then be a bonus offer.