Richard Parker

My message at the recent EU Citizens' Gathering was a simple one. One I genuinely believe. Our relationships define who we are. I don't believe the future of the West Midlands lies in putting up ...

Ranking England Legends. Winner stays on. Do you agree? All images curtesy of https://commons.wikimedia.org/. With acknowledgement to: Asatur Yesayants, Austin Osuide, Calebrw, Panini, Chensiy...

Really enjoyed visiting the new Sandwell College Health Care Skills Hub at The Learning Campus. It’s going to help people build careers in a sector that's in need of talented people. What really s...

I recently spoke at the Vision Zero Conference about something that affects every community in the West Midlands: road safety. Everyone should feel safe using our roads. And every parent should fe...

Turns out the secret to a good steak is plenty of butter, salt and rosemary. I learnt that from the chef during a visit to UCB's Chelmsley Starters this week. Thankfully, he's a good teacher. Very ...

Gorgeous day in Coventry. Spent some time with Mary Creagh at Lake View Park launching the new West Midlands Nature Investment Hub. Perfect location for it. It's a really practical idea. Bringin...

Recently unveiled a new partnership that will help unlock more than £200 million of investment for the West Midlands. I had the chance to catch up with Lord Vallance afterwards. We both agreed on ...

I was invited to speak at the Birmingham Disability Festival, today. This festival is important. It shines a light on the barriers disabled people still face, whether they're visible or invisible, ...

Visited Typhoo Wharf in Digbeth to see the latest renovations at The Tea Factory. It marks a real moment for the area. For years, this historic building stood empty. Derelict. A shell of what it ...

I watched the game tonight with Coventry City - not an easy win, but a fantastic result. Well done Kane. Well done England. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Mexico here we come!

There's something special about seeing the Metro running in Dudley. I've made this line a real priority because I know what it will do for the town. Bringing more people into Dudley. Attracting in...

Afternoon in the Wolverhampton office with Steve Simkins. Lots going on. Lots to do. Always good to sit down together and have a proper catch up.

Really enjoyed opening the MTC Robotics Experience Center this week. Speaking to those that are making it happen, you can't help but feel excited by robotics and automation in the region. There's a...

It's got a long name - and a really important part to play for small businesses in the region. Yesterday I helped launch the Backing Your Business - Business Growth Service Roadshow. Running a sm...

Lovely art-filled moment, today. Pupils from local Victoria College came in to the WMCA office with a pop-up craft stall. Things they’ve drawn, knitted, glued and grown. Lovely chat with them, and ...

Really enjoyed opening the MTC Robotics Experience Center this week. Speaking to those that are making it happen, you can't help but feel excited by robotics and automation in the region. There's ...

Great to hear Steven Knight talking about the West Midlands yesterday. Visited the Peaky Blinders set this week and it was great to see the number of local people now building careers in film and T...

Enjoyed speaking at the Co-op Congress on the theme of creativity. Creativity means lots of things. For one, it means finding unique ways to solve problems that newcomers come across in the marke...

Great to be at Edgbaston today. There’s a real buzz around the city. People travelling in. Local businesses busy. A brilliant atmosphere. Beautiful weather doesn’t hurt, either!

Inspiring visit to Joseph Chamberlain College for a Q&A. Blown away by their student Democracy Society. Asked some really insightful and important questions. About creating infrastructure around ne...