The Birmingham Post celebrated the launch of its annual Rich List supplement with a reception at the Laurent Perrier Champagne Bar at The Cube.

The 50-strong rich list has been altered to reflect a new emphasis on the region’s three LEPs and to include those whose fortunes are used to benefit or enrich the West Midlands and its immediate area, and less on inherited wealth which does little to improve the lives of people in the region.

This means there are some new names on the list.

At least 15 people on the 2014 Rich List didn’t feature in the 2013 list.

Speaking at the launch event, which was attended by more than 70 people from across the region’s business community, Birmingham Post editor Stacey Barnfield, said: "The 2014 Rich List reveals that the millions that were wiped off fortunes in the recent lean years have been retrieved, and some, with manufacturing, retail, food and property playing prominent roles.’’

The supplement was supported by Equitrade Capital whose managing director Amarjet Snehi also addressed the launch event.