Businesses need a voice in a less centralised UK - and the West Midlands needs a greater say in its destiny - lobby groups claim.
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) has called for the region to control more of the tax raised here and for companies to be engaged in a change in regional politics.
A chamber spokesperson said: "All of us outside London should have much more say over our destinies.
"Local businesses deserve a say in how a new, less centralised UK is governed in future."
He added: "A situation where central government retains and decides how to spend 95 per cent of taxes raised locally should not be allowed to prevail."
The chamber is a partner with ThinkBirmingham on an event called Empowering Cities taking place on September 29 which aims to provide a platform for the debate.
Speakers will include Chris Murray, chief executive of Core Cities Group; Kevin Johnson, of ThinkBirmingham; Andrew Carter, deputy chief executive at Centre for Cities; Waheed Saleem, chair of the Lunar Society; and Dr Steven McCabe, of Birmingham City University.
Tim Pile, president of the chamber, who will chair the event, said: "Cities are the driving force behind the UK economy but only control a fraction of the money they raise.
"By international standards, the UK currently has a highly centralised tax and expenditure system.
"Only five per cent of taxes raised by local people are controlled by cities. The rest goes to central government."
Meanwhile, former deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine said to make devolution work there has got to be a culture shift away from London.
Lord Heseltine said: "In London they do not think that you are capable of running things. You are up against fundamental problems because they believe you are not up to it.
"If we are going to make devolution work there has got to be a culture shift away from London to the skills of the regions.
"And the Scotland result has made devolution absolutely unstoppable."
