Some of Birmingham’s key business organisations are set to create a new nerve centre for economic development and investment as it rises to the challenges of the difficult landscape.

Marketing Birmingham announced in the summer that it was relocating to Baskerville House where it was being joined by Finance Birmingham – a city council-backed fund that supports SMEs – and professional services group Birmingham Forward.

Now in a move aimed at pooling their collective expertise and helping to unify the city’s economic message, the three organisations will be joined by the city council’s economic development team, the executive of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and key elements of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group and the Aston Reinvestment Trust.

The new Birmingham Business Hub will see all of the organisations operate from an open plan office within 14,000 sq ft of space on the ground floor with chamber boss Jerry Blackett, LEP chair Andy Street, strategic director for development for the city council Mark Barrow, Finance Birmingham’s Sue Summers, Forward chief executive Peter Rees-Steer, ART chief executive Steve Walker and Marketing Birmingham boss Neil Rami all now working out of Baskerville House.

Mr Rami said the move would give Birmingham a far more powerful voice as it strove to achieve its aspirations as a global city.

He said: “I think it is fair to say that it is a very competitive environment globally in terms of attracting investment, so working closely with organisations involved given the environment which we are operating makes sense.

"Having the same front door is a great step forward for us and Baskerville House is close to the business community and is the right environment to showcase the city in a right and proper way.

“I think every city right across Europe is looking at different ways of streamlining ways in which to work with investors. We believe this is a structure which is right for Birmingham and has been a long time in the planning.”

Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council, described the new collaboration as “formidable” and said It could only be good news for the city and wider region.

“Birmingham is truly raising its game in terms of economic promotion and business development,” he said.

“The hub will provide the right environment for collaboration and sophisticated public-private sector working – enabling people from across Birmingham and the city region to share their expertise for the benefit of the entire business community.”

David Waller, chairman of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group, added: “Key chamber departments will move into the hub, including elements of the chief executive’s office, the policy, press and PR and international trade teams.

‘‘Otherwise, the chamber will continue to operate from its existing Edgbaston headquarters. The move represents a tremendous opportunity for the chamber to pursue independently the interests of private sector companies in the heart of a business support operation which involves key elements of the public sector.

"An immediate benefit to the chamber is the opportunity to access the significant research and analytical resources held by Marketing Birmingham.”

Andy Street, chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, added: “It makes perfect sense for the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP to be co-located with other organisations in the city that are dedicated to the economic development of the area. The hub is a tremendous step forward for the city, providing a front door for companies looking to invest and expand here.”

Philippa Pickavance, head of agency at Drivers Jonas Deloitte – which advised on the move to – said: “It is a pleasure to have advised on the hub’s creation at Baskerville House, and to have negotiated a cost-effective deal for Marketing Birmingham. It is good to see the various city organisations working together.”

Marketing Birmingham has already relocated from Millennium Point to Baskerville House and the hub will be fully operational from early January.

It has taken two 7,000 sq ft leases at Baskerville House and will manage the total 14,000 sq ft space. It has partnership agreements with the other six organisations that will operate at the Birmingham Business Hub. In total, 120 people from the seven bodies will be based at the hub.

The space will provide seven meeting rooms, including a conference room that can hold up to 35 people.