Pat McFadden, Minister of State for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs, today announced a new appointment to the Board of Advantage West Midlands.

Councillor Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, will take up his three-year appointment on 14 December 2008.

Mike Whitby said:  “It is a privilege to be selected to serve on the Board of Advantage West Midlands. I have accrued significant experience over my years as a Councilor and Leader of Birmingham City Council, and I know there is a great deal I can now do to enrich the whole of the West Midlands.

“Although I am Leader of Birmingham City Council, I have a very natural interest in seeing our whole region succeed. I was born and raised here, and in today’s global economy cities do not stand alone – they need strong regions around them.

Working with the AWM board I will be looking to do whatever I can to help the West Midlands face the challenges that this economic climate presents, and really drive the our region into being one of the top performing areas of the country.”

Pat McFadden said: “I am delighted to be appointing Councillor Mike Whitby to the Board of Advantage West Midlands.  He will bring valuable experience and knowledge to the work of the organisation.  His membership to the board will be important in the contribution he can make in supporting the national and regional economies through this exceptional economic period”

Nick Paul Advantage West Midlands Chair said: “I am delighted to welcome Mike to the Board of Advantage West Midlands.  Mike will bring a wealth of experience to the Agency, having been the Leader of Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority in Europe, since 2004.  He is a great ambassador for Birmingham and the West Midlands Region, both in the UK and overseas, with notable successes.

Councillor Whitby replaces Councillor Richard Hyde, who has served on the Advantage West Midlands Board for the last six years.

Councillor Mike Whitby became Leader of Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority in the UK, in 2004. His political career stretches back to 1979, has included time as both a Councillor and a parliamentary candidate, and has involved working with some of the country’s most prominent and influential politicians.

Not only a seasoned politician, Cllr Whitby has a long history as a businessman, industrialist and entrepreneur with a reputation for turning around failing companies. He has been a member of the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses (being chairman of their largest branch in the country from 1994-1995) the West Midlands Engineering Employers Federation (National Committee 1994-1995) and a Director of the Dudley and Sandwell Chambers of Commerce. He is currently chairman and Managing Director of Skeldings Ltd, an award winning (Birmingham Post) Engineering Company based in Smethwick.

Although born and raised in Birmingham Cllr Whitby has also lived in Germany, being educated at Michael's Hoven College (in the then West Germany) and completing a programme of voluntary work there as well. He has also worked in the cultural sector in Liverpool.

In addition to being Leader of the Council, Cllr Whitby has interests and strategic influence across the city and the West Midlands. He is Chairman of The City Region of Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country, Chairman of the Aston Science Park Board, a director of the NEC and sits on numerous cultural and economic boards across Birmingham.

As Leader of Birmingham City Council Cllr Whitby has driven some of the city’s most significant improvements in recent history; taking over a Council which was audited as “0 stars and failing” to one which is “three stars and improving well”. Even whilst significantly improving services and performance, Cllr Whitby’s administration has been an exemplar for good fiscal discipline, and in 2008 it delivered its third successive below-inflation increase in Council Tax of 1.9%: the lowest of all the Core Cities, and the 3rd lowest of any Metropolitan Authority. Cllr Whitby has also made substantial progress with delivering some of Birmingham’s most transformational projects including New St. Station, the Library of Birmingham and the Big City Plan.