IBM joins Birmingham Tech Week as Headline Sponsor
By Molly Mathews
2 minute 23 seconds
Press Release

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Quick Read: IBM, one of the world’s largest technology and consulting companies, is the headline sponsor of Birmingham Tech Week 2024, taking place later this month. IBM has also joined TechWM as a patron, alongside Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking firm.
Now in its sixth year, Birmingham Tech Week, led by TechWM, will take place from 21-25 October, featuring an exciting line-up of speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities – providing local companies a fantastic opportunity to discover how they can benefit from new technologies. 
The event will bring together over 8,000 professionals, entrepreneurs, international delegates and tech enthusiasts, showcasing the very latest advancements in AI, fintech, cybersecurity, and digital skills. With contributions from industry giants IBM and Goldman Sachs, this year’s event promises to be the most impactful yet.
IBM is at the forefront of innovation in cloud computing, AI, and quantum computing, and provides advice to organisations across all sectors on digital transformation. Its patronage is sure to bring unique insights on how businesses and organisations of all sizes can leverage new technology to drive productivity, sustainability, and growth. 
Goldman Sachs joins as the headline sponsor of the TechMids Engineering and Developer Conference on the 25 October, providing critical insights into the role fintech is playing in shaping the future of financial services, and how the West Midlands’ tech ecosystem can tap into these trends to bolster economic growth.
With the West Midlands tech ecosystem valued at £15 billion and the region home to growing tech talent, the support of leading businesses like IBM, Goldman Sachs and IN4 group, bolsters the region’s position as one of the UK’s largest tech hubs. IN4 group’s patronage in particular shines a light on the skills gap observed within the West Midlands, and how leading tech companies can make a difference by investing into the region. 
Dr. Nicola Hodson
Dr Nicola Hodson, Chief Executive of IBM in the UK & Ireland, commented on the company’s motivation for joining Birmingham Tech Week this year:
“The Birmingham region is synonymous with innovation and enterprise, and helped to power the Industrial Revolution. That heritage shines through today in the region’s dynamic economy and flourishing tech industry. IBM has been present in the West Midlands for decades and we are excited to be part of the region’s bright future, helping local organisations adopt AI and other powerful technologies that will drive growth and create new jobs.”
Yiannis Maos, CEO of TechWM, shares what these patronages mean for Birmingham Tech Week, commenting: 
“Having IBM and Goldman Sachs as patrons for Tech WM and supporting Birmingham Tech Week 2024 marks a significant milestone for both the event and the region. Their global leadership in technology and finance speaks volumes about Birmingham’s rising status as a key tech hub. With their support, we aim to inspire local businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals to leverage the latest innovations in AI, fintech, and digital transformation, driving growth and opportunity across the West Midlands.
2024’s Tech Week is about more than showcasing cutting-edge technology—it’s about building a collaborative ecosystem that empowers the next generation of innovators. With IBM, Goldman Sachs, and other national tech businesses, we’re working to position Birmingham as a global tech superpower by 2030!
This year, Birmingham Tech Week is going to build on the West Midland Tech Ecosystem's narrative of Making Tech Succeed, In The Most Human Of Places, which was officially released during the West Midlands Tech Review in May. We have a fantastic lineup of speakers and events planned, offering a truly enriching experience for all attendees.”
Birmingham Tech Week is now open to register attendance. To find out more, visit www.birminghamtechweek.com
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The State of the West Midlands Digital Skills Ecosystem

Digital skill shortages could have cost the UK £4.4 billion last year alone, with projections escalating to a staggering £27.6 billion by 2030. The West Midlands, in particular, is experiencing increasing demand for intermediate and advanced digital skills - as stated by a recent research from the University of Birmingham’s City-Regional Economic Development Institute (City-REDI). 
While these figures are alarming, they are not surprising. Addressing digital skills shortages in our region represents a significant economic opportunity. With the right interventions, we have the potential to unlock unprecedented growth. 
Nearly five months into my role as Director of Digital Skills and Commercial Impact at TechWM, I’ve had countless conversations with organisations across various sectors. My goal? To understand their immediate and long-term digital skills needs—and, more importantly, why there remains such a stark mismatch between digital skills supply and demand in the West Midlands.
Photo: Victoria Pargetter-Garner, Director - Digital Skills & Commercial Impact
Shifting Perspectives on the Digital Skills Gap
Initially, I assumed that this challenge was primarily supply-side: a lack of skilled individuals entering the workforce. However, after deeper exploration, I’ve uncovered significant demand-side barriers that are preventing businesses from fully leveraging digital talent.
Let’s rewind to 2020, when the pandemic forced businesses to adopt digital tools overnight. At that time, the focus was on up-skilling the workforce to ensure employees could use essential platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom. There was also a surge in demand for advanced technical skills in areas such as cybersecurity, data analytics, and AI.
Since then, numerous policy interventions have aimed to boost digital skills. However, these initiatives have often been fragmented, poorly promoted, and disconnected from the businesses that could benefit the most.
The Business Reality: Short-Term Pressures Stalling Long-Term Growth
Today, while the supply of digital talent is improving, external factors such as economic uncertainty and budget constraints are forcing businesses into survival mode. Many organisations, instead of planning for the next three to five years, are focused on making it through the next quarter.
This short-term approach limits investment in digital transformation. Businesses are firefighting rather than strategising—missing out on opportunities to implement AI, automation, and other digital efficiencies that could drive productivity and profitability. Ironically, the very investments that could help businesses cut costs and gain a competitive edge are being delayed due to perceived financial and time constraints.
Photo: Yiannis Maos MBE, Richard Bovey, Victoria Pargetter-Garner, Mayor Richard Parker, Vikki Bradney-Spencer, Mike Lattimer, Lauren Monks, David Gaughan
The Disconnect Between Employers and Digital Talent
We know that businesses are struggling to find the right digital talent. Yet, paradoxically, we also know that many skilled individuals—particularly those completing digital skills bootcamps—are struggling to secure relevant employment.
So, what’s going wrong?
1. Do employers simply not know about available training initiatives?
2. Are businesses hesitant to onboard talent that lacks real-world experience?
3. Is it a case of limited resources, where employers can’t afford to train new hires?
Similarly, we see a significant underutilisation of free or heavily subsidised upskilling programs. Despite funding being available, many businesses are not taking advantage of these opportunities. Why? Is it a lack of awareness? Are course costs still perceived as too high? Or is it simply that businesses can’t afford to release staff for training?
Help Us Shape the Future of Digital Skills in the West Midlands
These are just some of the working hypotheses based on the conversations I’ve had so far. But to drive meaningful change, we need more data. That’s why, as part of the West Midlands Digital Skills Consortium—a collaboration between TechWM, the West Midlands Combined Authority, IBM UK Ltd., AND Digital, In4 Group, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, and Skills West Midlands and Warwickshire—we are launching an employer survey.
This survey aims to provide a comprehensive view of the current digital skills landscape, helping us design initiatives that truly meet business needs. By combining this data with insights from previous surveys, such as the Local Skills Improvement Plan, we hope to develop a regional blueprint for digital skills growth—one that drives economic prosperity.
Get Involved
If you’re a business leader in the West Midlands, we need your input. Please take five minutes to complete our
Employer Survey
. Your insights will directly inform new initiatives and interventions to bridge the digital skills gap.
Additionally, we will be hosting a series of workshops to explore these challenges in greater depth. If you’d like to contribute to shaping the future of digital skills in our region, drop me an email on:
vickie@techwm.com
and I’d love to have a chat.  
Together, we can build a stronger, more digitally empowered West Midlands—one that is ready to tackle the challenges of today and seize the opportunities of tomorrow. Let’s make tech succeed, in the most human of places! 
By Victoria Pargetter-Garner
24 Feb
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