Today is the International Day of Birmingham A city that doesn’t follow, doesn’t flinch, and never forgets where it came from. Proudly sponsored by the One Thousand Trades Group, this is more than a celebration. It’s a statement of intent. At lunchtime, we raise the Birmingham flag with pride alongside our Lord Mayor, Councillor Iqbal. That moment isn’t just ceremonial—it’s symbolic. It declares who we are: united, unapologetic, and on the rise. Birmingham is second to none. Not second city. Not second best. We are the blueprint for regeneration, innovation, and civic pride. Built on grit, graft, and greatness, we’re leading the charge in life sciences, sport, and knowledge—on our own terms. To be a Brummie is to walk with confidence. Head high. Heart full. Feet grounded in legacy. We build the table, we widen the path, and we never forget who we’re building it for. From market stalls to boardrooms, civic halls to creative studios, our stride is purposeful, proud, and unmistakably ours. As a very proud Brummie, being named Brummie of the Year remains one of the proudest days of my life. Not for the accolade, but for what it meant—recognition from a city that expects you to lead, to lift others, and to leave something behind worth remembering. Birmingham’s direction of travel is bold and irreversible: • The Life Sciences Quarter is anchoring global health innovation. • The Sports Quarter is uniting community, performance, and pride. • The Knowledge Quarter is fuelling talent, research, and enterprise. In 2027, Birmingham will host the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 —a global moment of honour, resilience, and remembrance. This is more than sport. It’s legacy. It’s a platform to profile the courage of our veterans and ensure they are supported with dignity, pride, and purpose. Birmingham will stand tall—not just as host, but as guardian of their stories. Interns across our city are stepping forward. They are not just part of the journey—they are the journey. The next generation of Brummie builders, thinkers, and leaders is already shaping the future. No city compares. No city competes. Birmingham is writing its own future—with clarity, courage, and conviction. The world is watching. The sectors are shifting. Birmingham is leading. Birmingham is on the rise. #InternationalDayOfBirmingham #BrummieOfTheYear #VeryProudBrummie #OneThousandTradesGroup #LifeSciencesQuarter #SportsQuarter #KnowledgeQuarter #InvictusGames2027 #VeteranLegacy #SecondToNone #BirminghamOnTheRise #WestMidlandsMomentum #LegacyBuiltHere #LordMayorCouncillorIqbal #CityFlagRaisedWithPride