Speaker Biographies

Mick Laverty became Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands on 1st February, 2008.

Previously, Mick served as Director of Finance and Strategy at the Agency from 1999 before becoming Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Resources and Operations.

During this time, Mick was responsible for all of the 2,500 projects and programmes funded by Advantage West Midlands and played a leading role in major transformational change schemes such as Eastside Locks and Longbridge Technology Park in Birmingham, the Gateway Plus scheme to regenerate New Street Station and Ansty Park.

Additionally, Mick led the development of the West Midlands’ first two economic strategies in 2001 and 2004 and oversaw the development of the Agency’s access to finance work, including investBX, the UK’s first online regional business exchange.

Mick is a father of four, a loyal Aston Villa supporter and a keen runner, regularly taking part in runs and races across the region.

Dudley North MP Ian Austin was appointed Regional Minister for the West Midlands in October 2008.

Ian was brought up in Dudley and has lived in the Borough most of his life. He served as a member of Dudley Council between 1991 and 1995. He has a degree in government and politics from Essex University.

Ian entered the House of Commons in 2005. He takes a great interest in industrial, economic, employment, training and housing issues. Before his election he worked in government as political adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown. He also served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Gordon Brown from 2007-08.

Ian's first task as Regional Minister was to establish the region's economic Task Force, bringing together business, local government, trades unions, the HE and third sector organisations, among others, to tackle the impact of the recession on the region.

Sir Roy McNulty was appointed Chairman of Advantage West Midlands in May 2009.

Sir Roy was previously Chairman of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the specialist aviation regulator, a post he held for eight years. Prior to this he was Chairman of National Air Traffic Services Limited (NATS) from May 1999 to July 2001.

He is a former Chief Executive and latterly Chairman of Short Brothers plc, the Belfast-based aerospace company now part of Bombardier Inc. Previous posts include being President of the Society of British Aerospace Companies and Chairman of the former Department of Trade and Industry Aviation Committee.

Sir Roy is Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Olympic Delivery Authority, Chairman of the Ilex Urban Regeneration Company in Northern Ireland, and a non-executive Director of Norbrook Laboratories Limited.