The business world is never dull in the West Midlands. From a skyline full of cranes to the enduring legacy of the fantastic 2022 Commonwealth Games, the region continues to attract interest and investment from key decision makers across the world.
And there is no doubt that 2025 will continue producing the big stories as we await large transport projects finally completing and hopefully a new and better chapter at Birmingham City Council after finally settling its equal pay dispute.
Looking forward to the 12 months ahead, we have once again canvassed the opinions of experts from across the region as to whom the Ones to Watch in 2025 are.
And if you want to check our previous Ones to Watch, you can see stories here from 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Blabers Hall
Blabers Hall was established in 2016 by husband and wife team Clarke and Adele Adams as a vineyard in Fillongley, north Warwickshire, and enjoyed its first harvest in 2018.
To date, it has created ten different wines - five still whites, two still rosés, one still red, one sparkling white and one sparkling rosé - from nearly 10,000 handplanted vines across 35 acres.
But, as well as being a wine producer selling to both trade and consumers, it is fast-becoming a thriving hospitality business too, hosting wine-tasting tours and events, open days and corporate events.
It has put the business on a strong growth trajectory and that is something I would certainly raise a glass to.
Corin Crane, chief executive of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
Blunt & Brave
Coventry University alumni Emilia Moniszko and Kirk Hastings launched innovative digital agency Blunt & Brave to transform bold visions into strategic branding, accessible content and digital experiences.
This year, the business started digital and creative skills workshops for children and young people - spanning a comprehensive array of digital disciplines, including virtual reality, augmented reality, video production and podcasting - to equip them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
In 2025, Coventry-based Blunt & Brave will be focused on expanding into public engagement and events as well as building on its digital academy, including moving into new areas of education such as music, and taking its mobile programme into community spaces, schools and colleges.
Jeremy Moore, commercial manager with Coventry and Warwickshire Champions
Cadence Projects
Cadence Projects is a Birmingham-based company that provides project and programme management, contract administration and other consultancy services in the construction sector.
The firm already has a strong portfolio spanning residential, commercial, industrial, public sector regeneration and educational projects but the key thing that stands out is its client-centric philosophy.
Founded by construction project management consultant Mike Lally in 2021, the team builds genuine relationships with clients and like-minded collaborators in the market.
Cadence Projects is also committed to sustainability and is actively working toward achieving net zero carbon operations by 2028. It is also a member of the º£½ÇÊÓƵ Green Building Council and aims to join the B Corp movement.
Robert van Zyl, Midlands chairman of the British Council for Offices and a partner at Cundall
Digbeth Dining Club, Herbert's Yard and Hockley Social Club
Taking the best of Birmingham's Digbeth Dining Club, the same team, now behind permanent venues Hockley Social Club and Herbert's Yard in Longbridge, continues to refine its offer of culinary discovery matched by a year-round cultural programme.
2025 promises more performances from arts heavyweights including Birmingham Royal Ballet and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
There will be a third instalment of Comedy at the Castle in Warwick and diverse live and electronic music, independent markets and talks, all of which future proof the venues and brands.
There is further development via events, operations, food and beverage and cultural appointments and partnerships with major brands, venues and industry bodies including the Night Time Industries Association.
This will all strengthen the business' delivery of exciting, safe and accessible experiences to 100,000 dining and culture fans annually.
Lyle Bignon, Birmingham night-time economy ambassador for Night Time Industries Association
EC Logistics
EC Logistics is a fantastic example of Black Country resilience, starting just a few days before Covid-19.
Five years on and the Halesowen-based company has passed £1.5 million and is fast-becoming the region's premium car delivery and handover service, working with the likes of BMW Sytner, Group 1 Automotive and Startin Group.
Run by Ed Chambers, the business has increased its fleet of trailers to ten, taken on a third facility in Coleshill and has exciting plans to increase revenues in 2025, with the possibility of passing the £2 million barrier and creating eight new jobs.
The speed of growth in a competitive marketplace is down to Ed's passion for delivering a personal service, acknowledging the delivery of a new car is a special moment for customers.
Combined with investment in equipment and storage space, this will provide the platform for another year of success.
Steve Dunn, business adviser for Business Growth West Midlands
FlexSea
Wolverhampton-based FlexSea exemplifies how West Midlands businesses are pioneering solutions to the world's grand challenges.
Founded in response to a surge in plastic waste during the pandemic, the company's mission is to create a better bioplastic that is "born in nature, serves its purpose and returns to nature in a harmless way".
Derived from seaweed, the product is certified plastic free and home compostable.
The West Midlands' diverse end-to-end manufacturing supply chain and the opportunity to play a role in Wolverhampton's Green Innovation Corridor drove FlexSea's decision to relocate from London earlier this year.
With ambitions to achieve a production capacity of 2,600 tonnes per year by 2026, supported by a valuable R&D partnership with Warwick Manufacturing Group, we're expecting big things from them in the year ahead.
Neil Rami, chief executive of West Midlands Growth Company
Furbnow
Furbnow is spearheading the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's transition to a net-zero future with an ambitious goal to decarbonise a million homes by 2030.
As the nation's first and only dedicated platform for home energy efficiency, Birmingham-based Furbnow empowers homeowners to reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions and enhance property values.
Through programmes with the likes of Birmingham City Council and BNP Paribas Personal Finance, it is driving large-scale, energy-efficiency projects and accelerating the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's journey towards a sustainable future.
We've been so proud to support the company's growth in 2024 and I know all of the STEAMhouse team is excited to see how they scale in 2025.
Tom Mundy, marketing manager of STEAMhouse at Birmingham City University
Inicio AI
Artificial Intelligence is extremely topical and Coventry-based Inicio AI has developed a conversational tool to help people easily complete complex income and expenditure forms, addressing financial difficulties with discretion and empathy.
It is designed for those who are reluctant to discuss their finances with another person, providing a user-friendly digital solution.
The business has already secured major debt collection and utility clients and in October won a £1.3 million investment as part of the One to Win competition during Birmingham Tech Week.
The company is now exploring partnerships with charities, councils and other organisations to benefit those struggling with debt and financial challenges.
Inicio AI's innovative approach and commitment to financial inclusion make it a promising technology company with the potential for continued growth and positive social impact.
Craig Humphrey, chief executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub
Moasure
Following an award-winning 2024, the coming year looks set to be equally impressive for Moasure which is based at Warwick Innovation Centre.
Its innovative, motion-based device allows customers to measure and draw simultaneously across all dimensions, seamlessly connecting to a smartphone app that calculates perimeter, area, elevation and volume.
Moasure has quickly gained traction in the US and Europe, with more than 85 per cent of sales coming from exports.
Widely used in landscaping and construction, the device excels at measuring large complex areas, reducing material over-ordering, minimising waste, increasing profits and promoting sustainability.
As a result, it received two King's Awards for Enterprise in 2024, recognising excellence in international trade and innovation.
Having launched its enhanced Moasure 2 series of products and its ability to tap into new markets abroad, 2025 is set to be a brilliant year for the business.
Mark Tock, chief operating officer at University of Warwick Science Park
UB Healthcare
UB Healthcare is a fast-growing business, driving positive change within a challenging sector.
The Solihull-based start-up works with the NHS, as well as social care and independent care providers across the country, helping them deliver transformational, value-based services that address their challenges.
Founded in 2022 by Uko Umotong and Harry Bourton, UB Healthcare is an expert in all-age continuing care, patient flow and hospital discharge pathways.
Already employing 20 staff and around 50 associates and contractors, the team leverages its expertise to enhance patient outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery.
Winner of the start-up, enterprise and entrepreneurship category at the Solihull Chamber of Commerce Awards 2024, the firm has a five-year plan to achieve £10 million in revenue and expand its team to more than 100 individuals.
Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
