The Centre for the New Midlands

What The Centre for the New Midlands does

The Centre for the New Midlands (CNM) is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit think tank structured as a Community Interest Company (Company No. 12399848) headquartered in Coventry, United Kingdom. Founded in 2020 and formally launched with the Mayor of the West Midlands' endorsement of its 'Reimagining the Region' (RTR) partnership network in September 2021, CNM is the only dedicated independent policy research body focused exclusively on the West Midlands region. Its work is organised around four research pillars — Housing and Communities, Infrastructure, Employability and Skills, and Digital — and serves policymakers, regional government leaders, business and employer organisations, academic and higher education institutions, and third-sector organisations across the West Midlands.

CNM monetises its position through three primary revenue streams: tiered annual membership subscriptions to the RTR network (priced at £475-£1,750+VAT by organisation size), ticketed event revenue (including its flagship annual 'Connections for Prosperity' conference at Edgbaston Stadium hosting 250+ delegates, delegate rates £110-£130+VAT), and corporate sponsorship packages (with key 2026 sponsors including AtkinsRealis, Unity Trust Bank, WMHAP, and E.ON). A secondary revenue stream comes from commissioned research and grants — for example, the Oak Foundation funded CNM's 10-year SROI evaluation of St Basils' Live and Work housing model. The organisation publishes reports, hosts roundtables and public lectures, and runs member-only summer and winter receptions (the latter at the Palace of Westminster), providing thought leadership and convening services rather than technology products.

The organisation operates with a small team of 1-10 employees and convenes a cross-sector network exceeding 80 organisations. Key partnerships include West Midlands Combined Authority and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on housing policy events, HS2 Ltd on infrastructure convening, Talent Today on the Skills to Success roundtable, and Social Life and Witton Lodge Community Association on the Decent Neighbourhood Standard framework. Notable outcome metrics from its research include an £7.97 social return per £1 invested finding from the St Basils evaluation and 236 young people housed via 166 Live and Work units over a decade.

Name

The Centre for the New Midlands

Legal name

The Centre for the New Midlands

Website

https://thenewmidlands.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Centre for the New Midlands is an independent, non-partisan think tank producing policy research across housing, infrastructure, employability, and digital themes for the West Midlands region, serving policymakers, businesses, academia, and third-sector organisations through a 80+ member convening network and an annual conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Think Tank Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Policy research services
• Regional think tank
• Membership network convening
• Policy events conferences
• Independent research publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Coventry

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership of the Reimagining the Region network, priced by organisation size (1–10 employees: £475 + VAT; 11–50 employees: £1,150 + VAT; 51+ employees: £1,750 + VAT). Membership includes event access, conference tickets, and participation in leadership boards and roundtables.
2. Conference and event revenue: Ticket sales for the Connections for Prosperity annual conference (delegate rates from £110–£130 + VAT per ticket for non-members; member rates at £110 + VAT for additional tickets) and revenue-generating ticketed events and dinners. Free public events are also hosted.
3. Sponsorship: Sponsorship packages for the Connections for Prosperity annual conference, ranging from headline sponsorship to drinks reception sponsorship. Key sponsors for CFP26 include AtkinsRealis, Unity Trust Bank, WMHAP, and E.ON. Event-specific sponsors include West Midlands Combined Authority and Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
4. Research grants and commissioned evaluations: CNM conducts and publishes independent research funded by external partners — e.g., the St Basils Live and Work 10-year evaluation was funded by the Oak Foundation. Research outputs are disseminated through the website, events, and direct engagement with policymakers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Centre for the New Midlands is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit think tank that produces policy research across four pillars (Housing and Communities, Infrastructure, Employability and Skills, and Digital) for the West Midlands region, and convenes senior leaders through the Reimagining the Region membership network and the flagship annual Connections for Prosperity conference. It sells annual membership subscriptions, conference and event tickets, sponsorship packages, and commissioned research/evaluations funded by philanthropic grants.

Product overview

The Centre for the New Midlands is an independent, non-partisan think tank offering research, convening, and policy development services for the West Midlands region. Its core offerings include: the Connections for Prosperity annual conference series; the Reimagining the Region membership network (80+ organisations); published research reports on housing, infrastructure, employability, and digital topics; policy frameworks such as the Decent Neighbourhood Standard; and regular events including roundtables, receptions, and expert discussions. The organisation acts as a regional convener rather than a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Connections for Prosperity Annual Conference Flagship annual ticketed policy conference at Edgbaston Stadium that convenes 250+ senior stakeholders from business, local government, public services, higher education and the third sector to discuss key challenges and opportunities facing the West Midlands. Sponsorship packages are sold at headline, drinks reception and other tiers; delegate tickets are priced at £130+VAT for non-members and £110+VAT for additional member tickets.
• Reimagining the Region Membership Network Annual subscription-based regional partnership network of 80+ organisations across business, government, academia and the third sector in the West Midlands, offering members priority invitations to roundtables, steering groups and exclusive events, conference access, leadership board participation and website presence. Annual rates are tiered by organisation size from £475+VAT to £1,750+VAT.
• St Basils Live and Work 10-Year Evaluation 10-year independent SROI evaluation of St Basils' Live and Work housing model for young people, demonstrating £7.97 of social and economic value returned per £1 invested and documenting 236 young people housed and 166 Live and Work units operating across the West Midlands.
• Skills to Success Policy Report Policy report setting out recommendations to strengthen employability, improve workforce productivity, and better connect education with employer needs across the West Midlands, produced from a roundtable with over 20 senior leaders from higher education, business, local government and the third sector.
• Decent Neighbourhood Standard Framework Practical framework developed in collaboration with Social Life and Witton Lodge Community Association to define, measure and improve neighbourhood quality, providing evidence-based tools for understanding neighbourhood quality (pilot applied to Erdington High Street in North Birmingham, following earlier 2025 pilot work in Perry Common and North Birmingham).
• Events and Roundtables Programme Regular programme of public lectures, invite-only roundtable discussions, networking receptions (Summer Reception at Chaophraya Birmingham, Winter Reception at Palace of Westminster), and specialist dinners focused on regional policy issues including housing, infrastructure, skills, digital and HS2-related economic development.
• Thought Leadership Programme Ongoing thought leadership series inviting experts to contribute articles on key regional issues, published via CNM's LinkedIn and monthly News and Views e-newsletter, covering housing, infrastructure, skills, digital and growth topics; includes Share Your Ideas contribution pathway for external experts.

Quantifiable outcome

• £7.97 social and economic return per £1 invested (St Basils Live and Work 10-year evaluation)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Talent TodaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTalent Today, a specialist IT recruitment consultancy, partnered with CNM to host the Skills to Success roundtable in April 2026, which produced a report on bridging education and employment in the West Midlands. Talent Today has been a member of the Reimagining the Region network since 2024. CEO Gary Wills co-authored the report launch statement and highlighted the disconnect between potential and opportunity in the region.
• Social LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial Life, a urban research organisation, collaborated with CNM and Witton Lodge Community Association on the North Birmingham Decent Neighbourhood Standard report, published in June 2026. Social Life contributed the Community Dynamics methodology and survey analysis, providing the research framework for measuring neighbourhood quality in Erdington High Street.
• Witton Lodge Community AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWitton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) partnered with CNM and Social Life to produce the North Birmingham Decent Neighbourhood Standard report, focusing on Erdington High Street. WLCA's Chief Officer Afzal Hussain DL provided a community anchor perspective, emphasising the importance of resident-led neighbourhood change. This follows earlier pilot work on the Decent Neighbourhood Standard in Perry Common and North Birmingham in 2025.
• West Midlands Combined AuthoritymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWest Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is a co-sponsor of the public event 'Rent Controls and Raising the Tenant Voice' held at Birmingham City Council House in July 2026. WMCA's support reflects shared commitment to tackling housing inequality and improving outcomes for renters in the region. CNM and WMCA also co-engage through the Reimagining the Region network and joint events.
• Joseph Rowntree FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Joseph Rowntree Foundation co-sponsored the 'Rent Controls and Raising the Tenant Voice' public event in July 2026 alongside WMCA and CNM, sharing the goal of tackling housing inequality and improving conditions for private renters across the region.
• AtkinsRealismajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAtkinsRealis is a key sponsor of the Connections for Prosperity 2026 annual conference at Edgbaston Stadium. As a major infrastructure and engineering consultancy, AtkinsRealis aligns with CNM's research focus on regional infrastructure, transport, and economic development.
• Unity Trust BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnity Trust Bank is a key sponsor of the Connections for Prosperity 2026 annual conference. As a banking institution focused on supporting organisations that create positive social impact, Unity Trust Bank's sponsorship reflects alignment with CNM's mission for an inclusive West Midlands economy.
• West Midlands Housing Association Partnership (WMHAP)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerWMHAP is a key sponsor of the Connections for Prosperity 2026 annual conference. As a partnership of housing associations in the West Midlands, WMHAP's sponsorship aligns directly with CNM's research themes around housing, communities, and affordable homes delivery.
• E.ONmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerE.ON is a key sponsor of the Connections for Prosperity 2026 annual conference. As an energy provider, E.ON's sponsorship connects with CNM's research themes around the Future Homes Standard, Net Zero, and the region's pathway to sustainable energy.
• Marco Pierre White's at The CubeminorOthersMarco Pierre White's at The Cube in Birmingham served as the venue for the Skills to Success roundtable in April 2026 and the roundtable hosted on 16 April 2026, attended by senior representatives from business, higher education, local government, and the third sector.
• Chaophraya BirminghamminorOthersChaophraya Birmingham hosted CNM's annual Summer Reception for the Reimagining the Region network, bringing together leaders from business, local government, academia and the third sector.
• Edgbaston StadiumcoreOthersEdgbaston Stadium is the venue for the Connections for Prosperity annual conference series (2025 and 2026), hosting 250+ regional stakeholders for CNM's flagship annual policy conference.
• HS2 LtdmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHS2 Ltd is the subject of a CNM-hosted invitation-only dinner on 9 September 2026 titled 'Capturing the Development, Regeneration and Investment Opportunities Created by HS2'. Huw T. Edwards (Delivery Director – Stations & Placemaking, HS2) is the guest speaker. HS2 represents the most significant infrastructure investment in the UK for generations, and CNM convenes discussions on its economic development and regeneration opportunities for the West Midlands.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES): Manchester-based think tank and registered charity advancing local economic policy, community wealth building, and inclusive growth. Comparable in business model and mission: independent research, network/convening of local authorities, and policy frameworks aimed at place-based economic improvement.
• Core Cities UK: Network of the UK's largest regional city economies (including Birmingham). Comparable to CNM as a regional convening and advocacy body for the West Midlands economy, although structurally a local-authority/mayoral network rather than an independent think tank.
• Centre for Cities: UK think tank producing independent research on the economics of cities and city-region policy. Closely comparable to CNM in mission — independent, evidence-led regional economic research and convening — though operating across all major UK city-economies rather than a single region.
• New Local: Independent think tank focused on community-driven local government and place-based policy. Comparable to CNM in being a small, mission-led research and convening organisation producing reports and member networks for local-authority and civic audiences.
• Smith Institute: Non-partisan UK think tank focused on place-based policy, housing, and inclusive economic growth. Directly comparable to CNM in scale (small staff, think-tank structure) and focus on regional inequalities and housing/communities research.
• Localis: UK think tank dedicated to devolution, local government, and place-based policy. Closely mirrors CNM as a non-partisan, convening-oriented research body producing flagship reports and events aimed at local/regional policymakers.

Broad incumbents

• Resolution Foundation: Major UK think tank focused on living standards, labour markets, and economic inequality. Overlaps with CNM's Employability and Skills, Housing, and Digital research pillars at a national, more resource-rich scale.
• Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR): One of the UK's largest progressive think tanks, with themed research programmes and a network of regional offices (including IPPR North). Comparable to CNM in mission but operates at substantially greater scale across all UK regions.
• RSA (Royal Society of Arts): UK fellowship and research organisation producing policy work on placemaking, regional economies, and social purpose. Comparable to CNM in producing applied research combined with a programme of events, networks, and convening.

Regional players

• IPPR North: Northern branch of the Institute for Public Policy Research operating as a devolved policy unit for the north of England. A regional analogue to CNM's West Midlands positioning, run inside a national think tank rather than independently.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-the-new-midlands

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Centre for the New Midlands