richardparkerwm.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

I’m proud to deliver real support for businesses. I launched the region’s first-ever business festival - showcasing opportunities for SMEs to collaborate and grow. In under a year, we’ve backed local businesses with over £10m in grants – real investment and real impact 💷

submitted 6 hours ago • 0 comments

Great to visit Stirchley with @alcarns.bsky.social today. The community here will be their own landlords. This co-op shows what happens when people have power over their own homes. Safety, security, fairness, and pride in where they live. We need more of this. 🏡 @coopparty.party.coop

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Housing and construction doesn’t just provide buildings - they create communities, opportunities and a foundation for growth 🧰 Speaking at the @homebuildersfed.bsky.social Future Talent Conference cemented the huge amount of opportunities available to young people in this region.

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

Solihull, you asked and I answered 🔉 Great to discuss affordable housing for young people, better bus services and cycle ways in the area. Thank you, Solihull, for hosting the latest Ask the Mayor - next stop Dudley!

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

We need to use every tool available to us to achieve Vision Zero - no deaths or serious injuries on our roads. Our innovative use of AI is making our roads safer before anyone gets hurt. Delighted this has been internationally recognised 👏

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Bulls will take over Birmingham this July! 🐂 Designed by local artists and supported by businesses, each bull will showcase the city’s creativity while raising funds for Birmingham Hospice. Keep an eye out for this latest herd celebrating Birmingham’s strength and spirit!

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

I’m excited to open the first-ever WM Business Festival. With 2000 local businesses joining to learn more about AI, innovation, sustainability and more - there's something to help everyone grow 👋 The West Midlands means business.

submitted 8 days ago • 1 comment

This week I… Secured £21m active travel funding to make our roads safer. As well as £8m funding to fix our region’s pot holes. Announced a new strategy to give our communities cheaper and greener energy. Awarded DENSO a West Midlands Combined Authority Thrive at Work Gold 🏅

submitted 10 days ago • 1 comment

I pledged to fix the bus network in the West Midlands - to make it more affordable, more reliable and work for everyone 🚌 I want to hear directly from you about what needs to improve. Join our consultation. Your opinions matter - bit.ly/4jBE4Iu

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

The West Midlands' creative sector is growing 🎥 With extra government funding and the World Tourism Summit premiering in Birmingham this November - I’m helping the next generation step onto the world stage. The best storytellers are from our region.

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

I’ve secured £21 million - the largest active travel funding in the country - to make walking and cycling safer and easier in the West Midlands 🚲 This will fund more cycle lanes, safer crossings, and better pathways.

submitted 12 days ago • 1 comment

Delivering the long-awaited Metro extension into the Black Country ✅ With funding secured, we’ve now started work on this multi million-pound project in Dudley.

submitted 12 days ago • 2 comments

Good health in the workplace means more people thriving in work. And that’s good for the West Midlands. 💪 Our Thrive at Work programme is already helping 300,000 employees across 600 businesses like Denso - who are the first to achieve GOLD for employee wellbeing! 🥇

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

Our roads have been riddled by potholes. But with extra government investment I've secured, councils can improve even more roads, ensuring safer journeys for everyone in the West Midlands 🚗

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

The Regional Energy Strategy marks a new era of cleaner and cheaper energy for our communities. With my commitment of a cutting-edge gigafactory that will create thousands of jobs, the West Midlands is leading the charge in the smart energy revolution 🔋

submitted 13 days ago • 1 comment

The only way to tackle youth unemployment is by working together. My West Midlands Youth Plan calls on businesses to invest in young people. The Rigby Group is leading the way with a £3m Inspiring Futures programme - thank you! 👏

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

Great to see the Health Tech Innovation Accelerator in action – a brilliant example of how our region is leading in health tech innovation 🏥 We're helping businesses turn cutting-edge ideas into real world NHS solutions - ensuring patients are seen quicker and get home sooner.

submitted 15 days ago • 0 comments

An update on the last week ⏮️ More social homes will be built in Wolverhampton Celebrated West Midlands Combined Authority staff who have completed apprenticeships Met with Chinese businesses in Birmingham The Apprenticeship Levy scheme has supported over 4800 apprentices into training

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

Redeveloping Edgbaston will bring more jobs, more visitors and continued top tier cricket to our region 🏏 This is why I’m backing the redevelopment with an £18m investment.

submitted 17 days ago • 1 comment

The Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Scheme is changing lives. Big businesses are helping smaller businesses grow and create opportunities - and through it we’re helping local people get good jobs and new careers 🪜

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

Apprenticeships change lives, which is why I’m bringing thousands more to the region. I was proud to award West Midlands Combined Authority staff who completed theirs this week 👏 Davinia is one of them, she’s now more confident thanks to her Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship.

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

Turning empty buildings into new social homes - that’s how we tackle the housing crisis and bring life back to our communities. The Royal Quarter in Wolverhampton will see another 93 social homes being built and this is just the start. 🏡

submitted 18 days ago • 1 comment

Solihull, the latest Ask the Mayor is coming to Solihull College on 25th February. I want to hear what matters to you. Sign up for free below👇

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

I’ve already delivered 5,000 work and learning opportunities - and I’m not stopping there. These opportunities change lives. Just ask Flex, Rameesha, Harry, and Ky - thanks to their apprenticeships, their futures are bright 💫

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

£10 million already invested to grow local businesses - but there is much more to do to keep supporting our economy. Last week Birmingham hosted the 2025 Night Time Economy Summit - recognising this region's vibrant nightlife.

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

The Black Country Metro extension has been a personal priority for me. Soon trams will be gliding across the historic Parkhead Viaduct. Dudley, I can assure you convenient, reliable and affordable public transport is enroute 🚃

submitted 25 days ago • 1 comment

Talking to Carl Woods about his storytelling agency, Zedmill, showed me how many talented creatives we have here 🎬 With new funding secured for the Create Growth Programme, I know Carl and others will continue to thrive and further accelerate the sector in this region.

submitted 28 days ago • 1 comment

Football is more than a game. It’s at the heart of our local communities Wolves and Aston Villa Foundation deliver life-changing community programmes in this region. Louisa’s work epitomises this.

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Wishing wealth and prosperity to those celebrating Lunar New Year 🧧

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

We're getting the power ⚡️ From Westminster to the West Midlands. I want us to spend money on the things that matter to the people living and working here. We'll be making the decisions on our doorstep to fund better jobs, homes and transport.

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

We mean business 🤝 More jobs, better growth and cash in people's pockets 💷 With the West Midlands becoming a strategic partner in the National Wealth Fund, we're in the box seat to turbocharge investment 📈 We'll be one of the best places in the UK to do business.

submitted 32 days ago • 1 comment

Knighthead Capital’s stake purchase of Birmingham Phoenix further demonstrates their commitment to the West Midlands. They will have my support to help them deliver their vision.

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

Too many families in our region are struggling with fuel poverty due to energy insufficient homes. I have a plan to improve living standards and cut energy bills. The £167m energy efficiency fund will upgrade up to 10,000 of the oldest and coldest homes, making them warmer, safer & cheaper to run.

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

Working together for the West Midlands. I've created four Taskforces around my key priorities: Jobs, Journeys, Homes and Growth. Now they are getting to work - helping businesses grow, making travel easier, creating well paid jobs & ensuring everyone has a place to call home.

submitted 33 days ago • 0 comments

Introducing the UK’s first Road Safety Commissioner: Mat MacDonald.

submitted 35 days ago • 1 comment

A big welcome to Beccy Marston as my Active Travel Commissioner!

submitted 35 days ago • 1 comment

On Holocaust Memorial Day, we pause to reflect and remember the millions of lives lost to genocides throughout the world. We must learn from the Holocaust and more recent genocides for a better future.

submitted 36 days ago • 0 comments

Oh yes they can! 💫 Through funded training, Laura and Tegan have secured an apprenticeship with Birmingham Hippodrome. I’m providing more opportunities to open up the creative sector for our region’s young people 🌍

submitted 39 days ago • 0 comments

This is the reason I do what I do. For people like Sunita 🥹

submitted 41 days ago • 0 comments

Delivering the Gigapark will secure the West Midlands’ place as a global leader in cutting-edge battery technology. With £23million invested in this site, we’ll: • create 30,000 high quality jobs • attract £5 billion of investment • pave the way for a new era of electric vehicle manufacturing

submitted 52 days ago • 0 comments

Have your say on how buses should be run across the West Midlands. Every voice really does matter. tfwm.org.uk/busreform

submitted 54 days ago • 0 comments

Yesterday, we launched a consultation on bringing the bus network under greater public control. I pledged to make buses work for our residents and now it's time for you to have your say: tfwm.org.uk/busreform Together, we can build a network that works for the West Midlands.

submitted 56 days ago • 1 comment