Business leaders in the Black Country and wider West Midlands share their hopes and fears for 2026
A plea for more stability and opportunity and a rethink on business rates top the list of key things business bosses across a range of different sectors hope to see in 2026.
The Express & Star canvassed the opinions of senior leaders at companies across the Black Country and West Midlands to find out what their hopes and fears are for the 12 months ahead, after a year that has seen UK trade rocked by US tariffs, rises in National Insurance contributions and the national minimum wage, changes to business rates and the continuing cost of living crisis.
This is what they told us.
Stuart Smith is managing director at Lord Combustion Services – a commercial and industrial heating specialist, based in Oldbury and serving the West Midlands, which specialises in the design, installation, servicing and maintenance of heating, hot water, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
He said: “The year ahead will likely bring further change with the commercial heating and hot water sector facing increasing pressure to switch to renewable energy sources.
“We would like to see the government support research into renewables. The focus is on air source heat pumps or electric heating, but these solutions are not always the best for all applications.
“The industry will be better equipped to support the nation towards net zero if it has a ‘selection box’ of solutions. The planned changes to employment rights include reducing the time for an employee to be able to file for unfair dismissal from two years to six months.
“Whilst this is a good move in protecting employees, it could have a negative effect as employers may be less inclined to give candidates a chance.
“The reduction in business property relief has not generated as much media interest as the changes impacting farmers but it deters the continuity of family business by traditional succession.
“Many SMEs would welcome the government to rethink their policies on this.”
Jane Sommerville, managing director at Bowers & Jones, a Bilston-based roll-tooling specialist, hopes for stability and consistency in 2026.
The historic company was awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in the international trade category in 2025 but news of the honour came as the US imposed tariffs on UK steel imports – hitting one of the firm’s big growth areas.
One of the firm’s strengths, however, has been its ability to pivot – so there’s much to be hopeful about going forwards.
Jane said: “Like many manufacturers, we will be hoping 2026 will be a year with more stability and opportunity than we experienced in the last 12 months, which were overshadowed by the impact of the US tariffs and the general economic gloom.
“Positivity has been in short supply yet having recently celebrated our 70th anniversary as well as receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade we are confident in our ability to deliver to the highest standards and are looking forwards to make the most of the opportunities that are still out there.
“If inflation and interest rates continue to go down, even by small amounts, we are hopeful that the economic landscape can stabilise and business sentiment can start to grow.
“We will continue to fly the flag for Black Country manufacturing, building on our relationships in the UK and Europe.
“The US has been a focus for our business over recent years, which made the tariffs introduced by the Trump administration a challenge to our partnerships there.
“Since the pandemic, we have constantly needed to find new ways of adapting our business. Some consistency from the UK and US governments in their decision making will go a long way in the year ahead.”
John Webber, head of business rates at commercial real estate solutions and property agents Colliers, which has a base in Birmingham, would like to see a rethink regarding business rate changes along with some good news for the high street and hospitality industry.
He said: “My main wish for 2026 is that the Government listens to the protests against its business rates policies and realises that increasing the tax take in 2026 to £33.6 billion – a 10.2 per cent rise – is a step in the wrong direction. Businesses need less overall taxation, not more.
“I hope the Government realises that it got it wrong when it set the multipliers for April 2026, correcting this by reducing the lowest retail hospitality, leisure (RHL) multiplier by the full 20p, rather than the tiny 5p discount announced, compensating businesses for their loss of reliefs.
“Additionally, RHL properties with rateable values above £500,000 should be removed from the higher multiplier surcharge.
“Otherwise, the outlook for the high street, every publican in the country and the hospitality sector is worrying. I hope the pressure being applied by the sector comes to fruition, allowing it to take a sigh of relief, plan ahead and invest in jobs and bricks and mortar, to grow the economy.”
Jason Wouhra, chief executive of the region’s biggest wholesaler Lioncroft Wholesale in Aston, Birmingham, is hoping for a better year ahead for businesses and has called on the Government to “properly back business” in 2026.
He said: “A laser focus from Government on improving conditions for business is critical for 2026. 2025 was a very difficult trading year with the raised tax burden and the introduction of further costs and we now need ministers to properly back business with a growth mindset and set of policies that helps companies succeed.
“The success of business is critical not only for UK PLC, but also to help create quality jobs – something that is very much needed next year given the current employment landscape.
“Reduced cost and/or a more fertile investment landscape is especially critical in the food and drink sector, with the ongoing high cost of doing business driving food inflation for ordinary shoppers with firms having no choice but to pass cost on.”
Sally Themans is the head of place with Bridgnorth-based consultancy Good2Great, which runs the Love Wellington and Love Bridgnorth initiatives.
She said high streets are becoming hubs for social connection rather than just places to shop and despite the challenges “2026 holds promise”.
“While the business outlook remains challenging due to rising overheads and shifting consumer habits, a wave of strategic investment as well as targeted support programmes are providing a vital safety net,” she said.
“Expert-led initiatives are currently at the heart of this transformation (and) Wellington serves as a standout example of this local optimism in action.
“The town is undergoing a significant transformation, anchored by a comprehensive refurbishment of the historic market (and) key landmarks like the former YMCA building. Despite the tough economic climate, 2026 holds promise for those who champion their local high streets.”
Mark Wingfield is managing director at Smethwick-based A&M EDM which provides precision engineered solutions by combing EDM (Electro Discharge Machining) spark and wire erosion, CNC milling and turning and toolmaking.
The company designs and manufactures components for customers in the aerospace, automotive, Formula 1, food production, marine, production assembly and space sectors.
He said: “The UK needs to reduce energy prices for manufacturing, which are three to four times higher than competitors in Europe and USA.
“We recently replaced the roof on our EDM factory and are in the process of adding solar panels, with a match-funded grant from the West Midlands BEAS energy programme.”
He said businesses face the constant threat of cyber problems but it has invested in the government-recommended Cyber Essentials Plus certification in 2025 but he said: “In reality, there’s only so much that SMEs can do to combat sophisticated hackers.”
And he added: “We are living in turbulent times with global disruptions more frequent and potential blockages in with supply chains. To thrive, we need to expect the unexpected and be agile and resilient.
“We hope there will be supply chain opportunities for SMEs in defence manufacturing and the recently announced Nuclear Small Modular Reactors.”
He said the business aims to increase its manufacturing capabilities and sales to key customers in aerospace and Formula 1 in 2026 and to continue its policy of consistent investment in new machinery and facilities and manufacturing aerospace components in exotic materials.
It will also expand on digitalisation as well as continuing to invest in developing future talent and in employee wellbeing, having opened a staff gym in 2025.
Tom Westley Junior is operations director of RunFlat International in Cradley Heath – another King’s Award for Enterprise winning business in the Black Country – and he is expecting 2026 to be a good year.
The company, which employs 55 people at its bases in Gawne Lane and Waterfall Trading Estate, is a leading producer of run flat tyre technology which helps to keep military personnel and dignitaries safe across the world.
The UK government’s pledge to ramp up defence spending has been good news for the family-run firm which was honoured in the international trade category of the prestigious King’s Award scheme in May 2025 as well as being named Business of the Year at the 2025 Black Country Chamber Business Awards.
He said: “We’re excited for 2026. With a significant increase in capacity, we are looking to continue our growth and expand into new markets.
“Business remains busy and we are investing to meet the growing demand for our products. We were delighted to win Business of the Year in 2025 and are looking forward to a busy year ahead in 2026.
“As the business continues to grow, we are increasing our capacity and workforce to meet the requirements. We expect 2026 to be another record year.”
