Supported by central and local government, universities and a wide range of regional businesses, the West Midlands Growth Company was established in 2017 to expand existing businesses and attract new inward and capital investment and leisure and business visitors to the region. Its plans are aligned to the ambitions set out in the West Midlands Plan for Growth.

Neil led the trailblazing Business and Tourism Programme for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games; a unique partnership between DCMS, VisitBritain, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the West Midlands Combined Authority. Neil also conceived and led the UK Regional Investment Summit in October 2025, on behalf of the Mayor of the West Midlands, in partnership with His Majesty’s Treasury and DBT.

Previously, Neil held similar economic development and regeneration roles in Liverpool and Newcastle upon Tyne. He is a member of the UK Visitor Economy Advisory Council and a non-executive Board Member of the British Tourist Authority (VisitBritain) and Creative UK. Neil is also a former Governor and Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company.