Chief praise for 'vision'.

BIRMINGHAM is showing the rest of the UK how to attack the recession head-on and enable innovation to flourish, according to the head of a national body aiming to transform the UK's innovative capacity.

And the massive regeneration project at Longbridge stands the city in good stead to build a long-term economy based on innovation and technology, Jonathan Kestenbaum, chief executive of NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) believes.

"We think Birmingham and Longbridge in particular have a lot to show to the rest of the UK.

It's a very powerful story," said Mr Kestenbaum.

NESTA, which invests in early stage companies and shapes public policy on innovation, has identified three habits that increase the capacity of cities to foster innovation and build a dynamic economy - a strong vision of how the economy should look, a cross-sector and collaborative approach and access to finance for early stage companies.

"Birmingham seems to have all three great habits," said Mr Kestenbaum, highlighting the pounds 750 million regeneration of the former MG Rover factory and surrounding areas following the closure of the car maker at Longbridge as an example.

"It has an overarching compelling vision. In April 2005 the West Midlands had a traumatic event with thousands of job losses.

"What came from that, and it's an extraordinary testament to civic and business leadership, was a vision of what a new site might be able to project to the region.

"A vision like that is not just about the jobs it creates, it's about the self-esteem, the self-confidence and sense of purpose of those involved in it."

CAPTION(S):

NESTA chief executive Jonathan Kestenbaum