BROMSGROVE businesswoman Michelle Wright has chaired a debate about recruiting and keeping talent in the Midlands' creative industry.

Ms Wright, director and joint owner of marketing agency Gough Bailey Wright (GBW), based in Church Street, was joined by leading figures from her industry at the event, called Creative Birmingham.

It was organised by Creative England, Birmingham Creative City and the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, of which GBW is one of only a handful of members in the Midlands.

The event, held at Birmingham City University, discussed recruitment and training and getting the most out of the variety of age ranges and cultures making up the regional talent pool.

Ms Wright, a mother of two from Lickey End, has spent her career in marketing and "creative" communications, completing a management buyout of GBW with her business partner, Sue Bailey, in 2005.

Since then the company, which now employs 27 people, has doubled the size of its business and won a raft of industry awards.

Speaking about the event and the importance of nurturing talent, Ms Wright said: “It was a fantastic discussion and an honour to lead this region-wide debate.

"As employers, it is vitally important to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of society and that we keep our teams engaged; developing our staff with learning experiences and training, and living out our brand values.”

Sue Bailey, managing director at GBW, said: “I’m extremely fortunate to have such a fantastic business partner and friend in Michelle.

"She does Bromsgrove proud every day and her passion for developing our talented team made her the perfect candidate to chair the event.”