From Birmingham, England to Birmingham, Alabama: A Tale of Two Cities That Mean Business 

At last week’s state dinner with President Donald Trump, King Charles III gave Birmingham a moment in the global spotlight. In his toast, he shared: “From York to New York, from Birmingham, England, to Birmingham, Alabama, we are united by a common language and shared heritage.” Check out the Bham Now feature here. 

We couldn’t agree more. We’ll also admit that the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) oftentimes gets mistaken for our UK counterpart, the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. But let’s face it — all Birminghamians are worth celebrating. After all, we share more than just a name; we share a commitment to supporting business growth and development, even from 4,281 miles away.  

Two Birminghams, One Spirit of Innovation: Both Birminghams share a legacy of industry and resilience. Birmingham, UK, once known as the “workshop of the world,” remains a powerhouse for advanced manufacturing, finance and professional services. Today, it has transformed into a diversified, service-based economy. With major employers like Jaguar Land Rover, HSBC UK, Cadbury and Deloitte, it stands as one of Europe’s most dynamic economic centers. 

Here in Birmingham, Alabama, we’re proud to share similar strengths. Anchors like Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Regions Bank, Protective Life and Shipt are fueling growth in automotive manufacturing, healthcare, financial services and technology. Additionally, we have a few UK-based companies right here in Birmingham, Alabama: Ernst & Young and Mott MacDonald, to name a few. Our industries may be rooted in the South, but our impact stretches far beyond it. 

Global Connections Through Trade: The ties between our region and the world go beyond shared names. Birmingham, England, is one of the UK’s leading export economies, and Birmingham, Alabama, plays the same role for our state. In 2023 alone, Alabama exported more than $27 billion in goods, with automotive manufacturing, metals, and chemicals leading the way. Many of those exports can trace their roots back to the Birmingham region’s innovation and workforce. The Birmingham MSA exported more than $244 million in goods and products to the EU, which does benefit the UK due to the EU-UK Trade Cooperation Agreement signed by both parties in 2020, agreeing to establish a free trade/zero tariffs agreement despite the UK exiting the EU in 2020. 

More Than Just the Tale of Two Cities: Yes, sometimes we get confused with our friends across the pond. But as King Charles reminded the world, Birmingham means more than just one city. It’s a name tied to industry, opportunity and global connection. And whether you’re in the heart of England or the heart of Alabama, you’ll find a Birmingham that is united by ambition, powered by people and proud to play its part on the world stage.