WORCESTER businessman Guy Mucklow has been named one of the "faces" of an increasingly vibrant West Midlands economy.

The co-founder of Diglis-headquartered PCA Predict – which started life as Postcode Anywhere – features in an inaugural list compiled by business and finance adviser Grant Thornton of people who are helping "to shape a vibrant economy in the UK, one which realises the shared potential of businesses, cities, people and communities across the UK".

As well as Mr Mucklow it includes Paul Dransfield, strategic director for major programmes and projects at Birmingham City Council, Dr David Hardman of Innovation Birmingham, Talisha Johnson, founder of on-line magazine Skool Girl, and Dave Maclean of Packt Publishing, which provides material for IT developers, administrators and users.

In the introduction to its list, Grant Thornton explained: "Guy and his team have built an internationally recognised web brand by taking control and shaping their own future. It is Guy’s belief that business has and should play a wider role in giving back to the wider community."

Mr Mucklow said: "It’s a real honour and a privilege to have been selected in Grant Thornton’s Faces of a Vibrant Economy. There’s a lot of talk about a vibrant economy being about a great talent pool, access to capital and those kinds of things. I actually think there are some other really important building blocks to a vibrant economy. In my view, success starts with setting the right culture and values in our society as other things will typically follow in their wake. Both business and government have an important role to play in this process.”

The list showcases individuals who were proven to deliver inspiring leadership, innovation or social purpose.

David Hillan, practice leader at Grant Thornton in Birmingham, added: "Earlier this year we set out a clear purpose to shape a vibrant economy, and we know that no one organisation or individual can do this alone. Following the result of the EU referendum it is even more important than ever that we all work together to help the UK to build upon its strengths and ensure that our economy continues to grow."