2022 saw life return to almost complete normality as the lockdown restrictions from the pandemic were all but eradicated and those businesses worst hit worked hard to get back on even keel.
We welcomed a new monarch and two Prime Ministers while both Birmingham and the wider West Midlands were swept up in Commonwealth Games fever.
Firms from the smallest micro-business to the largest of corporations were again making the headlines. Here, we have compiled a round up of the most-read West Midlands business stories of 2022, published by on BusinessLive. Enjoy!
What Nylah's Naturals did next after Dragons' Den
We kick off the list with the first of two visits to hit BBC show Dragons' Den.
Birmingham-based 'mumpreneur' Kameese Davis appeared on the show in 2021, pitching for investment into her company Nylah's Naturals which makes a range of products for people with afro or textured hair.
BusinessLive caught up with her to find out more about how life had changed following her appearance which won the backing of Sara Davies.
Bartlett and Jones invest in chocolate maker
Staying with Dragons' Den, a fledgling chocolate maker only founded in 2020 wowed the entire panel when its co-founders pitched for investment.
Steve Russell and Giles Atwell eventually won the backing of both Peter Jones and Steven Bartlett for their Stirchley-based company Russell & Atwell.
The experienced entrepreneurs have created a range of high-end chocolates made with only fresh ingredients which proved so popular after their TV appearance it took the pair three months to clear the backlog of orders.
The region's 19 richest people worth a combined £34bn
Nineteen Midlands-based business tycoons worth more than a combined £34 billion appeared on the annual Sunday Time Rich List.
The countdown included some of the region's best-known business people from firms including bet365, JCB, Sports Direct and Bloor Homes. The rich list is an annual index which ranks the country's 250 wealthiest residents.
Gymshark co-founder on growing a brand and future investment plans
Also making an appearance in our list is Solihull-based fitness clothing and accessories brand Gymshark.
In our 'How I Made It' series, co-founder Lewis Morgan looked back on his time building up the company with his school friend Ben Francis before he exited the business and walked away with in excess of £100 million.
Mr Morgan is now looking to the next generation by investing in entrepreneurs and creating his own podcast.
Birmingham house prices expected to rise more than any UK city - report
House prices in Birmingham are expected to rise more than any other UK city over the next five years, according to research published at the turn of the year.
Property consultancy JLL was predicting that the average value of a home in the city would rise by 4.9 per cent per year, with rental values rising by 2.8 per cent.
This would equate to a £500,000 home bought today, being valued at £635,000 or above come 2026.
Frasers Group set to create 7,500 jobs with new global HQ
High street retail group Frasers announced major investment plans into the West Midlands which could see up to 7,500 new jobs created.
The company, which owns household names such as Sports Direct, House of Fraser, Game and Evans Cycles, wants to build a new global headquarters campus in Warwickshire which it says could add £300 million in GVA to the region's economy.
Plans for the campus include logistics, office and R&D space, a hotel and leisure facilities while a gym, swimming pool and bookable courts and pitches are also proposed and would be open to the public.
New inquiry launched into downgrade of HS2
A new inquiry was launched into controversial rail plans which saw part of the HS2 project downgraded last year.
The inquiry was announced by the cross-party Transport Select Committee following the news in November 2021 that the eastern leg of the high-speed rail project was being massively curtailed.
The original plan was for trains to run between Birmingham city centre, a brand new station in Toton near Nottingham and Leeds but the Government confirmed months of rumours when it said the high-speed trains would instead stop at the existing East Midlands Parkway station before switching onto conventional tracks.
New focus for office project as plans unveiled for 1,000 apartments
Plans for a development of new offices in Birmingham are set to undergo a change of direction after developers announced they were instead proposing to build up to 1,000 apartments.
Proposals for four new office buildings, collectively called 'Axis Square', were first unveiled in 2016 to be built on land next to the Mailbox.
Consent has since been awarded for two of those blocks and LCR, the government-owned developer leading the project, announced it was working with Birmingham City Council on adding a residential element to the scheme instead.
Designs revealed for 46-storey Birmingham apartments
A public consultation was launched into a proposed new apartment development in Birmingham city centre reaching 46 storeys.
Court Collaboration is behind the project which would see the multi-storey car park in Brindley Drive near to the Library of Birmingham demolished to make for the new residential project.
The plans comprise two towers, of 15 and 46 storeys respectively, containing 581 one- and two-bedroom apartments to rent only alongside amenities for residents including a rooftop garden, co‑working space and a gym.
