Local Heroes: The creative minds that helped shape Birmingham

From Joseph Chamberlain to John Feeney and John Baskerville to George Cadbury, Birmingham built a manufacturing prowess thanks in no small part to creative thinkers and generous leaders. Stacey Barnfield looks at some of the key players in the city's industrial, design and creative legacy.

Stacey Barnfield is chairman of Downtown in Business Birmingham, a private sector lobbying and influence group which has more than 900 member companies and entrepreneurs from a variety of business sectors in its well-established offices in the north west. Before joining Downtown Stacey was the editor of the respected Birmingham Post newspaper; his most recent and high-profile media role in a 23-year career in the regional press. Prior to his time at the helm of the Post he was deputy editor of its sister title the Birmingham Mail. Stacey helped lead the Birmingham Post’s popular Hidden Spaces project which revealed the secret stories behind some of Birmingham’s most popular buildings through brilliant photography and expert insights. He is passionate about the city’s conservation, heritage and aesthetic legacy during times of constant change and regeneration. Stacey is also a director of the historic Birmingham Press Club, chairman of the Birmingham Mail Charity Fund, and steering group member for the Birmingham Big Art Project. Outside work Stacey enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys and has a keen interest in fitness, design, art, photography, music and football. He is a lifelong Birmingham City FC fan, for which he is keen to blame his dad. Finally, for the type enthusiasts reading this, Stacey believes you’ll be hard pushed to find a more timeless and beautiful typeface than the ever-elegant Johnston, read by thousands of London commuters every day.