e-bulletin 6 October 2006

News & Events

Chairman’s Message – Sarah Gee

Although I love autumn when the leaves turn golden, there is that inevitable ‘back to school’ feeling combined with the dreaded realisation that, for most of us, the next holiday will be at Christmas. And as the clocks change, there will be many of us who arrive at work in the dark and leave in the dark and we feel like moles!

So this is a time of year when work-life balance is even more important, and Birmingham Future is once again leading the way. On 18 October 2006 we will be holding an event at HBJ Gateley Wareing looking at the lssue of work life balance and how this impacts on young professionals. In particular we will focus on the recent survey carried out by Birmingahm Future and highlight the real concerns of people living and working in Birmingham.

On a lighter note, we have a Trick and Treat treasure hunt on Halloween, a joint event with the Corporate Arts Club at the wonderful Royal Birmingham Society of Artists on 19 October, and speed networking and a meet & mix lunch in early November.

Hope to see you at an event very soon.

Future’s first e-poll leads the debate.

Birmingham Future’s first e-poll took place at the beginning of September and asked for members’ views on the merits of Birmingham having an Elected Mayor. The results were published in the Birmingham Post as a lead item ahead of the newspapers’ “Big Debate” held at the ICC on the future governance of the city.

131 members took part in the e-poll and 66% of respondents believed that an elected mayor was an attractive option. Commenting on the results of the first e-poll Birmingham Future Chair, Sarah Gee, said: “This represents a clear message from young professionals in the city. For such a large number to take part so quickly in our first web vote indicates the interest and strength of feeling on the issue of leadership and governance for Birmingham. Members have been following the debate and city region developments closely. Birmingham Future members want a new approach to leadership in this city and believe recent events only underline the need for stronger powers, more decisive leadership and a direct link with the electorate.”

Members will be asked to comment and vote on a whole range of issues in further e-polls over forthcoming months.

Graduate Apprentice makes his first public appearance.

Darvinder Kang made his first public appearance at a recent event held at the PwC Birmingham office on August 31st. Darvinder was taking part in the “Winning the War for Talent” seminar organised by Birmingham Forward/Future in association with Birmingham Professional DiverCity.

Darvinder gave the audience his first impressions of working in the professional sector as well as the background to his applying for the Graduate Apprentice - “an opportunity too good to miss.” He also went on to explain his own personal journey through further education being the first in his family to attend a redbrick university and to move away from the established family business and explore other career opportunities.

Darvinder will complete his first placement with Deloitte in October and then move to NHS Finance where he will work within the Heart of England Hospital Trust.

Education Business Links

For those members that signed up to support and get involved with Education Business Links, on Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 October Hodge Hill School, Bromford Lane, B36 is running a Careers Event for Year 11 students (15 – 16 year olds).

The event is called 'Pop Stars' and it has won national careers awards. The Education Business Adviser who developed it is in charge on both days at the school, so excellence is guaranteed.

To make it happen, however, they need a facilitator from the world of work for every group of 8 pupils. Can you spare the time?

For further information please contact Peta Goodman on 0121 248 8075 or email: peta.Goodman@connexions-bs.co.uk

BYPY 2007

Category sponsors are currently being sought for next year’s BYPY Awards. If you are interested and would like more information please contact BYPY Committee chair Joy Stefanicki at jstefanicki@deloitte.co.uk

Birmingham Post Profile

Birmingham Future Chair, Sarah Gee, was profiled in the Birmingham Post recently. In a wide-ranging interview Sarah talked of her student days at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where she met and worked with musicians and actors including one David Tennant who recently transformed in to a well-known time lord!

Sarah described how she moved from being an exponent of the French horn to art administration and management and the journey that led to her appointment, in 1999, as Director of Communications for the CBSO in Birmingham, a city for which she has become a passionate advocate.

Sarah also talked of her year as Chair of Birmingham Future and highlighted one of her key themes, that of tackling the issue of work/life balance. To read the full interview click here.

Events update

October

• Unleash your Networking Potential with Jeremy Brown from innergy UK, Monday 16th October. This event is now SOLD OUT.
• Corporate Arts Club Event, RBSA Members and Associates Exhibition 2006. Thursday 19th October at 7.00pm. Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Gallery in St Paul’s Square Places are free but limited so booking is essential.
• Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt, Tuesday 31st October starting at 6.00pm, All Bar one, Brindleyplace. The event cost is £17.63incl.

November

• Speed Networking, Tuesday 7th November, from 6pm, Pitcher and Piano, Birmingham. The event cost is £17.63incl.
• Meet & Mix Lunch, Monday 13th November, 12.00 for 12.30pm, Jojolapa, 55 Newhall Street, Birmingham. The event cost is £19.98incl.

Committee Vacancies

The following committee is currently looking for new members. If you are interested in joining please contact the relevant committee chair for further information.

Events committee currently have vacancies. Contact Jo Slade by email:jo@everyeventuality.co.uk

New members

Birmingham Future's Membership Team would like to welcome all 18 new members who have joined since September. We are available to answer any questions you may have about your membership. Please email the committee chair Amanda Shearer: amanda.shearer@mills-reeve.com.

And finally...

If you have a story about yourself, your firm or your discipline which you think might help to promote Birmingham’s professional and financial services sector or contribute to the voice of the city’s young professional community, then please either contact the editor Ruth Marshall at ruth.marshall@schmakk.com or contact Future’s PR consultancy, Urban Communications, at: communicate@urbancomms.com or 0121 237 6016.

Birmingham Future, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201