Word from the Chairman
As the countdown to this year's Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards begins, I was honoured and privileged to be part of the judging panel that had the somewhat daunting and difficult task of choosing the winners. Sitting around a table with the likes of Gary Taylor from Argent, Paul Thandi, chief executive of the NEC, Richard Edwards, Birmingham Forward chairman and Midlands practice senior partner at Deloitte, and Kathrine Ohm Thomas, general manager of the Radisson Hotel, demonstrated the importance the region's senior business figures place on recognising and rewarding the wealth of emerging talent in the city. And what a wealth there is, as we found out on the day from the finalists that were put in front of us. I'm sure that the people we saw in the short space of time we had was only a small fraction of the talented young professionals that work in the city, but nevertheless was representative of the collective group. And if they were the future business leaders of Birmingham, rest assured that the city is in safe hands!
News & Events
BYPY finalists face the judges
The 18 finalists of this year's Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (BYPY) Awards were put through their paces on Thursday 26 March when they faced the judging panel. Former BYPY and Inspiring Leader winner Gary Taylor, now joint managing director at Argent, chaired the panel. He was joined by fellow judges Paul Thandi, chief executive of the NEC Group; Anthony McCourt, BYPY 2008 winner; Peter Rees-Steer, BYPY Inspiring Leader 2008; Katherine Ohm Thomas, general manager at Radisson SAS Hotel; Jackie Hendley, partner at KPMG; Richard Edwards, Birmingham Forward chairman; and Matt Taylor, Birmingham Future chairman. Gary Taylor said: "This year there were some exceptional candidates which made the judging process extremely difficult. The BYPY awards really demonstrate the strength of talent that exists in Birmingham." The winner will be announced at a swanky awards ceremony at the ICC on 4 June. Tickets are on sale now, priced £850 + VAT per table of 10 (or £85 + VAT per person for single tickets) but they’re selling fast so book now to avoid disappointment. To reserve your place please contact Isabel Drabble at the Birmingham Future office on 0121 632 2201 or via email isabel@birminghamforward.co.uk. Watch this space for news on who will be the guest speaker at this year's BYPY Awards!!!
Keynote Speaker Lunch with Julia Middleton
Tuesday 21st April 2009, 12:00hrs for 12:30hrs until approx 14:30hrs Filini, Radisson SAS Hotel, 12 Holloway Circus, Birmingham, B1 1BT Birmingham Future’s first Keynote speaker lunch in 2009 is with Julia Middleton, Founder and Chief Executive of Common Purpose. We are delighted that Julia has agreed to speak to our members about her personal leadership story - how she set up Common Purpose, in a recession, and how it has grown from just one programme to a range of international programmes, aimed at all stages of people’s lives and careers. Julia will also share her views on leadership today and the need for individuals to be better informed and more outward-facing, in an ever-changing world. The Birmingham Future speaker lunches are a perfect opportunity to raise your own questions and suggestions to topical speakers, whilst networking with people from numerous different business sectors and this is a unique opportunity to hear an inspiring story. Tickets are £35.00+VAT (£40.25incl) per person. For further information or to book, please contact Isabel Drabble at the Birmingham Future office on 0121 632 2201 or email isabel@birminghamforward.co.uk. Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event. Please contact Birmingham Future's Events committee chairman, Paul Fielding, at paul.fielding@brewin.co.uk or Isabel Drabble (as above).
Would you like to spend a few hours as a volunteer in a school?
Birmingham Future needs your help to support the work it is doing with Education Business Links. If you can spare a few hours during the day, then we want to hear from you. There are three volunteering opportunities available during the next few months which Birmingham Future members can get involved with: 1. Guess My Job on Tuesday 05 May (0830-1200) at Holy Trinity School, Small Heath (B10 OAX). The aim of the activity is for students to find out what your job is by asking a series of questions. Volunteers then have an opportunity to talk about roles, skills, qualifications and qualities needed, for their career path. 2. Catwalk Enterprise Event on Thursday 25 June (0845-1500) at George Dixon School, Edgbaston (B17 8LF). Students work in small groups of 8 to set up a fashion design business. During the day they take part in activities linked to designing, creating, marketing and presentation. They have to put together a business plan, produce and present a radio advert, make and sell accessories and model the party outfit at the end of the day. 3. Practice Interviews on Thursday 02 July (morning or afternoon slots) at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School (B38 8AP) Pupils have a one-to-one interview with a business volunteer, followed by feedback on performance. Students complete a C.V. prior to interview. This is for Year 10 pupils to prepare for training, job, college and HE interviews. These opportunities are available through Education Business Links, the education business partnership for Birmingham and Solihull. Through strategic planning, hands-on delivery and brokerage EBS brings educators, business and young people together to maximise the full potential of the community. EBL organises various work related activities throughout schools, to help and support young people to prepare for the world of work and to offer encouragement. If you are interested and would like to sign up to an event please contact Rob Langley - Birmingham Future's Marketing committee chair on 0121 616 2619 or email: rob@bcmg.org.uk
Calling all Debaters!
Do you enjoy a good two-way discussion? Do you want to ensure young professionals’ voices are heard on the issues that matter? If so, Birmingham Future’s Debates committee needs you! The team is a sub-group of the Birmingham Future Events committee and currently organises two debates a year, covering key issues that affect the city’s young professional community. With debates planned for Summer and Autumn 2009, the team is now looking for new members to join its ranks and help the debates series become an established part of the city’s consultative and networking calendar. If you’re interested in joining, or for further information, please contact Kirsty Mack at k.a.mack@bham.ac.uk.
Meeting Lord Jones of Birmingham
A group of Birmingham Future delegates were recently invited to meet Digby Lord Jones of Birmingham at the House of Lords. Mayur Murali, the current Graduate Apprentice, offers his thoughts on what turned out to be a very productive visit. Read Mayur’s blog on what happened when he met with one of Birmingham’s most prominent sons, the self-confessed “best connected businessman in Britain”.
Recent events...
Successful Development “The Ultimate Success Formula” Peter Freeth of Excellerate, recently ran the above workshop for Birmingham Future at Pinsent Masons, on the theme of achieving consistent results and personal success. Peter is a leading business coach and author of a number of books about personal and organisational development. The event was well attended by a number of Future members and Collette O’Connor of Blackhams Solicitors who attended commented: “It was a cold, rainy evening and it was a pleasure to take cover from the elements at Pinsent Masons. The opportunity therefore to dry off, have a hot drink and mix with other Future members was very welcome. Peter’s presentation was very interesting. He engaged those present with his entertaining observations regarding our thoughts on “Successful People” and then secured the services of a willing “guinea pig” from the audience, Kelly Grant of Bevan Brittain, to demonstrate how to set goals, achieve personal success and gather from others the feedback you want. The event was really well organised and entertaining. The opportunity to have a drink and some food afterwards rounded off an excellent night.” Following on from the event Peter has contacted us and has offered our members the opportunity to purchase his books with a 25% discount to the RRP. If interested, members need to visit www.ciauk.com and when you go to the checkout page, just enter BF090303 and 25% will be deducted from the order total.
Forthcoming events...
Meet & Mix Lunch Monday 6th April 2009, 12:00hrs for 12:30hrs to approx 14:00hrs, Piccolino Restaurant, 9 Brindley Place, Birmingham, B1 2HS Birmingham Future is delighted that two speakers from the Birmingham Civic Society; Freddie Gick and David Clarke have agreed to talk at our next Meet and Mix Lunch on Monday 6th April at Piccolino, Brindleyplace. The main objectives of the Birmingham Civic Society are to ensure that Birmingham is an attractive city by working to stimulate interest and pride in its history and wellbeing, ensure high standards in planning, building and preservation (including the provision and use of public spaces) and encourage developments designed to enhance the amenities of the city and its general prosperity. They will provide a general overview of their organisation’s work, explain why it is important and suggest ways in which others can become involved. Freddie Gick has been chairman of the society since October 2004 and has played leading roles in programmes designed to promote active citizenship among young people. David Clarke, the society’s vice chairman, is well known amongst Birmingham’s business community and is a past-chairman of Birmingham Forward. The event will cost £22.50 +VAT (£25.88 inc VAT) per person. Visit the Birmingham Future website for further details or email Claire Hawkins, events administrator for a booking form.
Future Benefits
In the coming months we will be offering Birmingham Future members a range of exclusive offers from our member organisations and carefully selected third party organisations throughout the city. This month's 'member benefit' comes from one of the world's leading new music ensembles - Birmingham Contemporary Music Group - who have proudly called this city home for more than 20 years. BCMG are offering all Future members 20% off full price tickets for any of their concerts at their home venue - CBSO Centre. To book tickets and claim your Future member discount simply call: 0121 767 4050 or visit: www.bcmg.org.uk and quote offer code: FUTURE20. If your own organisation would like to offer Future members something special then please get in touch with Marketing committee member Chris Maunder via email: christopher.maunder@echarris.com.
Out and about with Lise-Ann Brennan
If you think you're too old for the circus, then like me you've probably never seen Cirque du Soleil... We went to see the latest show from Cirque du Soleil, Quidam, which was on at the NIA. The evening began with a mission to satisfy two rumbling tummies causing a disturbance of the peace in the Mailbox!!! Now as you may well be aware there are a fair few vouchers doing the rounds at the moment for various establishments and we were equipped with no less than three to choose from this particular evening, so we had to decide, would we go for an Italian theme and head for a 2for1 at pizza express, or be a little up market and opt for the '2000 and wine' offer at Malmaison? In the end we opted for a casual burger at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen and armed with our trusty voucher for a free main course we set forth... visit the Future Blog to read more about Lise-Ann's evening at.
Birmingham Future, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
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