Word from the Chair
A festive welcome to this month’s Birmingham Future E-bulletin – the last of 2008. A lot has been happening in the last month and I’m pleased to say that, as we approach Christmas and the New Year, 2009 is already looking just as busy. We have the usual packed calendar of events, including the Chairman’s Annual Ball in February and BYPY in June, as well as a whole host of other networking and socialising get-togethers to keep members entertained and informed throughout the year. 2008 has been an extremely successful year for the organisation and I’m looking forward, with the continued support of our members, to building on this success in 2009.
Have a great Christmas and New Year! See you in 2009!
News & Events
FUTURE look for Colmore BID – excerpt of article...
PricewaterhouseCoopers played host to the launch of the Prospectus for the Colmore Business District BID on 3rd December. Representatives of the firms eligible to vote in the BID ballot, which will be held during January and February 2009, heard from Birmingham Forward Deputy Chair Sue Lewis of Eversheds, BID Champion Gary Cardin from Drivers Jonas and Jonathan Cheetham and Jenny Inglis of Birmingham City Centre Partnership. Clive Dutton, Director of Planning and Regeneration at Birmingham City Council was also in attendance to further demonstrate the city’s support of the BID… If you would like to read the full article visit the Future blog.
Calling all Young Professionals in Birmingham...
Calling all Young Professionals in Birmingham! Nominations are open for Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2009.
BYPY recognises outstanding personal achievement and has nurtured some of the city’s most promising young professionals into tomorrow’s leaders. The coveted award is also a real coup for businesses with an award winner on board. Click here to read the full article.
Birmingham Future’s Annual Ball
The design competition for Future’s Annual Ball has now concluded and we are pleased to announce that the winner is Jason Liggitt from Big Cat Group.
Tickets are now selling for what promises to be a spectacular ‘Medieval Banquet’ with entertainment courtesy of Warwick Castle and Heart FM. Tickets are now on sale via the Birmingham Future website.
There is also a fantastic opportunity for your company to join our branded sponsors of the event. For more information about the sponsorship packages available contact Isabel Drabble in the Future office - 0121 632 2204.
The Birmingham Future Annual Survey
At this time of year we turn our attention to the joy of giving… The Birmingham Future Leadership and Office team would like all members to give just a little bit of their time to complete this year's Annual Survey.
Graduate Apprentice 2009 applications are now open...
At a careers event at Aston University last month, Birmingham Future’s Graduates into Employment committee officially declared that the applications for the 2009 Graduate Apprentice were open. For further details and to read the full article click here.
Future Focus with Kevin Breese of Harvey Nichols:
For the final Future Focus of 2008 we caught up with one of the most important and well known men in Birmingham’s retail world – Kevin Breese, General Manager of Harvey Nichols. Kevin is a fantastic advocate for Birmingham and particularly for fashion and retail in the city, and in these critical financial times his thoughts and insight are more relevant than ever. To read the full interview with Kevin simply click here.
The Birmingham Future blog...
The Birmingham Future blog has really started to come into its own during the past few months, with more posts being added on a frequent basis and plenty of people visiting to keep up to date with what is going on in the Future camp. As you will see – the face of your monthly bulletin is changing, to link you to both the blog and the Birmingham Future website. Therefore many of the below items are introductions to larger articles on the blog and all you need do is click the link to read the story in full. We would love to hear your thoughts and comments on how this is working for you and you can also interact by posting your own thoughts and comments against any of the stories on the blog. To find the blog visit: http://birminghamfuture.wordpress.com/.
What’s been happening
First Annual Diversity Quiz – excerpt from blog posting.
As a new member to Birmingham Future, I was keen to be part of the First Annual Diversity Quiz, which took place recently. It was a great night full of great people, nice drinks, exciting food and hard questions. The event was held at HBJ Gateley Wareing, one of Britain's top Law Firms right here in Birmingham. Once I was greeted by a Birmingham Future coordinator and given my name tag, I was taken to the quiz room. Greeted again but with a glass of wine this time...things are definitely going well so far. A spot of pre-quiz networking took place before the main event got started… To read full posting, click here.
Cocktails all round at Radisson party...
On Thursday 27th November Birmingham Future joined forces with Birmingham Forward for what has become an annual highlight in both events calendars. The Radisson hotel once again hosted a fantastic evening of cocktails, which eased the way for light hearted networking and early festive cheer. There is a gallery of images from the evening on the Future blog.
4th DECEMBER – Christmas party time...
Many thanks to all who attended the Future Christmas party at Red Bar on Thursday 4th December. The relaxed atmosphere in the bar seemed to suit those who were there on the evening. After drinks and finger food we were entertained by the excellent band "Gurdan Thomas" who performed an accoustic version of their tracks from their two albums to date. This was followed by the resident DJ who had many of us dancing into the early hours. The events committee, who organised the party, would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support of events throughout the year.
What’s coming up...
New Year, New Conscience / New Year New Connections – A Thrive event organised by Future members…
Thrive forum members have created a new initiative, which aims to introduce local charities to key CSR contacts from some of the city’s most prominent businesses. The event is to be held at Pinsent Mason’s on Tuesday 20th January from 12noon. For further details click here or to book your place contact Martina in the Future office: 0121 632 2203 or email: martina@birminghamforward.co.uk
Calling all Fashion Lovers - "Looking Smart, Working Smarter" Thursday 29th January 2009 5.45pm - 8.30pm
First impressions are crucial, and are often formed within just a few seconds. Most of the time you haven’t even said a full sentence before a first impression is made. Anything you can do to improve the first impression you make is therefore a positive step.
Birmingham Future is offering members an opportunity to help maximise their professional and business opportunities, with the help of the House of Fraser team.
This event is kindly hosted by House of Fraser and will include a number of demonstrations, a fashion show, and advice on what to wear in a business environment.
The event will cost £20.00 + VAT (£23.00 inc. VAT). If you are interested in attending please visit the Events page on the Birmingham Future Website, by clicking here.
Out and about in Birmingham with Lise-Ann Brennan…
The series of reviews on things to do and places to eat continues as Lise-Ann visited Birmingham’s infamous Balti triangle for an alternative Christmas dinner with friends. Lise-Ann’s appraisal of Plaza Indian on Ladypool road can be read in full by clicking here. If you would like to suggest a good place for Future members to try in Birmingham, or further a field then please let us know by emailing rob@bcmg.org.uk or posting a comment on the Future blog. Perhaps you are a budding journalist and would like to write a review for us…
Birmingham Future, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
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