News & Events
Chairman’s Message – Sarah Gee
It may seem like an age since we moved into 2007 but best wishes for a Happy New Year from the Leadership Team of Birmingham Future.
We’ve got a clutch of exciting events in the next few weeks, including our annual ball and an exclusive behind-the-scenes viewing of Birmingham Town Hall. Future will be the first organisation to see this once-neglected building in its refurbished glory, prior to its official opening in October this year. I’ve had a sneak preview and it’s stunning; don’t miss out.
Coming up next month is the first of our political breakfasts, featuring Lord Hunt of Kings Heath who will be talking about work-life balance, one of Future’s key themes for the coming year. Work-life balance (or rather lack thereof) was revealed as a major issue in the joint Future/Caret survey last summer and forms the major part of our campaigning activity in the coming months.
Work Your Proper Hours Day (23 Feb 2007) is the day when the average person who does unpaid overtime finishes the unpaid days they do every year, and starts earning for themselves. We think that's a day worth celebrating, particularly as it coincides with our annual ball. So make sure you knock off work in time to get dolled up and I’ll see you in the bar at the Botanical Gardens. Mine’s a G&T.
Sarah
The best place to live in Birmingham? We have the answers!
February 1st saw the latest in the City Centre Team’s “City Living” seminars. The event was called “Where to Live in Birmingham” and was presented by Stuart Flint of property advisers Knight Frank. During the presentation Stuart and colleagues looked at eight suburbs of the city and, using a specially devised set of criteria, revealed the best place for young professionals to live, which is... HARBORNE!
Gone Live!
Birmingham Young Professional of the Year has launched its brand new website, complete with winners’ blog, video clips of past finalists and a downloadable nomination form for this year’s awards. The new site was created by leading digital media convergence specialists Gas Street Works, whose Director of Creative and Business Development, Neil Ramsorrun, was a finalist in the Communications category at the 2006 BYPY awards. Click Here to read the full story.
BYPY Call for Nominations
Birmingham Young Professional of the Year has launched its brand new website, complete with winners’ blog, video clips of past finalists and a downloadable nomination form for this year’s awards. The new site was created by leading digital media convergence specialists Gas Street Works, whose Director of Creative and Business Development, Neil Ramsorrun, was a finalist in the Communications category at the 2006 BYPY awards. Click Here to read the full story.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Want to raise your profile within Birmingham’s professional and financial services sector? If so, Birmingham Future could help. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this year’s BYPY Awards and the Annual Ball.
For further information, e-mail Joy Stefanicki for BYPY Awards and Jo Sollom for the Annual Ball.
Birmingham Future Annual Ball
The Birmingham Future Annual Ball draws ever closer and plans for a spectacular evening are well underway. Sponsored by Lloyds TSB, the evening will coincide with the Chinese New Year – the theme for this year’s event. Guests will enjoy a whole host of entertainment, hosted by Heart FM’s Ed James, including an authentic Chinese band and entertainers, as well as a wonderful Chinese banquet.
Tickets are now SOLD OUT for this years 'Chinese New Year Ball'. If you have missed out on your ticket, call one of the team who will be happy to pop your details onto the reserve list - you never know!
Graduate Apprentice…the latest
Our first Graduate Apprentice, Darvinder Kang, has nearly completed his second placement with NHS Finance based at the Heart of England NHS Trust. At the end of February he will move to his final four month placement with Stefan Lewandowski at digital agency 3form.
Apart from the day job, Darvinder has been kept busy by Birmingham Future, holding workshops at the Future-Pro events and speaking at an Open Day for Graduates at Birmingham University later this month. He has also joined the Graduates into Employment committee. The second Graduate Apprentice Programme is due to be launched in the spring.
Students sign up for Future-Pro
Students from each of the city’s three universities signed up to attend Birmingham Future’s graduate and employers’ event - Future-Pro - which took place on February 7th at Aston University Conference Centre.
The event brought together employers from within the professional and financial sectors with students looking to start their careers here in the city. Future-Pro, which is organised by Birmingham Future and sponsored by AWM, has already run in Stoke and will also travel to Coventry later in the month.
Sense and sensibility
In conjunction with RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland), Sense are looking to develop a Business Enterprise Board, made up of members from the business community within the Midlands. The key focus of the Board will be to engage with local organisations and business people within this sector in order to promote awareness of Sense and to raise funds for essential services.
The Sense Business Enterprise Board will consist of eight members and a chair. All members will be asked to commit to a tenure of three years membership. To find out more information on what will be required, please click here.
Sam moves on...
We are sure that all of you who have attended our events over the past three years will know Sam Sandbrook, our Events Co-ordinator. It’s with mixed feelings that we have had to bid her farewell.
Sam has now embarked on a position with Betterware, in Castle Vale, as their Events and Promotions Executive. The position will enable her to expand her event skills in arranging national and international events, become more involved in promotions, and hopefully provide an opportunity to travel – an offer she just couldn’t refuse!
Sam’s organisational skills, presence at our events and lively personality in the office team will be greatly missed. We all wish her the very best of luck for the future.
Watch this space for an announcement about the new team soon!
Crosby and John Rocha, the perfect combo.
In a joint collaboration with designer John Rocha, Crosby Lend Lease - main sponsor of this year’s BYPY Awards - launched Birmingham's most expensive apartment at the end of 2006 with a glittering catwalk fashion show, courtesy of the designer.
The £1.6million, 3,000 sq ft apartment was the star of the show and its phenomenal 360 degree views and specification are still the topic of aspirational discussion.
Events update
Click here to reserve your space for a unique insight and chance to experience the 'Town Hall'. Savour a part of the City's history whilst enjoying a drinks reception to be held on Monday 19th February at 6.30pm.
Join us for the first Keynote Political Breakfast of 2007 at 7.30am on Friday 2nd March with Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE. The event will be held in the Edwardian Tearooms at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, click here to book your place.
Next in the series of our Successful Development workshops will see you 'Get a Grip on your Career' with Shaw Chapman on Tuesday 13th March 2007 at 6.00pm. Places are limited for this event, click here to book yours now.
Committee Vacancy
The Marketing & Communications committee is currently looking for a new member. If you are interested in joining please email committee chair Matt Taylor for further information.
The membership committee is also looking to recruit a new member, please email the committee chair Amanda Shearer here.
Birmingham Future, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
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