e-bulletin March 2006

News & Events

Chairman’s Message – Chris Robertson

I hope this note finds you all fully recovered from the annual ball. I thought it was an excellent event - thanks again to the team for all their hard work in organising it. Since then, the Diversity team have also hosted an extremely good first event. They secured a very high profile speaker in Waqar Azmir - the Government's chief adviser on diversity matters. Sorry to those who wanted to attend, but who were unable to get tickets; all places were reserved for this event within a week of its announcement. I'm pleased that there is so much appetite for events on this topic - there will be plenty more to come.

Looking forward, whilst it seems like a long way off, tickets for BYPY on 17 May 2006 are now sold out. I am also delighted to report that we have had a record entry for the awards this year. Click here to view the finalists in each of the categories.

The final item I'd like to draw attention to is the business plan for Birmingham Future that the Strategy & Constitution team have prepared, and now endorsed by the Leadership Team. I would encourage you all to spend a few moments to have a look at this, as it sets out the key objectives for all of our teams over the coming year. If you have comments or suggestions, the Leadership Team would be very interested to hear them.

BYPY

Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2006, has been the most successful so far. We have had a record number of entries and tickets have been in such high demand for the awards ceremony, on 17th May 2006 at the ICC, the event has now sold out. Please contact the Birmingham Future office to be added onto the waiting list. Look out for further information on the after party, which will be held at Zinc bar, Birmingham, a good chance for those who can’t get tickets to be able to join us.

The judging went ahead as planned on the 23rd March, thank you to the judging panel for your hard work on the day.

We just want to say a big thank you to all our sponsors and just want to remind the attendees that they will also have the chance to win the use of a Peugeot 407 coupe car for a weekend in a prize draw to be held on the night. For further information about the 407 coupe, visit the George Heath website www.georgeheath.co.uk.

Events update

Due to the overwhelming demand for our Meet ‘n’ Mix lunches, the next event, which is due to be held on 3rd April at the Radisson Hotel, has sold out. However, we have a number of events coming up in the near future that are available and we would encourage all our members to come along and book early!.

Our next event, ‘Opportunities for affordable city living’, will be held on the 4th April. Following on from the success of last year’s event, Birmingham Future members are once again being given the chance to debate one of the hot topics of today – affordable city living. Click Here for further information or to book your place online.

To keep you up to date with forthcoming events, Birmingham Future will be issuing a monthly ‘e-vents’ e-bulletin to our members. This will enable members to access event information at the click of a button.

Marketing

The effectiveness of communication between Birmingham Future and its members is of vital importance and as such the Marketing Committee will be conducting a communications survey to canvas your views and opinions on how effective the organisations communication tools are, e.g. the website, e-bulletin, event invites etc.

As an organisation run by its members, for its members, we are always keen to get your views and would appreciate your time in filling out the survey when it lands in your inbox.

The Birmingham Forward/Future ‘Advised in Birmingham’ 2006 member’s directory is now out. The directory is an essential guide to the city’s professional services sector and includes useful information on member firms and key contacts, plus a list of Birmingham Future members within each firm. If you would like a copy please contact the Birmingham Forward office.

Membership

The members of the Birmingham Future Membership committee are always available to answer any questions you may have about your membership.

For those of you that have just joined, we will be holding the second new members’ lunch of 2006 on Friday 21 April at 12:30hrs for 13:00hrs – 14:00hrs. The buffet lunch is being hosted by Eversheds at their offices on Colmore Row.

This is our way of saying 'welcome on board' and a prime opportunity for you to meet fellow new members of Birmingham Future. The Membership Committee and the Leadership Team will be there to tell you more about Birmingham Future and our exciting programme of events and activities.

Mentoring

The Birmingham Future Mentoring Committee has a vacancy. If you would like to join the team please contact Madeleine Reeves by emailing mr@core-marketing.co.uk

Last year the Mentoring Committee set up record numbers of mentoring partnerships – but we can always do with more mentors!

All we ask is that our mentors have several years experience in their area of expertise and feel confident in knowledgably discussing work-based issues. For more information, contact Madeleine at the above email address.

Business Strategy & Constitution

In line with Birmingham Future’s vision, which is to develop the future membership and leaders of a vibrant, diverse and world-class professional and financial services sector in Birmingham through presenting the collective voice of Birmingham’s young professionals; providing networking and skills development opportunities for this community; and engaging with those in ‘post-16’ education to promote the benefits of a career in Birmingham’s professional services sector, the organisation has developed a business plan for 2006 and beyond to help achieve these objectives.

The business plan, which was co-ordinated and developed by the Business Strategy & Constitution Committee, outlines how the organisation aims to achieve its objectives through ongoing campaigns and events set out by each of the committees.
To view a copy of the business plan please click here.

City Centre

You may recall that we sent out a questionnaire recently regarding your thoughts on Work/Life Balance - we would like to thank all of you who completed this for us and we can report our findings below:

Accountants/Banking and Investment Management worked approximately 52 hours on average per week; Property and Construction 49 hours and Legal 49.4 hours.

83% of finance, 55% of property and 45% of legal felt that they had a good work life balance, and most respondents felt that their employer supported wlb. 54% of the legal profession would consider accepting a lower salary for a better wlb. The most important aspect of wlb for most people was flexibility and the ability to pursue external interests outside of work.

Musicians Wanted

Every year certain members of the Finance Community organise a Charity Ball held at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham. Raising money for the Make a Wish Foundation the event is attended by 300 of the local members of the Midlands Finance community including Corporate Financiers, Corporate Lawyers, Stockbrokers, Private Equity/Venture Capitalists and Bankers.

The music is provided by a band that is made up of certain members of the finance community but in order to keep it all within the community and enable us not to have to use deputies we are looking for 3 strong musicians, 1 trumpet, 1 tenor saxophone and 1 baritone saxophone. For those who would be interested in getting involved in what always proves to be a hugely successful event please contact Chris Hayes of DG Associates on 07887 614705 or email chris.hayes@dgarecruitment.co.uk. This years event is being held on the evening of Saturday 10th June.

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