News & Events
Chairman’s Message – Sarah Gee
The Christmas decorations have been in Selfridges for months, the clocks are about to change and people are already dreaming about their summer holidays. It can mean only one thing: it’s time for our annual survey! I understand that sometimes it’s a hassle to complete such things but it’s really important to us to know if we are responding to your needs, so please consider taking a few minutes to complete it when it arrives in your inbox.
Also coming up this month is Birmingham City Council’s follow-up to their Summit for the Future which was held in March. Birmingham Future reps will be at the event, ensuring that the city fathers are aware of the young professional services community. A report of the first day is available download here. Please feel free to email me at sarah.gee@dixonraines.com with any comments you’d like fed into the debate.
And finally, looking forward to December we’ve got some great events on the horizon. The Christmas party is always a memorable event, but before then we have something a bit special: a lunchtime drumming workshop on 1 December at the Birmingham Hippodrome. So if you’ve always fancied yourself as Charlie Watts, Roger Taylor, Animal from the Muppets or even Phil Collins, now’s your chance. Must look out those sticks…
Exclusive discounts for members!
From the beginning of next year, Birmingham Future members will be able to enjoy exclusive discounts at a number of city centre establishments, click here for more details. The discounts have been arranged as part of the organisation’s new membership card scheme, which will be rolled out in January 2007.
Existing members will receive their membership card by post, with new members receiving theirs in the membership pack once they have joined. So don’t delay, renew your membership and take advantage of these great offers.
Members Survey 2006
Thanks to all who took part in last year’s annual members’ survey. In November, we will be conducting the 2006 survey. The Business Strategy & Constitution Committee is currently in the process of compiling the questionnaire. The survey is an opportunity for you to provide valuable feedback about the organisation, which will help us continue to offer exactly what our members want. This year, the focus of the survey is based on the following:
- The events that have been held this year and suggestions for future events.
- Members expectations of Birmingham Future, i.e. what they hope to gain personally and professionally, how and whether this is achieved.
- What Birmingham Future does well and what could be improved.
So, please begin to think about these topics and look out for the survey in the coming weeks. Your participation is greatly needed and appreciated.
Graduate Apprentice – One down, two to go!
Birmingham Future’s first Graduate Apprentice, Darvinder Kang, has completed the first of his three placements.
Darvinder, who has been working with the IT Audit division at Deloitte in Birmingham, has a week off before taking up his second placement with NHS Finance as part of the team at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust.
For Darvinder, his first placement has been a wonderful opportunity to sample life in a large private sector business, but the months have just flown by.
“I just can’t believe where the four months have gone to,” he said. “My time at Deloitte has just been wonderful – the team in IT Audit has made me so welcome and I felt so much a part of their team. I have learnt a vast amount in such a short time. I am already feeling the benefits of the Graduate Apprentice experience. Now I look forward to my time with NHS Finance. I am sure the type of work will be different but I am excited to experience life in the public sector.”
Annual Ball 2007 Design Competition Winner
Congratulations to Matthew Skidmore, winner of the Annual Ball 2007 Design Competition. Judged by Birmingham Future’s Leadership Team, they thought Matthew’s design captured the atmosphere of the popular event and this year’s Chinese New Year theme perfectly. Make sure you look out for his ticket and menu design at the event, due to be held on 23 February 2007.
Thank you to all those members and non-members who took part in the competition. Every design showed great originality and creativity and we have been overwhelmed by the response from both individuals and companies. We are offering all entrants the opportunity to have their design showcased on the Creative Birmingham Business website, which can be viewed here.
Time is ticking!
There is less than a month to go before the first Future-pro event on November 9th at the Stoke Campus of Staffordshire University. The event will bring final year students together with employers from the Professional and Financial Sector in a unique environment in which they can network and explore career opportunities in addition to attending a series of skills workshops.
The Birmingham event is set to take place on February 7th at the Aston University Conference Centre and more details of how you and your firm can be involved in the B Future-pro will be in next month’s bulletin.
Committee Vacancies
The Mentoring committee is currently looking for a new member. If you are interested in joining please contact the committee chair, Madeleine Reaves at mr@core-marketing.co.uk for further information.
Forthcoming events
We have a wonderful host of events on the Future calender leading up to the festive period. We currently have places available for the “Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt” on Tuesday 31st October this is your opportunity to socialise with, and battle against fellow members for the winning prize.
Speed Networking returns for Future members at the Pitcher and Piano in Brindleyplace on Tuesday 7th November. A great opportunity to meet & network with fellow members. Tickets £15.00 +vat.
The November Meet & Mix lunch takes place on Monday 13th November at Jojolapa Nepalese Restaurant at 12.00noon. Guest speaker at the lunch is Paul Beesley from the Princes Trust. This event is now FULLY BOOKED.
Following the success of our “unleash your networking potential” seminar with Jeremy Brown from innergy UK we were delighted when Jeremy offered to run a follow up session on Monday 20th November. Hosted by DLA this additional successful development event will give an insight into “developing your personal reputation” and will be conducted in Jeremy’s energetic and interactive style. The event starts at 5.30pm and tickets are £15.00+vat.
Friday 1st December at the Birmingham Hippodrome sees a fun and very interactive lunch event – “making music, creating success” with the Rhythm Business. Come along and enjoy a fabulous and uplifting drum work shop followed by a two course buffet lunch. Tickets £21.25 +vat
On Thursday 7th December Athens Greek Restaurant is the venue for our smashing Christmas Party. Join Future friends and colleagues for a fun packed start to the festive season. Tickets are £20.00 +VAT to include 3 course dinner, coffee, wine and entertainment. More details will be published on the website soon.
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
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