Focus on the Midlands – PSMG working in partnership with Birmingham Forward

Celebrating 20 years of Birmingham Forward and five years of the partnership with PSMG, we take a look at why both organisations are still going strong.

The partnership between PSMG and professional services membership and lobbying organisation Birmingham Forward currently involves six joint events being hosted each year in Birmingham on topics as diverse as procurement, pitching to win and delivering powerful presentations.  Past speakers have included Andy Syms, of Client Development Partners, and John de Forte, of de Forte Associates.Lynn Richards-Cole, board director at Birmingham Forward and associate director at insurance brokers Perkins Slade, says that the PSMG events have been an instrumental benefit when offering Birmingham Forward membership to some of her contacts.

She says:  “The joint PSMG and Birmingham Forward events are really valuable for both senior and more junior members of the team.  Where else could you get such a high calibre of speaker, lunch and networking with key decision-makers, and all for less than £30 per head?

“The topics really inspire debate and I hear members of the team, and other Birmingham Forward contacts, talking about the events and using the tips and techniques they’ve picked up long after the sessions are over.”

PSMG and Birmingham Forward first looked at a partnership five years ago in order to support the professional and personal development of those working in professional services in the Midlands. Gail Jaffa, manager at PSMG, says:  “It was a natural fit.  Over the years we’ve built up our training and networking across all regions.  The Midlands already had such a strong offering in the shape of Birmingham Forward that it would have been foolish not to combine resources.

“Our speakers always enjoy coming up to Birmingham because of the warmth of the reception they receive as well as the challenging questions they are asked by some of the city’s key professional services leaders.”

The programme for 2010 sees Birmingham Forward and PSMG play host to speakers from, among others, Lighthouse Global and Huthwaite Fleming.  Topics to be explored over the year include making the intangible real, influencing decision makers and whether there is a role for marketing in professional services firms. Richard Brennan, CEO at Birmingham Forward, says:  “Now in our twentieth year, we know as well as most the value of marketing in the professional services realm.  That’s why we’ve taken the opportunity of this anniversary to renew and reinvigorate our vision, mission and values to ensure our offering is consistent and compelling to members.

“Birmingham Forward is a vehicle for change within the city, bringing together the influencers and decision-makers who ensure Birmingham is, and remains, the city of choice for business and professional services.”

He continues:  “Our themes for 2010 are: Transport and Infrastructure; People and Development; and Brand Birmingham.

“Quite obviously, our partnership with PSMG supports our aim to provide personal and professional development to our members.  Additionally, the joint Birmingham Forward and PSMG events are also vital in stimulating thinking on how we market our city.

“The partnership between professional services and professional marketers is integral to ensuring that a consistent and compelling message is delivered by Birmingham, and about Birmingham, to people around the world.”

Birmingham Forward has recently launched an Ambassadors programme to attract foreign investors to the city and boost Birmingham’s status on the world stage.  The organisation has also been awarded funding for a 30 month project to promote and develop new and innovative practice right across the business and professional services (BPS) community in the West Midlands. Brennan continues:  “Birmingham should be proud of its heritage and achievements – in the words of the Lonely Planet guides, spectacularly reinventing itself as a ‘vibrant, cultural hotspot.’  But, now is not the time to rest on our laurels.  

“As a city, we should be excited about the extensive developments taking place in the coming decade – the much-needed upgrade to New Street railway station, the potential for High Speed 2 coming to the city and the extension to the airport’s runway which will allow longer-haul flights to come to Birmingham.  We also have development taking place on the Eastside of the city and at Paradise Circus where a brand new, state-of-the-art library will take pride of place.

“The physical landscape of the city is changing and the way in which professional services firms do business is constantly evolving.  Through the contacts we make and by taking control of our own personal and professional development, we are ensuring that Birmingham will be able to make the most of the opportunities which come our way.”

Details about the joint Birmingham Forward and PSMG events, as well as information about a 20th anniversary celebration event for Birmingham Forward at which former chairman of The Financial Times Group, Sir David Bell, will be speaking on his business experiences and the importance of taking time out for corporate social responsibility (CSR), can be found at www.birminghamforward.co.uk. 

Press information:

Kinetic PR 0121 212 6250

Aimee Postle 07950 689 689

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