Future eBulletin - December 2010

Welcome to December's Birmingham Future e-bulletin.
 
It has been an eventful year for Birmingham Future members who have continued to work harder than ever as the city’s economy continues to steadily flourish. Looking ahead, it is my belief that based on the hard work by all of Birmingham’s business community we are best placed to face the challenges of the year ahead.   

At the start of the month Birmingham Future members joined a distinguished panel including Sion Simon, the Former Minister of Creative Industries and MP for Birmingham (Erdington) for a debate on whether Birmingham should join London in having an elected major. Whilst the outcome of the debate indicated that there is still uncertainty as to whether an elected major would add value to the city it was agreed that having a representative voice would bring greater cohesion between Birmingham and it’s business community.

Birmingham Future’s Christmas party was also a huge success. Whilst there was not a Santa hat in sight, It was a great pleasure to see so many members come together to celebrate Christmas and have the opportunity to strengthen and forge relationships that will no doubt continue well into the New Year.

Christmas is naturally a time for reflection. For me over the past twelve months, in my capacity as incoming Chair and thereafter Chair, I have had the opportunity to work alongside some of Birmingham’s most talented young professionals who will undoubtedly go from strength to strength over the year ahead.

The entrepreneurial theme introduced earlier this year has allowed us all to understand the importance that our city’s emerging businesses will play in helping to rebuild and develop the city’s economy. This has also given us an insight into the drive and determination of the individuals behind some of the city’s most successful emerging businesses. I hope that this has, and will continue to, inspire others to help develop their own business and encourage an intrapreneurial spitirt amongst our membership.

Looking to the month ahead, January 2011 will see this launch of this year’s BYPY. Questions are already being asked as who will have the skills and determination to win the most respected accolade within our city. I hope to see as many of you in attendance at the launch which is taking place on Thursday 20th January at Malmaison. In true BYPY style it certainly will be a night of canapés and fizz that will brighten up an already  forecasted freezing January!

Later in the month we are looking to build further on our links to the city’s entrepreneurs with our Birmingham’s “Top Tech” Entrepreneurs event on Wednesday 26th January at Birmingham Science Park, Aston. This is a great opportunity to learn how the citiy’s talent are developing successful business at the cutting edge of developing industries as well as how we are able to work alongside these already successful businesses to assist in their growth and development over the years ahead. 

On a final note I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I look forward to working alongside and representing you all in 2011.   
 

 

Darren Walker
Chair of Birmingham Future

Forthcoming events

BYPY 2011 - The Launch: Thursday 20th January 18:00 - 21:00
Malmaison, The Mailbox, 1 Wharfside Street, Birmingham B1 1RD
 
BYPY 2011 is set to start with a bang as we invite you for complimentary drinks and canapés to launch the next decade of Birmingham Young Professional of the Year.

Committee members and past winners will help put the party into full swing, by offering all that attend the opportunity to talk to them about the benefits of being part of the event – be it through attendance or sponsorship. Most importantly, they will also share their behind-the-scenes knowledge of what it means to enter, nominate and, ultimately, win Birmingham Future’s flagship award.

Also on hand to share the secrets of his success, James Villarreal (BYPY 2010 winner) will be speaking about his experience of last year’s event from 18:30hrs.

Know an inspiring hard-working individual? Nominations for BYPY will be open from January until February 27th 2011.

The BYPY Launch Party is a free event but places are limited so be sure to book your tickets quickly.

 
Meet Birmingham’s Top Tech Entrepreneurs: Wednesday 26th January 18:00 - 20:30
Birmingham Science Park Aston, Faraday Wharf, Birmingham, B7 4BB

Birmingham Future invites you to meet the city’s top young tech entrepreneurs at the home of their start-up ventures; Birmingham Science Park Aston.

Continuing Darren Walker, Chair of Birmingham Future’s entrepreneurial theme, six new tech businesses at different stages of their development and funding plans will each deliver five minute presentations, giving an insight into the challenges and rewards of getting a new tech business off the ground in Birmingham… and how local professional advisors could be instructed to provide advice going forward.

The event will cost £15 + VAT and includes drinks and canapés.

Latest News

BYPY Winner among the first to navigate all-new leadership course

Former Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (BYPY) winner Suzie Branch has successfully completed a new international leadership course.

Visit the Birmingham Future website for more information about Suzie’s Leadership Course.

Photo: Suzie Branch, BYPY winner

Getting involved

Resolutions for a New Year

In 2010, almost one fifth of Birmingham Future’s membership got involved with volunteering or fundraising activities managed by the community development committee.  Claire-Elaine Arthurs, chair of the committee and solicitor at Wright Hassall, explains why she thinks that number will increase in 2011:

“As the business and professional services sector looks to its plans for the coming year, it is very clear that we can’t just go back to how things have always been.  The landscape has shifted fundamentally over the last two years – recession, change in government, abolition of the RDAs, etc – and the business community needs to shift mindset to compensate.”

Visit the Birmingham Future website for more information about why volunteering in 2011 is set to increase.

Photo: Claire-Elaine Arthurs, Property Litigation Solicitor for Wright Hassall LLP

 

Volunteer opportunity of the month - TVTTS

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a non-exec board member to join the board of a co-operative promoting over 80 not-for-profit conference venues across Birmingham.

To find out more about this opportunity please visit the Community Development section of the Birmingham Future website.

 

Inspire a student, change a life

As part of our partnership with the Birmingham Civic Society Next Generation Awards, Birmingham Future members have been invited to get involved in a number of opportunities with local schools.

To find out how to get involved in the Birmingham Civic Society Next Generation Awards visit the Community Development section of the Birmingham Future website.

Photo (LR): : David Clarke, President of Birmingham Civic Society and managing director at Clarke Associates; Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory; Lady Mayoress of Birmingham, Mrs Gillian Gregory; Darren Walker, chair of Birmingham Future and associate at Cobbetts.

Culture Club

Do you want to join the Culture Club?

Don’t forget that there are lots of exciting discounts that can be redeemed across the city and beyond by using your Culture Club Card.

For more information about Culture Club and to find out how to join please contact the Birmingham Future office on 0121 632 2200.