Press Release

Why did you decide to take on the new role? Because I am passionate about Birmingham and the professional community that is so much at the heart of the regeneration and development of the city's strength.

Professional and financial services lobby group Birmingham Forward has today announced the appointment of Richard Brennan as chief executive. Mr Brennan, who is the managing director of business consultancy Strategic Alliance, takes up the reigns from Simon Murphy who announced his resignation to take up the new role of City Region project director in March. Commenting on his appointment, Mr Brennan said: "I am delighted to have been appointed and am looking forward to working with members on the challenge ahead.

As the car industry takes another blow with the closure of Peugeot's Ryton factory and fuel prices continue to escalate with petrol prices now rising above £1 per litre, business lobby group Birmingham Forward says the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) must change its steady as she goes policy on interest rates sooner rather than later. Diane Benussi, chairman of Birmingham Forward and managing partner of Benussi & Co, said: "Midlands businesses need some positive reassurance in the form of a quarter point interest rate cut to ensure we do not fall into recession.

Commenting on the recent proposals for a city region, Diane Benussi, chairman of Birmingham Forward, said: "I'm sure the business community would be happy to support any move that could bring increased prosperity to the region. "The detail of how the city region would work is still to be clarified but it does not automatically follow that it would be led by an elected mayor.

Following the departure of two members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), business lobby group Birmingham Forward hoped the effects on the MPC would be positive for the business community and called for a cut in interest rates sooner rather than later. Simon Murphy, board member of Birmingham Forward, said: "There have been many changes within the committee in the last month and the new members will undoubtedly begin to make their influence felt over the next few months.

1. How long does it take you to get to work? I live in the city centre and walk to work which takes me 10 minutes.
2. What are you normally doing when you're travelling to work? Enjoying the changing seasons as I walk along the canal paths and then checking forthcoming events in Birmingham Symphony Hall.
3. What do you always bring with you to work? My IPAQ, my mobile phone, my handbag and my bright pink Smythson notebook.

Statement by Diane Benussi, Chairman At the Annual General Meeting of Birmingham Forward, held at the MacDonald Burlington Hotel on Tuesday 28th March, I reported that our Chief Executive Simon Murphy is to step down at the end of June. Simon has been appointed as the City Region Project Director working for the eight urban Councils of the West Midlands, and he leaves with our best wishes. I would like to thank Simon for his successful work on behalf of Birmingham Forward and Birmingham Future over the past eighteen months.

The decision by Stephen Nickell to leave the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) could have a stronger impact on Birmingham businesses and the region's economy than expected, says Birmingham Forward. Ronnie Bowker, board member of Birmingham Forward and senior partner at accountants Ernst & Young, said: "We have consistently called on the MPC to cut interest rates in order to kick start the economy and push us further away from recession.

Business lobby group Birmingham Forward has introduced a new individual membership scheme allowing professionals from any sector to join the organisation. Previously only firms within the professional and financial services sector could apply for membership. With the launch of its new associate scheme, individuals who hold a professional post within a non-member firm can now become members too. This month the group welcomed its first member Mirza Ahmad, chief legal officer at Birmingham City Council.

In a survey being published today Birmingham's professional and financial services community is backing the NEC's bid for a super casino ahead of that of Birmingham City Football Club. 69% of respondents to the survey, which was conducted by Birmingham Forward amongst its members, said they supported the NEC's bid. The survey was undertaken following separate presentations given by Birmingham City Football Club and the NEC and hosted by Birmingham Forward.