Birmingham Forward Welcome to the latest Birmingham Forward E-Bulletin. Last Tuesday we held our 18th AGM at which we reported another year of membership stability and financial growth. The well attended meeting, held in conjunction with the Deal of the Year awards (see report below), saw the election of four new directors to our board.
These four, chosen from a panel of eleven, add a wealth of new experience to our board and strengthen our representation in some key areas including insurance. Over the coming months you will hear more about, and from, each of them individually.
The AGM was also the time to bid farewell to some long serving directors and our immediate past chair, Derek Inman, who has been a faithful servant of the membership for many years. Diane Benussi passed the baton of chairmanship to Richard Edwards after two memorable years during which she presided over a number of positive changes that have strengthened the foundations of our organisation.
Richard Edwards took the opportunity to set out his strategy in a number of key areas including: The Big City Plan – the city centre masterplan; the extension of the runway at Birmingham Airport; the business improvement district around Colmore Row; and improving ‘Brand Birmingham’ for everyone.
Richard confirmed that we remain committed to working with Birmingham City Council and other partners to ensure we help map the right direction for the city over the next 30 years.
News & Events
Deal of the Year - ProLogis wins overall trophy
The West Midland overall winner of The Deal of the Year 2007 was international property group ProLogis. It acquired property developer Parkridge towards the end of last year in a £300 million purchase.
Prologis was winner of the Mergers and Aquisitions Deal of the Year and Cable Mangement Products won the Private Equity Deal of the Year with Cable Management Products chosen as second overall in Deal of The Year. Newcomer of the Year was Icelandic Investment Bank Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander, specialist insurance company Abbey Protection was Initial Public Offering of The Year.
The Deal of the Year award, launched in 1997 is jointly organised by The Birmingham Post and Birmingham Forward and sponsored by Deloitte for a second year and recognises the businessmen and professionals involved in their successful completions.
Advised in Birmingham Directory
This week you will have received the latest edition of our Advised in Birmingham directory. Building on the major redesign last year we have taken on board the constructive feedback we received from members and have further enhanced the opening section describing Birmingham as a great place to do business. We have added more section dividers to make access even easier and we have slightly re-ordered the layout for the same reason.
It is our intention to continue to widen distribution of the directory in both the UK and globally and we are happy to receive suggestions from the membership as to whom they believe would benefit from receiving a copy.
Limited edition cufflinks
The cover of the new directory features the ‘Advised in Birmingham’ strapline as a cufflink. We have had these made in a sterling silver limited edition by one of the jewellery quarter’s leading silversmiths and are able to offer our members the chance to purchase a pair of these cufflinks for £40.00 inclusive.
They are a great way to show your commitment to the city or they would equally make a great gift, or memento, for a client.
There are two versions available – Sterling Silver Onyx as shown on the directory cover; or plain sterling silver which are more discreet.
Please contact Parmi Gill on 0121 6732 2205 or by e-mail here to order yours today!
One of the UK’s leading economists brings his forecast to Birmingham.
The Northern Rock, crisis in the housing market, a retail slump and the increasing cost of living means the condition of the economy has never been higher on the agenda. So what lies ahead for the UK Economy?
Roger Bootle, one of the country’s foremost economists will present his outlook for the economy to Birmingham Forward members on April 24th between 12 noon and 2.30pm in Hall Nine of the International Convention Centre, Birmingham.
As a specialist advisor to the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee, economic advisor to Deloitte and columnist for the Daily Telegraph, Roger Bootle brings a unique insight to business of the current state of the economy. This is an event, sponsored by Deloitte, not to be missed.
Places are available for this event, please click here to book on-line.
Forthcoming events
Meet & Eat lunch, Friday 9th May. Join fellow Birmingham Forward members for the next Meet and Eat lunch at City Inn Birmingham. Guest speaker for this event is Gavin Buckley, Director of Arts & Business. His speech will have a CSR focus talking about their visual arts scheme “The Flexible Arts Gallery for Business” and how it can help businesses. Places for this event are available at £26.44incl and can be booked by clicking here!
Tuesday 6th May. BHX, Airport update. Join Joe Kelly, Acting Managing Director who will update members on the progress of the runway extension plans to date. Places are available for this event at £12.50 + vat and can be booked by e-mailing Isabel here.
Birmingham Business Breakfast Club
Birmingham Forward member Tony Taylor, Chairman of the Birmingham Business Breakfast Club, extends a welcome to all Forward and Future members to join him on Wednesday 14 May at 7am for a networking a cooked breakfast and to welcome guest speaker Marathon runner Dave Heeley know as 'Blind Dave'.
Please contact Tony on 0121 428 2717 – tony@beermat.biz for more details and to reserve your place.
Little steps… big difference!
ACTION 66 - TAKE BREAKS! - Stress is infectious. If you get stressed out, you'll pass it on to someone else. Stress is like pass the parcel. Which is a pretty stressful game in itself. So if you can avoid getting stressed out, you stop the vicious circle starting. And the best way to do this is to take breaks. FYI: The average British lunch 'hour' is now just 27 minutes.
ACTION 69 - Shut down your computer properly Yes, we know. It takes about 15 minutes, and it's as boring as listening to the weather forecast in Danish. But it makes a huge difference. FYI: One computer left on all day results in the emission of 1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year. It would take 100 to 500 trees to absorb that amount of extra carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Birmingham… did you know?
Edgbaston Reservoir does not – as is often thought – supply drinking water to the area. It was in fact built by Thomas Telford in the 1820s to keep the Birmingham canals system topped up.
In the great Domesday Book of 1086, the Manor of Birmingham was valued at just 20/- or £1. For comparison, King’s Norton was valued at £3 and Aston at £5.
New members
We would like to welcome the following new members who joined us in March.
- Anglo Irish Bank is a relationship based business bank operating in three core areas - Business Lending, Treasury and Wealth Management. Not a universal bank, we focus on providing bespoke differentiated products where we can deliver superior service.
- Higgs & Sons are a leading Black Country law firm providing cutting-edge legal services in a friendly and down to earth way to business and individual clients.
- Maxima Costs Chambers is the first advisory service for lawyers and their clients seeking professional advice and support in third partyy litigation funding aswell as cost drafting and consultancy. Their team includes some of the most experienced individuals in these new and crucial areas for lawyers.
Birmingham Forward, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
