Well here we are in April already, the clocks have gone forward, the world has not stopped – well not completely - and we have just held our 19th annual General Meeting.
Times are still tough but the better weather seems to have brought a degree of optimism that has been sadly, and understandably, lacking for the past number of months.
News & Events
2009 AGM
Thank you to the over 50 people who attended our 19th AGM, which this year returned to The Hyatt after a long absence. This event saw the transition of the chair from the extremely capable hands of Richard Edwards to the equally capable Sue Lewis.
Richard peppered his speech with song references although he still failed to give me the Iron Maiden mention I wanted. Given his fondness for singing let’s hope he doesn’t have as many farewells as Frank Sinatra. Richard has presided over a year of solid growth both in terms of finance and campaigns and he leaves the organisation in great shape.
Sue assumes the chair at a challenging time and she is adamant that this is the year to support members, and ex members, whilst at the same time continuing to promote the benefits of Birmingham, and our members, to the widest possible audience. This second theme ties in well with the Ambassadors work Richard started and which he will continue to champion.
At the AGM we also said goodbye to four of our directors and welcomed four new joiners to our Board. The first of these, Dr Andrew Bass, may already be known to you as he has been a key contributor to our Forward/Future mentoring scheme and he will continue to support this important scheme and also take on the role of Education & Skills Champion.
Our second new director is Steve Cockell who is Regional Managing Director at RBS, a man who probably already has a lot on his plate but a great addition to our Board. Thirdly we welcome Nick Venning from PwC who will again be known to many of you through his work with Thrive or St Basils. Although, how many of you remember that he was also the first Chair of Birmingham Future back in the early nineties? The fourth new member of the Board is Mark Whitehouse from Clarke Associates who has worked on a number of projects with both Forward, Future and DiverCity and therefore knows a lot about how we tick.
We are still in discussion with the above three as to exactly the areas they will specialise in on your behalf and will let you know once we reach a conclusion.
Change to our Finance Team
For the last number of years Martyn Finnigan from HBJ Gateley Wareing, has provided independent overview of the Forward accounts on a monthly basis. He has been supported by Sally Beavan of PKF who has undertaken the same role on behalf of Future. Although staying on the Board, Martyn wanted to move on to new challenges so a replacement was required. Sally agreed to move up into the Forward role and was appointed to the Board in early March – a decision ratified by the AGM. She in turn has brought Kirsty Allen from KPMG in to oversee matters for Future. We have been in a transition phase for the last six months but these new responsibilities take full effect from 1st April.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Martyn for his huge support over recent years and we look forward to his next contribution in another area.
Advised in Birmingham Directory 2009/10
The Advised in Birmingham Directory 2009/10 is now out. This is the third edition in our enhanced format and is as ever a useful guide to the professional and financial services sector in Birmingham. It is also an informative source for Birmingham as a city and for doing business here.
All member contacts will be receiving a copy in the post within the next few weeks.
Colmore Business District
The BID company went live on 1st April but, as we proposed, the majority of operations will not commence until July 2009.
Thus far we have awarded a short-term PR & Marketing contract to BHMG, a company within the BID area. Our call for director candidates has been extremely successful with 18 candidates applying for the 10 positions, interviews are happening over the next few weeks.
The BID Manager role has been advertised with a closing date of April 17th. Full details can be found on the BID website: www.colmorebusinessdistrict.com.
The Adminstrative Court
The first victory in our long-running High Court campaign opens this month. Birmingham now has its own dedicated Administrative Court. In line with our core campaign we need to demonstrate the need for this new court by ensuring it is busy all the time.
Our new Chairman, Sue Lewis, will be moving the overall campaign forward in the early summer.
Trade Mission to India
We are delighted to be supporting a major international conference in New Delhi this autumn. Although the core of the event is legal we want to bring a Birmingham delegation that includes a range of professionals. We are getting great support from the UKTI team on the ground in New Delhi and we plan to have a dedicated Birmingham Day as part of the programme.
If you are interested in supporting this event, or want more information, please contact our CEO, Richard Brennan.
Islamic Banking
We believe Birmingham can become the UK centre of excellence for Islamic Banking and we are therefore keen to promote and support events around this important topic. We are currently at an early stage of developing a second possible trade mission to Bahrain to attend an Islamic Banking conference. As before, if you are interested in supporting this event, or want more information, please contact our CEO, Richard Brennan.
Closer to home, our good friends at the West Midlands Business Council, are running another of their Islamic Finance information events on May 13th .You can find all the details on their website.
BYPY finalists face the judges
The 18 finalists of this year's Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (BYPY) Awards faced the judging panel on Thursday 26th March.
Former BYPY and Inspiring Leader winner Gary Taylor, now joint Managing Director at Argent, chaired the panel. He was joined by fellow judges Paul Thandi, Chief Executive of the NEC Group; Anthony McCourt, BYPY 2008 winner; Peter Rees-Steer, BYPY Inspiring Leader 2008; Katherine Ohm Thomas, General Manager at Radisson SAS Hotel; Jackie Hendley, Partner at KPMG; Richard Edwards, Birmingham Forward Chairman to 31st March 2009; and Matt Taylor, Birmingham Future Chairman.
Gary Taylor said: "This year there were some exceptional candidates, which made the judging process extremely difficult. The BYPY awards really demonstrate the strength of talent that exists in Birmingham."
The winner will be announced at a glitzy awards ceremony at the ICC on 4th June. Tickets are on sale now, priced £850 + VAT per table of 10 (or £85 + VAT per person for single tickets). To reserve your place please contact Isabel Drabble at the Birmingham Future office on 0121 632 2204 or via email isabel@birminghamforward.co.uk.
Forthcoming Events
Birmingham Forward and Thrive: Carbon Responsibility in the Office Based Sector
Date: Thursday 23rd April 2009. Venue: ICC, Birmingham
It is becoming increasingly clear that the office based sector must take a responsible position on environmental issues. Most of us will be taking some measures to reduce our carbon footprints already but do we understand all of the issues and what else we should be doing to reduce our emissions?
On 23rd April we are delighted to welcome Dr Catarina Cardoso from the Carbon Trust who will cover the current regulatory framework in the UK and outline how the Carbon Trust is helping businesses to reduce carbon emissions. The focus will be on the office based sector and what we can do to reduce our carbon footprint and help accelerate the move to a low carbon economy.
The NEC Group’s national ticket agency is co-ordinating bookings: To register, please visit www.theticketfactory.com and search for "Thrive". Alternatively call The Ticket Factory on 0844 338 8000.
Business & Sport Lunch
Date: Friday 8th May 2009. Venue: Aston Villa Football Club, Birmingham
Birmingham Forward will be welcoming two diverse figures to speak at our Business and Sport Lunch, which will be hosted by Aston Villa Football Club on Friday 8th May.
Paul Faulkner, Chief Operating Officer of AVFC will be discussing the relations between business and sport, as well as a review of Aston Villa’s season. Paul will be joined by Dennis Hodgkins, Regional Development Manager for English Federation of Disability Sport, who will be discussing the federation’s involvement across the region and various sectors and opportunities for businesses to become involved with Disability Sport. The two-course lunch will finish with an optional stadium tour, creating a unique experience for our members and guests.
Online booking will be available shortly.
Recent Events
Roger Dickens Lecture
The annual Roger Dickens Lecture was once again a successful evening, held on Tuesday 24th February. Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham delivered an insightful, illuminating speech, both on Birmingham’s economy and the national recession we now find ourselves in. His comments were indeed timely, specifically on the current state of van maker LDV and the ongoing problems arising within the first quarter of 2009.
Photo (L-R): Mel Egglenton (KPMG) and Richard Edwards (Deloitte) with Lord Digby Jones.
Keynote Lunch with Michael Dicks, Barclays Wealth
On Thursday 12th March Michael Dicks, Head of Research and Investment Strategy at Barclays Wealth, provided a captivating presentation - and relatively positive outlook - on the future of the national and global economy.
The event itself was well attended at the ICC and Michael’s presentation was incredibly well received, with members growing more positive than recent months for the early quarters of 2010.
Breakfast Connections
The first Breakfast Connections of 2009 began at its new venue, the Crowne Plaza, on Tuesday 17th March 2009. Professor David Bailey of Birmingham Business School presented a discussion on the automotive industry, highlighting the necessity for stimulation of the industry and the avoidance of short term remedies for a long term problem. Professor Bailey’s presentation reinforced the problems facing the UK economy at present; yet he provided possible, pragmatic and long term solutions.
New Corporate Members
Idex Professional Recruitment
Idex Professional Recruitment are recruiters within financial services and general insurance. Covering the UK, they have offices in the north and south of England with the Head Office in the Midlands. The team has over 50 years of combined recruitment experience within Insurance, Claims/Legal and Financial Services industries.
Magic Milestones Limited
Magic Milestones Limited is a Project and Programme management Consultancy specialising in the media and education sectors. The consultants are well versed and practised in all major methodologies, including Prince II as well as Agile methods such as Scrum and XP. This means they are well placed to decide which method best suits their clients’ business and people.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, a professional services practice, is extremely diverse, working with public and private clients across a vast array of economic sectors. Ranging from SMEs to large corporates, PricewaterhouseCoopers offers audits, business advice and performance improvement consultancy with dedicated teams.
Staffbook
Staffbook is a modern recruitment agency based in the heart of Birmingham city centre. The team has years of combined experience and cutting edge technology to provide clients with a unique service. They have an internet only product that works alongside more traditional recruitment.
Studio Digital Media Ltd
Set up in 1991 Studio Digital Media is a digital design agency, specialising in new media and web solutions. Their services encompass web design and development, multi media presentation, design for print, internet and flash design interactive CD Rom and DVD, and digital signage.
The Adhere Creative
The Adhere Creative is a Birmingham multimedia design agency specialising in online interactive systems. This includes web design, content and project management, online video, audio, print design and digital communication.
Birmingham Forward, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
