January/February is always a busy time for the Birmingham Forward office - especially in accounts! I'm delighted that so many members and patrons have renewed their annual memberships - together with the welcome addition of new member firms and new patron member Barclays Wealth.
All current members will feature in the next Advised in Birmingham directory. Due for publication at our AGM and Deal of the Year on 8th April, this year's expanded publication will again promote the depth and breadth of Birmingham's professional and financial services sector.
Richard Bennan, Chief Executive
News & Events
Recent events
Minister for the West Midlands, Liam Byrne MP, delivered the second Annual Roger Dickens Lecture at the International Convention Centre. Entitled Birmingham- Back to the Future, the Lecture looked how the city had developed through history in education, transport, local governance and economic prosperity. The lecture went on to explore the lessons from that history that can be learned for the future vision and development of the city.
A runway to success
BHX has now formally submitted a planning application to Solihull MBC for the much needed runway extension which would provide the Airport and the region with the infrastructure required for airlines to operate directly to any destination within the capability for their craft. This provides the opportunity for services to the major economies emerging in Asia and South Africa, as well as those already established in North America.
It is envisaged that the runway extension be completed by 2012 in time for the London Olympic Games. You can view the planning application by visiting the website here. We will shortly be holding an event in conjunction with the Birmingham International Airport, further event details to follow.
A Wealth of Patrons
Birmingham Forward welcomes new Patron, Barclays Wealth to the organisation. Barclays Wealth's goal is to provide a bespoke wealth management service that recognises client’s unique needs. A concentration of committed wealth experts, their focus is on meeting the diverse needs of wealthy clients and those aspiring to become wealthier.
We look forward to working with Barclays Wealth in the forthcoming year.
Gala Dinner 2008
We are delighted to announce that Kleinwort Benson will be the main sponsor of this year’s Chairman’s Gala Dinner. The event, one of the highlights of the Birmingham Forward calendar, will take place on Friday 21st November at The ICC. Graham Lucas, Private Banker at the Birmingham office commented that ‘Kleinwort Benson was delighted to be supporting the continued growth and success of the Birmingham Forward Gala dinner in its fourth year’.
Birmingham W1 is on the move
Following increased popularity Birmingham W1 is relocating to a new venue in the media heartland of central London. The new office opens in Charlotte Street on 25th February. Remaining within the all-important central London postcode district, Birmingham W1 will be taking over part of the old Film Four studio and will benefit from brand new corporate meeting facilities, improved flexibility in room layout, access to private 30-seater screening room and cocktail bar, plus increased convenience from London Euston.
For more details please contact Sarah Schoeman by e-mail here, or call 0870 761 0500.
Malmaison Hotel and Hotel du Vin Birmingham have a “cracking” offer for Easter for you!!
Affiliate member, Malmaison & Hotel Du Vin are offering Birmingham Forward members a special room only rate of £89.00 running between 20 - 31st March!!
The stylish hotels nestled in the heart of the city offer chic individually styled bedrooms, excellent food & wine and wonderful spa facilities to help you relax and recharge ....
You work hard - you deserve it, reserve your room now by e-mailing Vicky Evans here or call 0121 246 5000.
Regenerate! Birmingham - 15th April 2008, Colmore Plaza, Birmingham
Property Week, in association with Birmingham City Council, is delighted to invite you to Regenerate! Birmingham - the premiere gathering of leading developers, investors, financiers, advisors and those with their finger on the pulse of future development in Birmingham City Centre. The programme is packed with expert speakers sharing their insights and knowledge into the Masterplan Initiative, giving you the inside track on how this will shape and influence forthcoming projects in the journey to creating a global city.
Birmingham is fast becoming one of the UK’s largest economic centres. With an estimated £13.2 billion of investment planned for the next ten years and over £10.5 billion of that earmarked for the city centre, there is still everything to play for in the quest to make Birmingham a truly global city. Discover how you can benefit from these future development opportunities at Regenerate! Birmingham.
Secure your place today, visit www.regeneratebirmingham.com/ or call 020 7921 8039
Career promotion starts here!
The TA are seeking highly motivated, able and skilled individuals with career aspirations. In return you will get world class leadership and man management skills which are the envy of every business and organisation in the planet – putting you ahead of the field.
The Territorial Army (TA) is currently recruiting young officers in the West Midlands aged 17 – 33. There are hundreds of young professionals who balance a full-time career with life as a TA officer. You will travel, take part in adventure sports and become part of a team with a unique camaraderie.
They are staging two taster weekends at Bramcote, near Rugby, on March 29-30 and April 5-6 2008, where you can go along and find out more. To learn more or register interest for the event visit www.areyoualeader.co.uk and test your leadership credentials. Alternatively contact Richard Courteney-Harris direct on (01743) 262074.
Little steps… big difference!
ACTION 50 – Learn first aid – It takes 50 hours to learn how to drive but only two to learn how to save a life. It can take just four minutes for someone with a blocked airway to die, but eight minutes for an ambulance crew to arrive. Your two-hour training would show you how to save that life immediately. Statistics show that the person you help is unlikely to be a stranger, they’re more likely to be a friend or relative. Both St John Ambulance (www.sja.co.uk) and The Red Cross (www.redcross.org.uk) have essential skill courses.
ACTION 53 - Calculate your carbon footprint - If you click here, you can calculate how much carbon you emit while traveling to and from work. Then - on the same site - they'll tell you how you can erase that carbon footprint, easily. This applies to companies as well as individuals. HSBC was the first bank to go 'carbon neutral' and BSkyB, the first media company. How does that make you feel about those two companies? Let's face it. We all leave a mess behind us. The difference is mature people clear it up afterwards.
Birmingham… did you know?
Alec Issigonis was one of the most colourful car designers of modern times. He went on to design the world famous, Birmingham- made 'Mini', which started production in 1959 at Longbridge, Birmingham and is still in production today.
Birmingham's international Partner Cities include Chicago (USA), Frankfurt (Germany), Johannesburg (South Africa), Leipzig (Germany), Lyon (France) and Milan (Italy).
New members
We would like to welcome the following new members who joined us in January.
- BWD Retail is a niche property practice focused on the retail developments, investment and leasing markets.
- Credit Suisse is a world-leading financial services company, advising clients in all aspects of finance, around the world, around the clock.
- George Green Solicitors based in the heart of the Black Country, is recognised as a real alternative to City firms for the business community, whilst retaining its commitment to the provision of legal advice to its private clientele.
- Spencer Shaw Solicitors specialise in Employment Law and Litigation.
Birmingham Forward, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
