e-bulletin - February 2009

Welcome to our first E-Bulletin of 2009. Continuing pressure on all our businesses means this is a challenging time for many people. On your behalf we have been meeting with and lobbying Government Ministers, Conservative front bench members and key organisations including the LSC, Job Centre Plus and AWM. Our concern is that we need to ensure that our sector’s voice is being heard and we are not ‘tarred’ with being the problem creators. If you have specific issues you want us to bring forward please let me know directly and we will seek to input them in the most appropriate forum.

Currently the two issues that are mentioned the most are: Access to Finance specifically around Credit Insurance both in the UK and for overseas orders; and the delay between announcing a new piece of help or legislation and the implementation of same. We are battling hard to see if we can get resolutions on both of these.

Listen to our Richard Brennan, Chief Executive in a recent interview with BizTV where he highlights some of the projects Birmingham Forward is driving through, including the Colmore Business District BID, the Big City Plan and the role of Birmingham Forward in the regional economic climate recognising the major challenges to members in 2009 www.biz-tv.net

News & Events

Membership Update – Rolling Membership

Thank you for the speed of renewal this yearm we have confirmed more members, more quickly than any year the team can remember. This is good news as it shows your continued commitment to us and it reduces the amount of debtor chasing we need to do. Thank You!

From the start of 2009 all new members, except Patrons, will be given a rolling membership rather than one based on the calendar year. This will mean, over a period of years, that our dependence, and resultant workload, of January 1st renewals will be diminished. It also means that all new members will have a full year to evaluate the benefits of their Forward or Future membership. As existing members this will not mean any change for you. Because of the additional benefits for Patrons their membership will remain based on the calendar year.

Board Appointments

We have had great interest in the upcoming Board vacancies and are interviewing some really great candidates in the next two weeks. That is the good news, the bad news is that we have a ratio of 5:1 between candidates and vacancies so we will necessarily be disappointing some people. New Directors will be announced at our AGM being held this year at a new venue The Hyatt on March 31st. As ever the AGM will be followed by The Deal of The Year awards which were judged in the last few days.

Big City Plan

We were delighted to participate in the excellent workshop recently that formed a key part of the consultation process on the Big City Plan. Subsequent to that we prepared a detailed response on behalf of both Birmingham Forward and Birmingham Future which has been submitted to the council. We are now eagerly awaiting feedback from the Big City Plan team once they have assessed and evaluated the responses they have received. This is a great project for the city and the timing is perfect as we can demonstrate that Birmingham is thinking about its long term future not just focusing on the next 12-18 months.

Colmore BID

Thanks to all our participating members who have cast their votes. Based on our ‘exit polling’ we are currently very confident of a positive result. As we reach the final week of voting, the ballot closes on Friday 27th February, we are still keen to increase the overall number of voters. If you are still holding onto your ballot paper please complete and submit it immediately. As this is a postal ballot we are concerned that votes cast after Tuesday 24th may not reach Electoral Reform Services in time to be counted.

High Court Judges / Administrative Court

The four specific events around the Admin. Court proved to be very successful. If you are a plaintiff or a practitioner with a case that can be heard in the Admin. Court you should be requesting that this case, if it relates to this region in any way, be listed in Birmingham. This request needs to be made through the normal London channels but once the Court opens in Birmingham listing requests can be made directly to the local office. Having been granted this Court we are determined to demonstrate how much work these is for it – your input will help.

PSMG Conference 2009 – Special rate for Birmingham Forward members

The 14th PSMG National Conference, “It’s all about people”, is taking place on Monday 2nd March and has a special ticket rate on offer for Birmingham Forward members. Members have been offered a discounted rate of £349 + VAT in place of the standard rate of £599.

The annual conference will focus on the driving force behind business success and the skills that underpin business relationships. As the conference title suggests, it’s all about people – you, your clients, partners, team members.

Areas that will be covered include how to win more work from clients, how to talk to clients about what they want and how to differentiate yourself in a competitive tender environment.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the Chief Executive of Norton Rose on how they are handling the recession as well as tips on marketing and business development. They will also hear from the Managing Partner of Drivers Jonas on how they measure the effectiveness of engagement, success and value.

For further information on the conference, visit www.psmgconference.co.uk. To register, please contact Sarah Cooke on 020 7924 6047 or email : events@psmg.co.uk

University of Birmingham Professional Network – 12th March

University of Birmingham alumni are presented with the opportunity to join fellow alumni for the first Birmingham Professional Network on 12th March.

The network may particularly appeal to alumni working within business, corporate banking, insurance, law, property and commercial ventures. It will provide a great opportunity for alumni to build contacts and to network with alumni working within related professions.

The event will be held at Banqueting Suite, Birmingham Council House and will commence at 18.30. Tickets are available at £20.

For further information, click here (url - http://www.alumni.bham.ac.uk/events/2009/bhamnetwork.shtml). Alternatively, contact Claire O’Sullivan on 0121 414 4139 or email alumnievents@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

IoD Annual Lecture & Dinner – 13th May

The IoD West Midlands Annual Lecture and Dinner, one of the most prestigious events in the region’s business calendar, will this year welcome John Sergeant as guest speaker.

John Sergeant has worked as an award winning political correspondent as well as a war reporter in a career with the BBC that has spanned 30 years. He is also one of the UK’s leading conference and after-dinner speakers. At the IoD Lecture and Dinner, John will provide thoughts and insights into current developments that are taking place in the midst of the economic climate.

The event is black tie and will commence with a champagne reception at 7pm. For further information and a booking form, contact 0121 632 2300 or email Sue Hurrell

Forthcoming Events

Keynote Lunch
In a wide ranging speech at Birmingham Forward’s Keynote Lunch on Thursday 12th March, Michael Dicks, Head of Research and Investment Strategy at Barclays Wealth will be providing his analysis of the current economic climate, offering his view on the global banking system and its liquidity issues and his predictions for the future of the economy.

Last year’s Keynote Lunch with leading economist Roger Bootle was extremely popular therefore early booking for this event is recommended.

To register, please visit the events page on the Birmingham Forward website.

Breakfast Connections
Breakfast Connections remains one of Birmingham Forward and Birmingham Chamber’s most established and popular series of networking events, 2009 sees this popular event moving to a new location in the city centre; The Crowne Plaza Birmingham.

As we move through this first quarter, there are ongoing serious concerns over the current economic climate and the impact of the recession on the region’s businesses. In particular, we have witnessed a major downturn in the automotive sector.

Hosted this month by Richard Edwards, Chairman of Birmingham Forward, we have invited Professor David Bailey, Director of Birmingham Business School, to speak to us. David will give us an overview of the West Midlands’ economy, its key challenges and opportunities, together with a review of the region’s manufacturing and automotive industry.

To register, please visit the events page on the Birmingham Forward website.

Recent Events Summary

Birmingham’s Administrative Court – Making it Happen – 26th January
Hotel Du Vin played host to the last in the Birmingham Forward series of seminars called Birmingham Administrative Court – making It happen. Eighty delegates heard how the new court, due to open in April, will handle planning and environmental law. The breakfast seminar included presentations from leading members of the Birmingham Bar and was followed by a question and answer session chaired by Mrs Justice Macur.

Meet & Eat Lunch – 28th January
Embracing the diversity Birmingham has to offer the first meet & eat lunch of 2009 was held at Wong’s restaurant in fitting with a belated celebration of Chinese New Year. The guest speaker Kathy Leather, Commercial Director at Worcester Warriors informed attendees of the changes taking place following from recent the development of Project Sixways.

University Hospital’s Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust: The Outlook – 4th February
In spite of the recent snow, 60 members made their way over to Trust Headquarters at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital for a breakfast seminar and update on the new Hospital Development. The speakers were Sir Albert Bore, Chairman of the University Hospital’s Birmingham and Morag Jackson, New Hospitals Project Director. Morag delivered an informative presentation on the development to date, which is currently 9 months ahead of schedule and provided an insight into the finished hospital with a fly through screening.

Payments Made Easier

We are pleased to inform members that in addition to credit & debit cards we can now accept American Express when paying for your membership and/or event attendance.

Just telephone a member of the team on 0121 632 2200 who will be pleased to help and take your payment.

New corporate members

Amber Graphic Design
Amber Graphic Design provides design consultancy services. This includes corporate and product branding, promotional literature, website design, exhibition and advertising design.

Collinson Long
Collinson Long LLP supplies tailor made bookkeeping, VAT and payroll services with 24/7 online access to accurate, timely and professional accounts on Sage 50.

Executive Dynamics Ltd
Executive Dynamics is an Executive Recruitment consultancy providing Search, Selection and Strategic HR services to business organisations involved with Private Client Asset and Wealth Management, together with their associated Financial, Legal and Professional advisors.

Birmingham Forward, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201