Birmingham Forward Best Wishes for 2008 from our CEO
Welcome to another year, one with a little bit of uncertainty as we await the final fallout from the financial crisis that looks like it will deepen before it stabilises. This week's retail sales numbers also seem to indicate a slowdown in our economy.
Despite this the majority of members I have spoken to remain cautiously optimistic. Here at Birmingham Forward we want to ensure that our events and lobbying agenda for 2008 aligns fully with the needs of our members and we are ready to play our part in promoting the core strengths of our sector to the widest possible audience in the UK and further afield.
Thanks to all those firms who have confirmed their renewals for 2008 and special thanks to the many who have also paid their subscription. If you have not yet completed this important process please move it forward as we will shortly be asking for your entries in the 2008/09 Directory.
The team here at Birmingham Forward look forward to representing you and your interests to the best of our ability in 2008.
Richard Brennan, Chief Executive
News & Events
Roger Dickens Annual Lecture 2008
The Minister for the West Midlands, Liam Byrne MP, will deliver the second prestigious Birmingham Forward Roger Dickens Annual Lecture.
The event, one of the main events on the Birmingham Forward calendar, will take place at the International Convention Centre on Thursday, January 31st 2008.
Liam Byrne, in his first major address to Birmingham Forward members, will look at the importance of leadership from within the region not only how it will shape the future prosperity of the West Midlands, but the national and international agenda too.
Mr Byrne will take lessons from the region’s industrial past to inform how, the West Midlands, once again, can make a global impact.
This prestigious event is a partnership between Birmingham Forward and The ICC with additional sponsorship provided by the Wesleyan Group.
Places are available for this event. Please click here for further information and to reserve your place on-line.
Birmingham Business Breakfast Club (BBBC)
As you know this club is going through a renaissance under the new leadership of Tony Taylor following the departure of Andrew Sparrow. We managed to get along to the December event and were impressed by the level of support the new chair is getting. West Bromwich Building Society has also shown their support by providing sponsorship to the club.
We see the activities of BBBC as complimentary to the work we do here at Birmingham Forward and would therefore exhort you to get along to one of their meetings. The next breakfast is on Wednesday February 13th at 07:00am and the speaker is Phil Brown from the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme. To book a place please email: bbbc@tirebuck.co.uk
Visual extends exclusive invitation to all Forward members
Birmingham Forward members are being given an exclusive opportunity to attend a private view featuring some of the most exciting contemporary art in the Midlands. Arts & Business launches Visual: The Flexible Art Gallery for Business on Thursday 13th March at Baskerville House, Centenary Square from 6.00 to 8.00 pm
This flagship new office refurbishment is the perfect backdrop for the showcase of more than 60 contemporary fine artists, photographers and designer makers, the work of whom is available to businesses through the innovative new Visual programme.
This is a private view not to be missed; RSVP to katja.ogrin@aandb.org.uk or call 0121 248 1200 now.
Call for Mentors
As you are aware Birmingham Forward and Birmingham Future have been running a free and successful mentoring scheme for over four years. This scheme provides a safe environment for members of Future to be ‘buddied up’ with Mentors drawn primarily from the Forward membership.
Currently the scheme has a pool of Mentees awaiting Mentors so this is a great opportunity to start 2008 by doing something different that will prove beneficial to both you the Mentor and the Mentee. Time commitment is worked out between the parties once they have been ‘matched up’ but is usually no more than an hour or so a month – sometimes less.
If you are interested and want to know more contact our CEO, Richard Brennan who has practical experience, having been involved in the scheme from the outset. richard.brennan@birminghamforward.co.uk
Leading companies of tomorrow conference - 25 & 26 Feb 2008
Leaders of medium-sized companies face unique challenges when looking to secure competitive advantage. This fact is too often overlooked. The conference being held at the ICC will provide a platform for decision-makers from medium-sized businesses to share experience and discuss the risks and opportunities presented by increasingly competitive global and domestic business landscapes.
The event will kick off on 25th February where Birmingham City Council is delighted to invite all delegates to attend a welcome Gala Dinner. As part of the evening, the Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Mike Whitby, will officially welcome the conference to Birmingham.
During the conference on 26 February you will have the opportunity to share your views with an expert panel of speakers including Keynote speaker Ian McCaig, Chief Executive Officer, lastminute.com.
To secure your place click here to download the booking form or email weurope_customerservice@economist.com or phone Clare on + 44 (0) 20 7576 8118 for any enquiries.
Early booking offer - Save £100 Register before January 31st for just £595 + VAT
Ideasforlife.tv
Advantage West Midlands (AWM) - sponsors of the 2007 Birmingham Forward Gala Dinner is promoting a brand new online video channel ideasforlife.tv. Launching this week showcasing innovative science-based business and research taking place across the region. Developed by the University of Warwick and Maverick Television and supported by AWM, ideasforlife.tv is one of the major projects from Birmingham Science City.
To encourage SMEs in the region to take advantage of the opportunities presented by digital media such as online video, blogs and podcasting, ideasforlife.tv is holding a number of special events in March. Businesses employing up to 250 people will be eligible to attend. The events begin with a free networking event to assist SMEs in developing contacts with knowledge-based institutions in the region. A one-day conference will then provide practical advice on the use of the latest digital marketing channels and techniques. Again, the event valued at £550 per delegate will be free to qualifying SMEs.
If you are interested in attending or would like more information, please contact: events@ideasforlife.tv.
Director of Birmingham Forward member organisation takes up top industry position
Elisabeth Lewis-Jones, director of Birmingham Forward member organisation Liquid Public Relations, has taken up Preseidency of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Elisabeth, the 8th woman President of the CIPR, took over from Lionel Zetter, CIPR President for 2007, on 1 January 2008.
Plant a tree for life - business day
Birmingham Trees for Life, is inviting businesses to become involved in its Business Tree Planting Day scheduled for a Friday in February.
For a donation of £250, businesses will be able to plant a semi-mature tree and a number of smaller trees and up to ten of their staff can help with the planting. Every business will receive a commemorative certificate. This is a great opportunity for businesses to enhance their CSR credentials.
For further details and an application form, visit www.btfl.org.uk
Little steps for a better future…
ACTION 44 - New Years day! - The perfect moment for a challenging resolution or commitment to achieve something you've always promised yourself you would. Who says you can't? We all can't do something. Quite a lot of things actually. We're not all good at fire eating or Boimechanical Engineering. But, we could be. We just need to try it. That's the fun thing. How do we know we're not great at say, synchronised diving, without trying it first.
ACTION 45 - Avoid Waste - Over Christmas we probably thought hang the waistline. But what about the WASTEline?! We generated an estimated 3 million tonnes of waste this Christmas, 83 square km in wrapping alone (enough to wrap Guernsey). Click here to find ways you can help Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Rewrap!
Did you know…?
The game of lawn tennis was first originated and played in Edgbaston in 1865.
Nigel Mansell, the former F1 Grand Prix World Champion winning 31 Grand Prix events, lived in Hall Green and worked for Lucas Aerospace.
New members
We would like to welcome on board the following new member who joined us in December:
Chadwick Nott a market leading legal recruitment consultancy provide a superb service, expert advice and excellent results. From an organisation that enjoys the trust of quality law firms and lawyers UK-wide. Their premise is simple. Successful law firms are always looking for people who can take their businesses forward. If they don’t have an opening they’ll create one – given a compelling enough business case.
Birmingham Forward, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
