e-bulletin - July 2007
News & Events
Campaign for permanent High Court continues
Birmingham Forward is continuing to spearhead the campaign to achieve a permanent High Court in Birmingham.
Working with its partners, The Birmingham Law Society, St. Philips Chambers, No.5 Chambers and Deloitte, Forward submitted further data to the judiciary in June detailing the potential demand for a permanent Administrative Court in the city. The request came from Lord Justice May who is leading a review of the judicial system in the regions.
The report demonstrated the case, both in terms of cost saving and demand, for the establishment of the Administrative Court. The report anticipated at least 1100 court matters could be commenced in Birmingham in a year, 10% of the total cases heard in the Administrative Court in England per annum.
Member's Survey
Thank you to all our members who returned the recent Member's Survey. This is the most comprehensive survey ever undertaken by Birmingham Forward and will help to inform our future strategy both in terms of lobbying and representation issues and the shape and style of our events and networking calendar.
A summary of the findings will be made available to members shortly.
Birmingham Lawyer appointed as new Chairman of Birmingham Future
Alex Bishop, a dispute resolution partner with Shoosmiths in Birmingham, is the new Chairman of Young Professionals' organisation Birmingham Future. Alex took over from Sarah Gee, managing partner at arts marketing company DixonRaines, at Birmingham Future’s AGM held at Deloitte in Brindleyplace on July 18th.
Alex highlighted the key themes of her forthcoming year in office. Partnership, collaboration and a strong voice will be a significant part of the year.
The AGM was this year integrated with the launch of the first ever Power 50 list. This collaboration between Birmingham Future and Birmingham Post charted the city's most powerful and influential individuals.
The Professional Interchange Programme invites applications
Birmingham Forward recently held an event to introduce members to the The Professional Interchange Programme. The initiative is a pilot scheme being run by the Leonardo da Vinci programme which will provide funding for thirty representatives from within the region’s professional sector SME’s to spend between one and three weeks experiencing the culture within a business in Europe. Placements can take place between now and May 2008.
The event highlighted the opportunities available for small and medium sized professional businesses to develop their capability for international trade.
Application forms are available from j.whitehouse@aston.ac.uk
Little things… big difference!
Nearly 100 members attended our event with the Thrive! Forum in February, who held a follow-up last week at BHSF. The jungle drums are now beating on simple actions and little steps we could all take for a better future for Birmingham. Every Tuesday, The Birmingham Post's Thrive! page challenges us to adopt a new action to make a difference. Each month we will feature two new suggestions and do our bit. Here are the first two for you to consider and adopt this month!
Pull the plug on mobile phone chargers - Your mobile phone charger is more powerful than it looks. And 95% of the energy used by the phone chargers in this country is wasted. They’re only doing their job, ie charging phones, for 5% of the time. By comparison with this figure, the average ‘it’ girl is a crazed workaholic.
Don't be an ideas killer - At Unilever they have an approach they call ‘Build’, ie build on what other people say, don’t knock it down. Helpful ways to do this do NOT include the following: ‘I think what Brian meant to say is…’; ‘Great idea. Unfortunately, when Smallbottles tried it, it bankrupted them…’; or ‘I love it. But what do I know? I’m as mad as a lorry.’
Copyright, we are what we do. Community Links Trust Ltd.
A date for your diary… Gala Dinner
Birmingham Forward are delighted to invite members to the third Gala Dinner on Friday 9th November 2007. The guest speaker Matthew Parris, is a former Conservative politician turned radio and television presenter. In 1988 he joined The Times as parliamentary sketchwriter, a role he held until 2001. He has published many books on travel and politics including his autobiography, Chance Witness, for which he won the 2004 Orwell Prize and ‘A Castle in Spain’ his family’s project to refurbish a derelict 16th Century mansion. His diary appears in The Times on Thursdays, and his Opinion column on Saturdays, definitely worth a read!
Matthew Parris's style is described as “often humorous, mainly light but with an undercurrent of seriousness” – which side of him will he bring as Birmingham Forward’s After Dinner Speaker on 9th November? – book now to find out!. Hosted at the ICC, this year's dinner promises to be an evening of fine food, light entertainment and an opportunity to unwind as the weekend starts to unfold. Tickets are now on sale - click here to reserve yours now!
A date for your diary… Keynote Lunch
We are pleased to annouce that Ian Pearson, MP for Dudley South will be principal speaker at Birmingham Forward's forthcoming Keynote Lunch to be held on Monday 15th October. Ian has been MP for Dudley South (previously Dudley West) since 1994, Minister of State for Climate Change and Environment in the Department of Environment, and most recently appinted as Minister of State for innovation, universities and skills.
Ian will enlighten members with his key theme of Improving our public services -which have been run down for decades. Better schools and health care, protecting and preserving the environment for future generations. This event is kindly being sponsored by Hammonds and tickets for this event are available by e-mail to martina@birminghamforward.co.uk
Worcester Cathedral opens up to the region’s professionals
Worcester Cathedral is inviting professionals who work in the West Midlands but reside in Worcestershire to visit the Cathedral for a special reception on Friday September 28th. The event includes an opportunity to hear music, visit the medieval library and visit often unseen parts of one of Britain’s greatest cathedrals.
To register your interest for the event contact lucindawray-wear@worcestercathedral.org.uk
British Asian Hafta Week comes to Birmingham.
The ICC will play host to the inaugural British Asian Week Hafta Awards on October 28th. The Award's aim is to recognise achievement of companies and employees from within Britain’s Asian community.
The event will also include a unique fashion and music show that will showcase some of the region’s top designers. For further information on the event contact Woman of Cultures on 0845 450 7104.
Challenge to Birmingham's undiscovered leaders - plug into the Matrix
The search is on for new leaders from the area to challenge the thinking of established authority figures in Birmingham - with the promise they can really influence the city's future development.
The programme known as Matrix has been run by Common Purpose in the city for more than ten years and aims to bring together senior individuals from across sectors for an intensive programme of dicussions, frank talking and to identify how many issues they have in common.
The next programme starts in October and Common purpose Director, Louise Teboul wants to hear from people who could fit the bill. For more information please email louise.teboul@commonpurpose.org.uk or call 0121 625 3269.
Welcome new members…
Birmingham Forward would like to welcome the following new members;
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Birmingham Forward, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
