Summer it seemed was finally here! Well it was for a day! There appears to be not much cause for celebration at present with the economic 'credit crunch' uncertainty in the air, mortgage approvals at an all time low coupled with the local weather forecast wet for the weekend!
Nonetheless, Birmingham Forward have worked diligently through the first half of the year to bring you a busy and well attended series of events to include 2 keynote lunches which attracted in excess of 350 members and guests. The team here at Birmingham Forward look forward to continuing to represent you and your interests to the best of our ability for the second half of 2008.
I am also pleased to report that the BiD project is well underway with Nigel Peardon being appointed as the coordinator. The first newsletter to officially launch the project will be published around 11th July for distribution in the BiD area and a series of information events have been scheduled with the first to be held at Opus Restaurant at 5.30pm on Tuesday 12th August. Places are limited to those businesses within the BiD area and can be reserved by email to Jo Sollom here.
Richard Brennan, CEO
News & Events
Forthcoming events… Long lunch - Friday 11 July
Join us at Taste of Birmingham for “The Return of the Long Lunch” on Friday 11th July at 12pm, Cannon Hill Park. This prestigious lunch for Birmingham's business people will offer you an unmissable chance to network, share ideas and develop new business – all set within the fantastic culinary celebrations of Taste of Birmingham.
Tickets are priced at £69.00incl and the package will include: entry to the festival, £20.00 worth of crowns to spend, glass of champagne on arrival, BBQ cook off, access to the VIP tent with networking time and 2 tickets to enjoy the festival over the weekend.
La Bécasse (Ludlow), Opus and Michelin starred, Simpsons, line up alongside the region’s finest restaurants bringing you a huge variety of signature dishes to try. For further information or to book your tickets, please visit www.channel4.com/taste or call the ticket hotline on 0871 230 5581.
Forthcoming events… Graduates Welcome - 8 Oct 2008
Birmingham Future's 'Welcome to Birmingham' event is a unique reception for new graduates who have chosen to embark on their careers in the city. Now in its second year, it will bring together up to 250 graduates, young professionals and VIPs, to offer a warm welcome to Birmingham and showcase the great variety of career and lifestyle opportunities that the city has to offer. It is an invaluable opportunity for new starters to meet and get to know other young professionals in the city and start to familiarise themselves with the networking/business development process. The event will take place on Wednesday 8 October 2008 at 6pm at the Banqueting Suite of Birmingham Council House, Victoria Square.
A limited number of sponsorship packages are available for organisations that wish to have a presence at the event which was attended by over 200 guests last year to market their brand to the new young professionals of the city. Full details on how Birmingham Forward member firms can secure places for their new graduates at the event will be sent out in August. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunites please contact Isabel on 0121 632 2204 or by e-mail here.
Pictured: Sir Bernard Zissman, Chairman Advantage Business Angels - 2007 Graduates Welcome Event Main Speaker
Trinity Mirror Boss Tells Forward that Regional Press is here to Stay!
In a wide ranging Keynote address to members on 24 June, Ms Bailey talked of the changing media landscape and the specific effect of digital to the future of the regional press but was strong in her belief that regional newspapers still had important role to play in the regions and would be here to stay.
Acknowledging that media consumption was now far more complex and diverse Ms Bailey outlined the strategy for Trinity Mirror which embraced digital opportunities. She described the future of the company as providing local and regional news on multi media platforms.
Over 150 Birmingham Forward members attended the Keynote Lunch, held in Hall 11 of the International Convention Centre and sponsored by law firm Blakemores.
Pictured: Richard Edwards, Chairman Birmingham Forward; Sly Bailey, CEO Trinity Mirror; Guy Barnett, Managing Partner Blakemores Solicitors (keynote main sponsor)
Big City Plan discussed at Breakfast Meeting
Birmingham Forward and Birmingham Future joined forces on 11 June at Opus Restaurant in the city centre to hear the latest progress on the Big City Plan.
The event was a sell out and members heard an introduction and the rationale behind the project from Director of Planning and Regeneration for Birmingham City Council, Clive Dutton. Members then received a presentation outlining the Big City Plan in more detail from Kelvin Campbell of Urban Initiatives who are the lead consultants.
Welcoming guests to the breakfast Chairman of Birmingham Forward Richard Edwards said: “The Big City Plan will be key in determining Birmingham’s – social – cultural, physical, environmental and economic future - and is vitally important to the quality of life of all its citizens in the years ahead. The importance attached to this ‘once in a generation’ opportunity has been shown by the huge level of interest in this event.”
BHX
Birmingham Forward members attended a meeting hosted by BIA’s Acting Managing Director, Joe Kelly, on 6th June to hear first hand a progress report on the Airport Masterplan. The presentation reinforced what the business community already believed that the future prosperity of this region is aligned to the continuing improvement and development of our regional airport.
At the meeting, members heard the exciting plans for more routes, the completely new international pier that will serve larger aircraft and how the airport will be able to offer routes and services to passengers, estimated to be one million people per annum, who currently use Heathrow. The environmental benefit from reducing these road and rail journeys alone will be significant.
The runway extension will create almost £1 billion of additional income to the region by 2030. It will provide that all important connectivity. It will be a vital element in attracting inward investment to the region. It will create jobs.
Pictured: Joe Kelly, BIA Acting Managing Director; Richard Winfield, Brefi Group; Richard Brennan, CEO Birmingham Forward
Aston Careers Service
Aston University Careers Service is keen to establish new links and build on existing ones across all sectors of the West Midlands business community and in order to promote graduate opportunities in the West Midlands Region AUCS is holding an event on Thursday 13 Nov 2008 between 12pm and 2pm.
“Working in the West Midlands” is open to organisations throughout the region and many larger recruiters have already booked to attend. However, the Careers Service is also keen to establish links with local SMEs, as many Aston students are keen to remain and work in the West Midlands after graduation yet may be unaware of the range of opportunities available to them.
The event is free of charge, but places are limited. If you are interested in securing a place for your company please email Claire Girle at: c.l.girle@aston.ac.uk or call 0121 204 4757.
Working in the West Midlands is kindly sponsored by Deloitte.
Kleinwort Benson voted 'Best Private Bank' by FT readers
Birmingham Forward members and Gala Dinner 2008 main sponsor Kleinwort Benson was voted Best Private Bank 2008 at the inaugural Financial Times/Investors Chronicle Wealth Management Awards.
Readers of the FT and Investors Chronicle were asked to assess wealth managers on a range of criteria including the frequency and quality of communications, the availability of specialist services and banking services, the fees charged, financial performance and the range of investment options on offer. This data was collated by an independent research house and the findings were then discussed by a panel of judges who selected the winners. The judges included a range of well known financial commentators and journalists, as well as leading wealth management practitioners and industry experts. Graham Lucas commented 'We are justifiably proud of this award and wholeheartedly thank our clients and contacts for voting for us.'
Little steps… big difference!
SAY THANKS - 'Thank you.' They're quite possibly the nicest two words in the language. Because, like praise, gratitude is its own virtue. It just works. You know when you get a note or even an email saying 'thank you'? How does it make you feel? FYI: 100% of Britons would feel more appreciated if they were thanked.
TAKE THE STAIRS - If you've ever imagined being stuck in an upright box with eight halitotic colleagues, it's like doing the Christmas party stone cold sober. So take the stairs. It cuts down your chances of heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes. Plus, if halitosis is catching, you're less likely to catch that as well. FYI: Climb Everest without leaving the office - use stairs and a download to help you work this out www.wearewhatwedo.org/everest
Birmingham… Did you know?
Queesnway - Birmingham’s Inner Ring Road was conceived between the two world wars following a visit to Vienna by a delegation from the City.
Oldest Pub - “The Lad in the Lane” in Bromford Lane, Erdington and originally called “The Green Man” has parts which date back to the late 14th century.
Information courtesy of Ian Jelf who is a professionally-qualified 'Blue Badge' tourist Guide for the Heart of England, specialising in Birmingham tours.
New members
We would like to welcome the following new members who joined us last month.
JMP Consultants Limited with 45 years experience are passionate about providing quality solutions to today's transport and regeneration problems. They employ a committed, lively group of people to drive the company, inspire innovation and lead best practice in their field.
Ward Consultancy PLC is one of the UK's top 100 Independent Financial Advisers providing a range of fee based financial and tax advisory services and products to Private and Corporate Clients. Services to corporate clients include managing and advising on employee benefits across a broad spectrum, including flexible benefits design and management and financial advice in the work place.
Birmingham Forward, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
