e-bulletin - June 2006

A Message from Richard Brennan

As we move into the summer months I am beginning to fully understand my role as your new Chief Executive during the few weeks I have been in post. I have started to identify the key issues we face and develop strategies to address them. I have been greatly helped in this task by my fellow directors, the superb administration team and a large number of members who have offered both constructive advice and support.

Now that I am back in harness I want to clarify my thoughts, seek board approval for my strategies and start to roll these out as we head towards the autumn. The time is right to sharpen our message, increase our engagement and develop more opportunities for the widest possible membership.

I am always interested in hearing from our members on any issues that they may have, please feel free to contact me at the Birmingham Forward office on 0121 632 2200 or by e-mail to richard.brennan@birminghamforward.co.uk.

News & Events

Remembering Roger Dickens

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new annual lecture series in memory of one of our founders, Roger Dickens.

It is a fitting tribute to Roger’s memory that Sir Michael Lyons has agreed to present the inaugural lecture, which will take place on 8 November at the ICC. Both men have been tireless advocates for the city over the past 20 years and we hope that, through this new lecture series, Roger’s memory will truly live on.

We expect this event to be extremely well supported by all those who knew and respected Roger’s immense contribution to our city and region. For further information, please contact the Birmingham Forward office on 0121 632 2200.

Welcome Urban Communications

Urban Communications has been appointed as Birmingham Forward and Birmingham Future’s retained PR consultancy, with effect from 1 July 2006.

Our thanks go to all those who tendered for the post and we look forward to working closely with Urban Communications over the coming months.

We would like to thank Armadillo for their dedication and commitment over the last 3 years and we look forward to receiving similar levels of superb service from Urban.

Celebrating Birmingham’s Young Professionals

Congratulations to Ruth Ward, Director of PR firm Neon Communications, who was crowned Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2006. The 26-year-old, has seen her company grow from one member of staff to four in just 18 months was presented with her award at the glittering ceremony on 17 May.

A big thank you to all those that supported the event, including this year’s sponsors Wragge & Co, Pertemps, Lloyds TSB Corporate, Crosby, the Territorial Army, Grant Thornton and West Bromwich Building Society.

Click Here to read the full story and for a list of the other category winners.

Developing awareness of intellectual property

Tuesday 4 July sees the launch of the Intellectual Property Forum – a significant new venture backed by Advantage West Midlands and designed to raise issues surrounding intellectual property in the consciousness of local businesses.

The inaugural meeting will take place at Coventry University Enterprises and is aimed specifically at the professional services community. Our new chief executive, Richard Brennan, has agreed to be a guest speaker.

The forum is not just aimed at the intellectual property community but anyone involved in developing innovative new businesses, from venture capitalists to business support services and promotional design firms. If this is our field you should be attending.

For further information, please visit www.mirc.org.uk/events/details.asp

Promoting closer relationships between cities

A two day conference is being held in Birmingham on June 21st & 22nd , to coincide with Chicago Showcase Week, to celebrate the sister-city partnership between Birmingham and Chigaco.

Over 30 national and international speakers will address the conference which will focus on eight ‘case study’ cities: Barcelona; Birmingham; Chicago; Dublin; Frankfurt; Lyon; Milan; and Rotterdam. The event is designed to appeal to all those involved in property and land use whether in the private or public sector.

The Urban Land Institute is an international not-for-profit research and education organisation, with over 30,000 members in 80 countries, which exists to provide responsible leadership in the use of land.

For further information or to register and claim a 25% discount on the full delegate price, please visit www.europe.uli.org or telephone 020 7487 9570, quoting Birmingham Forward.

Enjoying the taste of Birmingham

Marketing Birmingham has launched a new, four-day celebration of food and drink which will run in the beautiful surroundings of Cannon Hill Park from Thursday 6 July to Sunday 9 July.

Sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate, Taste of Birmingham will offer visitors the chance to sample signature dishes from 20 of Birmingham’s top restaurants, including Bank, Le Petit Blanc and Simpsons, as well as the opportunity to cook alongside an array of celebrity chefs.

For further ticket information, please visit www.tasteofbirmingham.co.uk or telephone 0870 121 7585.

Rabbit Guide launches second edition

The second edition of Birmingham’s only independent guidebook to the city is now in bookstores.

Published by Polperro and edited by two well know members, David Clarke and Charles Smith, the updated version of The Rabbit Guide to Birmingham contains more than 600 changes to the first edition, which was published in May 2004 and sold more than 4,500 copies.

To get hold of your copy, visit www.polperropress.co.uk or head along to any leading bookstore.

New members

Birmingham Forward would like to welcome the following new members:

• Else Commercial Solicitors are a commercial law firm with specialisms in commercial litigation, insolvency, company commercial and commercial property. They provide clear, client focused advice at a competitive and commercial rate.
• We are also pleased to announce a new Associate Member, Simon Murphy, City Region Director for The Eight West Midland Urban Local Authorities.

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