Another month closer to summer, although the local weather over the Bank Holiday weekend would not give much cause for celebration. Nevertheless here at Forward and Future we have been celebrating a number of key events in the last few weeks. Last week saw the eighth BYPY event which was another outstanding success as a result of the input of four key groups: the committee; the candidates; the sponsors; and the audience. We were treated to a superb evening at the ICC and the overall winner, Anthony McCourt of Wragges, is the youngest to receive this accolade.
We held the VIP launch of the Advised in Birmingham directory at Number 9 Gallery recently and some video footage of this event can be found at www.biztv.net.uk .The limited edition sterling silver cufflinks that are on the cover of the directory are selling well so, if you want a pair you need to contact us today. They are available for £40.00 per pair including VAT.
News & Events
Trinity Mirror Group Chief Executive to headline Birmingham Forward event
One of the UK’s leading media figures the Chief Executive of Trinity Mirror Group, Sly Bailey, will be the guest speaker at a Birmingham Forward’s Keynote Lunch on June 24th to be held at the ICC.
Ms Bailey, who leads the media group that owns the Birmingham Post and Mail and the Daily Mirror, who will reflect on the role of the regional press as well as addressing some of the issues around media consumption in the digital age. Sly Bailey is one of the country’s highest profile media executives having worked in some of the UK’s largest newspaper and magazine groups. She began her media career in advertising sales with The Guardian.
With a constantly evolving media landscape this will be a unique opportunity to hear from one of the country’s leading media executives and from the owner of two of the city’s highest profile and most influential media titles.
Places are available for this event at £40.00+vat and can be booked by e-mailing Isabel here!
Birmingham International Airport- The Outlook
Birmingham Forward has joined forces with Birmingham International Airport to stage an event looking at the future development of the Airport on Friday 6th June.
Joe Kelly, Acting Managing Director of BIA, will provide Birmingham Forward members with an update on key developments notably the Airport Masterplan, the proposed extension to the runway and BIA’s current position with passenger traffic, routes, airlines and growth forecasts.
The presentation, taking place at Diamond House at the Airport, will be followed by a Q & A. Members can book places for this event ,reserve complimentary parking and email questions in advance to; Isabel@birminghamforward.co.uk
Leading Economist forecasts a weaker pound is good for the West Midlands!
Roger Bootle, Specialist Advisor to the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee and Economic Advisor to Deloitte, who was the speaker at Birmingham Forward’s recent keynote lunch, predicted that the weaker pound could be good news for West Midlands' Business. He addressed over 150 members and guests at the event on 24th April and looked at the various key factors that will have an impact on the economy going forward.
In addition to a weaker pound providing a significant opportunity for West Midlands' business to export their products and services around the world, manufacturing was still a significant and important component to the economic success of the region representing some 19% of our GDP compared to the national average of 15%. The forecast was that house prices would continue to show falls during this period which, based on past trends, meant that consumer confidence and spending were likely to fall as a result.
Board Away Day
Following the appointment of four new directors to the Board and the accession of Richard Edwards to the chair we held a most constructive Away Day on Monday 28th April at Hotel du Vin (a great location for an event).
A detailed Strategy document was produced that outlines our way forward over the coming 12 months. The key messages from the strategy will be detailed shortly once ratified by the Board.
BiDS
Our campaign continues to gather momentum as we seek to gather the £40,000 Fighting Fund we need to bring the campaign to a vote. Richard Brennan and Gary Cardin, together with the committee are working hard to secure contributions from members, and others, within the area that will be impacted by the BID.
We have already received match funding of £40,000 from City Centre Partnerships and we are keen to move from the theoretical to the practical as we start to engage with the 500+ businesses who will have the right to vote on this important issue.
We are looking for both financial contributions to the Fighting Fund as well as ‘pro-bono’ support in a number of areas. If you can help please contact Richard: Richard.Brennan@birminghamforward.co.uk
Managing Buisiness Impact on Climate Change - FREE SEMINAR
Climate change has become a leading issue with businesses under increasing pressure to adopt practices that reduce their environmental impact. Birmingham Forward are looking to work with Groundwork WM EBS to promote their environmental support, advice and training to businesses across all sectors.
Groundwork are holding a FREE breakfast seminar on Wednesday 4th June, 8.30-11.00am. The seminar will provide some ideas of practical actions that businesses can take to start controlling and reducing their impact, focussing on the role of Environmental Management Systems and business case studies.
To reserve your space, please e-mail your details to wmebs@groundwork.org.uk
Groundwork WM EBS is an environmental charity providing environmental support, advice and training to business. For more information visit www.groundworkwmebs.co.uk
New Generation Arts Festival 2008
New Generation Arts (NGA) Festival 2008 lands in Birmingham on Thursday 5th June until Friday 20th June. Organised by Patron member, Birmingham City University, NGA will unleash the challenges and opportunities associated with new technology through its theme Digital Utopia. The 16 day festival programme, featuring some 36 performances, exhibitions and events, will be exploring digital technologies, reviewing their value and the hidden costs and challenges associated with the nations increasing obsession with second generation and social networking tools.
Special features include an exhilarating digital musical collaboration featuring world renowned Julian Lloyd Webber, acclaimed digital artist Jane Prophet, applauded curator Mona Casey and the extravagant up and coming VJ/DJ club collective Project X Presents, alongside a wide ranging music programme from jazz, classical through to folk in addition to exhibitions featuring mixed media installations and film. For tickets visit the website www.newgenerationarts.co.uk
To blog, participate in the online interactive features including an online narrative, photographic competition and online comic creation or to find out more information visit www.newgenerationarts.co.uk
PSMG online seminar discount for Birmingham Forward members
The Professional Services Marketing Group (PSMG) are offering Birmingham Forward members to book on the following online audio-web seminar event at their special member discounted price.
- Thursday 17th July - Law Firm Dynamics: How a law firm operates - profitably
To reserve your place on the above event all you need to do is select the member button option to secure the member discounted rate.
Little steps… big difference!
Give as you go - Ask the people in finance about this. Admit it - you've always wanted an excuse to go up and talk to that strangely attractive person who joined a few months ago.
Tell them you want to opt into a payroll giving scheme. If you do this, they're gonna be thinking: 1) you're a nice person, 2) you're good at maths, and 3) you're earning enough money to be able to be generous. FYI: A monthly £10 payroll donation could cost as little as £6. See www.payrollgivingcentre.org.uk
Practise mobile manners - We've all seen - and, worse, heard - the people who offend against this. Probably most of us have been guilty of it ourselves - although maybe not to the extent shown here. But the etiquette of using a mobile is pretty simple, really - just keep it quiet and short.
FYI: There are currently about 50 million mobile phones in use in the UK compared with around 25 million in 2000 and 4.5 million in 1995.
New members
We would like to welcome Bank of Cyprus UK who joined us in April.
Bank of Cyprus has been operating in the UK for 53 years. They specialise in providing: Corporate and business banking services to small and medium-sized entities (SME’s); Personal banking services to owners, directors and employees of our corporate and business customers; Personal banking services to high net worth individuals.
Birmingham Forward, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
