e-bulletin - May 2007 | Birmingham Forward

News & Events

AGM

The Annual General Meeting of Birmingham Forward took place at the Birmingham Hippodrome on Tuesday, 27th March. The meeting formally accepted the Annual Report & Accounts showing a pre-tax surplus of £46k and net current assets having grown 132% year-on-year.

Attendees at the AGM heard Birmingham Forward Chairman, Diane Benussi, lay out the themes for her second year in office. Diane – entering her second year as Chairman - highlighted the forthcoming membership survey and the launch of Birmingham Forward’s new Directory, unveiled at the AGM, which this year will have worldwide distribution.

Widening her comments to the current issues facing the city, Diane talked of this being one of the most introspective periods the city had known. She called for action and reaffirmed Forward’s strong commitment to being at the centre of the real work needed to plot the future course of the city.

Diane re-iterated Birmingham Forward’s role was to stay fiercely independent and be the strong voice of the professional services community. However, she stated it was not "our role… to climb on board every passing train of comment that charges through Birmingham."

Concluding her address Diane laid out a challenge to civic leaders. She appealed for visionary leadership and urgent action. She said a key theme for her next year in office would be to encourage young people in the city; to raise their aspirations and to encourage member firms to take a more active role in identifying the skills they need in the future. She also identified a role that Forward could play with its members and the City Council to develop innovative partnership vehicles to unlock the potential of the City’s land and property portfolio for the next “Act” of Birmingham’s regeneration.

New Deputy Chairman and Board Directors confirmed at the AGM

Richard Edwards, Practice Senior Partner at Deloitte in Birmingham and the Midlands, was confirmed as Birmingham Forward’s new Deputy Chairman. Richard has been a strong advocate and supporter of Birmingham Forward and joined the Board last year.

As an active Corporate Finance partner in Birmingham for over twenty years, Richard is passionate about the professional services sector in the city.

Also confirmed at the AGM was the election of two new Board Directors. Susan Lewis, Senior Office Partner at Eversheds LLP and Adele McDermott, a partner at BPE Solicitors in the city, take up their Board responsibilities with immediate effect.

Wanted! Members’ views

A new membership survey will be launched at the end of the month. This latest survey will be one of the widest reviews of members’ opinions ever undertaken by Birmingham Forward. In addition to seeking feedback on the organisation itself, the survey will explore members’ views on some of the key challenges and issues facing the city and region as a whole.

The survey should hit inboxes at the end of May.

Deal of the Year

Following on from the AGM, the Hippodrome played host to the Deal of the Year Awards. Held in conjunction with the Birmingham Post and sponsored by Deloitte, this years Awards were hosted by broadcaster Adrian Goldberg. The winners were presented with their awards by Diane Benussi and Richard Edwards.

This year’s Deal of the Year winners:

IPO of the Year – Flotation of property firm LSL.
M&A of the Year – Sale of internet company DatingDirect.com
Private Equity Deal of the Year – Sale of Dennis Eagle
Roger Dickens Newcomer of the Year- Cattaneo Financial Solutions
Deal of the Year – Flotation of LSL.

Birmingham Forward supports Acorns Hospice “Special Days” Campaign

Birmingham Forward urges all of its members to support the Acorns Hospice “Special Days” incentive being held during the week commencing 25th June. The aim of the campaign is to raise funds for the specialist care teams at the Acorns Hospice by offering a day of additional leave to employees who enter into a sweepstake.

BWMSCA AGM & Awards 2007

Our colleagues at the Institute of Chartered Accountants will be holding their AGM and Awards Lunch at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham on Monday, 21st May 2007.

Guest speaker will be the newly appointed Chief Executive of the Institute, Michael Izza, who will set out the organisation’s future strategy. During the lunch the prestigious Chartered Accountant of the Year Awards will be presented. Tickets are priced at £35.25 per person inclusive of VAT and available from David Garrigan on 0121 697 7003 or by email bwmsca@icaew.co.uk

Bell chimes for June’s Keynote Lunch

Lord Tim Bell, one of the country’s leading communication advisors, will be the principal speaker at Birmingham Forward’s next Keynote Lunch sponsored by Emirates - regarded as one of the world’s leading and fastest growing international airlines.

Lord Bell will explore the theme of effective communication in both business and politics during his address at the event taking place in Hall 11 at the International Convention Centre on Thursday, 21st June, 12.00pm for 12.30pm.

Lord Bell is Chairman of Chime Communications plc, the holding company for leading UK public relations group Bell Pottinger. As a founding director of Saatchi & Saatchi Tim Bell is credited with being at the centre of the communications strategy that led to three successive Conservative Party election victories in 1979, 1983, 1987.

Tickets for the lunch are priced at £40.00+vat per person or tables of ten are available at a discounted price of £350.00+vat. Places can be reserved online here or by calling Isabel Drabble on 0121 632 2201 or by email to Isabel@birminghamforward.co.uk

Awards & Achievements

A Hat-trick of Wins for Lloyds TSB - for the third year running, Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets were awarded the accolade of both CBI and Real Finance Magazine's 'Bank of the Year 2007'. The award is voted upon by CBI members and subscribers to Real Finance Magazine.

A Great start to the year for The ICC - Success is in the air for The International Convention Centre which has collected six leading industry awards for quality and distinction since the start of the year, covering all sectors of the business: from best venue to banqueting, best staff to best place to work, right through to cocktail shaking and the fixtures and fittings of the building itself.

Common Purpose founder shares her views on leadership with Birmingham Forward members

Julia Middleton, the Chief Executive and founder of Common Purpose, was the speaker at the Birmingham Forward lunch held at the Filini Restaurant at the Radisson SAS Hotel on Tuesday 1st May.

During her speech Julia shared her observations on leadership in all spheres of life from politics, partnerships and business. Drawing from her new book Beyond Authority, Ms Middleton discussed techniques and principles of leadership beyond the circles where an individual holds power and budget. Great leaders, she told the audience, adopt five key characteristics and approaches: Courage, humility combined with self belief, the ability to express arguments which resonate, love people and show method with an ability to make it fun.

New members

KBC Bank is a Belgium Bank and one of the top 20 in Europe. The Birmingham Office opened in May 2004. Their services are aimed towards locally based middle market clients wanting general corporate finance - with a turnover of between £30 - £350m. Together with KBC Peel Hunt they are a one stop shop for corporations trying to raise equity and debt.
Shaws Chartered Tax Advisers is a specialist firm of professional tax advisers with a commitment to provide exceptional levels of client service. Originally established in 1992 by Managing Director, Andrew Shaw, the firm has enjoyed continued growth such that Shaws are now the largest firm of dedicated Chartered Tax Advisers in the UK. The firm’s headquarters are in Birmingham and the London office is in Haymarket.

Patrons