e-bulletin - November 2007
Birmingham Forward Welcome to our penultimate E-Bulletin of 2007. How the year flies by, it seems we have only put away the Christmas decorations and here we are getting them out again.
Overall this has been an extremely positive year for Birmingham Forward and our members. We continue to be recognised as a key voice in the city and some of our campaigns are now bearing fruit. By now you will all have received the results of our triennial survey together with our action plan to address the key issues you raised. Thank you to everyone who took part.
Thus far in 2007 we have moved the High Court campaign forward with our first small victory, we have developed our core themes for a BID for the city centre, we have refined and improved our Events offering, and we have launched our enhanced Advised in Birmingham directory to a global audience.
Last Friday evening over three hundred members and their guests enjoyed Birmingham Forward third Annual Chairman’s Gala Dinner. Sponsored by Advantage West Midlands, the event was held for the first time at the International Convention Centre. Hosted by Diane Benussi guests enjoyed a four course dinner created using only local produce.
After dinner they were entertained by broadcaster and political sketch writer, Matthew Parris who reflected on his time as an MP, working in Mrs. Thatcher’s private office and his recent career reflecting on politics for The Times. Guests also heard from Brendan Connor, Director of sponsors AWM about their West Midlands Champions programme.
Richard Brennan, CEO
News & Events
Better Together – the business charter for social responsibility
Working with our colleagues at BITC we are looking for some 40 member firms to commit to this charter. Already some 21% of our members are signed and many report that they have found the process extremely rewarding. As well as being an effective way to measure your current commitment in this area the charter helps you to consider and review other areas you may not have previously considered.
For further information about how your firm can participate please email our CEO, Richard Brennan: richard@birminghamforward.co.uk
New Deputy Chair for Birmingham Future
Matt Taylor, Account Director at Headline Communications, is to be the new Deputy Chair of Birmingham Future. Matt has taken on the role from Joy Stefanicki who is leaving the city to pursue a career in New York.
New Chairman sought to head DiverCity work
The search is on to replace the chairman of Birmingham Professional DiverCity, who is to retire after completing two full terms in the role.
Norman Gascoigne has been at the head of the organisation – which helps the city’s professional services sector manage and value diversity – since it was created in 2002. And now the organisation – based in the city centre – is beginning the process of replacing Mr Gascoigne, who steps down in 2008. It is anticipated that his successor will play an ambassadorial role as they will be speaking to a national audience about what Birmingham has achieved and spreading the word about the great work being done in the city.
Applications should be made in writing for the chairman’s role by 16 November 2007 to Sangeeta Chauhan, Birmingham Professional Divercity, Cornwall Buildings, 45-51 Newhall Street, Birmingham B3 3QR. For a recruitment pack information please email Sangeeta@birminghamdivercity.co.uk or call 0121 222 4115
The West Bromwich is most diverse
Congratulations to Patron member West Bromwich Building Society who were awarded the title of 'Most Diverse Company' at the glittering British Asian Hafta Awards held at the ICC on Sunday 28th October.
Recognised for incorporating diversity at its core, working with the local community with such groups as ‘Women at West Brom’, ‘Disability Steering Group’ and the ‘Ethnic Working Group’. West Bromwich Building Society have continuously formed strong alliances with the communities that it serves taking into account the diversity of its localised region.
The use of alternate languages across branch counters ranging from Bengali, Polish to British Sign Language truly demonstrated the organisations’ commitment to identify and serve the needs of the community.
Celebrating 25 years of KEY success
Patron members, Key Personnel celebrate 25 years of providing high quality independent recruitment services to industry and commerce. To mark the occasion Key Personnel held a party earlier this year at Metro Bar & Grill and made a donation to charity Cure Leukeamia.
Key Personnel first opened their doors in Birmingham on 28 April 1982. The business was set up by Sue Bates who is now Chairman, and she was joined by her sister Mary Hendry in 2002.
Commenting on their success Sue Bates said, "Our 25th year in business is going extremely well. We are committed to working with clients old and new for as long as people want us. Being Brummies, we love the city and the many many friends and colleagues we have had the pleasure to know over those years."
In addition Mary Hendry added "What we do is very simple which is to supply the right people to the right job. We do not cut corners, and our standards remain as high as they ever did, which is why, despite fierce competition, we are still here and still growing. I am so proud to have a fabulous team around us which results in Key continuing to remain one of Birmingham's most well known and respected recruitment companies."
PINWM – Professional Institute Network West Midlands
This is a most useful combination of professional institutes across the region. Their website provides a single portal to access a wide range of CPD (Continuous Professional Development) events for a variety of different professions. If you are an Accountant, Computer Specialist, Lawyer, Chartered Manager, Marketeer, Public Relations specialist or Surveyor then this is a great ‘One Stop Shop’ for you. Go and have a look at: www.pinwm.co.uk
You are invited to join mac at a private exhibition…
Midlands Arts Centre – known locally as mac - invites Birmingham Forward members to join them for the private view of their latest exhibitions on Tuesday 20th November.
Sir Adrian Cadbury will unveil an exhibition of photographs by artist Gayle Chong Kwan of a landscape constructed from chocolate, confectionary and packaging, based on idealised towns, utopian social planning, tourism and research by Chong Kwan at Bournville Village and Cadbury World. Other shows include an exhibition from South African photographer Moshe Sekete – currently on an exchange visit to Birmingham through our city’s twinning with Johannesburg - and a display of art inspired by folk art and fairy tales.
The private view starts at 17:45 in the Parkside Room at mac, which is situated on the edge of Cannon Hill Park, directly opposite Edgbaston Cricket Ground. There is plenty of free parking available on-site.
The artists will be on-hand to answer questions, and gallery assistants will offer guided tours around the exhibitions. The evening will conclude around 19:45.
To confirm your attendance, please email Aimee Hardwick on aimee.hardwick@macarts.co.uk
IFS/School of Finance – Birmingham & Midland Lecture
On Tuesday 27 November 2007 George Magnus, Senior Economic Advisor, UBS will deliver a lecture at 5:30 pm in The Council House. His themes will be: “Credit Crunch - Difficult times for bankers? and Globalization - The rise of the East – threat or opportunity?”
George has been Senior Economic Advisor at UBS since 2004, having previously been the bank's Chief Economist since 1997. Prior to this, George had been the Chief International Economist at pre-merger UBS from 1995 and the Chief Economist at SG Warburg from 1987.
Attendance at what promises to be a most informative lecture is free and those interested in attending should register by following the link below: www.ifslearning.ac.uk/
Birmingham Business Breakfast Club
Many of you will be very familiar with (and perhaps have been members of ) this great Birmingham institution. Which after nearly 30 years continues to meet on the second Wednesday of each month, usually at The Botanical Gardens. Meetings start at 07:00 with networking followed by breakfast and a guest speaker.
After a number of years under the chairmanship of Andrew Sparrow the club is being refreshed with the newly appointed Chairman Tony Taylor, of Anthony Taylor & Co Chartered Accountants (aka MD of beermat.biz).
We would be urge you to give this alternative network your support over coming months. The next three meetings are being held on the following dates: December 12th; January 9th; February 13th.
For further details please visit their website: www.bbbc.biz or email Tony@beermat.biz, especially if you are interested in speaking at a future event.
A special new year's eve offer…
For those of you who are still wondering what to do or where to go to see in the New Year - Birmingham Radisson SAS Hotel is offering £25.00 off their New Year's Eve package. The cost of the package is £125.00 but discounted to £100.00 to all Forward & Future members.
The party package includes arrival champagne, 4 course dinner with open white & red wines and champagne at midnight with entertainment & a party 'till the early hours of the morning!
*The offer is available providing bookings are pre-paid before the 15th of December. Rooms are also available from £135.00. Be prepared for 2008 and call Silvia Vilar in Sales and Marketing 0121 654 6000 quoting 'Birmingham Forward member offer' to reserve your places now!
Vote Black Country for £50 million
Birmingham’s professional, financial and business services community is being urged to “stand up for the Black Country” and help secure £50 million of lottery funding for the region.
Black Country Urban Park – an ambitious environmental regeneration scheme - is flying the flag for the West Midlands in the People’s £50 million Lottery Giveaway which will be decided by a public vote next month. The project will be featured in a special ITV programme on December 6 when it goes head to head with the three other short-listed bids- Sherwood Forest, The Eden Project and Sustrans.
Telephone voting details will be announced on December 7 and online voting begins on November 26. To pre-register and vote online visit www.thepeoples50million.org.uk.
For details of the Black Country bid go to www.blackcountryup.co.uk.
Little steps for a better future…
No.33 - Recycle printer cartridges - We're serious. It's a lot easier than you think. Go to www.actionaidrecycling.org.uk and you can find out all about it. Of course, we wouldn't need printer cartridges at all, if those predictions from a few years back of the 'paper-free office' had come true.
No.34 - Buy Fairtrade products - Happiness is a fair traded banana. Fairtrade products guarantee to give the real producers a fair share of the profits. Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers in the developing world. So, if you buy a Fairtrade banana, you can be proud of your banana.
Birmingham… did you know?
Joseph Priestley, the world renowned Birmingham-based scientist and chemist, discovered oxygen. He was forced to leave Birmingham after a rioting mob destroyed his house in Sparkbrook.
The whistle used by Kate Winslett in the film "Titanic" was based on the original whistle used to save people's lives when the ship sank. The whistle was invented and made by Birmingham company, J Hudson & Co.
New members
Birmingham Forward would like to welcome the following new members;
- Hot Pepper PR is a thought leader in public relations in the Midlands. As your communications partner, they create, implement and evaluate workable PR initiatives that deliver against your business objectives.
- Iwan Thomas Associates enable you to perform as a modern business by coaching and facilitating and by consulting on service quality, marketing, strategy, succession, retention and management development. Particular expertise in professional practices.
- Knight & Sons Knight & Sons was founded in 1767 - three years before James Cook sailed into Botany Bay and nine years before American Independence. They specialise in both corporate and private legal services.
Birmingham Forward, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
