e-bulletin - September 2006
News & Events
A Permanent High Court in Birmingham - Have Your Say!
In January 2006 Birmingham Forward, in conjunction with Birmingham Law Society, Deloitte, St.Philips Chambers and No.5 Chambers, jointly published a report recommending a permanent residency for the High Court in Birmingham. This has led to an open meeting to discuss the issue to be held on Tuesday, October 10th between 5-6pm at the Dickens Conference Room, Birmingham & Midland Institute, Margaret Street, Birmingham. The open meeting will be attended by the Lord Justice of Appeal and Vice-President of the Queen’s Bench Division, Lord Justice May.
The establishment of a permanent High Court in the city is a priority issue for Birmingham Forward and we believe it will provide significant benefits for the growth and improvement of both the business community and legal profession in Birmingham.
This is a unique opportunity to make our case to Lord Justice May and we need to ensure the largest, and most representative attendance as part of the Birmingham Forward delegation at the meeting. Please contact Halina Bromberg on 0121 632 2204 to confirm your attendance or by email to halina.bromberg@birminghamforward.co.uk
Sky Political Editor breaks from breaking news to address Birmingham Forward.
It had been one of the most dramatic weeks in the history of New Labour, the intrigue and gossip – would the Prime Minister stay or go? It was a perfect time then for Birmingham Forward members to get the inside track from one of Westminster’s most connected and respected journalists, Sky Political Editor Adam Boulton, who addressed Birmingham Forward and Future members at the Speaker lunch on 7th September.
As part of his wide ranging talk to members who attended the event at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Adam Boulton gave the latest news on the Prime Minster’s departure date revealing that the revolt had started right here in the Midlands at a Balti House in Wolverhampton. He also believed that the era of “spin” politics was coming to an end although he said that he wasn’t sure this message had got through to David Cameron or Gordon Brown!
The Graduate Apprentice makes his first public appearance.
Darvinder Kang gave an insight into his first two months as the first ever Graduate Apprentice at the recent Birmingham Forward/Birmingham Future “Winning the War for Talent” event held in association with our colleagues at Birmingham Professional DiverCity. Held at PwC Headquarters in Birmingham City Centre, the event gave an insight into the student perspective of working in the professional and financial sector.
In addition to the Graduate Apprentice, attendees heard from PwC’s Graduate Recruitment Team member, Sarah Cockburn and UCE’s Head of Career Services, Ruth Lawton.
Expect to hear more on Davinder's progress in forthcoming e-bulletins.
Non Executive Director required for University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
This month University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Queen Elizabeth and Selly Oak Hospitals, begins the recruitment process for a new Non- Executive Director.
The role is to work as a member of the Trust’s Board of Directors ensuring the effective delivery of agreed health services in line with established objectives and in accordance with the highest standards of corporate governance and public accountability.
Specifically the Trust is looking for individuals with a proven background in financial management and strategy, commerce and customer service. The individual must be a current or past patient of the Trust or live in the Parliamentary/Electoral wards of Birmingham.
To request an information pack please contact Foundation Secretary Margaret Godfrey on 0121 627 2881 or email Margaret.godfrey@uhb.nhs.uk
Inward Investment Team at AWM wants to hear from you!
The Inward Investment Team at Advantage West Midlands seeks to attract investment and employment opportunities from foreign owned companies to the region. An integral part of the team’s role is to introduce potential investors to business service providers.
Birmingham Forward, as part of its commitment to promote members’ interests, would like to offer organisations or individuals the opportunity to forward their details to the AWM Inward Investment Team. If you are interested email your contact details to owenhills@advantagewm.co.uk
The World of Property to pit their wits against the Law & Finance Community in the Acorns Business Challenge 2006.
Teams are lining up to compete in the fourth annual Acorns Business Challenge taking place at the offices of PwC in Birmingham City Centre on the evening of October 30th.
The property sector will test its skill and knowledge against the Law and Finance sector in the Acorns Business Challenge Board Game.
Firms from the property, law and finance sectors are invited to enter a team of six at a cost of £1000.00. Proceeds from the event will go the Acorns Children’s Hospice.
For further details please contact Angela Podmore on 07786 934 935 or by e-mail to angela.podmore@kinetic-communications.com
Birmingham Forward sponsors a new play about work/life balance.
Birmingham Forward is part of a range of local businesses sponsoring a new comedy play entitled “Going Potty” the main theme of which is the issue of work/life balance. Written by actress and playwright Kate Wyvill the play is on tour and visits Lichfield’s Garrick Theatre between 3rd-7th October before arriving at the Birmingham Hippodrome between the 11th-14th of October.
Commenting on the support of the business community Kate said; “Firms could see the benefit of supporting my play, not only as an entertaining evening for their clients and staff but also because the play deals with an important issue that they are dealing with on a daily basis within their own organisations, namely juggling the pressures of work with the demands of home life.”
The play premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2004 and has received rave reviews for both the performances of the cast and the wit of the script. For tickets contact either Lichfield Garrick Theatre on 01543 412121 all seats £10. Birmingham Hippodrome 0870 730 1234 Tickets: £12-£17.
Birmingham Forward Members can receive 10% off the price of a ticket to any performance at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre and to the performances at the Hippodrome, on 11th and 12th October. Please quote the following code when booking: PCDSPONSOROFFERBF
Members wine on!
Forward members who attended the wine tasting at the end of August arranged by Classic Wine Direct enjoyed a wide selection of the grape from all over the world.
As a result of the praise received from members for the selection of red and whites offered during the evening Classic Wine Direct is offering mix and match cases to members of the wines sampled at the event for a limited period. Details by contacting clive@classic-wine.co.uk or calling 0845 838 1870
New members
Birmingham Forward would like to welcome the following new members;
- BRI Business Recovery and Insolvency delivers clear advice and the right solution for businesses and individuals in financial difficulty. The BRI directors have a collective experience of more than 50 years, with a range of skills and knowledge.
- Eric F. Laing is a management consultant specialising in four main areas: 1) Uncovering Hidden Losses, 2) Identifying product, service, customer and market profitability, 3) Making sure that the profit forecast on quotations given to customers is credible, 4) Improving management information and controls.
- LMM own and manage commercial and residential property in Birmingham worth over £20m. They operate both serviced offices and serviced apartments as normal commercail leases and residential contracts, and are established as the leading operator of serviced apartments in the Midlands.
- Octopus PR are passionate about providing innovative communication solutions which achieve more than just great press coverage. They work as part of their client's team to help them build effective, influential and ultimately profitable relationships with all their target audiences.
- The University of Warwick is one of the UK's most dynamic and progressive universities. It was one of the first universities to forge partnerships with commerce, and its international business school. As part of the ongoing regional agenda Warwick want to participate in the business and educational debate together with the professional and business services community.
Birmingham Forward, One Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BD
Telephone: +44 (0)121 632 2200 Fax: +44 (0)121 632 2201
