Future eBulletin - November 2010

Welcome to November's Birmingham Future e-bulletin.
 
It's been a busy time for Birmingham Future members and December promises to be just as eventful.
 
Last week saw a speed networking event with a difference, where our members not only got to meet other professionals but also a host of young entrepreneurs and future business leaders from outside professional services.  The event was fully booked well in advance and the consensus from those that attended was that the evening was a huge success.  This event continues my theme for this year of professional services supporting entrepreneurial business in Birmingham and developing our own entrepreneurial thinking.  I firmly believe that by building these business and professional support networks, we can help ensure that Birmingham is an environment where young businesses can flourish, which is key to Birmingham leading the way in the economic recovery.
 
I would encourage you all to come along to some of the excellent events we have coming up over the next couple of months.
 
In December we have a panel discussion entitled "For better or worse - Birmingham's Elected Mayor". Amongst the high calibre panel are mayoral candidate Sion Simon and chief executive of the chamber of commerce, Jerry Blackett.  It promises to be a very interesting evening.  As well as the panel discussion we also have our annual Christmas party.  This event is a great way to catch up with members you know as well as an excellent opportunity to build and develop your network further by meeting more professionals in a relaxed atmosphere.  As ever this event is already proving very popular and promises to be a great night.
 
Finally I would also urge you to look at January's upcoming events.  Firstly the launch of BYPY 2011 at Malmaison and later in the month a further opportunity to engage with Birmingham's entrepreneurs at Birmingham Science Park.
 
Details of all the events in our calendar can be found on the website, www.birminghamfuture.co.uk.  We have seen a recent surge in attendance at all events over recent months and therefore, as our events have a finite capacity,  I would suggest you book early to avoid being disappointed.  I look forward to seeing you over the next couple of months.
 

 

Darren Walker
Chair of Birmingham Future

Forthcoming events

Panel Discussion: Wednesday 8th December 18:30 - 21:30: Mills & Reeve LLP, 78 - 84 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2AB.

It is almost certain that in 2012 Birmingham will have its first directly elected mayor. What is not certain is who that person will be and to what extent the city will have a say. Join Jerry Blackett – Chief Executive, Chamber of Commerce and Sion Simon – Former Minister of Creative Industries and MP for Birmingham Erdington for a lively debate on what having a directly elected mayor will mean for Birmingham.

Christmas Party: Tuesday 14th December 18:00 - 21:00
All Bar One, Brindley Place 12G - 13G Waters Edge, Birmingham B1 2HL.

‘Tis the season for...a Christmas Party! . We invite you to help us kick-off the holiday season in style, with drinks and canapés in plentiful supply to fuel the festive networking. This event is a perfect opportunity to widen your professional network in the city, in an informal environment. (Santa hats and tinsel optional).

Event reviews

Town Hall welcome for Birmingham's newest recruits

The talent retention and development committee held their annual ‘Welcome to Birmingham’ event for the city’s newest graduates on Wednesday 13th October, with attendees hailing the event as another resounding success.

Over 230 were in attendance, with the event being held at Town Hall for the first time.

Visit the Birmingham Future website for more information about the Welcome to Birmingham event.

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Photo: Attendees at the 'Welcome to Birmingham' event.

Latest News

In response to the launch of the Big City Plan earlier this month, Charlotte Crossley, chair of Birmingham Future’s city centre committee and director at Core expresses her views on the Vision for Movement.

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Photo: Concept art of the new Birmingham Metro

 

Birmingham Future supports the city's 'Next Generation'

Darren Walker and former BYPY winner Suzie Branch became judges at this year’s Civic Society Next Generation Awards, recognising the achievements of Birmingham’s young people.

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Photo (LR): : David Clarke, President of Birmingham Civic Society and managing director at Clarke Associates; Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Len Gregory; Lady Mayoress of Birmingham, Mrs Gillian Gregory; Darren Walker, chair of Birmingham Future and associate at Cobbetts.

Colmore Business District's Arts & Crafts Market

Colmore Business District is delighted to welcome Handmade Birmingham to the District in December for a Christmas Arts and Craft Market.

Situated on St Philips Square, the market will offer a range of quality handmade arts and crafts that have been locally produced. Products will include jewellery, ceramics, textiles and fine art.

For further details, contact Tahreen Kutub on 0121 236 4686 or email tahreen-k@colmorebusinessdistrict.com

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Take on a graduate at no cost to your business!

Exclusively for members of Birmingham Forward and Birmingham Future, your chance to take on a graduate recruit for up to three months free-of-charge*.

Your graduate could work with you for up to 30 hours per week from four weeks up to three months - weekly hours and duration of placement will be agreed on an individual basis.

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*Your graduate could work with you for up to 30 hours per week from four weeks up to three months - weekly hours and duration of placement will be agreed on an individual basis.

Getting involved

Future athletes raise £2,750 for Future Foundation

Visit the Birmingham Future website to find out more about how the Future Foundation will be supporting local people with these funds.

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Photo (clockwise from top left): Ian Burrows - Brewin Dolphin, Mark Scamdrett - Fleetmilne, Paul Fielding - Brewin Dolphin, Nicola Fleet-Milne - Fleetmilne, Jason Hewitt - Brewin Dolphin and Gemma Darbyshire - Fleetmilne

Culture club

Do you want to join the Culture Club?

Don’t forget that there are lots of exciting discounts that can be redeemed across the city and beyond by using your Culture Club Card.

For more information about Culture Club and to find out how to join please contact the Birmingham Future office on 0121 632 2200.