Making Terrible Tea…

Shihab Hossain, Rachel Hewson, Giles Horwitch-Smith and Mayur.

Mayur Murali, Graduate Apprentice 2008 is almost at the end of his second placement with property management firm LMM.  The second placement has been an enlightening one for Mayur, and as Birmingham Future begin the process to pick the fourth Graduate Apprentice, the Blog caught Mayur in a reflective mood…

With over half my year as the Graduate Apprentice now gone, and applications for next year’s candidates already undergoing analysis for my replacement, I’m beginning to feel a bit like yesterday’s news! It’s like a giant Countdown clock is hanging over my head, tick-tocking away the seconds till the giant bong sounds, and I’m ingloriously dethroned, thrown aside as an over-the-hill has been. Rather melodramatic of course… It’s been brought on by the impending conclusion of my time at LMM, and the beginnings of grown-up hangovers, which really make a night out much harder work than they ever were as a student. However, I still have a whole new chapter to begin at VC Consulting in May, and this got me thinking about what I’ve achieved at my LMM placement, and what I can hope to learn at VC.

Meeting Lord Jones of Birmingham

Last week, a group of Birmingham Future delegates were invited to meet Lord Digby Jones, and Mayur Murali, the current Graduate Apprentice, offers his thoughts on what turned out to be a very productive visit. 

I recently read an article by Peter Mandleson in “The Times” about the significance of free trade. He, of course, was referring to the global credit crunch and the importance of open markets to ensure state fiscal stimulus policies are successful. It makes for interesting reading. It got me thinking about how combating a recession is not just about pumping money into business, but also coming up with innovative solutions to tackle the problem. This can be achieved by a free trade of sorts, the free trade of information (the link is tenuous I know, but stay with me). By drawing on the experience and know-how of senior members of the business community, who have been there and seen it before, we can hope to come through relatively unscathed. 

Which is, of course, what being a Birmingham Future member is partly about: the constant opportunity for learning and personal development. And who better to learn from than Birmingham’s most prominent son, Lord Digby Jones? And so it was that Chairman Matt Taylor, Deputy Chair Amanda Porter, BYPY winner Anthony McCourt and I, went down to London to meet the man himself, take part in a guided tour of the House of Lords, and indulge in a question and answer session. 

Graduate Apprentice – Placement One

They say time flies when you’re having fun – and if that’s the case, I’ve been having the time of my life! The first four months of being the Graduate Apprentice have been everything I could have expected and more, and it has passed by rather like Christmas morning does for an excited child, in a haze of colourful, sugary exhilaration. Although the Grinch of the credit crunch has been doing its best to suffuse everything in gloom, my work has thankfully continued unaffected.

Forward Chairman’s Hidden Talents

Not many people know that Richard Edwards, Senior Practice Partner at Deloitte, and currently Birmingham Forward Chair, has a very special hidden talent.

At the Chairman’s’ Gala Dinner on Friday 21st November, Richard gave us all a demonstration. After a interesting speech from Jeff Randal, Richard took to the stage with The Demon’s of Tune, Birmingham’s professional services band. Richard was an active member of the Demon’s of Tune, and for one night only, led the band in a performance of Daydream Believer. Luckily, for those unable to attend the Gala Dinner, the Birmingham Future Blog was on hand to record very second… and Richard has very kindly agreed to this appearing online. So take a look at the video below… and enjoy the talents that Birmingham Forward and Future have to offer.

Daydream Believer – Mr Richard Edwards from Jason Norris on Vimeo.

Being Future Chair – Matt Taylor

This month, the Birmingham Future Blog welcomes Matt Taylor, of Headline Communications, and Future’s current chair to reflect on taking on the role as chair, and on the Future…

It’s been almost four month’s since I took on the mantle of chairman of Birmingham Future, and as the Christmas season approaches I thought this would be an appropriate time for me to reflect on my time as chair so far.

It was towards the end of July that I suddenly became aware of an overwhelming sense of fear, anticipation and nervousness as the big day approached. No, I’m not talking about the start of the new Premiership season and West Bromwich Albion’s first game against the Arsenal all stars, but rather the Birmingham Future AGM, when I would officially be sworn in, so to speak, as the new chairman.

With more than 100 people expected to be in attendance, including the great and the good of Birmingham, anticipation soon gave way to nausea as my first public appearance as chairman drew closer.

As the clock ticked down 7pm, it was almost time for me to face my worst fear – public speaking. My slot was after Alex Bishop, who I knew would be a hard act to follow, and as the rapturous applause rang around the room signalling the end of Alex’s speech, it was my turn to take centre stage. The next ten minutes would either make or break me.

As I started speaking I could feel the fear and nausea start to subside, the nervousness disappeared and I actually started to enjoy it, sort of. After a few more minutes I was in full swing, delivering my lines like I was back in front of my mirror practicing. Even my jokes seemed to go down well. Then it was over. Applause. I had done it.

That was four months ago, and a lot has happened between then and now. For starters I got married, which meant leaving Birmingham Future in the capable hands of my deputy chairman, Amanda Shearer, while I jetted off to enjoy my honeymoon.

Sadly, while I was away I missed our second ‘Welcome to Birmingham’ event for new graduates, which this year managed to attract more than 250 people at the Council House, and a special roundtable discussion, organised by Future, with senior shadow cabinet member Oliver Letwin MP.

This was an opportunity for us to discuss serious issues that affect our members with one of the Tory Party’s key policy makers. Although I wasn’t there, I’m reliably informed that Mr Letwin left the event feeling very positive, later remarking that we were a “remarkable group of young people”; a statement I wholeheartedly endorse.

 One of the things that has impressed during the four months I have been chairman of Birmingham Future is the enthusiasm and commitment of our members, and of young professionals generally. They are extremely passionate about the city and want to see it thrive and flourish, and are prepared to get stuck in to make this happen.

As the head of an organisation that represents young professionals in Birmingham I feel immensely proud and priviledged and I look forward to the next eight months in office.

Public speaking will still be my least favourite part of the role, but sometimes you just have to get on with it.

And we couldn’t let Matt go without asking him his QuickFire Questions:

What brought you to Birmingham?

Opportunity. When I graduated from Wolverhampton University, Birmingham had a thriving PR and marketing sector, and still does for that matter, so I decided to look for a job in the city. My first role was a junior account executive at an agency called Bertram Gough, which unfortunately is no longer in business. From there I joined Headline Communications, where I have been for six years and am now an account director.

Favourite place in the city?

Depends on what time of year it is. I really enjoy Christmas in Birmingham. There is a real festive feel to the city, particularly with the German Market, which is always a crowd pleaser.

One thing you would change about the city?

It would be unfeasible, but I would pedestrianise Broad Street and have more outdoor markets, such as the farmers market, and outdoor cafés and bars, like in Europe. 

One item to take to a desert island?

Not strictly an ‘item’, but I would take my wife. She’s far more practical than I am.