Are you up for the challenge?

Could you handle a night under the stars in the middle of November? A number of Birmingham Future members are already signed up to take part in the ultimate networking event, the St Basil’s Corporate Sleepout.  Following the huge success of last year’s event, which raised around £22,000, Birmingham’s professional community are again invited to sleep rough for one night, and help to raise even more for one of the city’s most worthwhile causes.  This year, the aim is 100 people, and we know that the Birmingham Future membership can help beat that target.

From Tomorrow’s Leaders to Today’s Influencers – by Matt Taylor

Last week, more than 600 young professionals and guests from across the business community gathered at the ICC to discover who will be the leading accountants, lawyers, surveyors, recruiters, communicators and entrepreneurs of the next generation. Even in the midst of a major economic downturn, record numbers drank and danced well into the night, celebrating the crop of talent that will be major figures in the future. But BYPY – Birmingham’s Young Professional of the Year – has always been about more than the brightest brains in the smartest suits. From the first winner, Gary Taylor, director of Argent, to this year’s winner Suzie Branch, of BHMG, it’s been about celebrating the combination of professional skills with a genuine commitment to making Birmingham an even better place in which to live and do business.

Power50, established by Birmingham Future in partnership with the Birmingham Post, is a logical extension of BYPY. From looking at leaders of the future, we assess who holds the levers of power and influence today. Like BYPY, it’s not just about the stars – those who occupy the obvious positions of power – but those who wield influence that can better Birmingham. More important than those who stand out, Power50 is about those who stand behind as we seek to identify those who either offer quiet leadership or who are not yet making their voices heard as widely as their potential allows.

The last ten days in British politics has been a rolling lesson in leadership. We have heard a lot of talk about the importance and qualities of leadership, but very little depth on what defines a great leader. In Birmingham, many have remarked on the apparent lack of leadership.

Historically, the city has spawned more than its fair share of civic and business leaders. Today, however, the pickings aren’t so rich. Cities that have global ambitions need more than just a few stand out names. We need leaders of all ages, from all sectors and of all backgrounds to put forward their ideas, articulate their visions and lead us to new heights.

Power50 was not born of having no leaders, but from having too few. More importantly, we found that Birmingham’s leadership was far from diverse.

This year, we have lined up an esteemed panel of judges, headed by Dermot Finch, director of Centre for Cities, to help decide who should be in the Power50. He’s our most independent chair of judges to date, coming from outside of Birmingham, and an expert on what makes a successful city. I can’t wait for what should prove a fascinating day of judging.

This year’s scheme will benefit from even wider use of social media channels and tools, appropriate for a city where digital media is such a strength.  It will allow more people to point judges toward those who should be considered. I’m hoping we identify and include more surprise names in the list, with even fewer of the usual suspects.

But like all league tables, Power50 should not to be taken too literally. It’s an art not a science. We will be as objective as we can. But, we are out to provoke, inspire and reflect.

The list will be revealed on 30 July at a special launch event to coincide with Birmingham Future’s AGM. I want to give particular thanks to Argent and Gary Taylor for providing us with a fitting venue for such an important event. Number Eleven Brindleyplace will be our stage for revealing the Power50, and as I saw at the recent launch, in building terms Number Eleven can already claim to be a leader in its own right.

So, please take the opportunity to influence the judges and tell us who has most influence in Birmingham. Who knows, perhaps Power50 will include a few more former BYPY winners this year so completing the circle?

Forthcoming event – A Summer Evening with Trees and Pimms

A Summer Evening with Trees and Pimms – Tuesday 14th July 2009, 6.30pm – The Loudon Suite, Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham Trees for Life is delighted to invite members of Birmingham Future to ‘A Summer Evening with Trees and Pimms’. This social and networking event will highlight the importance of our urban trees, and introduce Birmingham Trees for Life to local businesses who may wish to play a part in improving the environment in which their staff and customers live and work, by helping to plant trees in the city’s parks and open spaces. The evening will include a guided tour of the Botanical Gardens by a resident tree expert.

Tickets are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. The cost is £25 per person, which includes sponsorship of a sapling tree. Alternatively, tickets for the event only, with no tree sponsorship, can be purchased for £10 per person. Tickets are available by emailing bhamtreesforlife@gmail.com for a booking form.

The completed booking form should be returned to: Birmingham Trees for Life,

9 Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS, with a cheque for the appropriate amount, made payable to The Birmingham Civic Society.

When emailing for a booking form, please could you indicate the number of tickets you require at £25 or £10, your name, company name and the fact that you are a member of Birmingham Future. Once your cheque and booking form have been received, a confirmation of your booking will be emailed to you.

Meet & Mix Lunch – Monday 8th June 2009

Meet & Mix Lunch – Monday 8th June 2009, 12:00hrs for 12:30hrs to approx 14:00hrs – Asha’s Restaurant, 12-22 Newhall St Birmingham, B3 3LX

To launch Birmingham Future’s ‘Adopted School Project’ we are pleased to announce that Assad Hamed, chair of governors for Moseley School, will be the guest speaker at our next Meet & Mix lunch. The Adopted School Project is a long term project through which Birmingham Future aims to facilitate the school in encouraging ambition, inspiring and supporting pupils to pursue careers within one of Birmingham’s many professional service sectors. This exciting project run by Birmingham Future’s Diversity Committee, will give Future members the opportunity to help Birmingham’s children follow in our footsteps and become Birmingham’s future.

Assad has kindly agreed to talk to our members about the challenges the school faces, his thoughts on social inclusion, and how you can get involved in the project. Assad is also a Manager of the Homes and Communities Agency (which includes the former English Partnership). This government created agency provides the opportunity for people to live in high quality, sustainable places, promoting regeneration and social inclusion. If you would like to attend please contact the Birmingham Future office.

Forthcoming event – Open Forum Debate – Thursday 28th May 2009

Is Birmingham able to weather the current economic storm?

Thursday 28th May 2009, 18:00hrs for 18:30hrs to approx 20:00hrs, At Bevan Brittan, Interchange Place, Edmund Street, Birmingham, B3 2TA

Birmingham Future is proud to announce its first open forum debate of 2009 – giving you the chance to make sure your voice is heard on the most pressing issues of the day. Birmingham Future’s debates team has therefore gathered together great minds from the city’s political, business and education sectors to debate the motion:

“Are Birmingham’s young professionals right to be confident about the city’s ability to weather the current financial storm?”

As everyone is well aware, the recession has hit business hard, with recent media reports suggesting our city has suffered more than most, especially in the automotive and construction industries. But are we right to focus on the doom and gloom?

With guest speakers set to include Gisela Stuart, Labour MP for Edgbaston, Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council, Alun Thorne, head of business at the Birmingham Post, and Professor David Bailey, of Birmingham Business School, it promises to be a lively debate so make sure you book your seat, via the office in the normal way, to ensure that your voice is heard!