Future Focus with Andris Nelsons of CBSO…

1) What was your career path before becoming Music Director at the CBSO? I have played piano, trumpet and sung from a very early. I started my career by playing trumpet for the Latvian National Opera Orchestra and began to study conducting at 16. I became Principal Conductor of Riga Opera when I was 22 and held tenure as Principal Conductor of the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie in Germany, as well as making guest appearances with other orchestras across the world.

2) How important do you think it is for young professionals to have access to the arts and specifically classical music? I think it is extremely important. Art is food for our souls. We take care of our physical body by doing sport and eating the right food but we must not forget about our souls – we need to feed them with music and culture. I think it is also important that this is encouraged from the highest level like governments and councils and that we take care to educate people from an early age about looking after their inner worlds.

3) How do you normally prepare for a concert and wind down afterwards? In preparation I always read up about the piece and the composer. I analyse it technically, professionally and emotionally. I have to think about how I will present my ideas. Then we start to rehearse with the Orchestra and work on sections together. Before the concert I make sure I have had enough sleep and that I relax. After a concert I analyse and criticise myself. I think this is important, particularly when you are repeating a programme – it is how you learn and often it happens automatically without you thinking. After that, to switch off I sometimes start to look at a new score or maybe watch some TV.

4) What are you particularly looking forward to the next season? During the holidays I was really looking forward to getting back to work and seeing everybody. This season is very busy and exciting with lots of touring. I’m looking forward to meeting our audiences and seeing new and familiar faces. All of the concerts next season are going to be great so I couldn’t single one out.

5) What advice or recommendations would you give to a first-time concert-goer – are there any particular works you could suggest they saw? Just don’t be afraid. Don’t worry about what to wear or how to act. Take a friend and talk about the music afterwards. Make an evening out of it. Music is about everyday life and human beings so don’t be put off. The musicians on stage will open up to you so don’t be afraid. It can be a very emotional event so be prepared for that and cry if you want to.

6) What do you think of the CBSO’s rehearsal and performance venues? CBSO Centre is a great place for rehearsing. The acoustics are much dryer so this helps with the more technical work and helps the Orchestra acquaint themselves with the music. When we move to Symphony Hall we can the experiment with the acoustics. Symphony Hall is one of the best concert halls in the world and definitely the best in the UK. It is a pleasure to perform there.

7) How do you feel about being voted Number nine in this year’s Power50? I am surprised and very happy. I associate myself with the rest of the team – the Orchestra and its management so I am very happy that people have noticed us. This is also great for culture and I’m happy that we are recognised as a part of social life in Birmingham and hope that we can encourage more people to be part of it.

What is your favourite thing about Birmingham? The Orchestra! And the CBSO family. Other than that I like the M&S Food Hall!

9) You spend a lot of time travelling, what do you miss most when you are away from home? It’s hard to say where home is for me. I think it is where you feel the most satisfied and for me that is usually when I am playing music. Although I’m from Latvia, I miss more the people from my home rather than the place.

10) Villa/City? I do love football and I used to play a lot when I was younger but I am not so good anymore so I would find it difficult to judge two great teams! I have to say that adrenalin from a sport is very similar to live music and the expectation you have before a match is like the start of a concert. The difference is you are not supposed to cheer and shout at a concert, at least not until the end!

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.

Future Focus with TV personality and Birmingham Alumni Ben Shephard…

From rolling around in tights with 16 other dance students to rolling around on a rugby pitch, Ben Shephard’s time in Birmingham was varied to say the least. In this month’s Future Focus, we hear from the television presenter about his memories as Birmingham alumni, his advice for the City’s students and graduates, and get to the heart of the matter – City or Villa?

1. As a Birmingham graduate, do you feel this helped or hindered you in your career?

I’m not sure I have ever actually been employed because I went to Birmingham and can now do a passable brummie accent, but there’s no question that my experiences at uni in Birmingham led me to the job that I now do

2. What is your favourite memory of Birmingham?

There are tons. The rugby, rolling around on the floor in leotard and tights doing my dance degree with 16 other girls has left me with loads of great memories, scoring a try on the 1st xv pitch during a big BUSA game with a large crowd was very special too, oh and I met the wife there too

3. What was your first big career break?

I did a show for C4 called control freaks

4. If you were not presenting, what do you think you would be doing instead?

I like to think I’d be travelling.

5. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you on TV?

Amongst the wealth of embarrassing moments falling off the back of the GMTV sofa is up there

6. Have you tried the assault course on the Krypton Factor?

Unfortunately due to insurance issues I haven’t had a chance, but hopefully if we do it again I’ll sneak on

7. Have you ever been star-struck?

Not horrifically, although the first time I met Kate Beckinsale was a touch difficult once she admitted she rarely wears underwear

8. Do you return to Birmingham often and have you noticed any significant changes?

I haven’t been back for a very long time, although when I have returned I am aware how much more fashionable the students are and how much money they must spend on their hair now

9. What advice would you give to both students and graduates of Birmingham University?

You are at an incredible place, in one of the most underrated cities in the country. Soak up every moment it ends far too quickly and the beer will never be as cheap again!

10. Villa/City?

I am a west ham fan but all my family are from Brum and are big Villa fans so have to go with The Villa

This interview is thanks to Nadia Yaqub from Brewin Dolphin and Member of the Birmingham Future Marketing committee.

Future Focus with Kurt Jacobs

Future Focus: Kurt Jacobs

 1. What was your career path to becoming Head of Public Relations at Marketing Birmingham? It was rather unplanned. I came to Birmingham in 1994 to work on The Post’s business desk, under the tutelage of the legendary John Duckers, and rose to become deputy business editor, specialising in media. I was headhunted to become editor of the marketing magazine of Adline – now The Drum – before working as a freelance journalist and PR writer. I joined Insider in late 1995 magazine, becoming editor after a year or so.

 2. What made you want to get involved in Marketing Birmingham? It was an opportunity too good to miss. I loved working in journalism –leaving Insider was the hardest professional decision I’ve ever had to make – but the chance of becoming a spokesman for one of Europe’s greatest cities was too much to refuse. I’ve been writing about Birmingham for 15 years, particularly marketing and PR, so it’s a chance to do things I’ve been preaching for years.

 3. How important do you feel it is for us to have an organisation like Marketing Birmingham promoting the city to outsiders? Vital. Birmingham sells itself – once you get people here. The reputation of the city has improved enormously over the past few years as a centre for business, food, the arts, academia – the list goes on. With developments like the NEC and Brindleyplace Birmingham created the model for modern urban regeneration and opportunity. The problem with Birmingham is an abundance of choice and opportunity – how do you market the potentials of a million people and what they have to offer? We have to be selective and focussed in our aims.

 4. What impact has the recession had on marketing the city?  If anything it’s increased the importance of marketing. The recession has hurt us, as it has every other city, and we have to look at how we win and retain business, and that means continuing to develop Birmingham as a globally-recognised and respected brand. Fortunately Birmingham’s public and private sectors have become astute in recognising the value of effective marketing and the importance of working as a team. 

 5. What benefits do you think Birmingham offers for graduates and young professionals? I’ve worked in a number of places and Birmingham is the most meritocratic of them all. The great thing about Birmingham is that it embraces anyone that embraces it, and that goes for young professionals. Many senior executives in the professions are dedicated to bringing their younger staff on – they really want them to succeed.

 6. Although the UK has an ageing population, Birmingham is one of Europe’s youngest cities, how important do you think this is for the future of the city? This is possibly Birmingham’s greatest single asset but one we don’t yet make enough of. There’s a saying that Berlin is the history of 20^th century Europe in a single city, I believe this is Birmingham’s role in the 21^st – the city that embodies youth, cultural diversity, regeneration, communications. Birmingham is providing the template that other European cities will have to follow, and is doing it rather well.

 7. Birmingham Future nurtures the next generation of leaders – how important is the role of young professionals in shaping the city and do you think we are granted a big enough voice in decision-making in Birmingham? Young professionals do have a big say in the city’s decision making. I’ve been at a lot of important meetings where, for someone in their mid-40s, it’s glaringly obvious I’m the oldest person in the room.  It’s notable that while Birmingham has a huge array of networking organisations they tend to be inclusive and facilitating rather than exclusive old boys’ networks.

 8. Whilst at Midlands Business Insider, you pioneered the ’42 Under 42’ Awards; what characteristics did you look for in these candidates? As we said on the entry forms for 42 Under 42 it’s impossible to define star quality – but you know it when you see it. Some candidates’ careers simply leapt off the page. The difficulty of judging was that the quality of entries was consistently so high, but the range was so wide. How do you compare someone who has steered a third generation family firm with an entrepreneur who has a commercial and revolutionary idea?

 9. What are your favourite things about Birmingham? In no particular order: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the Jewellery Quarter, St Philip’s Square, Black Sabbath, The Electric Cinema, Steel Pulse, Hudson’s Coffee House, Bull Ring Indoor Market, The Queen’s Arms on Newhall Street, The Edwardian Tea Room, Cannon Hill Park.

 10. Villa or City? Um, neither I’m afraid. For my sins it’s Welsh rugby – it’s the non-Birmingham indulgence I allow myself.

Future Focus – Paul Fielding – Future member and BID Director

Birmingham Future’s growing influence on important matters that affect us all in the city has been demonstrated once again by the announcement that we have been given a Stakeholders seat on the Board of Directors of the Colmore BID. Paul Fielding, of Brewin Dolphin and current chair of the Events Committee, has been appointed as that future representative. He gives below his answers to some questions that our members may have about the BID.

What is the Colmore BID?

The BID is a ring fenced, not-for-profit, company that is financed by other firms in the area agreeing to pay a fixed levy over the five years of the BID. This financing was agreed in a recent vote where 50% of those companies voted and a large majority agreed in favour of a small surcharge based on their rateable value. The BID company will use this money to improve the district by working alongside the council but never duplicating or replacing existing services.

Why is the BID needed?

The Colmore Business District provides visitors to Birmingham with a wealth of top class national and globally renowned business from many different professional sectors. These sectors include Accountants, Lawyers, Property specialists, Financial companies such as Banks and Investment Managers, PR companies and many others.

The BID is therefore needed for a number of reasons which include:

- Further improving the area’s identity,

- improving the look of the area by making it cleaner, greener and more attractive,

- improving transportation in and around the area

- making the area more safe and welcoming.

By tackling important matters such as these we can help to further enhance the area’s reputation as a prestigious place to do business not only nationally but also internationally.

How will this be achieved?

The BID board will shortly appoint a BID Manager who will work alongside the Board. The Board will determine this individual’s role but it is likely to include matters such as liaising with the council, police and transport companies, managing a team of Street Wardens, helping to brand the area, arranging for events, extra cleaning and organising more floral arrangements etc…

Why is it important that Birmingham Future is involved?

Birmingham Future is one of the main voices of the young professional in the city and one of its aims is to try and ensure that the top young talent want to stay in the city. Birmingham Future can therefore help to achieve this by having a say in matters such as the BID. Hopefully our involvement in this company will see that collectively we are helping to influence major decisions that are made in the city.

How will Young Professional’s be able to have their say?

If there are any matters that you feel need to be addressed please feel free to get in touch with me or any member of the leadership team and I will ensure that your thoughts and ideas are relayed to the rest of the Board. If you would like my contact details please contact the office and they will send them on to you.