Birmingham Future Foundation Team – Half Marathon Review

On a cold, drizzly Sunday morning approximately 12,000 people, many of them residents of the Midlands, hit the streets of Birmingham to run in the EDF World Half Marathon. Amongst these runners were the ten strong team representing Birmingham Future. After weeks of anticipation it was finally here, a chance for us to complete what we had started a few months before through regular training sessions. Full of carbohydrates from the previous night’s mountain of pasta, it was time to set off to the roar of the large and excited crowd that had gathered to support all of the runners.

(From left Paul Fielding, Matt Taylor and Danielle Osadciw-Brown)

The team itself were all very focused individually and this was proven by the fact that, rather boringly, none of us ran round together and we all stayed at our own pace. Being my first run of any kind since my school days, I was really unsure what to expect. The first mile or so was quite simply an amazing experience with competitors struggling for space whilst the crowd cheered us on. The serious athletes around me literally went charging to the front and flew off into the distance and in almost all cases were never to be seen again.

In this first mile two Birmingham Future runners and also one of my colleagues, who was not running for Birmingham Future, all went steaming past me at the rate of knots. Two of these, including Gareth Poole of Turner and Townsend and my colleague, finished in extremely impressive times of just over 1 hour and 40 minutes. The other, who will remain unnamed, struggled home in a time of 2 hrs 13mins and 6 seconds (see below!).

Being from the south of the city and not knowing many of the areas that we were running through, I believe had its advantages. This was because it gives you something new to look at whilst you are going round, thereby making it more interesting and meaning that you are not dreading any part of the circuit. However, if I had known the route beforehand, the near 45 degree hill on Maryvale Road by Bournville Station would have given me nightmares in the weeks before. The good news after that absolute killer, therefore, was that we still had approximately 6 miles left to run! Easy!

The last two miles coming back into the centre of Birmingham were extremely difficult and it was quite disconcerting to see my boss go flying past me with a smile on his face, having challenged me prior to the race. The final two corners though were absolutely fantastic. Firstly, I was able to high-five my wife and son who had come to support me and then into the final straight on Broad Street I put my foot down, inspired by the large crowd who were making a lot of noise. This truly was a testament to Birmingham and the fabulous people who live in the area.

I managed to finish in a time of 1 hour 50 minutes and 26 seconds, which I was very pleased with, especially as my only target was just to finish. The runners in the team all finished as follows;

Gareth Poole (Turner & Townsend)    finished in        1hr 40.24

Paul Fielding (Brewin Dolphin)                                          1.50.26

Emily Morris (Willis)                                                              1.54.39

Matt Taylor (Headline Communications)                      1.59.11

Maxwell Dobbs (BHMG)                                                        1.59.56

Jason Norris (Delloite)                                                          2.02.06

Ann Taylor (Innovit)                                                             2.04.30

Danielle Osadciw-Brown (BHMG)                                     2.10.53

Peter Meckiff (Brewin Dolphin)                                         2.13.06

Claire Bishop (BHMG)                                                           2.32.25

All in all, the team have managed to raise in excess of the £1,500 target and I would like to thank all of them for all of their hard work and, of course, all of the generous people who sponsored us. The money raised by the runners will go directly into the Future Foundation Fund. This will then be used to fund projects approved by Birmingham Future via Birmingham Community Foundation to provide grants which are set up to support the local community in areas of poverty and deprivation in Birmingham and the Black Country.

If you have not sponsored us and would like to do so post the event, the easiest way to make a donation is to visit the Just Giving website on www.justgiving.com/birminghamfuturehalfmarathon. Alternatively, if you see any of the runners I am sure that they will be more than happy to accept a cheque made payable to ‘Birmingham Community Foundation’, if you feel so inclined.

Finally, on a personal note, I would like to thank Danielle Osadciw-Brown of BHMG for all of her help with the organisation, the Birmingham Future Community Development Committee and the Colmore Business District for kindly supplying the team t-shirts.

If any of you feel so inclined, I am sure that I will be once again talked into not only taking part but also running (pardon the pun) a team in 2010 and you are of course more than welcome to join me.

Many thanks for your kind support,

Paul Fielding, Brewin Dolphin and member of the Birmingham Future Community Development Committee.

Birmingham Future appoints the fourth Graduate Apprentice…

Graduates are facing a difficult time in securing jobs during the recession so it became great news to twenty one year old Emily Williams when she was announced this week as Birmingham Future’s fourth Graduate Apprentice.

This year’s successful candidate overcame a field of seventy other graduates all hoping to be given the unique opportunity to experience three diverse sixteen week placements within the city’s professional sector.

Emily, from Coventry, has recently graduated from Lancaster University with a first in mathematics and will start her year as the Graduate Apprentice in September with Deloitte in Birmingham. She will also enjoy placements with the HR department of Matthew Boulton and Sutton Coldfield Colleges as they prepare for the merger of the two colleges to form Birmingham Metropolitan College before completing her year with business consultants, VC Consulting.

Emily is the fourth Graduate Apprentice and the first female to be given the unique opportunity to sample three diverse working environments during a structured year since the innovative scheme was launched in 2006 by Birmingham Future.

The programme is run by the organisation’s Talent Retention and Development Committee and supported by Graduate Advantage.

Emily recently visited all three of the placement companies and enjoyed a tour of the city that will become her home and was excited at the prospect that lies ahead;

“Very few of my university friends have managed to secure a graduate job so I am even more excited and pleased to be given this unique opportunity. Like so many other students, I was unsure of the exact direction I wanted to take after leaving university which is why the Graduate Apprentice programme is so appealing.

“I will now have the opportunity to experience three different working environments and with three very different projects to work on. I shall get to know how a major business operates at Deloitte, be involved with Matthew Boulton and Sutton Coldfield Colleges at a highly important and significant time in their development and find out about life in an SME at VC Consulting. I know this will be a fantastic journey.”

Chair of Birmingham Future’s Talent Retention and Development Committee, Anthony McCourt commented;

“Congratulations to Emily on becoming the latest Graduate Apprentice. The introduction of the Government’s new Graduate Internship Programme highlights the importance they are putting on work placements. The Graduate Apprentice, which has been acknowledged as an innovative scheme by leading politicians, goes one step further by offering three diverse placements which gives a far broader view of the opportunities that exist within professional services. This year’s applications were the strongest we have seen which reflects clearly that this opportunity both excites and stimulates graduates.

“During these challenging economic times, I am delighted we are able to continue to offer this unique programme which is only possible due to the continuing support of our placement firms and Graduate Advantage.”

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.

A Marathon Effort

Members of Birmingham Future will be hitting the streets of the city on Sunday 26th October for the Birmingham Half Marathon.

Around 15 members of Birmingham’s Young Professional Networking organisation will be undertaking the 13.1 mile route in aid of the Birmingham Foundation, a local charity.  Matt Taylor, the current chair of Future, is keen for members to do more for local charities, and as head of the team, is delighted that Future will be represented in Birmingham’s first half marathon.

“With so many members across the city, Birmingham Future are keen to help out in the local community.  While painful, the half marathon is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for a very worthwhile cause”.

Pictured below are three of the team.  Jason Norris, the current Graduate Apprentice, Bina Ganatra of Lloyds TSB and Matt Taylor, Headline Communications and Current Birmingham Future Chair.

 

Ready to Run

If you would like to take part in the half marathon as part of the Future team, drop Matt an email at info@birminghamfuture.com.