Future Faces welcomes new committee and outlines plans for 2022
The Future Faces Chamber of Commerce (FF) held their annual general meeting (AGM) and social last week, sharing their plans to continue supporting members in both a work and personal capacity as we navigate life after the pandemic.
The event was held at the Park Regis Hotel in Birmingham and offered members the chance to look back on the activities of the last year and hear of the exciting plans for the year ahead.
It also gave young professionals from across the region a chance to come together and take advantage of networking opportunities within the division.
As part of the formal proceedings, the AGM thanked their outgoing committee members as well as welcoming a host of newly appointed figures to their executive team.
Taking over from outgoing committee members Emma Noble of Pinsent Masons and Ineta Svedaite of Fazenda Bar & Grill were incomers Davies Okeowo of Aston University, Hayley-jo Lockley of Irwin Mitchell, Harriet Saunders of The FSE Group and Will Crawford of quietnote.
Following the new appointment of Jodie-Lee Perks as Future Faces manager, the division also thanked former manager Anna Assinder for her dedication to the division for the last four years.
Taking up her role in October, Jodie said: “I am honoured to have been hired by the Chamber as the new Future Faces manager.
“Membership of the network is such an asset to any young professional or company in Birmingham, especially in a post-lockdown job market and it is an exciting time to be starting with the world reopening.
“I know I have big shoes to fill, as Anna has grown and nurtured the brand exponentially, but I am so ready to take on this challenge with the added benefit of Anna 's guidance.
“I have been overwhelmed by the support shown to me by the team at the Chamber and I can 't wait to help the young professionals of this amazing city thrive in their careers and take Future Faces from strength to strength. ”
The meeting also reviewed the results of the Chamber 's annual member survey.
With 400 existing members, aged between 18-37, it was found that the Chamber represents over seven different work sectors.
Reviewing members satisfaction with the division and its work, 80 per cent of Future Faces members reported that they are 'very likely ' or 'likely ' to recommend the network to others.
Addressing the room, Jaccy Datta, anti-financial crime specialist at Santander and president of Future Faces spoke proudly of the division 's success. Looking to the new year, she also outlined her top priorities for the division, including ensuring that members are supported in their mental health needs.
She said: “My top goal is to ensure the support and tools are in place to help members to develop and maintain a positive mindset, and positive mental health, whilst we continue to go through this challenging time.
“When the pandemic first hit, a lot of people struggled to adapt to a world of changing restrictions, and now that these restrictions are being lifted (hopefully for the long term), there 's a different type of anxiety around what life both inside and outside of work now looks like. This was my second priority for 2021, but it 's been rolled over and bumped up to my top priority for this coming year because of how much more support I feel we can and need to provide to our members. ”
Find out more about Future Faces and membership to the division