International banking group announced as Future Faces awards sponsor
BNP Paribas Personal Finance have been announced as one of the headline sponsors of Future Faces' highly anticipated annual awards.
This year 's flagship event will take place virtually on 27 August and will be co-branded as the Future Faces and Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (BYPY) awards, following Future Faces' merger with Business Professional Services (BPS) Birmingham last year.
Future Faces merged with BPS Birmingham in order to create a unified group for the city 's young professional business community, with this year 's combined event building on the success of the hugely popular BYPY awards.
Due to the intake of BPS members and many other influential partnerships for Future Faces at the beginning of this year, the awards event is set to welcome an online audience of up to double usual attendees.
The winner of this year 's overall Future Face of Greater Birmingham award will also receive a fully-funded Executive MBA scholarship from Future Faces patron Aston University.
Returning as headline sponsors this year are long standing supporters of BYPY and leading provider of consumer finances, BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK.
Stephen Hunt, CEO of BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK, said: “At BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK, making a positive impact is at the heart of everything we do. And, as one of the top employers in the UK for 2021, we 're committed to supporting the career progression and skills development of young people both within our business and across the wider region.
“After what has been a particularly challenging year for young people taking their first steps into the world of work, we 're delighted to once again be supporting these young professional awards and celebrating the abundance of talent that the region has to offer. ”
Aston University have also been announced as a returning headlines sponsor of the awards.
Mark Smith, executive director of business management at Aston University, said: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsor for this year 's awards.
“Endorsing the efforts of the region 's young people is incredibly important to us at Aston University, especially after a year of such adversity.
“I are very much looking forward to coming together, albeit it virtually, to celebrate so many great achievements and the hard work that the Future Faces team have been doing to support young professionals in their development. ”
This year 's event will present three additional awards, including Future Faces Champion, Future Face of Hospitality and Retail and Future Face of Sustainability.
The Future Faces Champion award will recognise a young professional who has gone above and beyond during the pandemic. The award is sponsored by Common Purpose, with the winner of this award receiving a fully funded place on their Emerging Leaders programme.
Award categories for the event will include:
- Future Faces Champion
- Apprentice of the Year
- Future Face of Arts and Culture
- Future Face of Charity and Social Enterprise
- Future Face of Entrepreneurship (sponsored by EY)
- Future Face of Finance (sponsored by HSBC)
- Future Face of Industry
- Future Face of Legal
- Future Face of Public Sector and Education
- Future Face of Retail and Hospitality
- Future Face of Sales, Marketing and Communications
- Future Face of Sustainability
- Future Face of Technology and Innovation
Confirmed sponsors of the Future Face of Entrepreneurship award are Ernst and Young LLP, while HSBC are sponsoring the Future Face of Finance.
Simon O'Neill, EY midlands managing partner, said: “The Midlands has a thriving business community and we 're delighted to be able to recognise the region 's top talent through our sponsorship of the BYPY Future Face of Entrepreneurship award.
"EY has a long history of supporting fast growth businesses, through our own Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards programme and through the advice and support we provide to business owners as they develop their growth strategies and take the next step in their evolution.
"Entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and the BYPY awards help shine a light on these dynamic business leaders and the important contribution they make to our region. ”
Further sponsors are yet to be announced.
One winner from the categories will be crowned as the overall Future Face of Greater Birmingham.
For more information or to apply for an award, click here.
For information on sponsorship, click here