Meet the Future Faces committee: Christy Davies on shaping the future of the GBYPY awards and member engagement

As part of our ‘Meet the Committee’ series, Christy highlights her role in the GBYPY awards working group and the member engagement working group.  

She explains how being part of the working group gives her an active role in shaping and supporting the organisation and allows her to have a voice and drive improvements.

On the Future Faces committee, which working group are you part of and why?  

I am part of both the GBYPY Awards working group and the Member Engagement working group. I joined these groups because the awards, in particular, have been a significant part of my own journey in Birmingham.  

I have been attending the GBYPY Awards since I was a paralegal in my very first legal role, and they have always felt like a standout moment in the city’s professional calendar.  

Seeing people take to the stage year after year has consistently motivated me to push myself and strive for more, and I recognise how powerful that experience can be for others at the early stages of their careers.  

Being part of the working group allows me to help protect and evolve that legacy, ensuring the awards continue to inspire, champion emerging talent, and remain sustainable and impactful for many years to come. 

Alongside this, my involvement in member engagement aligns with my passion for supporting others as they find their place within the network, helping to create the same sense of encouragement and opportunity that has shaped my own progression. 

What does your day-to-day role involve? 

My day‑to‑day role involves speaking with organisations about sponsorship opportunities for the awards and encouraging applications from emerging talent across the city.  

I also contribute creative ideas around the entertainment on the night, as well as charitable fundraising initiatives, helping to ensure the event is both memorable and meaningful.  

Alongside this, I support member engagement by buddying up with new members and accompanying them to their first Future Faces events.  

This helps create a welcoming, inclusive experience and encourages people to feel confident and connected from the outset. 

Why did you decide to join the committee? 

I originally joined the committee after being a Future Faces member for a few years, as I became increasingly passionate about the network and what it represents.  

What began as a way to build my own confidence in networking and personal branding evolved into a desire to contribute more meaningfully.  

As my career progressed, I found myself with ideas to share and a genuine motivation to help bring others up alongside me.  

Becoming a committee member felt like the natural next step — an opportunity to give back, to shape the platform that had supported my growth, and to help create an inclusive, encouraging space where emerging professionals can find their voice and thrive. 

What are you most looking forward to achieving or contributing on the committee? 

What I am most excited to achieve on the committee is helping to set a new precedent for the GBYPY Awards in 2026.  

I want us to break away from conventional award formats and deliver something genuinely unexpected, an event that challenges assumptions, excites the city, and reflects the ambition of Birmingham’s next generation of professionals.  

This isn’t just about contributing to the committee; it’s about making a statement for Birmingham.  

My contribution will be helping to coordinate and deliver an awards experience that hasn’t been done in the city before.  

Being brave enough to do things differently, to be the first, and to show what’s possible when innovation is put at the centre.  

I want the awards to feel bold, inclusive, and memorable, leaving a lasting impression well beyond the night itself. 

What do you see as the biggest opportunity for Future Faces right now?   

The biggest opportunity for Future Faces right now is the sheer number of highly driven professionals in Birmingham. We are seeing more emerging talent across sectors that were previously less accessible, with people increasingly recognising their potential and aiming higher in their careers. The Future Faces platform thrives on the enthusiasm and engagement of its members, and being surrounded by so many motivated individuals is infectious as it strengthens connections, elevates events, and creates real momentum across the network. 

What is your favourite thing about Birmingham 

My favourite thing about Birmingham is how its evolving landscape reflects the city’s professional community.  

Historic buildings (like the Birmingham Town Hall, Jewellery Quarter warehouses and canal network) and bold new developments (like Paradise, The Cube, The Bullring and the Library) stand side by side, each with a distinct role in shaping the city.  

In the same way, younger professionals bring fresh ideas and energy alongside the experience and foundations laid by those before us, and together we are actively shaping Birmingham’s future. 

How long have you been a Future Faces member for? 

Approximately 3 years.