More businesses back young professional awards

More companies have shown their support for the region 's young professionals by sponsoring this year 's Future Faces (FF) and BYPY Young Professional awards.

This year 's flagship event will be live streamed on 27 August and will celebrate the achievements of the division 's young talent across 12 themed categories, ultimately naming one person as the overall Future Face of Greater Birmingham 2021.

Announced as sponsor of this year 's Future Face of Arts and Culture award is Future Faces patron and life saving emergency service, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC).

Pam Hodgetts, corporate partnerships manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “As a leading air ambulance charity, we are passionate about continuous improvement and the future of lifesaving care.

“We are proud patrons of Future Faces, helping to recognise talent and potential in the next generation of leaders, which is why we are delighted to support the Future Faces Awards.

“We recognise the great importance of arts and culture and have undertaken a number of arts projects this year to help raise awareness of our vital service. Knowing Birmingham, the calibre of entries will be excellent and I look forward to revealing the winner. ”

Sponsoring the Future Face of Legal is Future Faces patron Mills and Reeve.

Rachel Chapman, graduate recruitment manager at Mills and Reeve said “Mills & Reeve is delighted to sponsor the 'Future Face of Legal ' award at the online Future Faces and BYPY Young Professional Awards 2021.

“As a proud patron of Future Faces, it gives us great pleasure in seeing the Awards take place and allowing the spotlight to be shone on our City 's vast young professional talent. We look forward to congratulating the winner on the night and wish all the candidates the best of luck!

Sponsoring the Future Face of Retail and Hospitality is the Black Pounds Project (BPP).

CJ Lloyd Webley, founder and CEO of BPP said: "The Black Pounds Project are an organisation committed to supporting individuals and business owners from diverse communities. We provide business information, mentorship and signposting assistance and equip entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to start, build and scale a sustainable enterprise.

“We understand the many challenges that come with running a business, particularly during these unprecedented times and so, we are delighted to be sponsoring the Future Face of Retail and Hospitality Award at the Future Faces + BYPY Young Professional Awards.

“We would like to extend a massive congratulations to all those who have made the shortlist, everyone should be incredibly proud of their accomplishments. ”

Open College Network will be sponsoring the Future Face of Public Sector and Education award.

CEO Kevern Kerswell said: “Open College Network West Midlands is a national and international Awarding Organisation that offers life-changing opportunities to learners from all walks of life. We develop and award nationally recognised qualifications, used by a wide range of organisations, across the UK and internationally.

"The Government 's Lifetime Skills Guarantee highlighted a renewed importance for lifelong learning and certainly the strength and pace of a skills-led economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic, will require a workforce to up-skill and re-skill into new careers and into new and emerging jobs of the future. We are delighted therefore to be sponsoring the Future Face of Public Sector and Education award at this year's Awards ceremony and wish everyone who has been shortlisted the very best of luck. ”

Freight forwarding service WM.international are also sponsoring the Future Faces Apprentice of the Year award.

Commenting on the importance of recognising young talent, managing director Michal Gierat said: “WM.international is the proud sponsor of the Future Faces Apprentice of the Year Award.

“A real 'Business Continuity Plan ' is not just about new IT systems or automations - it's about acquiring young, top talent, whose skills and urge to learn can be mastered in open-minded business environments. ”

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce patron and board member Doug Wright and his firm Wright Restaurants T/A McDonald 's are sponsoring the Future Face of Charity and Social Enterprise.

Mr Wright said: “We 're delighted to be sponsoring this year 's Future Face of Charity and Social Enterprise award and play our part in an awards evening that promotes the very best young talent from our region.

“As a business owner who employs more than 2,000 people across the West Midlands, I fully recognise the importance of promoting and nurturing young talent within our local businesses.

“Future Faces plays a vital role in doing just that and these awards provide a fantastic platform to showcase some of the talent that is out there. ”

Further sponsors of this year 's awards are yet to be announced.

To book your place at the awards, click here

To view the shortlist, click here