Finalists unveiled for Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2019

Judging panel from left to right: Laura Thursfield, Independent Financial Adviser at Mazars LLP and winner of BYPY 2018; Tim Rayner, Partner at Irwin Mitchell: Katie Fulcher, Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, and Chair of BPS Birmingham Future; Sandra Wallace, DLA Piper’s Joint Managing Director Europe; Anne Brookes, Head of the Brown Shipley Birmingham office; Paul Bramwell, Managing Director of MediaCom Birmingham.

DLA Piper’s Joint Managing Director Europe, Sandra Wallace, has chaired an esteemed panel of judges at Millennium Point to determine winners of BPS Birmingham Future’s flagship awards, Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (BYPY), which is taking place on Thursday 16th May at the ICC.

Eighteen impressive young professionals from across six categories were shortlisted and interviewed by the panel, with a winner chosen in each category, as well as an overall winner.

This year’s finalists have been revealed as:

Finance (sponsored by Wesleyan)

• Susan Webb, PwC
• Tom Matthieson, Frenkel Topping
• Louise Rudd, PwC

HR, Recruitment & Training

• Emma Delli-Bovi, BCL Legal
• Daniel Williams, Avison Young
• Beth Sadler, Aston University

Legal

• Hollie Orgee, Irwin Mitchell LLP
• Victoria Callicott, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
• Michelle Adams, Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP

Marketing & Communications

• Ally Roberts, SevenCapital
• Hannah Green, Urban Communications/Resorts World
• Kerry Lenihan, TIAIC Events (TA Cook)

Property & Construction

• Martin Prince-Parrott, Gensler
• Raj Sanghera, Blackswan Property
• Ben Lolley, Turner & Townsend

Technology & Innovation (sponsored by PwC)

• Emily McGregor, Legal & General
• Louise Green, Reapit Ltd
• Rich Westman, Kaido

Wallace was joined on the panel by some of the region’s top professionals, including Paul Bramwell, Managing Director of MediaCom Birmingham; Anne Brookes, Head of the Brown Shipley Birmingham office; Tim Rayner, Partner at Irwin Mitchell; Katie Fulcher, Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, and Chair of BPS Birmingham Future; and Laura Thursfield, Independent Financial Adviser at Mazars LLP and winner of BYPY 2018.

The judging panel commented on the ‘very high standard across all of the categories’ and had to make some ‘really difficult decisions’ picking the winners.

Now in its 19th year, BYPY has been established as one of the most respected accolades in the business community, building upon BPS Birmingham Future’s commitment to recognising, developing and rewarding young professionals throughout the year. Taking place at the ICC on 16th May, this year’s headline sponsor is BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK for the second year running.

Jayne Licari, Brand, PR and External Communications Manager at BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK said: “At BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK, we’re passionate about bridging the gap between education and the workplace, and we’re excited to be working with BYPY once again to celebrate talented young professionals across the region.

In a city with the biggest skills gap of young people in the country, we feel we have a responsibility to share the success stories of BYPY winners past and present, to show just how many opportunities exist for young local talent in Birmingham.

The calibre of this year’s finalists is incredibly high and we’re looking forward to celebrating all of their achievements at the prestigious BYPY awards ceremony.”

In addition to the six categories, finalists have also been revealed in the Aspiring Talent category, which this year welcomes HSBC as sponsor. This award recognises exceptional individuals who are currently in full-time Higher/Further Education or training and looking to embark upon a professional services career within Birmingham. This year’s Aspiring Talent finalists are:

• Anil Karrara, Gowling WLG
• Ben Hewitt, Mazars LLP
• Francis Tsui, Fieldfisher
• Heidi Walford, Pinsent Masons LLP
• Max Andrews, Avison Young

The final award, for Inspiring Leader, sponsored by Squire Patton Boggs, recognises an exemplary and highly-influential figure within the professional community whose effect can be measured by their impact upon others. The winner of this title will be announced at BYPY on 16th May.

Tickets for BYPY, taking place at the ICC on 16th May 2019, are now on sale at www.bpsbirmingham.co.uk/bypy/