Handelsbanken account manager named new chair of professional services body
An account manager with Handelsbanken has been named as the new chair of BPS Birmingham Aspire.
Part of the wider BPS network, Birmingham Aspire is a networking and personal development organisation for those in education or their first two years of professional employment or training within the professional and financial services sector in Birmingham.
Adam Dobson only joined the bank in the summer of 2016 after graduating from the University of Worcester. He succeeds Ashleigh Lloyd, a consultant in International Tax at Deloitte in Birmingham.
Ms Lloyd hands over the reins following a year and a half in the role during which time she oversaw Aspire’s involvement in BPS Birmingham’s first two Professional Services Week in 2016 and 2017. She has also spearheaded an initiative to improve the accessibility of the sector to those from a more diverse range of socio-economic backgrounds by launching a trainee professional scheme aimed at facilitating just that.
Mr Dobson was officially announced as the chair at the annual Welcome to Birmingham event hosted each year by BPS Aspire, which saw 100 young professionals new to the sector in the city gather for an event that included an address by current holder of the BYPY title, Michael Parker.
Ms Lloyd said: “It has been a wonderful 18 months leading Aspire. I am proud to have been involved in making Professional Services Week a reality and to be able to launch the Trainee Professional Scheme which takes the best elements of Birmingham Future’s highly successful Graduate Apprentice and makes it refreshed and relevant for the sector and for students.
“At the heart of Aspire’s core purpose is to provide opportunities to meet and spend time with other young professionals within the city and, as chair, I have certainly been able to do that. I have significantly built on my network and some of my closest friends I have met through my work with Aspire. I wish Adam every success as he takes over the chair and takes the organisation forward.”
Mr Dobson said: “I would like to thank Ashleigh for the excellent work she has done for Aspire. I have had the privilege of serving as her deputy since the summer and have seen first hand Ashleigh’s dedication, energy and commitment to supporting and nurturing young professionals just embarking on their careers or young people who want to work in the sector.
“For both groups it can be a very daunting experience and Aspire provides an outlet to meet with others who are in a similar stage of development and to be able to socialise, share ideas and work together on activities beyond the day job.
“During my tenure as chair I am looking forward to building on our membership base and to continue to widen our engagement with the business community, the education sector and charities.”
