Birmingham Forward reveals new deputy chair and board members
BIRMINGHAM Forward has announced that the head of Drivers Jonas Deloitte in the city, Gary Cardin, is to become its new deputy chair.
The announcement came as the organisation finalised arrangements for its AGM on June 30.
Mr Cardin will work closely with current Birmingham Forward chair, Jackie Hendley, before taking over from her in the autumn.
Mr Cardin is one of the city’s highest profile business figures and in addition to his role at Drivers Jonas Deloitte, is chairman of the Colmore Business Improvement District.
Birmingham Forward described him as “a passionate and committed supporter of the city and the city region” having worked in Birmingham throughout his professional life.
At the AGM, nine new board members will be officially confirmed. They include two former chairs of Birmingham Future: Alex Bishop, who chaired Future in 2007/8 and is deputy senior partner at Shoosmiths, and Matt Taylor, director at Headline Communications, who served a Future chair in 2008/9.
Other new directors – subject to confirmation – are: Tom Durrant, a partner at Gateley, Ben Gulliford, regional centre head at Barclays Wealth, Ian Forrest, a partner at Squire Sanders Hammonds, Adam Smith, a partner at Deloitte, Bhupendra Pattni, executive director at Birmingham Metropolitan College and Andrew Springhall, chief executive of recruitment firm Blusource.
Peter Rees Steer, recently announced as the new Birmingham Forward chief executive will also join the board.
Commenting on his new role, Mr Cardin said: “I am delighted to be taking up the role of deputy chair then chair of Birmingham Forward. As a serving board member of the organisation for many years, I have seen how important it is for the business and professional services sector to have a strong collective voice within the city and beyond and my commitment to Birmingham Forward will continue to fulfil that role very forcibly.”
Ms Hendley said: “This is an exciting time for Birmingham Forward. We have in Gary a passionate, dedicated and energetic advocate and champion of both the business community and the city as whole and I look forward to working with him as Birmingham Forward enters a new and exciting era in its history.
“With nine new board members representing the broad range of skills on offer in the professional community in the city and a new chief executive, Birmingham Forward is in a strong position to represent the interests of our members.”
Stepping down from the board are: Sid Muir, of Allied Irish Bank, and transportation expert, Richard Wingfield.
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