One of the best known faces from the city’s property scene is lined up to become the new deputy chair of Birmingham Forward as part of a major shake-up of the organisation’s board.
Gary Cardin, who heads the Birmingham office of Drivers Jonas Deloitte, should be confirmed as current chair Jackie Henley’s deputy at Forward’s AGM on June 30 with a view to taking over the top job in the autumn.
The AGM should also see the nine new board members confirmed which will include Shoosmith’s Alex Bishop and Matt Taylor from Headline Communications – both former chairs of Forward’s young professional arm Birmingham Future.
Other new Board Directors to be confirmed at the AGM are Tom Durrant, a partner at Gateley, Ben Gulliford, regional centre head at Barclays Wealth, Squire Sanders Hammonds Ian Forrest, Deloitte partner Adam Smith, Bhupendra Pattni, executive director at Birmingham Metropolitan College and Andrew Springhall, chief executive of recruitment specialists, Bluesource.
Peter Rees Steer, recently announced as the new Birmingham Forward chief executive, will also join the board.
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.
“I look forward to working with Jackie Hendley, the board and the new chief executive to ensure that Birmingham Forward continues to play a key role in the business life of the city and wider city region and to influence and shape how the city embraces the many exciting opportunities that exist which will undoubtedly help to secure our future growth and prosperity.
“I am also looking forward to developing the close ties we have with young professionals through Birmingham Future so that together we can become an even stronger and coherent voice for the sector.”
At the AGM, Birmingham Forward will acknowledge the retirement of Sid Muir of Allied Irish Bank and transportation expert, Richard Wingfield who are stepping down following the end of their respective terms.
