Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) has been announced as the headline sponsor for Coventry & Warwickshire First’s FirstPro 2017 and the inaugural YoungPro 2017.
“One of our key roles is to promote the city centre as a great place to work and do business,” explained Trish Willetts, Manager of Coventry BID, “so we’re delighted to support YoungPro and FirstPro. These awards celebrate the talent amongst the current leadership of the professional services sector in the region as well as that of the next generation.”
Coventry BID is a partnership between the businesses in the city centre and Coventry City Council. Its purpose is to promote, develop and elevate Coventry city centre as a place to work, visit and do business.
Whilst nominations for FirstPro 2017 do not open until the new year, the hunt for YoungPro 2017 is on now. Launched this year, YoungPro 2017 is dedicated to celebrating the talent amongst the next generation of leaders in the professional services sector.
There are five categories in YoungPro – Legal, Finance, Banking, Property and Business Services. Each category winner will combine superb performance in the workplace with a commitment to the region and the all-important and intangible x-factor.
The winners will be announced at a Gala Reception, being held at St Mary’s Guild Hall, Coventry on Friday 27 January.
The YoungPro category winners will automatically be the finalists in the Young Professional category of FirstPro 2017; winning a category is the only route to the shortlist for Young Professional category of FirstPro 2017.
Nominating a talented young professional is easy. Visit Coventry & Warwickshire First’s website for more information or email the organisation’s executive support, Angela Tellyn at angela@coventryfirst.co.uk.
Mike Durkin, Relationship Director at Santander Corporate & Commercial Banking, has outlined his priorities for his year in post as Chair of professional and financial services membership organization, Coventry & Warwickshire First.
“Our members are the leading professional and financial services firms in Coventry & Warwickshire. They include firms of accountants and solicitors, banks, and property agents & valuers. Our business services members include HR, PR and digital agencies, amongst others” explained Mike Durkin. “They face many common challenges, especially the need to attract, and retain, great new talent. I intend to amplify their collective voice in representing our membership.”
During his year in post Mike Durkin will also focus resources on driving up membership, further developing the organisation’s programme of engaging and informative networking events – involving high profile key-note speakers, and building on the already well-established mentoring programme for young professionals.
“Today we represent many professional services firms based in the area but we would like to welcome all Coventry & Warwickshire based professional services firms into our organisation,” continued Mike Durkin. “To achieve this we are focusing on engaging with potential members and helping them benefit from the advantages and opportunities of membership.
“One of those advantages is the access we get to the region’s key influencers, and hearing, first hand, about new developments and initiatives. Through our events programme we visit well-known local businesses and hear from the leaders of successful local businesses, local politicians, and other key influencers to inform our members.
Mike Durkin is taking over from Andrew Smith, Partner at Shakespeare Martineau. Mike has been a board member of Coventry & Warwickshire First, the leading networking group for business services professionals in Coventry & Warwickshire, since 2012.
Well known and respected through Coventry and Warwickshire, Phil Ewing has helped lead his firm, Harrison Beale & Owen, through a sustained period of consistent growth, contributed to the local area and served Coventry & Warwickshire First itself, including a year as chair of the organization. He was a very worthy winner of the category of Business Services Professional of the Year.
We asked him about the win and what it’s meant to him since.
“I was shocked when I won,” said Phil. “I had been shortlisted previously and not won so I didn’t get my hopes up. I was just thrilled to have been nominated, particularly since it was by people I work with outside the firm. Winning on the night added extra gloss to an already wonderful experience.
“The aftermath has been incredibly positive too. I’ve had plenty of congratulations and support, which is lovely.”
You originally trained as an accountant. What brought you to the point at which you won the business services category?
“Two things. First I went on The Business Growth Programme at Warwick University in the late 1990s. It brought me together with a group of business people, none of whom were accountants.
“Combining theory and practical coaching and development, the programme was incredibly developmental. My eyes were opened to the excitement and potential of the role of business adviser.
“Quickly after completing the Business Growth Programme I got involved in an Accountants Boot Camp. Its purpose was to move the accountant from score keeper to business adviser and I came to see and appreciate the breadth of my skills.
“Afterwards, I sat down with my partners and we agreed a new strategy for growth for the business, designed to transform it. Our practice is now much larger and our offer to clients is high value and much more varied. We now offer a holistic approach to a business, serving the owners and their families as well as the organization itself.”
What is your proudest achievement in the workplace?
“I think it has to be helping my clients succeed, in the knowledge that success means different things to different people. For some it’s simply cover the wage bill and for others it’s selling out for millions.
“I also love helping businesses turn around. I remember one client in particular with whom I had to be very tough. But after some blunt conversations and the development of a plan to re-navigate the business they’ve turned from loss making to generating profits in excess of £500K per annum.
“When I look internally and assess what we have achieved here I’m also incredibly proud. We’ve transformed our business and have a great team on board.”
Where next for you?
“I want to continue working for the success of our clients, helping them develop and explore global opportunities where appropriate. The world is a small place, perhaps more so now than ever with Brexit hovering in the background.
“I’ve just helped a client to buy a business in Malaysia re-inforcing that perspective.”
Speaking of Brexit, what’s your view of the local economy?
“At the moment, things are looking good. Jaguar Land Rover is an incredible success story and is continuing to invest, even if its success does bring challenges like the pull on skills. The councils are also working hard to attract investment and we have a diverse economic base. All in all, I’m optimistic.”
You’re an active contributor to Coventry and Warwickshire. Tell us a little more.
“I’ve always been a member of organisations that give something back. I started in Rotaract, moved on to the Round Table and then joined the board of the Heart of England Community Foundation. I’m now a trustee.
“The Heart of England Community Foundation really embodies what I think is best about community engagement. We gather money from all sorts of different sources and then give it out in small chunks to community groups, who in turn translate a little into a lot. The average grant is around £1,500 and we reached 112,000 people in the 12 months to March 2016! We’re hoping to reach even more in the next year ”
What do you do to unwind?
“I love sport, even if I am more of an armchair player. Any shape or size of ball works for me and I really enjoyed the Summer of Sport, packed with the Olympics and Paralympics.”
And the last word …
“I’m a very proud of this area; my main office base is in Coventry and my home is in Warwickshire. I loved being part of Coventry & Warwickshire First’s board and advocating on behalf of the region. I’ve gained a lot from active participation and I would say to others, get involved and make sure your voice is heard!”
The hunt for Coventry and Warwickshire’s top young professional is now on, with the launch of the first ever YoungPro.
Run by the network for professionals, Coventry & Warwickshire First, YoungPro celebrates the breadth and depth of talent within the region’s professional and financial services sector’s next generation of leaders.
There are five categories in YoungPro – Legal, Finance, Banking, Property and Business Services. Each category winner will combine superb performance in the workplace with a commitment to the region and the all-important and intangible x-factor. The winners will be announced at a Gala Reception, being held at St Mary’s Guild Hall, Coventry on Friday 27 January.
The category winners will automatically be the finalists in the Young Professional category of FirstPro 2017, the results of which will be announced at a Gala Dinner at the Ricoh Arena in April 2017.
Chrissie Elliot-Duxson, Chair of Coventry & Warwickshire First’s young professionals network said: “Last year Jenny Simpson, winner of the FirstPro 2017 Young Professional category, was also named the overall FirstPro. Considering she was in the company of some of the region’s leading professionals, it was an incredible achievement.
“YoungPro gives us the chance to recognise the talent and contribution of the many other young professionals who are building their careers in Coventry and Warwickshire’s professional services.
“We want as many young people as possible to have the chance to be recognised so are encouraging everyone to nominate a talented colleague now!”
Mike Durkin, chair of Coventry & Warwickshire First and Relationship Director at Santander Corporate and Commercial Banking, continued: “Every year we receive a large number of very high calibre entries to the Young Professional category of our FirstPro awards. We wanted to do justice to the exceptional talent of our young professionals and recognise their contribution and aspirations. Launching YoungPro gives us the perfect platform to do exactly that.”
Nominating a talented young professional is easy. Visit Coventry & Warwickshire First’s website for more information or email the organisation’s executive support, Angela Tellyn at angela@coventryfirst.co.uk.
Nominations close on 27 November. The finalists will be announced on 30 November with the judging taking place on 5 December.
A solicitor at Wright Hassall, Jeremy advised on acquisitions, disposals, investments, joint ventures, turnarounds and restructuring.
An ambitious young lawyer he qualified into the corporate finance team in 2015.
He was shocked when his name was read out!
I was really very surprised. I sat there for a moment to gather my thoughts before realising I had to go up to the stage!
There were some extremely able people on the shortlist so I was just very pleased to be in their company; being recognized as Highly Commended was a real bonus!
There was obviously a bit of banter from colleagues when I won but there has also been a lot of congratulations. It’s been a brilliant experience.
What brought you to this point?
I was a paralegal in London. I was affected by the last recession and since my partner was from this area we decided to move here. I wanted a role with a regional firm and had always wanted to work in corporate law. I was lucky, a great opportunity came up with Wright Hassall.
Now I’m working on corporate deals and loving it. I really enjoy the face-to-face contact with clients, the negotiation and the pace of the work.
Which achievements are you proudest of?
I recently completed my first Triathlon; I did it in aid of the Wright Hassall Charitable Trust. I’d never done one before and I certainly had to push through the pain barrier!
When it comes to my work I was really proud of getting a training contract. It’s incredibly competitive so I had to really shine.
I also got a real buzz when I completed my first deal. It involved a local company being sold by its owners. They were great to work with and the pressure exhilarating, particularly as we hurtled towards completion. Balancing the interests of our clients within the challenges of the timescale was tough but rewarding.
Where do you go from here?
My main goal is to have my own business. My Dad had his own business and I saw how much he loved it and the risks and rewards that come with it.
In the context of my profession that means I am definitely aiming for partnership.
What do you do to unwind?
I like sport and have played rugby for the Old Leamingtonians RFC. Now I’m a regular at my local gym – it really helps me to relieve the tension. And of course, a couple of beers with friends is always fun!
Chrissie works in marketing, student recruitment and student experience for the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick. Chair of the Coventry & Warwickshire Young Professionals network and Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses for Warwick and Leamington, she was nominated for a staff award both this year and last year and consistently goes above and beyond in her job. It’s no surprise she was ‘Highly Commended’ at FirstPro.
How did you feel when your name was read out?
It was unbelievable. It never occurred to me I’d be recognised but it felt wonderful when it happened.
The response at the University was great. It was lovely that Kate Hughes, the Partnerships Director at Warwick, and Ian O’Donnell from the FSB had been invited to support me. It went in our internal newsletter and I’ve had lots of congratulations.
Which achievements are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of all my qualifications. I have a first class law degree as well as being AAT and CIM qualified. I took both of those qualifications as evening classes whilst also working full time so it was quite challenging. Not to mention I’m terrible at maths so the AAT was really tough for me!
I was also really happy when I got my current job. Half my job relates to the student experience and I love being involved with the students. We like to offer them something extra so arrange guest lectures with well-known politicians and policy makers, and social events. I’m also running a soft skills module, which is compulsory for all our first year Economics students.
Where next for you?
I keep my focus on the here and now but at the moment I think the next step would be marketing manager. At Warwick there are always new jobs and initiatives coming up so I like to keep an open mind. There are currently new projects happening in London and California!
You love photography?
Yes, I ran a photography business for four years. It taught me a lot about marketing and business development but I have put that on a back burner for the time being to focus on my career.
What else do you get involved in?
I mentored an A’ Level student through the Career Academies Programme. I helped him grow in confidence and get ready for the workplace. It was amazing to watch him grow from a shy 16-year-old into a confident young man; he came second in the Career Academies STEM Student of the Year.
I would also like to be a role model for people with mental health challenges. I have experienced severe difficulties with depression, anxiety and agoraphobia over the past five years and yet still managed to achieve at home and work. I want people to know it can be done. That’s not to say it’s easy but you can keep fighting.
What about outside work?
I sing and play the guitar so when I get time I do the occasional gig. I played for a summer festival last year and a Christmas party in December but it’s hard to find the time to get gig-ready with all my other responsibilities.
I also love travelling and went to California and Vegas for my honeymoon. In the last few years I’ve been to New Zealand, USA and across Europe. Later this year I’m off to New York and next year it’s Perth, Sydney and hopefully Washington DC. Eventually I want to visit every single US state.
Hannah Bates’ legal career started when she was awarded a Sports Scholarship to attend Coventry University and chose to study law and business. She has been part of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team at Shakespeare Martineau for around a year.
How did you feel when you won?
I was surprised and happy; I certainly hadn’t expected it. In truth, though I was dreading the steps to the stage!!
When Emma and I were back in the office (Legal Category winner Emma Gamble is a partner at Shakespeare Martineau) we were really spoilt – they popped the Champagne corks!
Which achievements are you most proud of?
There are two that really stand out. I had always wanted to be a lawyer and getting here is a long process and takes a huge amount of hard work. After the years of study and hard work the Admission Ceremony was very special, the icing on the cake.
Last year I was named Young Lawyer of the Year; the recognition is wonderful.
Where will your ambitions take you next?
The awards are giving me a brilliant platform for my career at Shakespeare Martineau. The firm has a great culture and emphasises personal development; I’m determined to be an associate within a couple of years.
In terms of the areas that interest me, I grew up on a farm so am really pleased to be part of the team developing our agriculture and rural affairs services.
What do you do outside work?
I help out on the family farm which involves rolling up my sleeves, driving tractors or looking after the animals. Being hands-on on the farm really helps me connect with my clients. I was recently approached about a faulty TB test and I really understood the implications.
And you’re walking to the Gold Coast?
Not literally! The firm has given us all a FitBit and we have a firm-wide challenge to walk to the Gold Coast in Australia. I’m definitely walking more now as a result and its really building up our team spirits during the Olympics!
What would you say to someone thinking of entering FirstPro?
Do it! Don’t hesitate!
I enjoy being part of the Young Professionals network and have made some great friends. The mentoring scheme has also been really valuable. It’s definitely worth getting involved.
Rachel Horner is Director of SFB Tax Solutions, part of the SFB Group. She set up the business unit in 2014 in response to a localised need for specialised tax advice.
How did it feel when your name was announced as the winner?
It was a complete surprise. I hadn’t expected it but I was absolutely delighted.
The response I got was lovely. People were very kind and I had plenty of congratulations. It was a really good feeling.
Tell us a little about your career.
I trained with one of the Big Four before going in-house to work for a FTSE Top 50 company, an international hotel group. I then moved back in to practice working with smaller businesses. It meant I had a really wide range of tax experience, from big corporate issues to those facing smaller businesses and their owners.
At the large corporate end you’re doing exciting big ticket, fast paced challenging work while working with owner managers is personal and incredibly satisfying. I love the combination.
Can you tell us a little about your team?
You’re only ever as good as your team and mine is superb. For the size of our firm we have an almost unique level of expertise able to provide really complex tax advice.
What are your ambitions now?
I want to grow the tax practice at SFB. I started with a small advisory team two years ago and we’ve since transformed ourselves into a sizeable practice. I want to continue to grow, taking on more staff and servicing more clients.
I also want to use the tax practice to win more clients for the SFB Group as a whole.
What do you think is the state of the Coventry and Warwickshire economy?
There is plenty of opportunity and we have some great businesses in our region.
Geographically we’re really well placed and have some real advantages over other parts of the country. We don’t have the high costs of the south but can access London easily; it takes us less than an hour to get there already and with HS2 it will get even ‘closer’. We’re also incredibly accessible to other parts of the country.
The biggest barrier we face in my work is perception. Too often people believe they can only get the expertise we offer from London firms. The result is they pay far more than they need to; we can offer it here, with higher levels of service and at far greater value.
What do you do outside work?
I’m a bit of a fitness fanatic. Spending time at the gym is my way of unwinding. I’m also a cinema buff and I love to travel – I always try and make it somewhere exotic!
Larry Coltman is a long-standing and highly respected litigation lawyer with his own Coventry-based practice.
We asked him about his win and his career.
How did it feel when you were recognized for your outstanding contribution?
It was lovely to be recognized in this way; I was very touched.
I’ve been around a long time and putting myself forward is not the sort of thing I tend to do so it was a complete surprise when I discovered I had been nominated by Louise Bennett.
Can you tell us a little about your career?
I came to Coventry to work with Warner Cranston, where I built up a full service office before we merged with a US practice in 2001 to become Reed Smith. When the practice moved to Solihull, we became Hill Hofstetter and I retained the debt recovery business in Coventry as Coltman Warner Cranston LLP.
I was President of the Chamber for two years, have been a governor of Coventry University and am now a governor of Coventry University College.
What’s your view of the local economy?
Brexit definitely has implications for our region, perhaps particularly JLR and its supply chain. Jaguars and Land Rovers are great cars and a lot are sold into the EU – I hope that continues to be the case.
I’m Chair of the Stratford and South Warwickshire Branch of the Chamber so I know many businesses, particularly those in the leisure, care and agriculture sectors are heavily dependent on migrant workers and are now concerned.
There are implications for my business too. Part of my practice relates to EU-related commercial agency work so there will definitely be some change and in the face of a recession businesses are cautious about extending credit so debt recovery work tightens. We are going to have to be flexible and adapt as our exit is negotiated and the situation evolves.
I’m perhaps a little pessimistic at the moment, but very much hoping I’m proved wrong.
You obviously have a number of roles around the region?
I’ve had a very good life so I think it’s particularly important to put something back.
There is a desperate need in the voluntary sector for all sorts of skills. The boards I’m on have a large number of new retirees; it’s a great way to bring your experience and skills to bear where they are really needed.
I’m also on the board of the Chamber and the board of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management. Fresh blood is crucial though so I’m always advocating new members join.
How do you unwind?
I used to run until last year, when my knees gave out training for the London Marathon.
I couldn’t do anything so took up cycling last March and now love it; 75-100 miles at a weekend isn’t unusual!
Business Development Director at Santander Corporate & Commercial, Ravinder Bagri has worked tirelessly to promote the bank’s commercial business offering, engaging with ambitious SME’s across Coventry & Warwickshire to help fuel their domestic and international growth aspirations.
Well-known, liked and respected within the West Midlands’ business networks, he was a natural winner of FirstPro Banking Professional.
We asked him how it felt to be named the winner of his category.
It was a mix of emotions – shock, surprise, excitement – but the overwhelming feeling was of being privileged and honoured, first to be nominated and then to have won.
What did your friends, family and colleagues say?
It’s been phenomenal. My friends and family were very proud and within Santander I was called and congratulated by members of the senior management team.
I posted the win on LinkedIn and Twitter and had a really positive response – there were lots of Likes and comments.
I was also really pleased with the profile the bank and our Corporate Business Centre in Coventry received from the win. It was good news for everyone!
Tell us a little about your career to date.
I’ve been in banking for over 27 years; first with the Nationwide Building Society for 25 years and Santander for the past 2½ years.
I joined Santander as Business Development Director covering Coventry and Warwickshire. My patch is now the Central Midlands, which includes Birmingham. I’ve loved developing my patch, constructing my own networks and moving into new markets.
Which are your proudest achievements?
I’m incredibly proud of winning FirstPro Banking Professional of the Year. It’s a high profile award and I feel honoured to have been nominated and then selected.
I’m also very proud of some of the things I’ve achieved in my day-to-day role. While at the Nationwide I set up a new business area, putting together the marketing strategy and building the team. Within 18 months we’d exceeded our targets and then won the Nationwide Building Society team of the year!
In Santander I was really pleased when they asked me to take on an extended geography. It was a testament of their confidence in me.
Where are you going from here?
I would like to develop an international role next, capitalizing on Santander’s European and global presence. The role doesn’t actually exist but I’m working on persuading my senior managers!
I don’t believe you should be put off by something as simple as the job not existing! If you’ve got a good idea you should develop it and put together a compelling business case.
And what’s your opinion of the regional economy?
We might be dealing with a lot of uncertainty right now but it’s important to remember the region itself has always been pretty robust.
We have some strong growing sectors, for example manufacturing, automotive, and advanced engineering and there has been a lot of Chinese investment coming into Coventry and Warwickshire in the past 12 months, which shows others are interested in our capabilities. I believe we will adapt to the new world outside the European Union and so am cautiously optimistic.
Do you have other roles in the region?
As a Sikh, making a contribution to the local community is very important to me so I get involved in a number of different things, including mentoring students at the Grace Academy and at the University.
How do you unwind?
I play golf, travel and of course love socialising with my family and friends.
