Last night (22 March) around 30 of Coventry and Warwickshire’s young professionals got together for a curry night at The Stag and Pheasant in Coventry.
As many of you will know, former Young Professionals Chair Gus Bhandal now runs the pub and restaurant, so it was great to see that things are still going well for him.
The Stag and Pheasant has a locally-renowned Indian restaurant inside. The food was absolutely wonderful and, in my humble opinion, the best chicken tikka pathia I’ve had anywhere in Coventry! The winner of the evening once again though was their famous chili cheese nan. Gus confirmed that the chef at The Stag and Pheasant actually came up with the concept and the happy sound of eating could be heard all round.
It was good to see so many people from Wright Hassall attend the event. We also had representation from companies such as Lodders, The RSC, Aston Martin, JLR, Handelsbanken, HCB Group, Legal & General, Shakespeares, Cranfield and Alsters Kelly.
We were delighted to see Grace Morton from Morton’s Vintage Hire as well. She first came to one of our events for the Myton Hospice Quiz last Summer, and it was good to hear that things are going well for the business. We hope she’ll come back again soon.
The conversation was mostly about the First Pro and the return of the Young Professionals vs Young Lawyers rounders match this Summer. This year’s First Pro Awards are taking place on April 21st so if you’ve not yet booked your seat I’d advise doing so as soon as possible. It’s always a lovely event.
As for the rounders the date will be announced soon!
The next Young Professionals event will be held on Thursday 7 April at Leif in Leamington Spa. This will be one of our Thirsty Thursday networking events. If you’d like to come along please register so we know to expect you. All the Thirsty Thursday events are free to attend (just purchase your own drinks at the bar) and open to any young professional in the Coventry and Warwickshire area.
The thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are those of Chrissie Elliot-Duxson (or guest contributors) and do not necessarily reflect those of Coventry and Warwickshire First. All content on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of the blog is not responsible for content found by following any link on this site.
We are delighted to announce that earlier this month our very own Young Professionals Charity Officer, Paige Howitt, won the Charity Fundraiser of the Year award at the Plus One Personnel Warwickshire awards.
Over the past few years Paige has been an avid fundraiser for Myton Hospice, often as part of the Young Professionals ‘Charity of the year’ fundraising activities.
Personally, Paige has been involved in a skydive and several walks, whilst with the young professionals Paige has been instrumental in sourcing raffle prizes for the monthly TT charity raffle, communicating with Myton Hospice and suggesting many different fundraising activities. Paige has managed to get us some fantastic prizes including Nuffield Health Gym Membership, Wasps and Ice Hockey tickets, tickets to West Midlands Safari Park and a picnic hamper from John Lewis.
In the past 12 months all the young professionals, both the committee and some of our members, have raised money for Myton Hospice by doing the Wolf Run, Moonlight Walk, a charity quiz and volunteering at Myton’s events. Dan Smith, who is joint Charity Officer for young professionals with Paige, said “All the young professionals are really passionate about giving something back to the community. It’s nice to have an impact locally with the group, as well as making contacts and friends”.
Paige was delighted to receive her award and said “It was an honour to receive the award at Warwick Castle. I accepted the award on behalf of all of the CWFYP’s as without them the fundraising wouldn’t be possible”.
If you’re interested in helping us raise funds for Myton Hospice please contact Paige at paige.howitt@dafferns.com. Or to be in with a chance of winning one of the fantastic prizes sourced by Paige, be sure to come along to our next Thirsty Thursday event.
The thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are those of Chrissie Elliot-Duxson (or guest contributors) and do not necessarily reflect those of Coventry and Warwickshire First. All content on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of the blog is not responsible for content found by following any link on this site.
February’s young professionals Thirsty Thursday event took place at the Standard Triumph Club in Coventry and was followed by the Insurance Institute of Coventry’s (IIC) annual quiz night.
This year we were pleased to enter three teams into the quiz and, although we didn’t make it into the top spot, we’re pleased to say that we didn’t come last! The three teams were made up of young professionals from Band Hatton Button, Legal and General, HCB Group, The University of Warwick, Lodders, Aston Martin and Wright Hassall.
It was great to see two new members come along from Band Hatton Button and we hope to see them again soon.
The young professionals support many of the IIC events, not least because one of our members, Michelle Varney, is heavily involved with the IIC committee and we like to give her the same support she’s always given us. A particular favourite IIC event for the young professionals is their Summer Ball which takes place at the Guildhall in Coventry.
The thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are those of Chrissie Elliot-Duxson (or guest contributors) and do not necessarily reflect those of Coventry and Warwickshire First. All content on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of the blog is not responsible for content found by following any link on this site.
Role on Young Professionals Committee– Mentor Scheme Coordinator
Age– 25
Company– Wright Hassall
Kelly joined the Young Professionals Committee just under a year ago. She has recently taken over coordination of the Coventry and Warwickshire First mentoring scheme from Carl Malcolm, and will be key in administering the next round of mentor and mentee applications and pairings. I caught up with her to see what she likes about being part of Coventry and Warwickshire First Young Professionals and what advice she has on getting a training contract.
Q What does your current job involve?
I assist with a range of commercial litigation disputes including contentious probate matters, Court of Protection matters and professional negligence claims. I regularly assists with research into Inheritance Act claims and the removal of Executor matters.
Q And what’s your next step professionally?
To commence my 2 year training contract at Wright Hassall LLP which is secured for 2017.
Q Was it difficult finding a training contract and what advice would you give to anyone who’s currently looking for one?
It was difficult securing a training contract because of how few training contracts there are compared to the number of prospective trainees. The best advice would be to think carefully about the areas of law you’re interested in, devise a list and work through it. Know when deadlines for applications are and ensure you have enough time to complete the application to a good standard. Practice makes perfect!
Q What’s the best way to start a conversation with you?
I love animals and think they are always a great ice breaker. I have a 4 year old working cocker-spaniel dog called Norris.
Q What inspired you to get involved with young professionals?
I first heard about CWFYP when I started working for Wright Hassall LLP in December 2014. I had never worked in the area before and so wanted to meet new people, expand my professional network and attend fun networking events. For me, it has been a fantastic way to get to know people in the area.
Q What do you like to do outside work?
I enjoy attending and trying different types of fitness classes such as aerial silk, aerial hoop and pole fitness.
Q Tell us something interesting or unusual about you?
I have been vegetarian for over 10 years but still quite like a packet of chicken flavoured crisps, they are vegetarian!
So that’s Kelly! If you’re interested in being part of the next round of the mentor scheme please email Kelly (Kelly.Schofield@wrighthassall.co.uk) and she can keep you updated on when applications will be open.
The thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are those of Chrissie Elliot-Duxson (or guest contributors) and do not necessarily reflect those of Coventry and Warwickshire First. All content on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of the blog is not responsible for content found by following any link on this site.
Before throwing myself into 2016 I paused to take a look back at some of the highlights of being a member of Coventry and Warwickshire First Young Professionals in 2015.
The re-launch of the mentoring scheme
March 2015 saw the re-launch of the C&W First mentoring scheme. The scheme was first launched by Michelle Vincent when she was Chair of the Young Professionals a few years ago. The new re-invigorated scheme saw 10 mentors paired up with 10 mentees. Mentee Sophie Breeze of Dafferns said “I’ve enjoyed meeting my mentor; the informal setting made it easy to chat and get to know each other. I’ve also met her at more formal networking events and having already developed the relationship has really helped on these occasions.
Martyn Howard, Carl Malcolm and Andrew Smith at the mentoring scheme launch dinner
Charity of the year
For the first time in 2015 Young Professionals adopted a charity of the year, Myton Hospice. Undertaking the fundraising activities together as a committee has helped us build relationships within the committee team, and we’ve had lots of fun whilst helping a great cause. Events have included the Wolf Run, Moonlight Walk, and a monthly raffle. Our final total raised in 2015 will be revealed shortly!
A very muddy group of young professionals post-run
Our Myton Hospice Moonlight Walk team
Carl Malcolm winning Young Professional of the Year
We were all thrilled to see Carl win this award after all his hard work during his year as Chair of the Young Professionals group. One of the highlights of his Chairmanship was the reinvigoration of the mentoring programme, and he’s also raised money for various charities. Carl said “This is absolutely fantastic, it’s a huge privilege and I’m really grateful”.
Carl Malcolm wins Young Professional of the Year 2015
Social events and meeting new faces
We’ve had some great social events year including a table football tournament, a quiz and a rounder’s battle against the Young Lawyers. There are always new faces at the events and I’m pleased to say that after attending Young Professionals events for the past four years some of the people I’ve met have become real friends as well as mentors and colleagues.
The SFB team battle it out at table football
Anyone for rounders?
Some of my other Young Professionals highlights this year included seeing our former committee member and Chair Gus Bhandal open his own pub, committee member Jodi Pearson had the first YP committee baby, committee member Kelly Schofield secured a training contract, and Sal Khan and Sophie Breeze passed all their exams to become fully qualified accountants. On top of that we continued to see numerous young professional weddings and engagements. In fact there are so many new achievements each time I see the Young Professionals I can’t list them all!
Here’s to another successful year in 2016 (and I’m secretly hoping this is the year we beat the Young Lawyers at rounder’s!)
The thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are those of Chrissie Elliot-Duxson (or guest contributors) and do not necessarily reflect those of Coventry and Warwickshire First. All content on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of the blog is not responsible for content found by following any link on this site.
The Young Professionals annual Christmas party took place last Friday 4th December at Le Bistrot Pierre in Leamington Spa. We started at The Royal Pug and, following the meal at Le Bistrot Pierre, carried on to Bedford Street Bar for some classic tunes and live music.
I think I speak for everyone when I say that the dessert was by far the best part. Those of us who had ordered sticky toffee pudding were delivered a piece the size of a large car washing sponge!
It was great to catch up with colleagues from a wide range of local businesses including Wright Hassall, Stewart Fletcher Barrett, HCB, Mander Hadley, JLR and Handelsbanken. It was also really nice to meet Sophie Breeze and Jack Wright, both from Dafferns, and we hope they’ll continue to come to Young Professionals events in the New Year.
Another highlight of the evening was seeing Jodi Pearson, our committee member who is currently on maternity leave having had baby Tom earlier in the year, and her husband Rob. We’ve all been missing Jodi and are looking forward to having her back in mid-2016.
The Christmas social was our last Young Professionals event of 2015 but we’ll be back with a New Year Thirsty Thursday in January. If you’re not on our mailing list please do email me C.A.Duxson@warwick.ac.uk
The thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are those of Chrissie Elliot-Duxson (or guest contributors) and do not necessarily reflect those of Coventry and Warwickshire First. All content on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of the blog is not responsible for content found by following any link on this site.
On bonfire night we held this month’s Young Professionals ‘Thirsty Thursday’ networking event. This month we were delighted to hold it at former committee member Gus Bhandal’s new pub, The Stag and Pheasant on Lockhurst Lane. As I wrote previously, Gus has just left his 9-5 job working for Warwickshire Investment Partnership to take on his lifelong ambition of becoming a pub landlord. Everyone who attended the event was delighted to be supporting Gus’ new venture, and the pub looked great sporting three big screen TVs, two pool tables and a table football table.
There were attendees from a wide range of Coventry and Warwickshire businesses including Burrows Scarborough, Mander Hadley and Cranfield, but we particularly enjoyed welcoming Alice from Stewart Fletcher Barrett to her first Thirsty Thursday event. Alice also won the champagne business card draw so we hope that will be incentive enough for her to come back to our next event.
As well as being a pub the Stag and Pheasant also serves locally-renowned Indian food. Their signature dish is chilli cheese naan, and it was just as good, if not better, than he had raved.
Gus looked very much at home behind the bar, and despite now working until 1am 7 days a week, he says he’s enjoying every minute. We very much miss him on the young professionals committee but are really pleased to see an old friend make a great success of a new business.
Our next young professionals event will be our Christmas party on Friday 4 December at Le Bistrot Pierre in Leamington Spa. If you’re not on our mailing list but would like to attend, please email Holly Brain hollybrain@hcbaccountants.com as soon as possible for more information.
The thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are those of Chrissie Elliot-Duxson (or guest contributors) and do not necessarily reflect those of Coventry and Warwickshire First. All content on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of the blog is not responsible for content found by following any link on this site.
On Tuesday 3 November we held a Halloween themed quiz in aid of our chosen charity, Myton Hospice.
We’re delighted to announce that with the team entry fees and raffle takings combined, we raised a fantastic £611 to add to our running total for 2015.
10 teams turned up to the offices of Stewart Fletcher Barrett in Nuneaton to exorcise their quiz demons and become the pride of Frankenstein (sorry, no more puns I promise!).
Poppleton and Appleby, who were actually a man down, won the quiz, with teams from Cranfield and Wright Hassall coming in joint second. Bringing up the rear, the team from Leigh Christou walked away with a set of wooden spoons.
The raffle was certainly a highlight of the evening, with some great prizes including tobogganing at the Snow Dome, John Lewis vouchers and paint balling for 10.
I’m sure all the attendees would like to thank YP committee member Paige Howitt for organising the evening, as well as her glamorous assistant Holly Brain. We’d certainly like to thank everyone who came for continuing to support both our young professionals group and Myton Hospice.
Our next event is on 5 November at 5.30pm and is our monthly Thirsty Thursday event. This month it will be held at The Stag and Pheasant pub on Lockhurst Lane, Coventry, and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.
The thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are those of Chrissie Duxson (or guest contributors) and do not necessarily reflect those of Coventry and Warwickshire First. All content on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of the blog is not responsible for content found by following any link on this site.
Cheryll Rawbone, Chair of Arthur J Gallagher in Coventry, began mentoring a young PR professional in April. Speaking about our mentoring scheme she said: “Looking back I would have really appreciated the opportunity to have a sounding board in the early part of my career so it’s a pleasure to be able to do that for a young professional.
“This process empowers the young professionals involved. It helps them develop a structured career plan against which they can make progress.
“My mentee has benefitted from getting the perspective of an employer and seeing a reflection of the way they portray themselves but I’ve also learnt from hearing her perspective and giving her the space to try out her ideas.
“It’s an incredibly rewarding and interesting process.”
Gus is the longest running member of the Young Professionals committee. He’s a former Chair of the group and has also been shortlisted twice for different awards at the First Pro. Here we get to know him a little better in our latest ‘Spotlight On’ interview and find out that he’s about to take his career in a very different direction.
Q: What does your job involve?
The main part of the role, using Warwickshire’s largest property database, is to find the right commercial premises for businesses looking to relocate to or expand within Warwickshire.
Q: I see from your LinkedIn profile that you’re also an AME Inward Investment Specialist for Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub. What does that involve?
As the advanced manufacturing and engineering (AME) sector is the largest sector in the area, thanks to companies including Jaguar Land Rover, BMW and Aston Martin, part of my role is to specifically support companies throughout the supply chain which are looking to grow or move into Warwickshire, to be part of this continually growing business cluster.
Q: What’s been your greatest career achievement so far?
I have been involved in a whole range of projects from supporting global companies to expand their operations to organising key large-scale events such as the Warwickshire Expo or Driving Technological Change Conference – it would be too hard to pick one, but only because all my achievements are so varied!
Q: I hear you have an exciting and very different career move in the pipeline. Can you tell us any more about that?
Yes, I am imminently undertaking a huge change of career – I am leaving the Council to run my own pub! As of mid-October, I will be the new landlord (now known as the designated premises supervisor) at the Stag & Pheasant pub in north Coventry – a traditional local pub which also serves Indian food, including our famous chilli cheese naan!
Q: What sorts of CPD activities have you organised with the Young Professionals?
Alongside my YP colleagues, I managed a range of seminars focussed on professional development for my fellow young professionals, with exclusive guest presenters providing information on a range of topics. These included how to present to an audience, managing difficult conversations, network skills and making the most of professional social media.
Q: What advice would you give to anyone looking for their next career move?
I think the most important thing is not to wait for opportunities – one of my favourite mottos is “if your ship never comes in, then swim out to it”. Don’t be afraid to try something new or challenging, mainly to keep your brain engaged and stimulated!
Q: Tell us something interesting or unusual about yourself.
Where do I start? I’ve been to four George Michael concerts; I’m on the verge of winning an amateur go-karting championship for the second time; and I once played golf with loads of old Formula One stars including Nigel Mansell!
Q: Finally, what are your hobbies?
My main hobby is definitely outdoor karting, although I think my new hobby will be learning out to pull a decent pint!
The thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are those of Chrissie Duxson (or guest contributors) and do not necessarily reflect those of Coventry and Warwickshire First. All content on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of the blog is not responsible for content found by following any link on this site.
