Top business awards on the hunt for the city’s most talented young professionals

Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (BYPY) has opened nominations for the 2011 awards.

The awards which are organised by Birmingham Future were launched in 2001 to celebrate individual talent in the city’s business and financial services sector.  In the last decade ten young professionals have won the prestigious accolade, and last year saw James Villarreal of Glide Utilities become the first contender from the Entrepreneurial category to be awarded the title.

This year marks the beginning of a new decade for the awards and also the introduction of e-nomination forms. Open to young professionals aged 35 or under entries are invited in six categories: communications; entrepreneurial; financial services; legal; property and construction; and HR, recruitment and training.

Bina Ganatra, relationship manager at Lloyds Banking Group and chairman of the BYPY committee said:
“We’re excited to begin searching for a 2011 winner to help us begin this new decade of activity. Over the previous ten years we’ve received some amazing entries and have an impressive roll of honour which is testament not only the high calibre of Birmingham professionals, but also the ever increasing reputation of the awards themselves.”

“Birmingham is brimming with talented young professionals and we urge them all to consider putting themselves or colleagues forward. We’re looking for someone who not only possesses an impressive professional portfolio, but also demonstrates a real connection with Birmingham and an active interest in the future of the city.”

“All of our category finalists benefit from great opportunities and recognition and this year we’ve developed a new e-nomination form to help make entering even easier.”

The new 2011 winner will join an impressive group of outstanding professionals including Gary Taylor, joint MD of Argent, Karl George, MD of Andersons KBS, Chris Robertson, partner at Deloitte, Victoria Garrad, partner at HBJ Gateley Wareing, Stef Lewandowski, web entrepreneur, Ruth Pipkin, managing director of Rewired PR, Clare Edwards, consultant, formerly part of the Learning and Skills Council, Anthony McCourt, Director of The Cube, Suzie Branch, client services director of BHMG Marketing Services and James Villarreal of Glide Utilities. 

Last year saw record numbers attend the tenth anniversary of the awards and the BYPY 2011 winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony at the ICC on 19th May.

E-nomination forms are now available from the BYPY website, www.birminghamyoungprofessional.co.uk and entries must be received no later than 23rd February.