Chairman of Midlands Engine, Sir John Peace, has been revealed at the top of a highly respected panel of judges for this year’s Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (BYPY) awards – BPS Birmingham Future’s flagship event.
With a distinguished business career spanning technology, financial services and retail, the former Chief Executive and Founder of Experian led the seven-strong panel to identify and celebrate this year’s leading business professional services talent.
Sir John, who was knighted in 2011 for services to business and the voluntary sector, was joined on the panel by Ian Barnes, Chair of BPS Birmingham and Lead Partner at Deloitte; Lynda Brennan, Director of Human Resources at BNP Paribas Personal Finance; James Hall, Director at Associated Architects; Dave Maclean, Founder and CEO of Packt; Tara Tomes, Chair of BPS Birmingham Future and Managing Director of communications agency EAST VILLAGE.; Sue Summers, Chief Executive of Finance Birmingham; and Abby Corfan, winner of BYPY 2016 and Director of Marketing & Digital at City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Sir John, who is also Chairman of Standard Chartered and Burberry, said: “I think BYPY is very important to the city. If we’re going to be successful in the Midlands region – here in Birmingham particularly, one of Britain’s greatest cities – it’s about people, it’s about young people that are going to go on to do great things. So it’s a great privilege and honour to be chairing this panel.”
Mike Colledge, Committee Chair for BYPY 2017, said: “Each year the calibre of young talent that BYPY celebrates continues to impress and inspire, and it’s with great pride that during my year we have been able to match that with an inspirational panel of judges.
“Sir John’s role at the Midlands Engine gives him a significant role in shaping the future of the region and we are therefore honoured to have his knowledge and insight around the judging table.
“Sir John’s willingness to give his time to be this year’s Chair of Judges is not only a high profile recognition and endorsement of young professional talent but the continuing importance and influence of BYPY.
“The panel’s outstanding commercial pedigree and Sir John’s experience at the top of global FTSE100 companies gives our finalists world-class recognition of their success.”
Judging across the six award categories – Finance; HR, Recruitment and Training; Legal; Marketing and Communications; Property and Construction; and Technology – has already taken place, with the winners in each category, as well as the overall winner and those shortlisted for Aspiring Talent and Inspiring Leader, to be revealed at the city’s most significant awards ceremony on Thursday 18th May.
This year’s event is being supported by Headline Sponsor Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet).
Tickets for BYPY, which is being held at the ICC Birmingham on Thursday 18th May, can be booked at: http://bpsbirmingham.co.uk/byp
