My Experience
Volunteering
Strategic Employment Board
University College BirminghamThe board is comprised of senior representatives from key sectors aligned to our curriculum development and our focus on delivering education that provides the right skills and opportunities for our students and for industry. We are committed to our students and our region, and the strategic employer board, together with our other direct employer interactions, will ensure that the University’s ongoing and future developments are relevant, responsive, and innovative in meeting the needs of industry.
Chairman and Trustee
Birmingham Youth Sports Academy (BYSA)Award in recognition of 150th Donation of Blood and Plasma
Member Board of Trustees
Birmingham City Football Club FoundationBased at St. Andrew’s Stadium, Birmingham City FC Foundation is an independent Charity (Number 1086631) that has been working in the Birmingham and Solihull community since September 2000. The Foundation is financially independent from the football club and is governed by a Board of Trustees but we use the brand of BCFC to encourage participation, build community cohesion and help local people to achieve and be successful. We recognise that sport can play a key role in addressing local and national issues including obesity, mental health and wellbeing, employment and educational attainment and antisocial behaviour/ crime reduction.
Member of The Advisory Board
Birmingham City University Business SchoolThe central purpose of the Advisory Board will be to provide advice, guidance and support to the Director of School and other senior colleagues within the School, helping the School achieve its vision and strategic objectives. The make-up and membership of the Board will help ensure that the School can operate as a leading school in its approach to meeting the needs of the employers and other stakeholders, in the UK and overseas. It is hoped that members of the Board will, individually and collectively, contribute to communication and endorsement of the School’s work and, thereby, help raise the profile and reputation of the School.
Vice President
Acorns Children's HospiceEstablished in 1988, Acorns provide care for babies, children and young people from 0-18 with life limiting or life threatening conditions and support for their families. In the last year, we have supported over 800 children and more than 1,030 families, including those who are bereaved across Birmingham, Coventry & Warwickshire, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Staffordshire and Shropshire regions.
Council Member
Greater Birmingham Chamber of CommerceI volunteered as a council member for the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce between February 2017 and October 2021
Board Member
St BasilsSt Basils works with young people to enable them to find and keep a home, grow their confidence, develop their skills, increase opportunities and prevent homelessness.
Ambassador
Sport 4 Life UKWe believe in giving young people the opportunity to create a better future for themselves. Sport 4 Life UK is here to help young people (aged 11 to 29) move into sustained education, training and work through sports-themed personal development.
Ambassador
Changes UKChanges UK has been helping people find a life of hope and purpose through our recovery programme for over a decade.Our success is in our approach, every member of our qualified support team are in recovery and understand that abstaining from drugs and alcohol is just the beginning of building a new life free from addiction.
Vice Chair
World Against Single Use Plastic - WASUPI am the Vice Chair to wonderful Professor A R Gatrad, OBE PhD DSc(Hon) FRCP, FRCPH, MbChB LRCP MRCS D.Obst DCH is a Consultant Pediatrician at the Manor Hospital in Walsall UK, Senior Lecturer at the University of Birmingham and also an Honorary Professor at the University Wolverhampton and Kentucky USA. He has been a Clinical Director for Paediatric Services in Walsall and subsequently Post Graduate Tutor. He holds a National Award for Clinical Excellence.
Governor
PET-Xi TrainingPET-Xi - a high-energy training specialist whose training teams have helped over 175,000 people unlock their potential and achieve their training goals since its inception in 1995. Coventry Telegraph Company of the Year, PET-Xi is known across the UK for its relentlessly upbeat training teams and ability to deliver results.
Patron
EmployabilityUKThe mission of EmployabilityUK is to facilitate employer engagement to enhance the aspirations, opportunities and career prospects of enthusiastic and committed young people. As an education charity, we believe the best way to bring sustainable employer engagement and first class professional employability skills to schools, colleges and youth organisations is by working with them to understand their individual needs and the aspirations of their learners and their parents. We offer support and fresh ideas, ensuring they can offer the very best employability skills training with practical experience.
Chair Person
Downtown in BusinessAn unpaid volunteer for Downtown in Business across the Birmingham region.
Experience
Walk Through Walls
Aug 2023 - PresentWalk Through Walls is a team of world-class experts from diverse backgrounds, including media, politics, business, public affairs, and large event delivery. With strong roots in the Midlands, our sector knowledge and specialist expertise enable us to deliver informed advice that drives client success.
Starting Point Recruitment
April 2023 - PresentAt Starting Point Recruitment (SPR), we are proud of our unique approach that breaks the mould of traditional recruitment agencies: 100% of our profits are donated to employment support projects that help to positively transform the lives of local people!
The Technology Supply Chain
November 2020 - PresentThe Technology Supply Chain is a membership organisation for manufacturing, engineering, technology and professional service companies. Discover the well-hidden grants, funded projects and new opportunities which will help your business to grow.
The Innovation Awards
Jan 2020 - PresentThe Innovation Awards celebrate UK-based individuals, businesses, and organisations driving innovation. Categories include Innovators, Individual Innovators, Innovation Champions, and Innovation Thought Leaders. Nominees are shortlisted by judges, with finalists voted on publicly.
Birmingham City University
August 2019 - PresentAs a Professor in Entrepreneurship for the Faculty of Business, Law and Social sciences. With around 26,500 students from 80 countries, Birmingham City University is a large and diverse place to study. We put students at the heart of everything we do, giving them the best opportunities for future success. The University has an enviable reputation for providing quality, student-focused education in a professional and friendly environment.
PHTA
January 2023 - PresentThe Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA) is a business innovation facility that will soon occupy the top three floors of No.1 BHIC – the flagship building of the ambitious Birmingham Health Innovation Campus which is being delivered in partnership with Bruntwood SciTech. Providing approximately 70,000 square feet of state-of-the-art incubation and collaboration space, PHTA is a catalyst for health and life science businesses to succeed.
Intercity
February 2023 - PresentRunning a business is hard enough without technology problems. We’ll help your people Do More by expanding your IT capabilities and providing a safe pair of hands, when and wherever you need us. Tech is so much more than a tool - it’s about making amazing things happen. Tech is ensuring a hospital can access vital patient information or a charity being able to communicate in the remotest parts of the world.
St James Clinics
February 2022 - PresentHere at St. James Clinics we offer state of the art treatments. What we offer is an integrative solutions in the field of natural health and wellness using cutting edge technology with the sole aim to benefit and enhance your wellness and health to optimum quality of life (QOL) levels.
Genesis Momentum Ltd
January 2018 - PresentGenesis Momentum is a manufacturer and service provider in the automotive and mobility sectors. It was set up and is structured to deliver consultancy, currency transfer, supercars, pop-up factories and a myriad of electric vehicle services.
IoD West Midlands
February 2014 - PresentThe Institute of Directors (IoD) was founded in 1903 and within three years we were awarded a Royal Charter to support, represent and set standards for business leaders nationwide. We remain deeply proud of our Royal Charter and it stays at the forefront of everything we do as an organisation. You will find us in the heart of all major cities and we continue to represent your point of view as a business leader both locally and nationally. Our objective is to ensure your views are taken into account when the government is reviewing policy, legislation or seeking the opinions of the wider business community.
The Lunar Society
February 2018 - PresentBirmingham, England, United Kingdom. Like its illustrious 18th century predecessor, the Society provides a lively forum for its membership to influence change through stimulating ideas, broadening debate and catalysing action.
Black Country Chamber
March 2015 - Feb 2019The role of the Consultative Forum is to cover the following. Encourage and facilitate effective dialogue and collaboration between Chamber and local partners and members. To propose and develop projects intended to provide long term solutions to problems affecting the economic, social and environmental welfare of the Black Country and to remove barriers to economic growth. Encourage members to participate in the Chamber’s policy groups and make an effective contribution to the achievement of the Chamber’s objectives. To provide advice and guidance to the Board on strategy.
Futura Design & Engineering
July 2012 - November 2016Appointed by the board to execute business turnaround for Futura Design, which was signified by declining revenues, profits and a lack of product/service developments. Divested from loss making activities in the Black country and strategically re-positioned company in Warwickshire . Fostered enterprise wide vision to instil a new sense of direction, revised overall cost structure and heightened profits, energised growth in domestic and international markets, which led to confidence in the financial community
Birmingham Tech
June 2019 - November 2023The independent voice of the West Midlands tech sector and ecosystem.
Education
Birmingham City University
Doctorate of the UniversityThe training provided by universities in order to prepare people to work in various sectors of the economy or areas of culture.
University College Birmingham
Professor and Fellow of the UniversityHigher education is tertiary education leading to award of an academic degree. Higher education, also called post-secondary education.
Birmingham City University
ProfessorGoogle’s hiring process is an important part of our culture. Googlers care deeply about their teams and the people who make them up.
Royal Society of Arts
FellowThe royal society for the encouragement of arts, manufactures and commerce has been at the forefront of significant social impact since 1754: Where world-leading ideas are turned into world-changing actions.
Accolades
Silver Armed Forces Covenant
Issued by Military of Defence
Honoured to accept the Silver Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of BYSA (Birmingham Youth Sports Academy).
Also, during my time as CEO at Starting Point Recruitment we also received the Silver Armed Forces Covenant.
150th Plasma Donation Award
Issued by NHS Blood and TransplantAward in recognition of 150th Donation of Blood and Plasma
The John Simpkin lifetime award
Issued by Birmingham Rugby LeagueTo be acknowledged with the John Simpkins Lifetime Achievement Award is a true testament to the dedication and hard work that goes into not only playing the game but also fostering a positive and inclusive environment within the Rugby League community. It is a reminder that the impact we make off the field is just as important as our performance on it.
NED of the Year 2023
Issued by Institute of DirectorsThe IOD Non-Executive Director of the year - 2023 Awards Sept 2023
Community Champion 2023
Issued by Birmingham Youth & Sports AcademyFor support of the local community in promoting inclusive sports and education and supporting in the founding of the Ackers Hub Small heath Birmingham
Business Personality of the Year
Nachural AwardsI was proud to have been awarded Business Personality of the Year in 2017.
Excellence in Diversity / Inclusion
Issued by Signature AwardsThe Signature Awards will celebrate the best in business and especially those operating in the business to business sector including the professions.
Corporate Responsibility Award
Associated with Birmingham City UniversityAward for support of ANJ and my work within the community and Business
Community Champion 2022
Issued by Birmingham youth and Sports AcademyRecognition for my support of BYSA and its work with our community.
Outstanding Citizens Award
Issued by West Midland Police and Crime CommissionerAs Co- Chair of Birmingham youth and Sports Academy (BYSA) received The outstanding Citizens award
Brummie of the year 2021
Issued by Birmingham awardsHaving been born and bred in Birmingham, he displays many characteristics that resonate with the spirit and culture of our great city.