More than just business... Spring 2020

A Day in the District The Lowdown Movers & Shakers People & Places

In this issue: Clean Air Zone: Are you ready for the changes? Raise a glass to the District’s pubs

The rise of co-working offices SPRINGcolmorebusinessdistrict.com 2020 1

THE BID TEAM Michele Wilby Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Bryce Operations Manager SPRING 2020 Claire J.Smith HIGHLIGHTS Executive Assistant and Office Manager Katy Paddock Events Manager New look for Paul Street Strategic Projects Officer Livery Street Lisa Richards Finance Officer Mike Mounfield Projects Manager Lee Stirrup Database Officer 5 John-Jo Von Johnson Street Operations Manager The Interview: Aaron Franklyn-Payne Deb Leary Security Supervisor Ryan Boothe Security Officer James Crooks Henok Moreno, Assistant Security Officer Manager and Bar Samantha Birch Co-ordinator, Pincho’s, Security Officer 12 Edmund Street, creates a ‘Henok’s Secret’ cocktail. Nicole Panayiotou Recipe: Page 21 Ambassador Food & Drink: CONTACT The Colmore Colmore BID 37a Waterloo Street, Welcome... B2 5TJ I can’t recall a time when the Business District skyline experienced such Mail: [email protected] dramatic changes. colmorebusinessdistrict.com Construction work on 103 continues at a pace with the first glass panels slotting in to position. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn 1 6 and Instagram: ColmoreBID Paradise has welcomed its first tenants with PwC relocating to its new offices to One Chamberlain Square. No doubt they will be among the first to try the After Hours: new Dishoom restaurant when that opens in the same building this spring. And last, but by no means least, Three – an awesome sight on the Ross Fittall skyline as you approach the District from Constitution Hill – will be the new home for thousands of BT staff after the telecoms giant announced its plans for a new HQ in the building. FOR COLMORE These are exciting times for Business District companies. LIFE MAGAZINE We’ve also announced exciting changes at the BID with Nicola Fleet-Milne taking over from Gary Cardin the role of Chair. I’d like to pass on my heartfelt thanks to Gary for his incredible Stacey Barnfield Editor work over the last decade. I’m now looking forward to working 30 with Nicola progressing the many long-lasting improvements to Mail: [email protected] the area Gary helped put in place. Designed by: People & Places We touch on this, along with all the regular Movers & Shakers, Edwin Ellis Creative Media Food & Drink, Property News and Wellbeing updates in this issue 4th Floor, , events pictures of Colmore Life, along with a great interview with Deb Leary 2-6 Colmore Row, of Forensic Pathways, who works tirelessly for Birmingham Birmingham B3 2QD edwinelliscreativemedia.com businesses by opening doors to international trade. I hope you enjoy this edition and I’ll see you out and Colmore Life magazine is printed about in Colmore Business District. on environmentally, socially and Michele Wilby, Chief Executive Officer,Colmore BID economically viable paper stock certified by FSC. 32

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DID YOU KNOW? Business District companies donated 830 kg of food, almost 2,000 meals, to the B30 Foodbank. The Foodbank, a voluntary organisation supported by the Trussell Trust, has seen a 26% increase in use over the last year, making 2019 its busiest year. Thankyou! A DAY IN THE DISTRICT DAY OFF WORK? STICK AROUND, THERE’S PLENTY TO SEE AND DO

1 BREAKFAST 2 TO THE SHOPS 3 ME TIME 4 LUNCH JAVA ROASTERY CROCKETT & JONES THE STYLE LOUNGE GUSTO Java Roastery prides itself on Follow in the footsteps of HAIR & NAIL SALON Dine under fairy lights at this designing beautiful coffee James Bond and invest in Take time out and pamper elegant Italian restaurant houses and the one in Colmore luxury footwear from one of yourself at The Style Lounge. which prides itself on its fresh Row is no exception. the world’s finest shoemakers. As well as cuts, colours, ingredients. Relax in the Grade 1-listed 007 sported Crockett & Jones’ blow-dries and nails this salon How about trying Gusto Arts & Crafts building with one timeless styles in both Skyfall specialises in bridal hair and dough petals with garlic and of its unique coffee blends or a and Spectre. make-up and offers wedding parsley (£4.85) for starters, refreshing smoothie. Head to its Colmore Row shop and hen party packages. followed by Milanese Saffron Breakfast options include for men’s and women’s shoes, They even have a mobile risotto (£13.95) or a classic omelettes, egg muffins and accessories, house slippers and service to help take the pressure Italian pizza from £9.85? toast from £4. driving shoes. off on the big day too. Unit 10, The Grand Hotel, 124 Colmore Row 25 Colmore Row Kiosk 2, 35 Livery Place, Livery St Colmore Row 3

LIVERY ST

COLMORE 2 CIRCUS 4

CORNWALL ST BULL ST CHURCH ST

NEWHALL ST

EDMUND ST

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1 COLMORE ROW 6

WATERLOO ST

5 SEE THE SIGHTS 6 ONE FOR THE ROAD THE OLD JOINT STOCK PUB & THEATRE THEATRIX This gem of a pub and theatre has a treat in store for grown-up Harry Housed in an iconic Grade II listed building Theatrix is a bar, Potter fans. Voldemort and The Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody is restaurant and entertainment venue overlooking Victoria Square. a comedy inspired by the idea of the dark wizard’s teen years. By day it’s a relaxed place to enjoy cocktails with friends. At night The musical adventure follows ‘Voldemort’ as he learns the ways you can party into the early hours at its club which on Fridays and of love, proper snake maintenance and The Unforgiveable Curses. Saturdays hosts free live shows and music. Until Mar 1, Tickets:£20-£23. 4 Temple Row West 130 Colmore Row

SPRING 2020 3 Collated by Stacey Barnfield Email: [email protected]

DID YOU KNOW? Following its rebrand the city office of professional services group Gateley donated boxes of notepads and Lowdownpens to Holyhead School in Handsworth where pupils set-up a stationery shop to make everyday school items more affordable.

outdoor photography exhibition showing the work of Birmingham All change at Colmore BID as photographer Phyllis Nicklin. The Safe and Sound working group Chair stands down after 10 years delivers projects to keep those who work in and visit the District safe and secure, day and night, with a PROPERTY AGENCY Street Operations Team consisting of OWNER NICOLA TAKES Security Officers and an Ambassador. OVER AFTER 7 YEARS ON Commenting on her appointment, Ms Fleet-Milne said: “I would like to COLMORE BID BOARD pay special tribute to Gary Cardin, who has done an extraordinary job Lettings and estate agency owner steering the BID since its launch back Nicola Fleet-Milne has been in 2008. appointed the new Chair of Colmore “Gary should look back on the last BID after receiving the overwhelming decade with a sense of achievement backing of the BID’s Board of after leading a whole host of legacy Directors. projects such as Church Street Square Ms Fleet-Milne, who owns a and ongoing events like Colmore residential property agency on Food Festival. Colmore Row, has been a Director “My time as Chair comes during an on the Board for seven years. exciting period for Colmore Business She replaces property consultant District with Gary Cardin, who stood down in continuing to reach for the sky, the December after chairing Colmore BID announcement that BT will be basing since its inception in 2008. thousands of staff at Three Snowhill Alex Tross, Director – Head of Office and the huge Paradise regeneration Advisory, Birmingham – at property scheme taking shape. I look forward consultancy LSH and Paul Fielding, to working with these companies and Chartered Wealth Manager at employees in the coming months. Brewin Dolphin, have been “We will continue to grow our busy appointed joint Deputy events schedule, our Safe and Sound Chairs of the BID. ambassador presence to reflect the Colmore Business changing face of the BID and its new District is considered the Changes: Nicola Fleet-Milne, above, and Gary Cardin bars and restaurants, along with our work enhancing the District with public realm improvements and commercial heart of Birmingham seasonal dressing.” ‘It’s with over 35,000 employees and five Describing his role as ‘a privilege’, million square feet of office space. outgoing Chair Mr Cardin said: “It’s been an The BID works in partnership with been an honour to be a part of the BID honour to Birmingham City Council on public from its inception into its third term. realm projects and enhancement “We’ve achieved well beyond the be a part schemes for the District. successes we thought possible. of the BID The BID hosts Colmore Food I leave the BID in the best shape Festival, along with numerous possible for its continued and future from its arts exhibitions such as the success and for it to develop along inception’ award-winning Nicklin Unseen with the city.”

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CAR CARE READER OFFER Platinum Car Care at B4 Car Park, Weaman Street, is offering Colmore Life readers 20% off all valeting services. Call Ziggy on 07530 155 583 to find out more about the services and quote Colmore Life to redeem the offer. This promotion lasts until Friday, May 8, 2020.

Colmore Food & DID YOU KNOW? This year’s Great Birmingham 10K (Sunday, May 31), will finish Drink Festival on Colmore Row after organisers revealed a new city-centre route for 2020. dates confirmed Birmingham’s biggest free-entry food and drink festival returns this summer with a new city-centre home. Taking place on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, Colmore Food Festival – which celebrates its tenth Preferred artists chosen for anniversary in 2020 – will be held Livery Street wall commission in the recently- refurbished Centenary Square, near the , A Birmingham-based creative partnership Hall of Memory and vast Paradise has been chosen as preferred artists to regeneration scheme. complete a large-format artwork to enhance The temporary new home is due to a large part of Livery Street in Colmore maintenance works in Victoria Square Business District. – where the Food Festival is usually E.L. Thrush and Anna Davies, pictured, will hosted – taking place throughout complete the artwork on behalf of Colmore 2020. BID. Colmore Food Festival is the annual The Livery Street artwork will be in place for celebration of Colmore Business at least five years and will cover a concrete District restaurants, bars, cafés and wall approximately 8ft high and 60ft wide at hotels. It attracts more than 30,000 the entrance to Livery Street by the junction visitors each year and is hosted by with Great Charles Street Queensway. Colmore BID. Located by a key entry point to the car Around 35 restaurants, cafes, bars park at Snow Hill station, it is also on the and hospitality venues will take part in route of buses serving the city centre and for a series of Birmingham landmarks and the Festival, each offering taster dishes employees walking into the Business District historical events influenced by the Brutalist and drinks to showcase the best of from the Jewellery Quarter. architecture genre, particularly the concrete Birmingham’s dining scene. The new artwork will replace a mural by murals of sculptor William Mitchell. Fringe events connected to the local artist George Benson, which the BID Large, stylised trees provide a recurring Festival will also be announced in the also commissioned in 2013. theme throughout the painting, which spring. Luke is an illustrator with over 11 years’ invites people to pick out well-known city Alex Tross of Colmore BID’s Leisure experience in commercial and large format buildings, public artworks and key events. and Hospitality working group said: design. Anna is an interior architect with a “We feel so chuffed that our artwork has “With this being our 10th anniversary, background within the commercial sector. been chosen for the Livery Street wall,” said we are looking to put on something Luke met Anna at his Luke. “It is such an honour to be involved in particularly special. The location store Hedge in the summer of 2019 and bringing art to the heart of Birmingham.” may be different this year but visitors the pair launched a partnership focusing on Melanie Williams, Colmore BID Board should expect the same fantastic large-scale designs and window graphics. Director and partner at city law firm DWF, led experience the Food Festival has They describe themselves as proud the assessment panel with representatives always delivered.” Brummies with a shared passion for the city from the BID, Birmingham City Council, local and all the creativity it inspires. arts and public transport representatives. Keep up to date with Food Festival Their joint proposal was one of over “I love the design ideas Anna and Luke announcements by visiting 30 ideas put forward to give the wall a have come up with and can’t wait to see colmorebusinessdistrict.com/ new look. Luke and Anna’s proposal for them in real life. I see this work becoming a events the theme of ‘Green in the City’ features real talking point,” said Melanie.

SPRING 2020 5 £25M TO BE SPENT ON PUBLIC REALM Lowdown IN TIME FOR GAMES D&D restaurant to take top floor of 103 Colmore Row

Terms have been agreed with global luxury restaurant and bar group D&D London to launch a rooftop restaurant at 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham’s tallest new office tower. Sterling Property Ventures, the developer behind 103 Colmore Row, has agreed a 25-year lease with D&D on the 23rd and 24th floors, plus part of the ground floor. D&D was founded in 2006 by Des Gunewardena and David Loewi and has since established itself as a major New images of how New Street, player on the international Temple Street and Victoria Square restaurant scene with a could look have been released as collection of 43 diverse part of a £25 million regeneration restaurants, bars and one of the city centre ahead of the hotel based principally Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth in London, but also with Games. locations in Manchester, The plans have been approved Leeds, Paris and New York. by the Council’s Cabinet and the full business case is due to go to Cabinet in April. The proposed works will include Victoria Square, Colmore Row, Bennetts Hill and Waterloo Street in the Business District. The works programme will also include permanent hostile vehicle security measures as part of a comprehensive safety and security strategy for the city centre.

HELP HS2: UPDATED CURZON STREET DESIGNS RELEASED CREATE A BETTER Updated architects’ designs for the new Curzon Street station in Birmingham city BUSINESS Curzon Street high-speed rail station in centre will be the first brand new intercity Birmingham have been unveiled, with HS2 terminus station built in Britain since the 19th DISTRICT saying it wants to create one of the most century. Eventually, there will be nine trains environmentally-friendly rail stations in the per hour on the high speed network in each Have you wanted to know more world. direction from the station. about what the BID does and The Curzon Street station and Interchange The Midland Metro runs alongside and how you can get involved? in Solihull have been designed to focus on underneath the station, while pedestrian Colmore BID is looking for open space and landscaping. Both stations routes lead to local bus services, Sprint rapid people to join its working will adopt the latest eco-friendly design and transit bus services and other train services. groups. For more info, email sustainable technologies including capturing The design also provides space for more [email protected] rainwater and sustainable power generation. than 250 bicycles.

6 SPRING 2020 DID YOU KNOW? To walk one mile in Birmingham takes approximately 20 minutes, and to cycle one mile can take only six minutes. Daily walks could increase our productivity by 30%. Only 1% of people in Birmingham currently cycle to work.

Act now to prepare for Clean Air Zone WIDESPREAD CHANGES TO ROAD USAGE GO LIVE IN THE SUMMER

Colmore Business District companies and commuters are being urged to prepare for the Birmingham Clean Air Zone, which is due to go live in July 2020. With just weeks to go, it is essential that firms across the city are fully aware of the changes that will potentially impact their output and what it means for their staff. The Clean Air Zone (CAZ) covers all the roads within the A4540 Middleway ready for the Clean Air Zone – checking Air Fund to support businesses and Ring Road, but not the Middleway whether their vehicle is compliant, individuals who might be impacted itself. The charge will then apply 24 taking advantage of financial support, by the zone, and they will get £14.2 hours a day, 365 days a year with investing in cleaner vehicles and million to install signs, cameras and vehicles entering inside the ring road reviewing staff travel plans other infrastructure. being picked up by automatic number n How businesses can help spread A Colmore BID spokesperson said: plate recognition cameras. the word about the Clean Air Zone – “We all have a responsibility and A non-compliant vehicle driving in information on emails and newsletters common purpose to act locally and the CAZ will pay once for the day, then that can be shared with colleagues and Colmore BID supports the City Council- may drive in the CAZ area without limit networks and promoting social media led initiative to clean up the air in on that day. content Birmingham. Colmore Business District is The CAZ is being introduced after “We encourage businesses across supporting the City Council’s plans to research revealed harmful emissions in the District to make sure they know implement the Clean Air Zone to help the atmosphere are shortening the lives how they, their employees and anyone tackle dangerous levels of air pollution, of an estimated 900 people every year involved with freight or delivery are on the condition that viable alternative in Birmingham. aware of the changes that are coming transport options are introduced. In addition, recent findings published this summer. Is your The Greater Birmingham Chamber by King’s College London reveal that “The BID will continue to lobby on vehicle of Commerce has launched its Clean living near a busy road in Birmingham behalf of the Business District to ensure compliant? Air Zone Business Toolkit which has can increase the risk of lung cancer by concerns are addressed and practical Scan the QR code been produced in partnership with from your phone 4.1 per cent and stunt children’s lung alternatives for public and freight to go to the Brum Birmingham City Council and provides growth by 7.7 per cent. transport are made available.” Breathes website information for businesses on: The City Council is receiving £38 Visit www.brumbreathes.co.uk or to find out more n The steps that firms can take to get million from the Government’s Clean email [email protected] City’s Transport Plan 2031 to prioritise people over cars

The Birmingham Transport Plan 2031 has been announced, The measures are designed to: which describes what the city needs to do differently to meet n Reduce transport’s damaging impact on the environment, the demands of the future. supporting Birmingham’s commitment to becoming a carbon The plan contains a set of principles that will guide investment neutral city by 2030 in transport so that it is able to serve a future Birmingham that is n Eliminate road danger particularly in residential areas home to more people and that is a better environment in which n Connect people with job and training opportunities to live and work for everyone irrespective of age, disability or n Prioritise people over cars income. n Revitalise the city centre and local centres.

SPRING 2020 7 A round-up of the CURIUM SOLUTIONS latest Business Edmund Street-based Curium Solutions has District launches, appointed Debora Edwards as its new operations relocations, director. appointments Debora (pictured) joins the company bringing with her years of experience working across many and promotions high-profile businesses and projects. She has worked in a number of leadership and management Collated by Stacey Barnfield positions at Lloyds Banking Group, Centrica and the London Stock Exchange Group. Curium director and co-founder, James Farrow, said: “I am delighted Debora has joined us. Not Send your business news to only is she a very high calibre consultant, she is also [email protected] superbly organised and understands what we need put in place operationally to succeed.” Movers&Shakers

BRITISH DIETETIC DALRIADA CPMG ARCHITECTS ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES CPMG Architects has launched a Birmingham office in Bull The professional body Dalriada Trustees, one of and trade union for Street’s The Lewis Building. the largest providers of dietitians in the UK (British With offices in Nottingham independent professional Dietetic Association) have and London, the business is moved their head office trustee services to now expanding its design to Interchange Place on pensions schemes in the services and expertise into Edmund Street. UK, has announced the the West Midlands area. They represent nutrition appointment of Charles The office will be headed experts throughout their Ward as a Professional up by director Anil Parmar, careers in the NHS, private Trustee. Charles joins from pictured. He said: “We practice, research, sport and the pensions advisory team have developed a wealth of the food industry. The BDA at PwC and will be based Birmingham contacts through also guides on cutting-edge in Dalriada’s Birmingham a consistent pipeline of work clinical practice and tackles office. over the last ten years or so, fake news on healthy eating Charles, pictured, and the time is now right to in press and policy circles. is a qualified actuary build on those relationships The BDA has a national with almost 25 years’ and expand network of specialist experience of advising and develop workplace health dietitians companies and trustees on our offering and has worked with airlines, long-term pension scheme in the West construction companies, strategy and innovative Midlands.” retailers, the finance sector funding, investment and CPMG’s and the NHS to support benefit design projects. 50-strong team healthy eating initiatives at Prior roles with leading specialises work. institutions including PwC, BDA event on March 27 aimed at in education, KMPG and Mercer have managers, HR roles and occupational commercial, health teams: Women’s Health – healthy included work on a range health, leisure eating strategies to reduce symptoms of of complex restructuring the menopause.Register your interest at and interior [email protected] situations for distressed design. sponsors.

8 SPRING 2020 CENTRICK ELONEX

Following a period of significant growth leading property specialist, Centrick, Digital out-of-home media has announced the launch of a new customer experience centre in the heart of owner, Elonex, has opened the Business District. new offices at 55 Colmore Based at its new headquarters the innovative new hub sees the centralisation Row in the heart of the of Centrick’s core services in a unified location. Business District. Having recently moved into a new 8,000 sq ft office in The Exchange, located Elonex will retain its offices on Newhall Street, Centrick has now announced that it will be bringing both at Edgbaston Stadium and of its city centre teams together. The new management centre, which is home also continue to operate an to its 72-strong head office team and represents a £200k+ investment by the engineering plant close to company, will now be joined by the award-winning team from the company’s the StarCity entertainment Colmore Row Sales and Lettings branch. This move is designed to enhance all complex in the city, meaning aspects of the customer experience, bringing each discipline under one roof. the new Colmore Row site From the new integrated centre, Centrick customers will continue to be is the firm’s third business able to meet face-to-face with experts from the business’s sales and lettings premises in Birmingham. departments with areas for customers to enjoy coffees, play table football The new Colmore Row and experience Virtual Reality tours of Centrick’s expanding New Homes offices open at a time department. when Elonex continues to “We’re really trying to reimagine property services,” says Chairman James expand its network of digital Ackrill. advertising billboards across “We’ve focussed the UK, and embarks on a on creating a relaxed major recruitment drive to environment, both for our further increase numbers clients and our team, with in its Birmingham-based great meeting rooms and advertising sales team. break out spaces. We want As well as to ensure that our properties its outdoor are the most viewed on media the high street, and this is operation, the first of many initiatives the new that Centrick has in the offices on pipeline to pioneer a new Colmore way of looking at residential Row will property management.” also become home to two other divisions of the Elonex Group, BEEVER AND STRUTHERS branding agency, Orb and Buyers and Sellers Media PLC. Accountants and business advisers Beever and Struthers has opened a Nick Smith, CEO at Elonex, new Birmingham office at . pictured, said: “The new A major hire has also been announced with Alison White joining the offices on Colmore Row are a specialist not-for-profit team at the firm as a senior manager from Mazars. great location for our business This is the first hub opened by Beever and Struthers, which also has and positions us at the heart offices in Manchester, of the city’s thriving corporate London and Blackburn. sector. As the company has Maria Hallows, grown over the years and executive partner and taken premises across the head of social housing, UK, Birmingham has always said: “We seized the been our home and where chance to open in we’ve built our success, and Birmingham, allowing I’m proud to now have three us to provide our business sites in the city.” Midlands’ based team Elonex operates an outdoor with the flexibility of a advertising network that hub from which to work includes multi-format digital and serve clients.” billboards located in city centres, alongside roads and motorways.

SPRING 2020 9 Movers&Shakers

SMITH & WILLIAMSON

Financial and professional services group Smith & Williamson, which has its offices at 9 Colmore Row, is in the midst of a rapid growth phase. Last year Stephen Drew was appointed professional services regional managing partner in Birmingham and was joined by Matt Watts, who heads up business tax services. Drew brings an audit and international focus to the office and Watts specialises in technology, manufacturing and construction sectors. The Birmingham office has welcomed a record number From left, Ian Gould, Regional Managing Partner for Baldwins in the West Midlands, Laura Hinsley and John Edwards, one of of new joiners over recent Baldwins’ Regional Heads of Audit months to its corporate tax, transaction services, BALDWINS assurance and business services, private client and The Midlands arm of business advisory firm Baldwins has made another senior investment management appointment to lead the expansion of its audit department. teams, including new Laura Hinsley, previously from Grant Thornton, has been appointed to head up the audit director Krista Woodman function in the region as a Partner. to strengthen the private Since November the rapidly growing audit team has tripled in size and plans for client tax team. Committed continued growth are showing no signs of slowing down throughout 2020. to developing its people, Hinsley, who was recognised by Accountancy Age as one of the top 35 accountants the office has also recently under 35 in 2016, will be based at Baldwins’ expanding office at Bank House in announced six senior strategic Birmingham, and has taken on responsibility for Baldwins’ audit offering across the promotions. Midlands region. All of this comes against She said: “Baldwins is on a long-term journey of growth nationally and I am really the wider backdrop of the excited to have joined a firm that matches my own personal ambitions, and one that is announcement of Smith & committed to providing a respected, trusted and quality led audit proposition to our Williamson’s merger with selected market place. financial planning and The Baldwins Group – a CogitalGroup company – has over 95 offices across , investment firm Tilney. Scotland and Wales. The merged business, which on completion will be named Tilney Smith & HARPER JAMES SOLICITORS Williamson, will be the UK’s leading integrated wealth Growing law firm Harper James Solicitors has professional advisers and internationally management and professional moved to a new Business District office as part recognised landmarks, but which provides services group. of its expansion plans for 2020. clients and staff with easy access due to the “It’s a really exciting time Harper James has acquired premises at great local transport links. The move will for the firm as we embark Cavendish House, Waterloo Street and leaves provide a fantastic start to 2020 for our team on our growth phase and its previous office at Newhall Street. in Birmingham.” our investment in our team Harper James’ founder and chief executive The move will accommodate the firm’s demonstrates our commitment Toby Harper said: “This move to a bigger rapidly expanding multi-disciplinary team to growth in the West location underlines our commitment to of lawyers, creating hot-desk space for Midlands,” says Stephen Drew. the region. It means we can continue to employees based locally and those visiting operate in close proximity to other leading from across the UK.

10 SPRING 2020 Irwin Mitchell’s offices in The Colmore Building

Tara Wright and Chrissie Wolfe

BIRMINGHAM SOLICITORS’ GROUP

A networking group aimed at the city’s legal profession is aiming to showcase the best of Birmingham and bring together its future business leaders. The Birmingham Solicitors’ Group (BSG) is a networking group for qualified solicitors in the Birmingham/ West Midlands area. It is traditionally aimed at IRWIN MITCHELL qualified solicitors with up CUSHMAN & to five years’ experience, Irwin Mitchell has relocated to The Colmore Building WAKEFIELD however it is essentially open in the heart of the Business District. to all legal professionals. The law firm has leased the seventh and ninth floors Property consultancy Its aims are to connect of the building, comprising 46,750 sq ft of office Cushman & Wakefield has solicitors across the city, space. made a series of promotions improve the experience for It will become the new home to Irwin Mitchell’s in its Birmingham office. those legal professionals Arthur Morgan Birmingham office which has a head count of 320 and connect with local (residential), Angela members of staff. businesses/charities to really Singh (global occupier highlight the city. The move from Imperial House reflects over 30 services) and Donna Ward The BSG committee years of success in providing legal services to both (information technology) is Chaired by Chrissie individuals and businesses in the West Midlands and have all been promoted to Wolfe of Irwin Mitchell, beyond. associate director level. with fellow Irwin Mitchell Improving the working environment for Irwin Brady Harrison and Harry solicitor Tara Wright as Mitchell’s people and clients alike, the move is also Young (valuation and Vice Chair. BSG’s chosen expected to lay the groundwork for its continued advisory) are now senior charity is homelessness regional expansion. surveyors while Gemma Ford support centre SIFA Fireside, The law firm reported increased turnover to £263m (global occupier services) is which works with partner last year and has a national headcount of 3000. now surveyor level. agencies to address the Irwin Mitchell is ranked among the most active deal- They are part of 71 needs of homeless and making law firms by Experian and is the third most promotions across the vulnerably housed people in active litigation law firm in the UK courts. agency’s EMEA business. Birmingham. Lisa Jordan, Partner, said: “This is a hugely exciting David Tonks, head of People can get involved move for every member of the Birmingham team. Cushman & Wakefield by following social media Such a big change is a clear statement of our in Birmingham, said: platforms (Instagram, “Encouraging and nurturing ambition and intent and underlines our commitment LinkedIn and Twitter) and colleagues to develop to clients in the city and the wider Midlands region. sign up for free to the group’s and progress at Cushman mailing list to find out about “The office space has been designed to make & Wakefield ensures we future events at: https:// the most of flexible working and to help improve continue to lead the industry birminghamsolicitorsgroup. wellbeing for our colleagues as well as being and offer the best service to org/join/ welcoming for our clients and business partners our clients.” across the region.”

SPRING 2020 11 The Interview

Interview and With her down-to-earth demeanour photographs: and can-do attitude, Deb Leary is Stacey Barnfield for Colmore Life making waves in Birmingham’s business community. The founder of multi-award-winning Forensic Pathways – world leaders in forensic software and technology – was recently appointed Vice President of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. Birmingham-born Deb also sits on Colmore BID’s Safe and Sound working group, which delivers projects to keep those who work and visit the Business I get so much District safe and secure, day and night. The two new positions place Deb at the centre of collaboration between the BID, Chamber and any other bodies working inspiration and hard to make Birmingham a great place to live, work and visit. It’s Deb’s work at Forensic Pathways that raised her profile in Midlands energy from business, winning awards and recognition for new technology, innovative thinking and international trade. talking to other Forensic Pathways is a development software house that specialises in business and criminal intelligence. Due diligence/investigation work for businesses companies of all sizes is carried out from its offices. DEB LEARY, FORENSIC PATHWAYS This is supported by the company’s own in-house technology. Deb’s team recently launched ‘DarkSearch’ a Dark Web search engine to monitor activity on behalf of clients for any against potential digital damage. “From “All those years ago with the internet illegal sale or breach of company a Forensic Pathways perspective we’ve in its infancy I was fascinated by the data. always been involved in innovation and future of identity and what it meant to be The Dark Web is a part of the when we create something new that will human as we became more involved with internet that has been intentionally potentially solve a problem, that’s a huge technology, long before it became the hidden and cannot be accessed buzz,” says Deb. way of life we know now. through standard web browsers. It “Our new Dark Web search engine “I was studying my degree at UCE and is untraceable by law enforcement is a fantastic solution and when our interested in ‘cyberpunk’ authors like which allows the distribution of technology gets used on important American sci-fi writer William Gibson and harmful information and criminal cases bringing people to justice it’s really Mary Shelley of Frankenstein fame. activity. satisfying. It’s making a positive impact.” “They wrote about how identity has It is in this shadowy area that But this was never meant to be a been manipulated throughout history Forensic Pathways is leading the chosen career path for Deb, who studied and how it could be in the future. This fight against cyber criminals at Birmingham City University, then called fascinated me then as much as it does and helping companies UCE. now. protect themselves “This wasn’t meant to happen!” she “These are really topical discussions says. “Almost 19 years ago the plan was taking place in today’s society. I should to be a university lecturer in English have written a book!” language and literature, with a focus on Deb makes the point that the more we gender and identity on the internet,” she engage with technology, the more tech explains. becomes a physical part of us. Where

12 SPRING 2020 international trade and collaboration is what the Games will bring; more focus on the city and what it can offer from a business perspective. “Through the Greater Birmingham Chamber and Trade Advisors within the Department for International Trade Teams there are the support mechanisms for businesses wishing to reach out to Commonwealth trade countries.” Trade support is vital. Deb jokes that she ‘has the grey hair to prove it’. “Business needs to share with business the good, the bad and the ugly of their journey and combining that experience with solid research and business support is vital. This is why I’m passionate about my new role as Vice President.” “Like every business, we’ve battled through some tough times and I believe peer learning is powerful so if I can share our experiences then this has more of a value. It’s the reality.” Returning to much more local matters, Deb describes Birmingham’s homelessness issue as a complex crisis without a simple ‘one size fits all’ solution. “The more engagement we can get between the business community and the groups trying to support homelessness, the better,” she stresses. does the human start and finish? “The next two years and to help lead on the “It’s all about communication and body politic – it’s a fascinating topic,” she Chamber’s own vision for 2022 and understanding. If the talking stops, says. its legacy long after the Games have the problem will get far worse. Such discussion points aren’t the only finished. “The touch points are individual issues keeping Deb occupied at the “This is our opportunity to make a people with unique challenges moment. She was recently appointed global impact as well as ensure a legacy that only they face. There’s no easy Vice President of the Greater Birmingham for the West Midlands. The vibrancy of solution. We’ve got to accept the Chambers of Commerce, working the Games combined with the vibrancy fact this may never go away, it’s alongside new President Steve Allen, and creativity of Birmingham City and how we deal with it properly and Partner at Colmore Row-based law firm the overall West Midlands must create professionally.” Mills & Reeve. a legacy that lives on through other I ask who inspires Deb as she “I’m so excited about this. My role is very schemes in education, the arts, transport wears her various leadership hats at much supporting the work of Steve with and business.” Forensic Pathways, the Chamber and his targets as President,” she says. How the Commonwealth Games Colmore BID? “The exciting thing is that when I’m can open global trade options for local “I love talking to other businesses. appointed President in 2022 it will be the businesses are at the top of Deb’s agenda. I find that when I’m talking to others, city’s Commonwealth Games year. I can’t She has a passion for international I’m learning at the same time. I get wait for this. I need to start planning that commerce and is keen to support so much inspiration and energy from now! businesses venturing into new territories this. “I’m therefore delighted to be in for the first time. “It’s all about positive impact, a position to support Steve over the “Ultimately, opportunities for positive change and growth.”

SPRING 2020 13 Colmore Profile

A unique resource in the heart of the Business District A LOOK AT THE SPECIAL HISTORY OF THE BIRMINGHAM & MIDLAND INSTITUTE

Interview and In the heart of the Business District photographs: lies one of Birmingham’s architectural Stacey Barnfield for Colmore Life and cultural hidden gems which has connections to Dickens, Chamberlain and the city’s pioneering Victorian leaders. A key part of the city’s cultural life for over 150 years, The Birmingham & Midland Institute was founded by Act of Parliament in 1854 for the ‘Diffusion and Advancement of Science, Literature and Art amongst all Classes of Persons resident in Birmingham and Midland the prestigious post of President in 1869. some wonderful volunteers, we have Counties’. The 2020 President is Carl Chinn MBE. worked to stabilise the Institute and are Charles Dickens announced plans for Located in a late 1800s Grade II*-listed now in a much better position to look at the establishment of the BMI in 1853. building on Margaret Street, the BMI future long-term plans,” he explains. An avid supporter of working class has a thriving programme of cultural and “We are aiming to be the creative education in Birmingham, Dickens educational activities, which includes and cultural hub for Birmingham and offered a public reading of three a wide spectrum of arts and science the West Midlands, hosting numerous of his Christmas stories over three lectures, exhibitions and concerts. events, activities and workshops. consecutive evenings. The ticket price Operations Manager Daniel Parsons “Birmingham is one of the most was descending, so people of all classes took on his current role at the BMI in diverse and multi-cultural societies in the could attend. This helped raise £227 to October 2019 after what he describes country and we want to embrace this; fund the building of the Institute. Dickens as ‘a difficult time’ for the Institute communicating and learning from each continued to support the BMI and held financially. “With a handful of staff and other is key for our society to continue to

14 SPRING 2020 BMI MILESTONES 1853: Charles Dickens performs his first public readings at the Town Hall to raise funds for the Institute to be built. 1854: Birmingham & Midland Institute founded and set-up by an Act of Parliament. 1860: Charles Dickens is named President of the Strategy: Operations manager Daniel Parsons Institute. 1875: School of Metallurgy A NEW ERA FOR THE INSTITUTE was created. This later becomes Birmingham Municipal Technical ‘The BMI is at the core School; now . of the community’’ 1779: Original Birmingham “The BMI is a place where you Library founded in front may join as an individual, but room of button-maker instantly you become part of John Lee of Snow Hill. The a much wider community,” Library is then moved to explains Daniel. this site in 1899, having “Housed in a wonderful outgrown its original site building and home to the original on Union Street. Birmingham Library; based in a central location the BMI truly is at the core of the community and at the forefront for all things cultural and creative. grow and become stronger.” To support Grade II*-listed building back to its “We want to be a ‘Safe Space’ the BMI’s strategy for a new era, Daniel is former glory,” adds Daniel. for anybody to come and spend calling on Business District companies to “But other support would also be time. This includes vulnerable find out more about membership, events great, perhaps using us for meetings elderly people, people on their spaces or offer any other support. and events. We are in the centre of own and people with illnesses The BMI is a completely self-funded Birmingham, in a fantastic location and including Dementia and other charity with no help from the council or our prices are incredibly competitive. conditions (www.safeplaces.org. government. “Donations and financial “Also, to offer any help with business uk). support would really help out with some and administration matters, such as help “As well as being a Safe Space, building repairs and redecoration which with social media and website marketing we plan to offer a wide range is needed to try and restore this amazing would be invaluable to us.” of workshops, activities and events. All of which will be open MONDAY LECTURES. Monday lunchtimes 1pm-2pm. A variety of topics and lecturers; to all, however BMI members will These have been held since the inception of the BMI in 1854. £5 for non-members, free to all obviously get these at reduced members. rates. These activities will be a TOURS OF THE BMI & ORIGINAL LIBRARY. Please call reception for more broad spectrum across a whole details on 0121 236 3591. number of different genres and LITERATURE STUDY DAYS. Held one Friday per month. Covering a variety of topics. categories, from photography PLAY READING AT THE BMI. Tuesdays 6.30pm-9pm, £5, £3 for members of the BMI. The group reads and discusses plays. The main requirement is enthusiasm for theatre classes to history classes as and literature, especially the work of Shakespeare. Everyone is welcome to join. well as more creative activities THE BMI READING GROUP. Third Thursday of the month, 2pm-3.30pm, £2 (includes such as floristry classes, fitness, coffee and biscuits) in the BMI Coffee Lounge. Please call 0121 236 3591. dance classes and artistic & craft LIFE DRAWING CLASSES. Tuesday evenings, 6pm-8.45pm. The BMI runs a life- classes.”

EVENTS drawing and painting class on Tuesday evenings under the tutorship of Terry Mullett.

SPRING 2020 15 Food & Drink What a supper idea for charity!

Birmingham’s second Secret Supper promises to be bigger than before after moving to the Business District. Secret Supper is a ‘multi- dining’ experience that will see guests enjoy three courses, at three different restaurants. After the first secret was revealed at a press launch, potential guests now know there will be nine Business District restaurants involved this year. Among the restaurants serving up their culinary delights on the night will be The Alchemist, Gaucho, Chung Ying Central, The Pint Shop, Purnell’s Bistro and Ginger’s Bar. However, guests won’t find out which three restaurants until they attend the drinks reception on the night. The money raised from the Secret Supper will support Parkinson’s UK. Tickets are now on sale and cost £35 per person, Meet the new which includes welcome drinks at the Lost & Found and a three-course meal at some of the city’s best restaurants. neighbours Glynn Purnell of Purnell’s Bistro, said: “It’s fantastic for Purnell’s Bistro & NEW BARS LAUNCH IN GRAND COLMORE ROW BUILDINGS Ginger’s Bar to be involved Almost next door to each other, two described how proud they are to honour in the Parkinson’s Secret new bar openings are breathing life into the building created by William Henman & Supper event. two beautiful Colmore Row buildings Thomas Cooper, built in 1902. The redesign “What a great idea Secret Supper by restoring period features with has aimed to bring this former Scottish 2020 takes to be able to have a place on contemporary finishes. Union & National Insurance Company back brilliant night out while Tuesday, April Henman & Cooper and The Colmore have to life, mixing vibrant modern decor with also supporting such a 28. Visit www. recently opened at the Victoria Square side old-fashioned luxuries. tremendous charity. We parkinsons. of the Row, joining popular venues Chung Since November last year the Henman & org.uk/ Ying Central, Java Roastery and Theatrix, Cooper team has gradually begun to unveil can’t wait to welcome the events/secret- guests to Purnell’s Bistro supper-2020 to which opened in the autumn of last year. the different floors that will take form within on the night.” find out more. The team behind Henman & Cooper have this beautiful piece of architecture, with the

16 SPRING 2020 Bringing the tastes of Bombay to Brum

Dishoom Indian restaurant will open as part of the Paradise development in spring 2020. The restaurant, which takes its inspiration from Irani cafés and the food of Bombay, will occupy part of the ground THE COLMORE floor of One Chamberlain Square, the office space of which is fully let to international professional services firm PwC. The new restaurant will overlook both Chamberlain Square and Centenary Way and will help complete the first phase of the development. HENMAN & The team’s COOPER eighth Bombay café, the Birmingham restaurant, will have a unique story and design narrative inspired by the connections between Bombay and Birmingham. main bar and second floor now open. IPAs and pale ales through to barrel-aged Rob Groves, regional “As we look ahead and work continues, sours and session-style drinks. director at Argent, said: we get closer to revealing each aspect The new bar has taken the space which “Bringing the critically which sets us apart from the rest,” explains used to house a Lloyds Bank, with favourites acclaimed Dishoom to a spokesperson. like Jaipur and Halcyon available by the Birmingham demonstrates “Many may remember this building for bottle and on tap. From post-work pints to the appeal of Paradise with its unique rooftop terrace, granite interior, chilled out weekenders, this is a destination its perfect mix of location, imposing bay windows and huge spiral for true craft beer lovers. top quality buildings and staircase – where the sky really is the limit.” Talking about its growing range of award- revamped public realm. “With plans for the rooftop to open winning craft beers, The Thornbridge “Joining Mediterranean around Easter, we’re all hoping for a sun- website states: “Thornbridge have always Wine Bar and restaurant soaked summer this year. And what better brewed the finest quality beer with a Vinoteca, we are quickly way to enjoy it than with a drink in your passion. becoming the natural hand surrounded by friends.” “We recognise that not only quality but choice for innovative leisure A new basement area will bring a hidden consistency and innovation are key to retailers keen on reaching an gem to Colmore Row. Offering a place to creating amazing and beautifully balanced audience of up to 17 million kick back, relax and enjoy key sporting beer. Consistently pushing boundaries people a year.” events, whilst also bringing an exclusive whilst respecting the important traditions The restaurant will open in a feel suitable for private hire. of ‘crafting’ beer helps us to create an 7,606 sq ft space at the front Meanwhile, a few yards away craft beer award winning range of beers loved by our of One Chamberlain Square, providers Pivivar have joined forces with customers all over the world. overlooking the new public Thornbridge Co to open craft beer pub The “With over 350 industry recognised spaces and Congreve Street. Colmore. awards we are proud to be part of such an Paradise latest: Page 31 The Colmore is home to everything from exciting craft beer scene.”

SPRING 2020 17 Food&Drink

Steve James offers a whistle-stop tour of Colmore Business District’s beautiful pubs and bars and tells more about their history. Cheers!

The Colmore Business Improvement District is a haven for professionals and relaxed drinkers alike, and harbours some of the best after-work bars that the city centre can offer. Many of these popular bars and restaurants are historic buildings in their own right, with plenty of history. But before you go inside, just take a look at the outside features, and many also have interesting interiors, reflecting the history of these old buildings. Our first port-of-call is the Old Joint Stock Bank in Temple Row. Originally built as a library by J. A. Raise a glass Chatwin in 1864, it was soon acquired by the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank. It remained in banking use until the 1990s, when it was converted into a to the District’s magnificent bar/restaurant by Fullers of London. The impressive exterior of this Grade II* listed building is designed in the Renaissance palazzo style, while historic the flamboyant interior retains many features of this Victorian bank, with an island bar below a glass-domed roof. It offers the full range of Fuller’s and guest watering holes beers, with great pies, and upstairs there’s a 95-seat theatre. Immediately behind the Old Joint by Pivovar & Thornbridge Brewery, Stock Bank an alleyway leads to ‘Queen Elizabeth’s with many of their beers on draught. Bennetts Hill. Here, two Grade II listed grandmother spent a night It occupies part of Standard House, buildings are worth mentioning. Firstly, the former Lloyds Bank building, the Wellington pub, a simple 3-storey here, but I bet she didn’t try designed in Edwardian Baroque style terraced building dating from 1868-70. a pint of Timothy Taylor’s by Paul Waterhouse in 1912 for the Formerly the Birmingham Civic Society Atlas Assurance Company. But what offices, it was converted into a pub Landlord beer then!’ do the Latin inscriptions on the walls by Black Country Ales in 2004, and inside mean? Almost next door are the offers a veritable beer festival every day. former offices of the Scottish Union & Next door is the Pint Shop, another House, a 3-storey stucco Grade II listed National Insurance Company designed 3-storey terraced building, built at the building dating from 1830. It offers by architects, Henman & Cooper same time by Yeoville Thomason. It was Purity and guest beers, along with tasty in 1903, who give their names to this converted into a bar in 2018 and offers food. On the corner with Colmore Row newly opened cocktail bar. an extensive range of cask and keg is Theatrix, a recently opened cocktail The northern side of Colmore Row has beers, along with tasty meals. bar, restaurant and nightclub. This fine some grand Victorian and Edwardian Pausing briefly to look at the unique building was originally designed in buildings, but none is grander than surviving former banking premises Edwardian Baroque style by Goddard the Grand Hotel. Originally built in the (National Provincial and Midland) on the & Co in 1904 for the Alliance Assurance French Renaissance style by Thomson corner with Waterloo Street, our next Company. Further along Colmore Row Plevina in 1876 for the Great Western stop is the Purecraft Bar & Kitchen. is The Colmore, a newly-opened craft Railway, with later additions, it was This occupies part of Christchurch beer bar provided in a joint venture modernised in the 1970s and is now

18 SPRING 2020 Food&Drink

Above from the entrance to Snow Hill station is the left: Purecraft Great Western Arcade, built in 1875 Bar & Kitchen, by W H Ward for the Great Western the Pint Shop and The Old Railway, above the railway tunnel Contemptibles linking to Moor Street station. About half-way along this iconic Victorian Left: the Old arcade you’ll find The Good Intent, a Royal newly-opened “not-for-profit bar”, set up in late 2019 with crowd-funding by Dave Craddock (who has a brewery in Bridgnorth and Stourbridge). It offers a variety of cask and keg beers, fine wines and spirits, and each time you have a drink, a percentage of the cost goes to local charities. Finally, we walk to Steelhouse Lane, where on the right we find the Jekyll & Hyde. A modern building from the outside, but inside reveals a surprisingly old interior reflecting features of the former Queens Head pub. There are echoes of a Victorian gin palace, being thoroughly refurbished again of England, Scotland, Ireland & Wales with Mr Hyde’s Bar and Dr Jekyll’s gin to provide a 185-bedroom hotel. incorporated into the leaded windows. parlour, along with the Wonderland Unlike Snow Hill station, it survived Apparently, Queen Elizabeth’s courtyard outside with its colourful redevelopment and is undoubtedly grandmother spent a night here, but graffiti. one of the finest large buildings in I bet she didn’t try a pint of Timothy There are several other historic Birmingham city centre, thoroughly Taylor’s Landlord beer then! buildings within the BID area which deserving its Grade II* listing. On Returning to Edmund Street, we soon have been converted into bars and the ground floor are several bars and reach The Old Contemptibles on restaurants, so this is just a taster of restaurants, but The Alchemist is the corner of Livery Street, a grand some of the best that you will find. worth mentioning, particularly for ‘Victorian gin palace’ with a high Happy beer-hunting! ‘celebrating molecular mixology ceiling and oak panelling. Formerly and alchemy of cocktails” and its the Albion Hotel, it was renamed in Steve James is a member of the “boundless Balearic brunches’. 1953 to commemorate the heroic First British Guild of Beer Writers who Walking down Church Street, pausing World War British Expeditionary Force regularly writes articles about to look at the former Birmingham Eye led by General Sir John French, who his beer travels in local CAMRA Hospital (dating from 1883 and now were referred to as a “contemptible magazines. Birmingham-born, he is the Hotel du Vin), we soon come to the little army” by Kaiser Wilhelm at the a town planner who has a passion Old Royal on the corner of Cornwall Battle of Mons. The pub is now run by for old buildings (particularly pubs) Street. Listed Grade II and built in the Nicholsons, who offer a good range and contributes to several pub late 19th century by A.H. Gamblin, the of real ales and draught ciders, with an preservation and history groups. He red brick and terracotta façade is a joy extensive food menu. regularly visits many of the pubs in this to behold, with the national emblems Returning to Colmore Row, opposite article and recommends them all!

SPRING 2020 19 Food&Drink

LIQUID PR OPENS DEMO KITCHEN AT NEW HQ

PR agency Liquid has relocated to a new office in the Business District after securing a ten-year deal for the third floor of New Oxford House on Waterloo Street. The agency has created a premium kitchen at the new office to meet the growing demand for its creative content in the food sector and to develop, photograph and produce a new cookbook for Maple from Canada. Liquid Chief Executive Elisabeth Lewis-Jones, said: “Our move sees us invest heavily in our work space from a demonstration kitchen for our food division to a team theatre for presentations and informal meetings.”

Maple ham hock pakoras Serves: 4

Created by David Colcombe, Chef Director at Liquid

These maple ham hock pakoras are a delicious blend of sweet and spicy and make leftover meat a bit more exciting. They’re really quick and easy and make a great side dish, snack or to share with friends.

INGREDIENTS

250g ham hock 250g chickpea flour 300ml semi-skimmed milk 10g baking powder 1 lime, juice and zest 1 carrot, grated 1 shallot, finely diced 200g flat-leaf parsley, chopped 1tsp garam masala 1tsp onion seeds 1tsp curry powder 50ml pure Canadian maple syrup 300ml vegetable oil powder, lime juice and zest, GARLIC ROUILLE once cooled add the mixture 1 large potato, peeled and carrot, shallot, parsley, garam to a blender. Add the egg yolks diced masala, curry powder and onion and blitz on a low-medium 1. To make the garlic rouille, 1 garlic clove, peeled seeds. Refrigerate until required. speed. Chicken or vegetable stock 2. Heat a deep fat fryer or pan add the peeled and diced 3. Slowly, add the oil in a thin, 2 egg yolks with vegetable oil to 180C and potato and garlic to a small steady stream to thicken and add a dollop of pakora to the saucepan and pour in enough emulsify the mixture – it should METHOD oil. After 2-3 minutes when the chicken or vegetable stock resemble mayonnaise. Add in pakoras are golden and crispy to just cover them. Bring to a the maple syrup and season to 1. Prepare the pakora mix by remove from the oil. gentle boil and cook until the taste. If the mixture becomes combining the ham hock, 3. Drain well before serving potatoes are tender. too thick, add a dash of hot chickpea flour, milk, baking with garlic rouille. 2. Remove from the heat and water.

20 SPRING 2020 Recipes From The Row

Cherry Bakewell Tart 10 Portions

Suggested by Gregory Pryce, Head Chef, Hotel du Vin

This is one of my favourite childhood desserts and it’s also currently on our new locally sourced prix fixe menu. This recipe that the team and I have created for our Bakewell tart is an homage to a great dish with lots of flavour and good textures, and is great comfort food for the cold evenings.

www.hotelduvin.com/ locations/birmingham/ Henok’s Secret

INGREDIENTS 2. Add the eggs and mix to Poached cherries Suggested by Henok Moreno, form a dough. 1. Mix all ingredients except Assistant Manager and Bar Co-ordinator of Pincho’s For the pastry 3. Wrap in cling film and rest in the cherries in a pan and bring fridge for at least two hours. to the boil. 62g Caster sugar This a fresh and smooth cocktail 125g Butter 4. Roll and line a pastry case 2. Reduce heat and add in the dock the bottom. cherries. and sip by sip will remind you of 1.5 Eggs the traditional Valencian drink 290g Plain flour 5. Rest for 30min in the fridge. 3. Poach gently for 10-15 6. Line and blind bake at 180C minutes until soft but holding ‘Horchata’. This combination of strawberry and Horchata within For the frangipane for 13 minutes. their shape. 4. Cool down and store in the the cocktail makes it even more 250g Butter irresistible! 250g Sugar Cherry jam syrup in a container. 1. Pit the cherries, put in the 250g Ground almonds www.pinchoscafe.co.uk/ 50g Plain flour pan with the lemon juice and 1. Brush the bottom of a blind 4 Whole eggs beaten together cook on a medium heat till baked pastry case with the they start to soften. cherry jam and a few poached INGREDIENTS Cherry jam 2. Add the sugar and cook cherries. 500g Pitted cherries out until the jam reaches a 2. Spread the frangipane 35ml Larios 12 (Spanish Gin) 500g Jam sugar temperature of 105C. across the tart case and level 15ml Licor 43 orchata 2tbsp Lemon juice 3. Store in a clean and off, sprinkle with some flaked 15ml Strawberry puree sterilized Kilner jar. almonds 25ml Lime juice Poached cherries 3. Bake at 160C for 20-25 25ml Egg white 472ml water Frangipane minutes. 156g Caster sugar 1. Cream together butter and METHOD 1 Lemon sugar until light and aerated. TO SERVE 1 Orange 2. Mix together the almonds 1. Chill the coupe glass with ice. ¼ Vanilla pod and the flour. 1. Make a water icing using 2. Put all the ingredients inside the 450g Cherries 3. Gradually add 1/3 of the 50g of Icing sugar and enough shaker without ice and do a dry eggs into the butter mix and water to make a paste and shake. METHOD combine slowly. Then add in drizzle over the tart. 3. Put ice in the shaker and shake 1/3 of the dry mix. 2. Serve with a few of the together. 4. Repeat until all ingredients Pastry poached cherries and either 4. Take out the ice from the coupe are combined to form a Chantilly cream, crème fraiche glass and serve from shaker. 1. Cream the butter and sugar smooth paste. or vanilla ice cream. 5. Garnish it with a cherry, close together until light. Add flour and mix to form breadcrumbs. eyes and enjoy the Valencia taste!

SPRING 2020 21 Art&Exhibitions

The Parade II, Oil on canvas, 76 x 61 cm South Grove, Oil on canvas, 76 x61 cm

Newquay Harbour II, Oil on canvas, 122 x 102 cm

Reuben Colley Fine Art is celebrating represented a handful of artists. its 10th anniversary this year. Located James Byrne, the art teacher who within a beautiful Victorian building on Happy originally inspired Reuben, was first Colmore Row, the gallery is known for on the books. He was soon joined representing some of Birmingham’s by Rick Garland, who has shot to best painters, alongside master international acclaim for his hyper- graphics by the likes of Andy Warhol, birthday, realist cityscapes. Danny Howes Grayson Perry and Damien Hirst. was next to follow. An exceptional The story starts with Reuben Colley. portrait painter, Danny was recently a He’s an artist synonymous with finalist in the highly-regarded Sky Arts Birmingham. Born in 1976 in Hodge Reuben! Portrait Artist of the Year competition. Hill, the city and its surrounding The gallery has since taken on other regions have inspired Reuben leading artists from Birmingham, throughout his life. From canal AWARD-WINNING including Annette Pugh, as well as tunnels and graffiti-covered subways ARTS BLOGGER RUTH nationally recognised painters Kate to suburban shopping centres, he Sherman, Roxana Halls and Horace finds beauty in unexpected places, MILLINGTON LOOKS AT Panter, whose Pop Art paintings have painting the changing city with THE WORK OF ONE OF been inspired by American road trips evocative realism. BIRMINGHAM’S MOST as bassist for ‘The Specials’. Reuben’s talent was spotted early SOUGHT-AFTER AND The success of the gallery’s on, at school. After studying Fine Art artists demonstrates Reuben’s at the University of Wolverhampton, TALENTED ARTISTS eye for talent. It also reflects the he rapidly established himself as a sympathetic approach of the gallery: successful artist. He held exhibitions Reuben doesn’t rush his artists into both locally and in London, won Birmingham. He wanted to bridge the exhibitions. Instead, they are allowed prestigious awards, and in 2003 he gap between artists and collectors, freedom and time to evolve their became the youngest artist to have show outstanding work by local practice. James Byrne once took five artwork acquired by the Birmingham artists, and nurture new talent. In years to create a show. Museum and Art Gallery. 2010 Reuben Colley Fine Art was By 2015, Reuben Colley Fine Art had Reuben also had a brilliant idea: to born, opening its doors in Moseley. outgrown its space in Moseley. The launch an independent gallery for During its first year, the gallery gallery relocated to its new, and more

22 SPRING 2020 Art&Exhibitions

THREE TO SEE at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in 2020

DRESSED TO WEBSTER AND WILDLIFE THE NINES AND HORSFALL: PHOTOGRAPHER BIRMINGHAM 300 YEARS OF OF THE YEAR REVOLUTIONS INNOVATION SATURDAY, MAY 23 – UNTIL FRIDAY UNTIL SUNDAY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 SEPTEMBER 4, FREE OCTOBER, 4, FREE Ticket details to be announced spacious home, on Colmore Row. Here, it runs an ambitious programme These exhibitions, This new Birmingham Stunning images of exhibitions by contemporary which launched late Museum & Art Gallery will be unveiled as artists, and also sells master graphics in 2019, explore (BMAG) exhibition Wildlife Photographer by artists including Andy Warhol, two fascinating celebrates 300 years of the Year arrives at Damien Hirst, David Hockney, areas of Birmingham of Birmingham firm Birmingham Museum & Grayson Perry and Banksy. With history. Birmingham Webster and Horsfall Art Gallery. limited edition prints starting at £295, Revolutions looks at who were responsible The world-renowned there’s something for every collector. Birmingham’s vibrant for manufacturing exhibition, on loan from Over the years the gallery has also and varied history of the wire for the first the Natural History developed exciting partnerships with protest and activism, successful transatlantic Museum in London, Birmingham Museums Trust, holding and the role the city cable in 1866. will feature exceptional two exhibitions in Birmingham has played in some of The history of the images which capture Museum and Art Gallery, as well as the most important company is told through fascinating animal forming collaborations with Brumpic campaigns and Webster and Horsfall behaviour, spectacular and John Lewis. movements in British archival material species and the breath- To mark its 10th anniversary, the history. and a selection of taking diversity of the gallery will feature all twelve of its Dressed to the Nines Birmingham’s collection natural world. contemporary artists in an exhibition, explores how fashion of watercolours by Wildlife Photographer opening on Tuesday 4th February. and dressing up for Arthur Lockwood. of the Year is the You can join the gallery and its artists special occasions has Lockwood was most prestigious for a celebratory glass of champagne, changed since the renowned for his photography event of its courtesy of Purnell’s, on Saturday 1850s, showcasing industrial watercolours kind, providing a global 29th February, from 1pm – 5pm. To dazzling outfits and of Birmingham and platform that showcases RSVP, please call the gallery on accessories from the the Black Country. the natural world’s 0121 236 0920 or email city’s dress collection, He documented the most astonishing and [email protected] and offering the chance changing city through challenging sights for for visitors to be part his work and depicted over 50 years. Ruth Millington is an art critic, of the exhibitions vivid scenes from local writer and blogger at themselves. factories. Pictured: Ralf Schneider, Wildlife www.ruthmillington.com Photographer of the Year 2019

SPRING 2020 23 Property

maber hosts tech talks Colmore Row-based architecture practice maber hosted an Innovation Showcase at its Imperial & Whitehall offices to showcase its approach to digital design and how teams are using it to deliver architectural, interior and landscape design. The maber team gave demonstrations in building ‘A truly information modelling (BIM), one-of-a-kind virtual reality, augmented reality and 3D printing. destination that At the event, visitors were celebrates the given the opportunity to speak with Josh Chrystal, BIM manager, splendour of this while Catherine Lambert and Chris Radcliffe of the interiors landmark team explained the value interior building’ design can bring to any project. maber’s combination of virtual reality and BimX walkthroughs were explored on iPads during the Innovation Showcase. Robert Fowkes and Jonathan Martin guided visitors around these digital platforms. For over 20 years maber have been using 3D parametric modelling, from small scale school extensions to brand new £300 million hospitals. To find out more please contact David Brooks, Associate, at [email protected] Artists’ impressions of how the Grand Hotel interior and exterior spaces could look

24 SPRING 2020 Property Grand Hotel gears up for summer reopening HISTORIC BUILDING’S DRAMATIC RESTORATION ALMOST COMPLETE

Starwood Capital private investment group has announced that The Grand Hotel will open in the summer of 2020. The landmark Colmore Row building has been undergoing a £30 million restoration that will return it to its former glory. The luxury hotel, a Grade II* listed building, will be home to 185 spacious rooms and suites, retaining the building’s mix of French Renaissance, Victorian and Art Deco features and paying homage to its illustrious history. Original character features throughout the property have been painstakingly restored, including the stone façade, historic ceilings, mosaic tiled floors and grand staircase. The centrepiece Grosvenor ballroom, one of the most remarkable historic ballrooms in the country, will be the jewel in the hotel’s crown and is sure to become Birmingham’s premier event space for all occasions. The restoration also includes new penthouse suites with LIFE IS GRAND spectacular views across St Phillip’s The Grand Hotel played Cathedral and its part in the Suffragette the city beyond; movement of the early a sunken rooftop 1900s. Political meetings to a long list of royalty and famous names including garden terrace, held at the hotel were King George VI, Malcolm X, Charlie Chaplin, two new bars interrupted as part of Winston Churchill and James Cagney. and a destination the Women’s Social Cody Bradshaw, Managing Director, Head of restaurant, a and Political Union’s International Hotels at Starwood Capital Group, gymnasium, campaign against the said: “We’re proud to be working with Hortons’ Estate, whose founder, Isaac Horton, originally built state-of-the-art Liberal government. meeting rooms, the hotel in the 1870s, on a shared vision to create one of the most prestigious hotels in the UK. collaboration areas, The hotel’s heyday saw “The restoration of this stunning grande dame and event spaces. it host concerts, parties building is another milestone in what is an exciting Surrounded by and dinner-dances, period of transformation for this vibrant city. We look restaurants, bars attracting world-famous forward to providing visitors to Birmingham – and and other cultural stars to Birmingham. attractions, the locals alike with a truly one-of-a-kind destination that King George VI, Winston celebrates the splendour of this landmark building much-anticipated Churchill, Charlie hotel will set a but with a 21st-century luxury experience.” Chaplin and James new bar for luxury Stephen Benson, chief executive of Hortons’ Cagney are just a few accommodation in Estate, owner of The Grand, said: “The re-opening notable celebrities to Birmingham. of The Grand Hotel is much anticipated and we can have enjoyed the hotel, The hotel has confidently predict that this will be Birmingham’s as did Malcolm X, during enjoyed an best hotel, with a first-class amenity offer for locals his last UK visit. illustrious past, as well as visitors to the city. We’re thrilled to have having played host Starwood on board as partner and operator.”

SPRING 2020 25 Property

Join the District’s fast-growing co-work community

Ideal for start-ups, small businesses community,” explains Spaces Sales and freelancers, co-work spaces are Director, Chris Kay. CO-WORKING OPTIONS IN a fast-growing option for people “Spaces Lewis Building and THE BUSINESS DISTRICT who want the flexibility and buzz of a Spaces Crossway, both located in business community. the heart of the city, provide a space IHUB The new spaces offer entrepreneurs for Birmingham’s businesses and Where: Colmore Gate, 2-6 Colmore Row Amenities: the opportunity to take their business entrepreneurs to call home and act as Wi-fi & high-speed broadband ideas from the kitchen table or spare the ideal base for working, networking Break-out spaces bedroom to a city-centre location, and everything in between. Large meeting rooms (up to 25 people) among potential clients, fellow “Spaces provides creative working Two deluxe Kitchens creative thinkers and public transport environments with a unique Advanced security system & 24/7 monitoring Weekly fresh fruit delivery networks. entrepreneurial spirit in hundreds of Co-working areas Co-working offices provide latest locations worldwide. Its workspaces Contact: [email protected] technology, flexible payment terms are created to inspire the forward and the space for businesses to grow. thinkers, innovators and game OREGA Meeting rooms can be hired by the changers to go above and beyond Where: The Colmore Building, Colmore hour or larger spaces are available if a their goals.” Circus Amenities: business is growing. Ed Hobbs, Community Manager, Air-conditioned offices Demand for flexible working is WeWork, 55 Colmore Row, said: IT and telecoms growing rapidly, with over half of the “At WeWork, we create beautifully Professionally managed reception world’s professionals now working designed workspaces with unique Modern break-out space remotely for at least half of their member benefits; a collaborative Kitchenettes with free refreshments On-site café working week. culture with the flexibility and Showers Research from Spaces’ parent opportunity to access workspace and Secure lockers company IWG last year revealed that connect with members across the UK, Free visitor wi-fi employees increasingly value the as well as globally.” 24-hour CCTV option to work flexibly over things like When new co-working offices open Secure on-site parking Bicycle storage holiday allowance and having to work on-site cafés, gym facilities, secure Contact: [email protected] overtime. storage and a diary of events it’s not “As the UK’s second city, Birmingham difficult to see why this work option is is home to a thriving business now so popular.

26 SPRING 2020 Pictured left: Spaces Crossway ‘An exciting development and a clear sign of BT’s WEWORK commitment to Where: 55 Colmore Row and Louisa Ryland House, Newhall Street (to open later in 2020) Birmingham and Amenities: the Midlands’ On-site staff Phone booths High-speed wi-fi Common areas Complimentary refreshments Business-class printers Professional and social events Meeting rooms Contact: www.wework.com/en-GB/contact-us SPACES Where: Lewis Building, 35 Bull Street, and the Crossway Building, 156 Great Charles Street Queensway Amenities: Worldwide access during office hours to all Spaces business clubs Tailored rental terms Super-fast wi-fi Services including reception and optional mail handling Barista coffee to keep you fuelled up and ready to work Contact: Visit spacesworks.com/birmingham REGUS Where: One Victoria Square and Edmund House, Edmund Street Amenities: Air-conditioned offices Videoconferencing studio Lounge areas Disabled facilities Reception staff and support teams Kitchen areas Shower facilities WiFi and state-of-the-art technology Contact: www.regus.co.uk/offices/united- Good call: kingdom/west-midlands/birmingham Call 0800 756 2911 BT chooses BRUNTWOOD Where: Cornerblock, Cornwall Street, and The Cornwall Buildings Three Snowhill Amenities: Flexible contracts Superfast internet for new office 24-hour access Communal lounge & kitchen Access to multiple buildings On-site meeting rooms The landmark Three Snowhill will occupy the majority of floors in Meeting room discount development will be BT Group’s primary the 17-storey development, marking On-site customer service team new home in Birmingham and provide a major investment by the company in Showers & changing rooms Bicycle store a future-fit workplace for thousands of Birmingham. BT has acquired the lease Contact: Visit bruntwood.co.uk/our- colleagues, it has been announced. and plans to move colleagues in from products/coworking/ The building, in the heart of the the end of the year. Business District, will become a key hub Graeme Paton, BT’s managing director Please check amenities per price package with between 3,000 – 4,000 colleagues of Property and Facilities Services, at each co-working provider. Some options may be considered add-on extras or vary set to be based there eventually – more said it was an exciting development depending on location. than five times the number of people and a clear sign of BT’s commitment to currently based in Birmingham. BT Birmingham and the Midlands.

SPRING 2020 27 Health&Wellbeing

Blaze a trail to new fitness studio with ‘nightclub vibe’

‘ROCK-STAR INSTRUCTORS’ AND THE LATEST TECH AT NEW VENUE

A new fitness studio with a ‘high- end nightclub vibe’ has opened in the Business District, offering a new workout experience featuring the latest health-tracking technology. The contemporary boutique studio, BLAZE by David Lloyd Clubs, opened its doors in January, becoming the brand’s first stand-alone boutique studio in the UK. The concept follows the success of BLAZE Studios within David Lloyd Clubs which have been rolled-out in 64 Clubs across the UK and Europe over the past two years and now enjoy a cult following amongst members. The new, flexible, pay-as-you-go studio offers dynamic and fast-paced plus cutting-edge light effects. HIIT is rate system enabling exercisers to HIIT (high intensity interval training) known to be the most effective way track their progress in real-time, enjoy full-body workouts combining to exercise and keep the heart fit and an element of ‘gamification’ and combat and mixed martial arts with conditioned. achieve their personal best. intense cardio and strength training To keep participants motivated and Located on Cornwall Street, BLAZE – all led by ‘rock star’ instructors energised, the studio changes its by David Lloyd Clubs offers a fresh and synced to high-energy music, workouts on a daily basis, and integral and contemporary space for workout specially curated for the classes by to the experience is the use of the fans, with sleek, modern interiors, BLAZE’s exclusive music curator, ‘Dax’ innovative Myzone wearable heart contemporary changing facilities,

28 SPRING 2020

Health&Wellbeingg

You’ve joined the gym, now here’s how to use it!

It’s always great to see people signing n Scheduling weekly gym time and up for the gym in the new year with writing when, where and what you will the intention of losing weight. I wish do. everyone the best of luck! n Setting goals and giving yourself However, with gym memberships at an rewards that are relevant to the goal/ all-time high and active gym members habit, so rewarding yourself with new decreasing, it’s disheartening to see so trainers, a gym outfit, a day pass to a ‘HIIT is known to be many people pay for a membership they spa and gym so you can have a massage the most effective way aren’t using. and sauna and steam The main reason for room to treat yourself to exercise and keep the this is people tend to ‘You know how easy n Make sure the habit heart fit and conditioned’ not make a habit of it is to just walk into takes as little willpower coming to the gym, as possible. You know they tend to try and a shop and buy a how easy it is to just walk showers and lockers, a smoothie bar cram it somewhere chocolate bar, make the into a shop and buy a and capsule fitness retail space – all they can in the week, gym that easy to get in’ chocolate bar, make the under one roof. last a few weeks of gym that easy to get in. Zoe Mead, Studio Manager for inconsistent training You shouldn’t have to BLAZE Birmingham, said: “This and then drop off, there is a really think about it, this is one of the reasons is our first stand-alone boutique simple, proven way to make sure this PTs are a valuable tool, we do all the BLAZE studio in the UK, and we are doesn’t happen to you. thinking and planning so you don’t have incredibly excited to be bringing our to, all the help and support you need unique offering, which we believe is HABIT! to get your goal, we can take the guess as good as any boutique HIIT product There are 2 main types of habits: work out of it. in the world, to such a vibrant and Kryptonite habits (bad) Go and enjoy the gym, it shouldn’t feel diverse city. Keystone habits (good) like a chore, take action today so you “We have quite a few surprises don’t have to play catch up with your in store for the Studio, which has a You need to make the gym a Keystone health later. completely different look and feel habit, so it’s part of who you are, it’s just from any other BLAZE in the country.” part of your life, like work, commuting Dan Grimes, Applied Fitness, based in For more information, and sleeping, the best way to do this is PureGym, Birmingham Snow Hill Plaza visit www.davidlloyd.co.uk/clubs/ by; Visit www.applied-fitness.co.uk/ birmingham-blaze-studio/

SPRING 2020 29 After

ROSS FITTALL Hours Development YOUR PASSIONS Manager, Argent LLP AND PROJECTS OUTSIDE THE 9-5

Interview: Stacey Barnfield TELL US ABOUT THE tried to keep fit, so I’ve done the odd 10k and half DAY JOB… marathon, plus London to Paris Paradise is seven hectares cycling. of mixed use development For all these things, however, of commercial, civic, retail, I’ve never raised any money or leisure and hotel space on the taken part for a charity. former site of the Central Library As part of my 40th birthday complex. celebrations in 2019 I set myself It will be one of the biggest a unique set of challenges – development schemes what I’ve called my ‘40 at 40’. Birmingham has seen for A few years ago I started to a generation, dramatically make a list in my head and on transforming this area of the my phone of the challenges I city, connecting Town Hall could aim for. It soon became and Birmingham Museum & quite an extensive list and I Art Gallery to the new-look decided I could set myself not Centenary Square. just one, but 40 targets, many I get involved in all areas of of which I’d always wanted to development at the scheme, achieve but never got round right from the initial period of to. Others have been about on my list is placing me on either ‘I’ve also been able appointing architects, studying me trying something new and a physical or psychological design concepts, to working creating experiences I can share journey, and quite often both at to spend time with with contractors on construction with my family. the same time! my young family on and supporting legal processes From watching 100 cinema Among the more unusual for new tenants. classics to running the London challenges I’ve taken on are challenges I could get Paradise marketing strategies Marathon and completing an giving up alcohol for 40 days, them involved in’ also fall under my remit. This Ironman Triathlon, everything starring as an extra in a TV includes branding, hoarding drama, going wild swimming and marketing assets such as and learning a new language. brochures and websites. Far from being a mid-life crisis, me but I didn’t know the best This is my second stint with this challenge has been about way to help. Argent. My first role with the pushing myself to new limits, My wife, who knows the head company was connected to while all the time raising money of fundraising at St Basil’s, the refurbishment of Paradise for a very worthy local charity, suggested the charity, so I did Forum, the shopping precinct St Basil’s. a bit of research to learn about underneath the old Central the fantastic work they do and Library. That was nearly 15 years that’s when I decided to support ago. I’ve seen the site from then WHY DID YOU them with an ambitious £4,000 through to what it is now. It has DECIDE TO TAKE ON fundraising target. changed quite a lot! THE CHALLENGE? St Basil’s is a great organisation From walking around that works to address youth WHAT’S YOUR POST- Birmingham and through my homelessness in and around WORK PASSION? connections to the Paradise Birmingham. Knowing I am I’ve always been quite sporty development I’ve become doing something to support and represented Great Britain at aware of the issue of rough their services has really helped junior level in a couple of sports. sleeping. Like many people in motivate me to put in the I picked up a few injuries but the city it was really bothering training I need to reach some of

30 SPRING 2020 UPDATES FROM BIRMINGHAM’S BIGGEST REGENERATION SCHEME Paradise project latest

PWC GETS THE KEYS TO ONE CHAMBERLAIN SQUARE PwC, the leading professional services firm, has taken handover of One Chamberlain Square as it moves its 2,000-strong team from its current home in Cornwall Street. PwC will occupy all of the commercial space in One Chamberlain Square, which is a seven- storey, 172,000 sq ft office building with retail and leisure facilities on the ground floor. The PwC Birmingham team has grown from 1,400 over the last two years as it continues to increase its regional presence, surpassing a landmark of 2,000 colleagues based in Birmingham this autumn, as the firm grows towards its planned target of 2,300 by the end of next year. WORK STARTS ON NEXT BUILDING Construction work has started on One Centenary Way, the latest building at Paradise, Birmingham, and the first part of Phase Two of the development. The announcement follows extensive site my more difficult challenges. others. Becoming an organ clearance and enabling works which have The amount of time put donor. Donating blood. Helping taken place to allow construction of the new into my first marathon and out at a soup kitchen. These 280,000 sq ft, 13-storey building to begin. Ironman challenges has been are things I can keep on doing Designed by Birmingham-based Glenn phenomenal. But with the beyond this year and which Howells Architects, One Centenary Way will support of my wife, children have the capacity to have a long- overlook the transformed Centenary Square. and wider family, it has been an lasting effect on other people. experience I have learnt to relish I hope my challenge will have a DLA PIPER SIGNS UP FOR for the increased fitness and positive impact on St. Basils and the work they do, and may even RELOCATION focus it has given me. Leading global business law firm DLA Piper In addition to the physically inspire others to do something similar! has become the first office tenant to sign up to enduring targets on the list, Two Chamberlain Square at the £700 million I’ve also been able to spend HOW CAN COLMORE Paradise development. time with my young family on DLA Piper has committed to a 15- challenges I could get them LIFE READERS year lease for 40,000 sq ft of space involved in. This has been really SUPPORT YOU OR across the top two floors of the rewarding. GET INVOLVED? eight storey building as part I’ve exceeded my original of its ambitious growth plans WHAT DO YOU fundraising target of £4,000. in the region, moving from its HOPE WILL BE THE With support from Avison Young current home in Victoria Square LEGACY OF THE and my employer, Argent, I am House later this year. actually past £7,000, which is The new space, which CHALLENGES? incredible. includes a stunning panoramic The 40 at 40 challenges haven’t I still have a few challenges terrace overlooking the all been about physical fitness. to complete the list of 40. If transformed Chamberlain Square, Some of the most significant A CGI of the you’d like to support me please completed Two will allow DLA Piper to continue to grow its things I have done are about donate via www.justgiving. Chamberlain Birmingham office which currently has more making positive choices to help com/fundraising/ross-fittall Square than 150 lawyers and staff.

SPRING 2020 31 Send us your Business District events and launch pictures: [email protected]

SPRING 2020 Peoplep &Places Events, awards and on the network

George Jennings, Avison Young; Richard Williams; Colliers International; Peter Fowles, Joanne Penn-Crossland, Manager Smart Works Birmingham; Isabel Spearman OBE, Peter Fowles Surveyors; Charlotte Fullard, Lambert Smith Hampton guest speaker; Laura Dalby, Smart Works National Business Development Manager; Caroline Wilkie, Trustee; Philippa Pickavance, Chairwoman, Smart Works Birmingham

Birmingham’s office agents were given an exclusive Just over £5,000 has been raised for Smart Works OFFICE look at Hortons’ Estate’s new office development, The OPUS Birmingham, a charity that provides high-quality work AGENTS Barwick, at a launch event hosted at Primitivo. LUNCH clothes and interview training to help women in need GET FIRST More than 30 agents were given a tour of the stylish, RAISES back into work. boutique offices at 16 Barwick Street in Birmingham A fundraising lunch at Opus Restaurant on Cornwall LOOK city centre, followed by food and refreshments at the FUNDS FOR Street saw 130 people from across the West Midlands AT THE neighbouring bar and restaurant. SMART business community come together to hear guest speaker Hortons has invested more than £750,000 to create the Isabel Spearman OBE, the brand and image consultant BARWICK Grade A office space at The Barwick, converting meeting WORKS and former special adviser to Samantha Cameron, who rooms and bedrooms at the former Grand Hotel, and the is also an ambassador for the charity. bar which used to serve the hotel’s Grosvenor ballroom. Suites are available from 1,165 sq ft.

Vanessa Wallace – F34 shot put athlete

Amanda Evans, Paralympic Performance Programme Manager; Ellie Simpson – silver medal – RR3 100m; Andrew Small –silver medal – T33 100m; Sophie Hann – double world record holder – T38 100m and 200m; Sabrina Fortune – gold medal and Championship Record holder – F20 shot put; Paula Dunn – Head Coach Paralympic Programme; Martina Barber -–T20 Long Jump; Rafi Solaiman – RR3 100m; Thomas Young – gold medal – T38 100m; Vanessa Wallace -–bronze medal – F34 shot put; Katie Jones - Paralympic Podium Potential Manager

PwC Birmingham celebrated International Day of People with Disabilities CELEBRATING on December 3 by welcoming British Athletics para-athletes to share their DAY OF stories. PEOPLE Eight para-athletes joined staff from the professional services firm to listen to personal stories of athletes, and blind author, DJ and motivational WITH speaker Pervez Hussain. DISABILITIES Official Data Intelligence Partner to British Athletics, PwC, was delighted to celebrate with the inspirational team as they look forward to Tokyo 2020. Pictures: Jas Sansi Pervez Hussain 32 SPRING 2020