Regional Director's Report 2012
By John Phillips, Regional Director, IoD West Midlands
2012 continued to be a difficult year for the West Midlands economy but despite challenging trading conditions many of our Members continued to be successful. It was very pleasing to see an upturn in manufacturing and we look forward to modest but steady growth throughout 2013. Our magazine has continued to feature, ‘Reasons to be Cheerful’ as it is always so important to celebrate our successes.
The highlight of the year was a new style Director of the Year Awards which were held on the 15th May at the Warwickshire County Cricket Club and compered by local broadcaster and journalist Arti Halai. The format was a Champagne Breakfast which was very much enjoyed by all those who attended.
Particular congratulations go to Peter Maskell, the CEO of the BHSF Group who was awarded the prestigious title of IoD West Midlands Director of the Year 2012. All of our winners were nominated in the national competition. Dean Walton, managing director of Alumet won the national award in the environmental category and three of our West Midlands Directors were highly commended in the national awards:
- Richard Close, Managing Director, Briggs Equipment (large company)
- Peter Maskell, CEO, BHSF (SME)
- Sam Porter (Young Director)
Our 2013 awards will follow the same format and are due to take place on 14 May 2013 again at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. For nominations please visit http://www.iod.com/Connecting/Local-networks/West-Midlands/Director-of-the-Year-Awards.
The region is supported by volunteers without whom we would not be able to offer such a rich web of activity and my thanks goes out to them, in particular our Regional Chairman, John Rider who has worked tirelessly for the good of the region. Thanks to John our media profile has remained high and we have continually fought for the best possible conditions for business, jobs and wealth creation.
The IoD like all membership organisations welcome Members who are active.
The more you put in the more you will get out. To that end if anyone is interested in volunteering please do not hesitate to contact the Regional Office.
As well as the YDF and Branch Committees which are listed below we have a student mentoring group in Wolverhampton and we are always open to new ideas and suggestions from the membership.
Martin Gower will be stepping down as Chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Branch at the end of this year. He has done a tremendous job leading an enthusiastic committee who have put on some tremendous events. I will take over as interim chairman to allow the branch committee time to appoint their next chairman.
Regional Committee
- John Rider - Chairman
- Gary Ecob -Hon Treasurer
- Gary Cowdrill - Policy
- Ian Priest Black - Country Representative
- Martin Gower - Chairman, C&W Branch
- Francis Christie - Chairman, H&W Branch
- Michelle Leavesley - Chairman, YDF WM
- Angela Maxwell
Coventry and Warwickshire Branch Committee
- John Phillips - Interim Chairman
- John Goodman
- Susie Ankrett
- Paul Belfield - Events Co-ordinator
- James Holden - Honorary Secretary
- Denise Reece
- David Trevis-Smith - Membership Secretary
Hereford and Worcester Committee
- Francis Christie - Chairman
- Rear Admiral Philip -Wilcocks Membership
- Robbie Hazelhurst - Events Co-ordinator
- Richard Forrest
- Warwick Partington
- Mark Richardson
Young Directors Forum
- Michelle Leavesley - Chairman
- Jason Wouhra - Vice Chair
- James Leavesley
- James Villarreal
- Gary Ecob
- Mo Moeini - Treasurer
Staff
- John Phillips -Regional Director
- Sue Hurrell - Regional Administrator
Eleven Brindleyplace
2 Brunswick Square
Birmingham B1 2LP
T: +44 (0)121 643 7801
M: 07703355891
E: john.phillips@iod.com
W: www.iod.com
Together in 2012 we ran some 50 local events across the region and produced four copies of our magazine IoD West Midlands. I am normally based at the above address and am easy to contact if you need any help or support.
John Phillips