The shortlist for an annual awards scheme which celebrates the rising stars of Birmingham’s business community has been revealed.
The Future Faces Awards are run by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and this year will recognise the city region’s top talent across ten different categories.
An overall future face of 2020 will be chosen from the individual category winners who will then receive a fully funded MBA from Aston University.
An ambassador award will also be given to a member of Future Faces who will receive a place on Common Purpose’s ‘Emerging Leaders’ programme.
Law firm Irwin Mitchell, architecture practice Gensler and Birmingham City University were among those to secure multiple nominations at the event which this year is being held for the sixth time.
The awards are open to anyone aged 35 and under.
The 2020 shortlist is:
Apprentice of the Year
Beth Mitchell, Ark Media Productions
Liam Schulz, Gensler
Brogan Maxwell, Irwin Mitchell
Taylor Rooke, Updates Media
Ellie Sanders, Xoserve
Arts and Culture
Casey Bailey, Baileys Rap and Poetry
Romanah Malcolm, Eloquent Praise and Empowerment Dance Company and Eloquent Arts Centre
Lauren Naomi Hutchinson, Girl Grind UK
Natalie Haslam, Lichfield Festival/Natalie Haslam Choreography
Lisa Mart, The Alexandra
Charity and Social Enterprise
Nathan Bendon, 5UP
Shani Dhanda, Asian Woman Festival
Hannah Simnett, Cherished UK
Joe White, Cure Leukaemia
Olivia Barker White, Kids Club Kampala
Entrepreneurship
Omran Al Habbal, Birmingham Enterprise Community
Steven Byford, Byford Homes
Chukwudi Ononye, Chefiesta
Kieran Quinlan, The PIT Gym
Kasim Choudhry, Thinkfest
Finance
Rebekah Taitt, Barclays
Joanna Drinkwater, Grant McKnight
Stuart Bowles, Parity Network
Jaccy Datta, Santander
Adam Rollason, Smith Cooper
Industry
Michal Nowinski, Arup
Teik Tan, Balfour Beatty
Michael Pepper, Crown Highways
Rachel Doherty, Gensler
Yung-Yu Lau, Jacobs
Legal
Becky Knott, Barker Brettell
James Farmer, Cornwall Street Barristers
Lucy Bloom, Irwin Mitchell
Megan Ball, Irwin Mitchell
Katy Bourne, Pinsent Masons
Public Sector and Education
Atif Ali, Birmingham City Council
Richard Booth, Birmingham City University
Tom Dockerill, Birmingham City University
Islam Issa, Birmingham City University
Joel Harrison, BMet
Sales, Marketing and Communications
Hattie D’Souza, East Village Agency
Sarah Yates, Gensler
Daniel Nikolla, Hardy Signs
Mat Lovell, Millennium Point
Will Savage, PLMR Birmingham
Technology and Innovation
Maciej Kraj, Gensler
Jono Gilworth, Gymshark
Lynda Gillson, Spica Technologies
Karl Nicholson, Synaptek
Tom Goodman, University of Birmingham
Anjum Khan, a director of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce, was chairwoman of the judging panel.
She said: “Every year when these awards come around, we never fail to be amazed by the quality and variety of the entries.
“It’s a true testament to some of the wonderful things young people are doing across the region, whether it be in creative industries, professional services, technology, marketing, the public and third sectors, apprenticeships or through entrepreneurial spirit.
“The judges were very impressed by the standard this year and we now look forward to the big night when the award winners are revealed.”
An online only ceremony will take place on August 28.
