The shortlist has been announced for the third annual awards of Future Faces, the young professionals’ arm of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

The winners will be revealed at Future Faces’ annual dinner and awards ceremony at Edgbaston Stadium on Friday 15 September.

This year’s awards have undergone a shake-up in order to cover a wider range of sectors and better reflect the industries in which the Future Faces members sit.

Among the changes is the introduction of a new category, Arts and Culture, to reflect the importance of this sector in the region.

The overall Future Face of Greater Birmingham award will be handed out to one of the winners of the seven individual sector categories.

This year’s awards attracted a record number of entries.

Chief operating officer at the Chamber, Russell Jeans, who chaired the judging panel, said: “The volume and high calibre of applications received are a sign of how seriously the business community is taking these awards.

“As a region it is more important than ever that we support the development of our young professionals and one way of doing this is to recognise their efforts and achievements.

“The Future Faces awards are a fantastic way of doing precisely that.”

The shortlisted candidates are:

Future Face of Arts and Culture Rachael Magson, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Amrit Singh, Freelance Creative Designer Cynthia Miller, ORB Creative Roisin Caffrey , Stan's Café

Future Face of Entrepreneurship Daniel Bridgewater, Buckt Joe Kibbler, Icarusparts.com Angus Drummond, Limitless Travel Mathew Jones            , Oxbridge Home Learning

Future Face of Technology and Innovation Dan Rice, Hopper HQ Richard Westman, Kaido Group Ltd Tom Charman, KOMPAS Jeremy Lambert, Ononga Limited

Future Face of Industry James Guest, Carney Green Mark Hipwell, CH2M Samuel Boot, Pennycuick Collins Eleanor Pugh-Stanley, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

Future Face of Sales, Marketing and Communications Jordan Ladley, Escape Live David Glenwright, JC Social Media Natalie Merrix, Rewired PR Sam Watts, Selfridges

Future Face of Legal Laura Ralfe, Irwin Mitchell LLP Greg Fearn, Mills & Reeve LLP Emma-Louise Hewitt, Standley & Co Elizabeth Mulley, Trowers & Hamlins

Future Face of Finance James Dockerill, Deutsche Bank Hassan Ejaz, Deutsche Bank Jaccy Gasgoyne, Deutsche Bank Ruzwan Boota, Mazars LLP

The nominees were chosen by a judging panel made up of Russell Jeans, chief operating officer at GBCC; Louise Teboul, operations director of Common Purpose; Joe Schuppler, founder of Independent Birmingham; Fiona Allan, artistic director and chief executive at Birmingham Hippodrome; Gary Cardin, senior director at CBRE, and Neil Anderson, head of marketing and events at Millennium Point.

Property Transformation Manager Lizzie Jones has won the City Year UK West Midlands Bridge Builder Award for 2017.

Lizzie had been mentoring 22 year-old Coventry University student Samaira Amin over the last academic year, supporting her as she volunteered full time in Bordesley Village Primary School with youth social action charity City Year UK during her placement year.

Michelle Lester, Community Investment and Engagement Adviser at National Grid, received the award on Lizzie’s behalf from Samaira at the City Year West Midlands Graduation Ceremony, held on the 19th July at mac in Moseley. 54 young people who had been serving as mentors, role models and tutors full-time in schools over the last year graduated from the scheme, and will now go on to the world of work or higher education.

Lizzie said of her win: “The programme has been fantastic, as the structure and guidance given by City Year UK has been exceptional and made the experience so much more rewarding.

“The most important part for me has been having the pleasure of hopefully playing a small part in Samaira’s journey through life.  As a Bridge Builder I’ve been able to explore Samaira’s career development goals  alongside helping her plan for life after City Year.

“Being able to share skills I’ve developed over the years at both National Grid as well as ideas my own mentors have shared with me has been extremely rewarding, as has being able to offer Samaira the opportunity to connect with professionals in the field she’d like to pursue.”

City Year UK Head of the West Midlands site Dave Gibson said: “Our young volunteers get so much out of the volunteering programme through both being mentors to pupils in primary and secondary schools and from being mentored themselves by our supporters and funders.

“Samaira has come far on the programme and I’m delighted that her mentor Lizzie has been awarded for her work over the year.”

City Year UK Volunteer Mentor Samaira Amin said: “Lizzie was a great support this year in developing my career plan and she has helped me realise the potential in me to achieve my goals. Lizzie has got me a lot of contacts to help me get some experience and find out what I would enjoy, and she is always inspiring me to take up opportunities. I appreciate all her support and i'm looking forward to see what the future holds.”

City Year UK’s  Bridge Builder Award recognises supporters who have volunteered their spare time to mentor the charity’s young volunteers, helping to prepare them for the next step - whether that is staying in education or finding a career. The support includes mock interviews, CV workshops and assistance in deciding on their next steps.

City Year UK engages young people aged 18 to 25to serve full-time in schools in disadvantaged communities for a year. The young people are supported to build on their key skills and attributes including confidence, resilience and leadership through tackling some of the UK’s most pressing social issues and supporting pupils to achieve their potential.

Sales of local and regional artisan gin have grown by 50% in the past year at Waitrose as demand for spirits from local distilleries continues to rise.

To meet customer demand, the retailer has today (24 July) introduced another three new gins from local British distilleries to several of its shops* – Ramsbury Gin (made on the Ramsbury Estate near Marlborough, Wiltshire), Cotswolds Dry Gin (made in Stourton, Warwickshire) and Masons Dry Yorkshire Gin (made in Bedale, North Yorkshire).

In recent years, Waitrose has worked with local distilleries across the UK to bring more artisan gins to its shelves, many of which had never been stocked in supermarkets before.

The retailer has long supported small suppliers and currently sells more than 2,500 locally and regionally sourced products from over 600 producers. Through its support, Waitrose has seen a number of local businesses become nationally-recognised brands, including Warner Edwards, whose Rhubarb Gin was initially sold in 133 Waitrose shops but is now stocked in nearly 300.

John Vine, Waitrose Spirits Buyer, said:

“Gin is now the most popular spirit we sell, having overtaken whisky earlier this year.

“Gin from local and regional distilleries have become particularly popular for several reasons. There's been a shift towards people sipping the spirit before their meal as an aperitif, so artisan gins, which tend to have been infused with unique flavours, really appeal for this purpose. Our customers are also looking for local gins in a bid to support smaller suppliers.”

Springwatch presenter Chris Packham is calling for young people to get snapping during the school holidays and enter their photos into the RSPCA’s Young Photographer Awards.

Whether it’s a bug, a bird or a big, beautiful mammal, it’s a fun way to spend some time during the holidays, photos of any kinds of wildlife and animals are welcome.

And for the first time there will be a prize given for the best photograph taken on a mobile phone.

TV star Chris will once again be part of the judging panel. He said:  “If you’re under 19, why not head out into the countryside and snap some wildlife?  Or you could get a great shot of your pet, whether it’s your dog, cat or even your hamster.

“Photographs of any animals can be entered into the competition.  We see some incredibly beautiful images and this year I’m hoping to see fantastic pictures of animals taken with devices like mobile phones and tablets as well.

Chris added: “But make sure you send your photos in by the deadline of Friday 18 August.”

The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards are a chance for young budding photographers to win amazing prizes.  From the top prize of a weekend photography break ‘Seal Spectacular’ from Natures Images, to up to £800 of photographic vouchers from Wex Photographic.

There are 5 categories:  Under 12 years; 12-15 years and 16-18 years; Portfolio and new for 2017, mobile phone and devices.  Entrants can enter three categories with a maximum of 25 photos.

The new Mobile phone category will provide a fresh challenge, reflecting the important photographic role played by mobile devices in our lives today. Any mobile device can be used in this category, which is aimed at all skill levels, from beginners to complete pros.

Last year’s winner was Kyle Moore from Suffolk.  His photo of a fox on an urban street at nighttime particularly impressed the judges.

Kyle says: “The school summer holidays are such a great time to go out with your camera because you’ve got more time to plan your pictures.

“I would really recommend entering this competition. It’s fun taking photos and trying to find a new angle on an animal you might see regularly.  Why not see what comes through your garden or look under rocks in parks.”

The judging panel for 2017 will include long standing judge, wildlife expert and BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham, alongside leading wildlife photographers, Jules Cox, Andrew Forsyth and Elliott Neep.   Also in the judging line up will be aspiring professional wildlife photographers and former winners Catriona Parfitt (2005 and 2010) and Kyle Moore (2016) .

The judging panel will also include sponsors Ellie Rothnie (wildlife photographer and Natures Images representative); Mark Sisson, Natures Images and Philip Warner from Warners Printers Midlands.

Professional wildlife photographer and former RSPCA chief photographer Andrew Forsyth from Brighton, East Sussex said: “It's an honour to be on the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards judging panel again this year.  And I’m so pleased that mobile phones and other devices have also been added as a category.

"We always see so much talent when we are judging this competition. It is great to see so many young people taking pictures of animals and the new category may encourage even more to have a go.”

The first ever plan of action designed to prevent incitement to violence that could lead to atrocity violence was launched on 14 July 2017, at a meeting held in the ECOSOC chambers at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The plan of action was developed by the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, with the support of KAICIID, the World Council of Churches and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers.

The event was inaugurated by Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres; Under Secretary-General and Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng; and Secretary-General of KAICIID, Faisal Bin Muaammar. Amongst a number of religious leaders of individual communities from around the world, Bhai Sahib, Bhai Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman and Religious Leader of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha UK, provided a Sikh perspective on the panel discussing the role of religious leaders in preventing incitement to violence.

Bhai Sahib Ji commented, ““This Plan of Action and the process by which it has been developed is highly commended.

The misuse of religion to provoke violence is a symptom of diseased minds. To eliminate this disease at the source, we must lovingly liberate our minds through empowering ourselves with the values of compassion, truthfulness, selfless contentment, humility and love. Only peace within oneself can lead to peace around us.”

Implementation of the Plan of Action will contribute to the prevention of atrocity crimes, especially in areas affected by religious and sectarian tensions and violence and enhance the respect, protection and promotion of human rights, including the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of religion or belief and peaceful assembly.

At the launch meeting, religious leaders, the United Nations, Member States, and civil society began discussing strategies for the implementation of the Plan of Action and the coordination between religious leaders and implementing agencies.  Important next steps include the dissemination of the Action Plan among Member States, relevant UN agencies and other stakeholders.

The long-term future of Wildside Activity Centre is set to be secured by a ‘Community Asset Transfer’ of the premises from City of Wolverhampton Council to the organisers.

The Whitmore Reans Estate-based centre on Hordern Road provides educational and environmental outdoor activities for all ages and abilities, in a green canalside location.

A strong business case has been put forward by the organisers of the social enterprise - and both parties are now working towards signing an official agreement for a 35-year lease.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, said: “Wildside Activity Centre provides a tremendous service to the community and is run by a very dedicated team of volunteers.

“We have worked closely with the centre’s leadership team to enable this Community Asset Transfer to take place.

“The business case they have put forward means the long-term future of the centre is secure and will serve the local community to the full.

“The official agreement must now be signed by both parties – and I am looking forward to seeing the centre build on its popularity over the coming years.”

The Wildside Activity Centre was set up by the council as a local authority-run outdoor pursuits centre but has been self-funded since May 2014.

A registered charity, the company is committed to investing £75,000 worth of volunteer hours to provide activities and improve the facilities on a not-for-profit basis.

It is looking to further develop its extensive programme, which includes canoeing, cycling, narrowboat trips, conservation projects, nature and adventure activities.

This will be achieved through sessions for schools, youth groups, uniformed and voluntary organisations, and disability groups, as well as family-orientated holiday programmes.

Public open days showcasing its work, and events on key dates such as Mother’s Day, will continue to broaden the appeal of the centre.

The hire of the meeting room, with a small kitchen, wi-fi and data projection facilities, is also in place to bring in revenue.

Long-term unemployed City of Wolverhampton residents can benefit by volunteering at the centre.

Len Kruczek, Wildside Activity Centre Chair of the Board, said: “This is a huge landmark for us and we are extremely grateful for the council’s support on this transfer of the centre to the charity.

“We serve all ages and all abilities and get people reconnected with nature.

“We have a wonderful, newly decorated meeting room with canal views available for hire, an extensive range of activities, brilliant boat trips and exciting holiday programmes. “We are completely committed to the hard work ahead of keeping the centre going to serve the local community.”