Pictured above: Dr. Christine Braddock
Dr. Christine Braddock becomes President of Birmingham Chamber
of Commerce today (Friday, October 15) with a pledge to help
ambitious youngsters connect with business.
The Chief Executive and Principal of Birmingham Metropolitan
College succeeded Paul Bassi at the Chamber's annual meeting
today.
She said: "I want to use part of my year to promote the link
between youngsters seeking work and businesses within the
Chamber.
"Graduates will continue to have a difficult time in finding
work until the economy starts to improve. But in the meantime,
businesses will be keen to maintain their skills levels and that
should create opportunities.
"It's important that we make it easy for youngsters to connect
with business. I aim to engage Chamber members in creating
internships and promoting apprenticeships.
"We must demonstrate to youngsters what businesses do, explain
the required skills, show them how to get into it and make sure
they are job-ready in order to face the world of work."
Dr. Braddock was awarded the CBE in the 2008 New Year's honours
for services to Further Education.
She has nearly 20 years' experience in senior leadership of FE
colleges and became principal and chief executive of Birmingham
Metropolitan College when it was created by the merger of Sutton
Coldfield College and Matthew Boulton College of Further and Higher
Education.
During her 12 years as a principal, Dr. Braddock has managed
major change, including the development of skills for business
across the region.
Before moving into FE leadership, she worked as a senior adviser
for the Home Office, managing and coordinating education policy and
provision in 43 Midland establishments, in collaboration with local
authorities and FE providers.
She has gained extensive experience of developing successful
international links between the world of education and business.
She also has experience of lecturing, youth work and running
her own business.
Her family are from the business world so she has a keen
understanding of the pressures local businesses face in developing
a vibrant economy.
Michael Ward, Senior Partner at HBJ Gateley Wareing LLP, was
named as the incoming Vice-President. He joins Simon Warr, former
Director at Jaguar Land Rover for Communications and Public Affairs
who has now formed the Simon Warr Consultancy.