LISTEN: Diary of a GBYPY winner - applications, awards and advice
In a special edition of the Future Faces podcast, exceptional talent from the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards is celebrated.
This edition brings you stories of triumph, resilience, and inspiration from award winners across a spectrum of industries.
In October, eleven young professionals were honored for their contributions to fields such as finance, legal, not-for-profit, and creative arts, among others. Two individuals were also recognised with the President's Award and the Ambassador Award for their dedication to the Future Faces network. These accolades spotlight the diverse and unique backgrounds of our winners, emphasizing their impact within the Greater Birmingham community.
Award winners and their journeys:
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Alex Peart: Environmental, Social, and Governance Award
Alex Peart, a senior manager at KPMG, shares the journey of applying for the award himself, and how this encouraged reflection on past achievements and newfound confidence. -
Aysha Bateman: Property Construction and Engineering Award
Aysha, a management trainee, talks about the surprise and pride she felt upon winning and the value of self-nomination despite initial nerves. -
Sunjay Kohli: Creative Arts and Culture Award
Founder and MD of AAA Media, Sanjay highlights the ceremony's inspirational vibe and advises future applicants to communicate clearly the impact of their work on their community. -
Charlotte Stanyer: Digital Tech and Innovation Award
Charlotte recounts how the support from her colleagues fueled her pride and encouraged her to enjoy the process, reflecting on personal and professional achievements. -
Iveta Pudilova: Startup Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Award
As CEO of Happy Autistic Lady, Evita emphasizes the transformative journey from being a finalist to an award winner and reiterates the importance of embracing every opportunity. -
Samantha Strong: Training and Education Award
A senior lecturer, Samantha talks about her surprising win and the importance of recognizing others' accomplishments. Her commitment to supporting students shines through. -
Shereen Johal: Legal Award
Shereen shares her motivation for applying and the perseverance it took after not being shortlisted initially. Her journey is a testament to growth and self-recognition. -
Nadia Johnstone-Smith: Finance Award
Nadia reflects on the rare opportunity to pause and appreciate one's hard work. She encourages aspiring applicants to believe in themselves and seize the moment. -
Francesca Bagley: Not for Profit Award
Francesca advises getting feedback on applications and exudes excitement for the new opportunities that recognition may bring. -
Santina Bunting: Apprentice and Overall Winner
Santina, an engineering apprentice, discusses the excitement of winning while encouraging self-promotion and reflection on personal achievements.
The collective wisdom shared by the winners serves as a reminder of the value of recognition and reflection. Future applicants are encouraged to apply for the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2025 awards to seize a chance to shine and inspire.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the Future Faces podcast, and follow us on social media for updates and new episodes.
You can listen and subscribe to Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast now on the following listening platforms:
