Insider Media Limited

Gary Cardin, the head of Drivers Jonas Deloitte in Birmingham, will become chairman of Birmingham Forward in autumn.

Cardin has been appointed as deputy chair of the organisation and will work alongside current chair Jackie Hendley until he takes the top job.

The appointment is part of a shake-up at Birmingham Forward, with nine new board members set to be confirmed at its AGM on 30 June.

Cardin said: "As a serving board member of the organisation for many years, I have seen how important it is for the business and professional services sector to have a strong collective voice within the city and beyond and my commitment to Birmingham Forward will continue to fulfil that role very forcibly."

Hendley added: "This is an exciting time for Birmingham Forward. We have in Gary a passionate, dedicated and energetic advocate and champion of both the business community and the city as whole and I look forward to working with him as Birmingham Forward enters a new and exciting era in its history."

Other appointments include Alex Bishop, deputy senior partner at Shoosmiths; Matt Taylor, director at Headline Communications; Tom Durrant, partner at Gateley LLP; Ben Gulliford, regional centre head at Barclays Wealth; Ian Forrest, partner at Squire Sanders Hammonds; Adam Smith, partner at Deloitte; Bhupendra Pattni, executive director at Birmingham Metropolitan College; and Andrew Springhall, chief executive of Bluesource.