UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 06 JULY 2017
Chancellor of Birmingham City University, Sir Lenny Henry, has launched a new networking group for the institution in London.
‘BCU in London’ is open to graduates of the University – from senior leaders and up and coming professionals – who are based or have business-interests in the capital.
Sir Lenny Henry addressed some 100 distinguished guests and alumni gathered at the launch, and said:
“We want this launch to form the basis of a strong and enduring network – BCU in London – where graduates and friends of the University here can come together to forge professional links that recognise what you have in common and the expertise you have in your various disciplines.
Joining the Dudley-born actor, writer, comedian and charitable campaigner at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall were notable figures including the Rt Hon Baroness Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, Lord Bruce Grocott, MP for Ladywood Shabana Mahmood and former MP for Edgbaston, Gisela Stuart.
Senior alumni representatives from organisations such as the BBC, EY, IBM, Sport England and Universal Music Group were also present at the event held on the evening of Wednesday 5 July.
Sir Lenny also took the opportunity to praise the University’s positive impact on Birmingham in recent years:
“Birmingham City University has transformed the Eastside region of the city; its new Conservatoire, about to open in September on the City Centre Campus – the first in a generation for the UK; and its City South campus in Edgbaston, with fantastic new sports and health science facilities, is also set to open before the end of the year.
“Add to that the wider changes that have literally transformed the city over the past decade and its small wonder we want to shout about it.
“In fact, one of the reasons we wanted to hold this University event here in the capital is to show London that despite what’s happening in the West Midlands at the moment we don’t necessarily think the world revolves around Birmingham – some cool things come out of London too!”
Sir Lenny was installed as Chancellor of Birmingham City University in November 2016 when he stressed that “education is a right, not an accident of birth” in his inaugural speech.
The Chancellor is the ceremonial figurehead of the University and has an important ambassadorial role, working with senior leaders to raise the University’s profile and advance its core values and interests locally, nationally and internationally.
Take a look at Lenny's speech: