During a superb inaugural event: An audience with Paul Faulkner, CEO of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and Douglas Wright, CEO of Wright Restaurants and chairman of the board of directors at Ronald McDonald House, Birmingham, attendees from a variety of industries heard first-hand many fascinating experiences from Paul and Douglas’ career in a honest and insightful question and answer session. In the relaxed environment both speakers divulged remarkable facts about their career journeys, followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions, network and catch up over good food, supplied by the event sponsors Mahirs Experience.
With no stone unturned, questions regarding developments happening within Birmingham, Paul’s career with Randy Lerner leading to his position of CEO at Aston Villa and Douglas’ business journey including winning the McDonald’s world franchisee award in 2016, the significance of business mentors and the importance of giving back to the community, left the audience with plenty of food for thought.
During the evening Mr Chris Williams also addressed attendees on the work of the Buddy Bag Foundation, a charity Highclare School have recently championed. The Network event was free of charge and attendees kindly donated £430 to the Buddy Bag Foundation, which will directly help children who find themselves in emergency care.
Douglas Wright concluded the Q&A session by congratulating Highclare School on the calibre of its pupils. “Great kids with a great future ahead of them, through Dr Luker and the School’s ethos it has made the school a facilitator of success.”
Dr R Luker, Headmaster of Highclare School
Thank you to all those who joined us in the successful launch of the first Highclare Business Network Event, we were delighted to welcome such a great group of people to our School. We see this as just the beginning of creating a highly dynamic and connected community of business and enterprise leaders who wish to discuss current and future topics concerning business and education in Birmingham.
I’d also like to say a huge thank you to our fantastic speakers – Paul and Douglas, offering differing and honest perspectives and practical thoughts regarding career progression, enterprise and business. Feedback from attendees, including representatives from our Sixth Form revealed the evening was hugely successful and we very much look forward to communicating our future event plans with the business and school community.
