Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast

Welcome back to the next episode of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, where we connect with professionals across the West Midlands to explore topics that matter to our careers and personal growth.Hosted by Sophie Poduval-Morrell, this episode tackles a pressing issue many young professionals grapple with: Imposter Phenomenon. Joining Sophie to explore this topic is Dr. Samantha Strong, a university lecturer recognized for her contributions to education and training, and winner of the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Award for Training & Education in 2024.Samantha is a senior lecturer at the School of Optometry at Aston University, and shares her fascinating journey of navigating imposter feelings. Despite not following a traditional career path, she highlights the importance of embracing unique experiences and skills, proving that differences can be strengths rather than weaknesses.Samantha’s process of overcoming imposter feelings wasn’t instantaneous but gradual. Key to her progress was accepting mentorship and being open to receiving constructive feedback. Now in a position of influence, Samantha passionately supports her students by openly discussing challenges, making herself a relatable mentor and reinforcing the culture of kindness and empathy. This approach aims to dismantle the daunting walls of self-doubt that many young professionals face today.You can get in touch with Samantha via her LinkedIn.Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the Future Faces podcast and follow us on social media for updates and new episodes.

Welcome back to the next episode of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, where we connect with professionals across the West Midlands to explore topics that matter to our careers and personal growth.In this episode, our host Sophie Poduval-Morrell focuses on helping young professionals in the West Midlands build career confidence and tackle the concept imposter phenomena. Our guest this week is Rebecca (Becca) Horley, a Future Faces member and recently crowned Birmingham Law Society's Solicitor of the Year. Becca shares her experiences with imposter phenomena, detailing her journey to becoming an associate at Shoesmiths, and offers practical advice on building self-confidence, creating a supportive network, and the importance of setting goals and making plans. She also emphasizes the value of one's unique personal style in enhancing confidence and professional success. Becca's story includes her daily routines, fashion inspirations, and strategies she uses to maintain a work-life balance, underscoring the importance of resilience and continuous personal development.You can get in touch with Becca via her LinkedIn.Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the Future Faces podcast and follow us on social media for updates and new episodes.

Welcome back to the next episode of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, where we connect with professionals across the West Midlands to explore topics that matter to our careers and personal growth.In this episode, our host Sophie Poduval-Morrell introduces Belinda Kaur, a dynamic professional renowned for her expertise in marketing, mentoring, and motivation. Belinda shares her journey from studying computer science to thriving in various roles such as red carpet hosting and running her own business. She candidly discusses her struggles with imposter syndrome, the importance of confidence, and how mentorship has played a crucial role in her personal and professional growth. Belinda provides invaluable tips on building confidence, navigating career changes, and the power of networking. The episode emphasizes the significance of setting and achieving goals, as well as pushing through self-doubt to advance in one's career.Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the Future Faces podcast and follow us on social media for updates and new episodes.

This special episode of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast features a live recording of the IWD Conference & Expo, recorded by the IWD Conference & Expo team. Our host Sophie Poduval-Morrell hosted a panel on young professional women, centred around empowering girls for career success, the importance of self-care, being authentic, and what is it like to be in a male-dominated industry. The panel included the voices of four prominent young professional women: Ebony Belle, a mental health nurse and practitioner, specialist mentor, founder of Belle-Being, and senior manager at Vision For All CIC; Freya Dearman, a trainee solicitor and vice president of Future Faces; Nadia Johnstone-Smith, a private client & COP advisor at Quilter Cheviot Financial Planning ; and Ibukun Oluleye (Ibby), brand executive at Tribera and events leader. The panel addresses key issues such as the importance of networking, balancing career with personal well-being, finance management, authenticity in the workplace, and overcoming social mobility barriers. They share personal experiences and advice on maintaining mental health, handling gender challenges in male-dominated industries, managing LinkedIn presence, and the significance of International Women's Day in their lives.Future Faces would like to thank the founders of the IWD Conference & Expo, Kasim Choudhry and Edwin Ladd, as well as the rest of the team, for kindly providing the live recording of the panel.Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the Future Faces podcast and follow us on social media for updates and new episodes.

Welcome back to the next episode of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, where we connect with professionals across the West Midlands to explore topics that matter to our careers and personal growth.Today, we are shining a spotlight on a truly inspiring story featuring the gifted fashion designer and salon owner, Rosie Billington. Hosted by Sophie Poduval-Morrell, this episode focuses on the power of personal branding and staying true to one's purpose in the competitive world of fashion.Rosie Billington's journey into fashion didn't follow a conventional path. From an early age, Rosie's desire to do something creative set her apart from the typical nine-to-five routine. With a love for art and fashion, she embarked on a journey that would see her wearing multiple hats—fashion designer, salon owner, and an everlasting contributor to the personal style landscape.By designing for herself and her circles, she quickly gathered a loyal clientele, becoming a favorite on red carpets and prestigious events like the GBYPY Awards and the Grammys.Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the Future Faces podcast and follow us on social media for updates and new episodes.

Welcome back to the next episode of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, where we connect with professionals across the West Midlands to explore topics that matter to our careers and personal growth.DISCLAIMER: This episode touches on potentially distressing topics, such as cancer treatment.Following on with this month's theme of being known for your purpose, our host Sophie interviews Morgan Paine, a consultant transport planner and Future Faces member.Morgan shares his poignant journey of being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 20, his intense treatment process, and how his fitness background played a crucial role in his recovery.During the pandemic, he faced additional challenges but remained determined to regain his health. Morgan talks about his evolving purpose of raising awareness about mental and physical health among young professionals and the importance of paying attention to one's body.He discusses how Future Faces helped him amplify his message and the steps he took to transition back to normal life, focusing on his purpose and future goals.Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the Future Faces podcast and follow us on social media for updates and new episodes.

Welcome back to another episode of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, where we connect with professionals across the West Midlands to explore topics that matter to our careers and personal growth. This month, our theme revolves around being known for your purpose and aligning it with your personal brand. In today’s fast-paced business world, the noise can often drown out our sense of personal direction. If you’re seeking to define your purpose and refine your personal brand, this is the podcast episode for you. Our host Sophie is joined by her colleague at the GBCC, Anjum Khan, director of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce. Known for her strong sense of purpose and a robust personal brand, Anjum shares her journey and insights. She speaks about her experience of stepping into the business world, building a brand without even realizing it initially, and the responsibility that comes with it. The episode also touches on upcoming Future Faces events focused on personal branding and the Imposter Phenomena. You can find more information on the GBCC events calendar. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the Future Faces podcast and follow us on social media for updates and new episodes. You can get in touch with Anjum via her LinkedIn.

In this episode of the Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, hosted by Sophie Poduval Morrell, manager of Future Faces Chamber of Commerce, the focus is on goal setting. Guest Rebecca Mander, founder of GuruYou, discusses her journey from managing director to executive coach, highlighting significant personal and professional challenges. The conversation covers the importance of setting big, realistic goals, the concept of the Bounce Mindset, and overcoming obstacles like fear of failure and overwhelm. Rebecca also shares practical advice on the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals and the benefits of mentorship and coaching. The episode also touches on upcoming Future Faces events focused on personal branding and the Imposter Phenomena. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the Future Faces podcast and follow us on social media for updates and new episodes. You can access Rebecca's Career Confidence Kit mentioned in the episode HERE, as well as her E-Book HERE. Get in touch with Rebecca and her team via her LinkedIn or the GuruYou website.

Welcome to a special edition of the Future Faces podcast series, where we celebrate exceptional talent from the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards. Hosted by Sophie Poduval-Morrell, manager of Future Faces, this edition brings you stories of triumph, resilience, and inspiration from award winners across a spectrum of industries. Eleven young professionals were recently honored for their contributions to fields such as finance, legal, not-for-profit, and creative arts, among others. These accolades spotlight the diverse and unique backgrounds of our winners, emphasizing their impact within the Greater Birmingham community. The collective wisdom and advice 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.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Future Faces podcast, hosted by Sophie Poduval-Morrell. This new episode celebrates the achievements of Santina Bunting, the youngest winner of the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year (GBYPY) Awards. A civil engineering apprentice at Arup, Santina reflects on her decision to pursue an apprenticeship over traditional education, influenced by her mother's sacrifices. She emphasizes the supportive environment at Arup and the opportunities provided through the Future Faces network. The discussion highlights the importance of visibility, education, and diversity in the professional world, with anecdotes about organizing successful community and networking events. Santina's experiences and positive outlook advocate for women in STEM and underscore the value of early career investment for future leadership development.

In a powerful and compelling new episode of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, we were introduced to Gabriel Imevbore, an eloquent, determined, and inspiring sales director at Z Digital UK. Hosted by Sophie Poduval-Morrell, this episode highlights Gabriel's journey, which resonates with the theme of Black History Month, touching upon the significance of social mobility and the unique challenges faced by young Black professionals. Gabriel discusses his challenging upbringing, marked by his mother's battles with severe depression, financial hardships, and his own youthful rebellion. His story traverses his time in emergency accommodation at St. Basil's, several years at the YMCA, and the transformative mentorship of DK James. Despite early struggles, Gabriel rose to become a successful young professional. His story includes becoming the youngest trustee of YMCA Heart of England, and winning notable awards like the Third Sector Award and Young Leader of the Year. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on the Future Faces podcast and follow us on social media for updates and new episodes.

In episode 38 of the Future Faces podcast, host Sophie Poduval-Morrell of the Future Faces Chamber of Commerce interviews Ashley Kerr, an associate at Mills & Reeve and a former member of the Future Faces Committee. Ashley shares his inspiring career journey, discussing his personal experiences with social mobility. From his challenging school years where he had to fight for education while caring for his sick grandfather, to navigating university applications without family support, and eventually succeeding in the legal profession, Ashley's story is one of determination and resilience. The conversation underscores the importance of social mobility and the impact of networking, mentorship, and perseverance in achieving career goals.

Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals, families or groups through a system of social hierarchy. Basically, it talks about moving up or down the social ladder based on your wealth, occupation, age, gender or other social variables. In episode 37 of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, we hear from Alena Dudrah and Phil Hunt from mfg Solicitors. Sophie talks to Alena and Phil about their career journeys and how social mobility has shaped how they got to where they are today, including a special insight into the inner workings of the legal profession pathway. They also discuss the upcoming professional development event on social mobility, taking place on 25 September at The Button Factory. The event will feature a live panel discussion on how social mobility affects the workplace, with key speakers such as Gabriel Imevbore, Emma Chater, Javed Ahmed and Baoli Zhao. Visit the GBCC events website for more information.

It's two months to go until we celebrate the successes and achievements of young professionals at the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards 2024, taking place at the ICC on Friday, 18 October. In episode 36 of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, we hear from this years awards ceremony host, Amber Sandhu. With a diverse and extensive background in the media, spanning across TV and radio broadcasting for BBC Midlands Today, BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio WM and Sky Sports News, including covering the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Amber will be bringing her dynamic personality to the ICC stage to present the awards ceremony. In this episode, Amber talks to Sophie about personal brand, imposter syndrome and how important it is for social media to be a safe space to share content that is authentic to you. Sophie also talks about the upcoming awards and their importance to the careers of young professionals, with the shortlist being announced very soon.

Participating in a mentor scheme programme can be hugely beneficial for anyone's career, whether they are a young professional or a senior leader. In episode 35 of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, we hear from Heart FM presenter and marketing communications expert Ed James, and his mentee Georgia Turvey, social media content executive at Liquid and the genius behind the Future Faces TikTok account. Sophie talks to Ed and Georgia about their mentoring relationship, and how the scheme has helped Georgia to create a new-found confidence in areas such as public speaking and personal brand. Ed also offers a special insight into the workings behind being a mentor, and how having a mentee is equally important for growth as a senior leader.

Young professionals can benefit hugely from either having a mentor or being a mentor themselves, and in episode 34 of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast we hear just how much of an impact a mentor relationship can have on an individual. Sophie talks to one of the successful matches from the Future Faces mentor scheme programme, general manager of Touchwood Solihull, Tony Elvin, and Money Chopra, cluster sales manager at Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin. Tony and Money offer an insight into their mentor/mentee relationship, detailing how the mentor scheme has impacted both of them in their careers and personal lives. Find out how Tony's advice and support has helped Money to achieve her goals and aspirations in the last six months.

As we approach the end of Pride Month, Future Faces continues to shine a light on the movement by welcoming Char Bailey, director of people and culture at Birmingham Pride UK. Char joins Future Faces manager Sophie Poduval-Morrell and co-host Nadia Johnstone-Smith from the Future Faces diversity and inclusion group to discuss the year-round support offered by Birmingham Pride, as well as the evolution of the 27-year-old organisation. Char also speaks candidly about some of the barriers she has had to overcome as a mixed race, neurodiverse member of the LGBTQ+ community. Find out why the work done by Birmingham Pride has "massive ripple effect for the rest of the world."

In episode 32 of Future Faces, The Young Professionals Podcast, we hear from Shereen Johal, associate at Shoosmiths and member of the Future Faces Diversity and Inclusion working group. DISCLAIMER: This episode features potentially upsetting topics, including abuse and discrimination. Please listen at your own discretion. Future Faces manager Sophie Poduval-Morrell talks to Shereen about her own personal journey of being a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the legal sector, including how she advocates and raises awareness for the community in a variety of ways. Shereen shares a brave and thought-provoking insight into how she has dealt with discrimination herself, and talks about how people can support the LGBTQ+ community by being an ally. If you would like to get in touch with Shereen, you can find her on LinkedIn.

In episode 31 of Future Faces, The Young Professionals Podcast, we hear from committee member Hannah Ellis, senior business manager at Lloyds Bank. DISCLAIMER: This episode features potentially upsetting topics, including eating disorders and cancer. Please listen at your own discretion. Future Faces manager Sophie Poduval-Morrell talks to Hannah about her own personal journey with mental health struggles, including how she overcame her struggles and the support she received from work as well as her family and friends. If you would like to get in touch with Hannah, you can find her on LinkedIn. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please reach out to people who can help you. Below is a list of resources for mental health awareness and support: www.mind.org.uk birminghammind.org www.nhs.uk/mental-health/ www.betterhelp.com www.mentalhealth.org.uk www.youngminds.org.uk www.sane.org.uk

In episode 30 of Future Faces: The Young Professionals Podcast, we hear from Kerrie Henry-Edge and Mike Jeffries, who are part of the team at our chosen charity Birmingham Mind. Kerrie is Birmingham Mind's fundraising officer, while Mike heads the role of training manager. Future Faces manager Sophie Poduval-Morrell talks to Kerrie and Mike about the work they do at Birmingham Mind, including the mental health services they offer for the people of wider Birmingham. Kerrie and Mike also give a preview into what they will be doing for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place from the 13th to the 19th of May, as well as a special insight into the mental health first aid courses they provide for businesses. If you would like to get in touch with Kerrie or Mike, you can find them on LinkedIn.