‘Tide turning’ to keep talent

BUSINESS networking group BPS Birmingham has appointed its new chairman.

Having served as finance director of BPS Birmingham for the past two years, Ian Barnes will spend the next two years as chairman, replacing Ahmed Farooq, chief financial officer with financial services group Wesleyan who is stepping down after 18 months in role.

Mr Barnes, a tax partner with financial services firm Deloitte in Birmingham, said: “The Midlands has some of the best universities, colleges and professional organisations in the UK, yet in the past we have struggled to retain the expertise and knowledge developed here, but the tide is definitely turning.”

Mr Barnes has held leadership roles within the BPS organisation since 2009 when he chaired the strategy committee at sister group Birmingham Future.