Aston University: Aston University has four ‘Future Faces’ nominated for awards

Four entrepreneurial Aston University graduates have made the shortlist for the Future Faces annual awards.

The awards are organised by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce to recognise and celebrate young talent across the West Midlands.

Three of the Aston University graduate nominees took part in the BSEEN business support programme and have been nominated in separate categories.

The nominees are:

• Davies Okeowo, Novel Innovations Ltd, for the Future Face of Start-ups & Enterprise
• Ravi Ranjan, Voilo, for the Future Face of Technology & Innovation
• Vishal Mishra, Hummingbird Fintech, for the Future Face of Finance.

All three have decided to remain in the region to build up their businesses, so the BSEEN programme is helping them make their move permanent.

The fourth nominee from Aston University is Gurdeep Chima, who now manages Aston University’s Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CRÈME). Gurdeep has been nominated for the Future Face of Education and Public Sector award.

Kath Rice, enterprise consultant for BSEEN, said: “We’re so pleased to see the hard work and determination of these graduates highlighted.

“It’s a pleasure to work with these three new entrepreneurs, watching their business ideas grow which will have the potential to benefit the local region’s economy.”

The individual crowned overall Greater Birmingham Young Person of the Year will receive a fully funded place on the Aston University MBA.

The winners will be announced at the awards dinner on Friday 26 August at the ICC in Birmingham.

Chris Brewerton, head of Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce and Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber of Commerce, led the judging panel. He said: “We’ve had over 80 young people apply for the Future Faces Annual Awards and Dinner this year.

“It was a privilege to read through all the applications alongside the judging panel, and the very high quality of entries highlights the calibre of young people working in the Greater Birmingham region.

“We can’t wait for all the shortlisted nominees to be able to come together and celebrate their achievements at the awards at the ICC in August.”