Business News
Sarah Hainsworth
Ray Linforth
Michelle McLoughlin
Rosie Ginday Gongs for city’s leading figures
Two leading professors, the chief nurse from Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospitals and one of the city’s top entrepreneurs were among those to be recognised in the New Year’s Honours List. Sarah Hainsworth, professor of
Materials and Forensic Engineering at Aston University, received an OBE for her services to engineering and forensic science. She has provided reports to
police forces across the UK as a leading forensic science expert on stabbing, tool marks in dismemberment and knife sharpness. Professor Hainsworth, who
joined the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Aston University as pro-vice-chancellor and executive dean in September
2017, said: “I was surprised and absolutely delighted that my work has been recognised in this way. “As someone with a background
in materials engineering, I would never have dreamt that I would end up working on stabbing, dismemberment and the remains of a 500-year-old king.” An OBE was also awarded to
another key figure in Birmingham’s higher education sector. Professor Ray Linforth, the vice-
chancellor and principal of University College Birmingham, was recognised for services to further and higher education. Professor Linforth, who has
worked at UCB for over 30 years, said: “Whatever I have done or achieved has been with the support of so many other people, so this award is as much for them, as it is
for me.” Birmingham Women’s and
Children’s NHS Foundation Trust’s chief nurse Michelle McLoughlin received a CBE for services to paediatric nursing and patient safety.
Michelle joined the team at Birmingham Children’s Hospital as a specialist liaison nurse in 1991, concentrating on helping young people with the most complex needs. She progressed into senior nursing management roles before being appointed as chief nurse for Birmingham Children’s Hospital in 2007. The mum of three and
grandmother to three said: “I’ve been in a very privileged position for a number of years in caring for other people’s children. I know just how important that is.
“It’s brought me so much joy and
you simply cannot fail to be inspired by the bravery and tenacity of the young people who are going through such a lot. “I’m lucky to have had so many
role models, a supportive family and many dedicated colleagues, past and present.” Rosie Ginday, who founded and
runs Miss Macaroon, has received an MBE for services to the community. The 34-year-old’s company – a
catering and retail ground behind a range of macaroon treats - offers training and employment opportunities to unemployed young people with mental health issues and who are at risk of homelessness. All profits are reinvested into providing training and jobs.
Telephone systems need to be ready for switch
Businesses are being urged to prepare now for when BT switches their telephone systems from a digital base to the internet. BT intends to phase out their old-fashioned
technologies for good. This process is starting in 2020, moving to a full withdrawal of ISDN and PSTN technologies by 2025. PSTN is the traditional telephone line network which
carries analogue and digital voice traffic over copper lines. Chamber Premier members Birmingham
Telecommunications Limited, a Coleshill-based telephone system specialist, are advising businesses to look ahead and consider migrating sooner. Their business development manager, Kevin Ryan
(pictured), says: “BT are phasing out ISDN and PSTN because they are out of date and carry all the associated maintenance costs and drawbacks. “PSTN is the traditional telephone line network which
carries analogue voice & data over copper lines. This technology - although vastly improved over the years - is basically the same in principle and design as the early telephone networks of the late 1800s. For businesses who
have a traditional ISDN/PSTN-based system, now is a good point to look into the alternative. “Although there is plenty of time until 2025 rolls
around, it’s best to plan ahead and businesses may actually find they want to migrate sooner rather than later after finding out the benefits of the replacement ‘IP’ based systems. “As new Premier members, Birmingham Telecom are
here to help Chamber members. Birmingham Telecom can provide industry-leading advice, service and support to businesses throughout the area via our experienced team of consultants, dedicated account managers and specialist telephone engineers. “Trading since 2006, Birmingham Telecom have
established itself as one of the UK’s leading business- only telecommunication providers. We now provide our services to over 22,000 businesses nationwide, which is testament to the wide range of products and levels of service we strive to maintain.”
To take advantage of Birmingham Telecom’s offer, go to
www.birminghamtelecom.co.uk
February 2019 CHAMBERLINK 27
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