Solihull
All the latest news, advice and events for the Solihull business community
Contact: Samantha Frampton T: 0121 678 7488
Conservatoire offer for young horn player
A talented student at Solihull Sixth Form College is pursuing her dream of working as a professional musician, after securing an offer from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Petiya Edwards (pictured), aged 18, from
Ward End, plays the French horn and studies ‘A’ level music at the college. She secured an offer to study at the Conservatoire after a successful interview and audition. The latter involved the daunting challenge of leading a brass section that consisted of third and fourth year
Conservatoire students and a postgraduate student. She said: “It was quite scary to lead a
section, because I had never done that before. I had originally thought I might not apply to the Conservatoire, but in the end I decided to push myself and see what happened and I’m really pleased to have been offered a place.” She also took part in last month’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Brass Project, and was involved in various workshops and masterclasses, including one delivered by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra French horn player Sarah Willis. Petiya will also be taking part in the
National Youth Orchestra’s ‘Inspire Days’, which will include a day’s study in Sheffield, when she can explore the French horn in more depth. She said: “I play both the French horn
and the saxophone, but not many people play the horn anymore, so I think that will offer me greater availability for work in the future. I want to become a professional musician and travel the world, because I love music and I love travelling.”
EE rolls out 5G tech to Solihull customers
EE has announced that customers in Solihull can now receive 5G mobile network technology. The town is among the first places in the
UK to get the new technology, which was launched in the UK last May. Wendy Sycamore, BT Group regional lead
for the Midlands, said: “It’s great to see Solihull amongst the first locations in the UK to welcome 5G. “The new technology will enable a faster,
more reliable mobile connection for both consumers and businesses in the area and is set to play a pivotal role in our lives.”
Doing the business: Solihull Summer Expo 66 CHAMBERLINK February 2020
‘It’s a great honour and very humbling to be awarded a BEM’
He said: “It’s a great honour and very humbling to be awarded a BEM. It’s certainly not something I was expecting and it was a huge shock when I received the letter. “I’ve been involved in lots of groups and clubs
in Solihull over the years and I have only ever wanted to do my best to help the town shine. “One of the main reasons I have been able to
do so much work for Solihull is due to the support given to me by the team at Prime.” As well as his work in the business community,
Mr Johns is a keen rugby fan and has devoted many hours to his role as chairman of Silhillians
Kevin Johns: Award was a ‘huge shock’
RFC, in Knowle, helping to develop the club’s future and promoting participation in the sport. He has also chaired Knowle and Dorridge
Round Table, helping to raise money and organise community events. He said: “I love being involved with ‘Sills’ and
working with some great people at the club who are striving to make it the best it can be. “I think it’s important that, if you’re in the
position to, you should take the time to help with groups such as the Round Table, as they’re all about the community and bringing people together.”
Summer expo to attract 400
Solihull Chamber of Commerce will welcome more than 400 local professionals to a major business event on 21 May. The Chamber has announced its Solihull Summer Expo will be held at Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport. Up to 50 businesses will be exhibiting at the event, and more than 400 delegates expected to attend. Sam Frampton, Solihull Chamber membership
executive, said: “We’re expecting this year’s Expo to again help businesses expand their networks and boost their profile in the local business community.” Early bird offers on exhibition stands are
already on sale. Members of Solihull Chamber of Commerce and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce can buy exhibition stands at £230 plus VAT. For non-members, the stands are available at £260 plus VAT. The exhibition is free for delegates.
Sponsorship opportunities for the event are available, please email events@birmingham-
chamber.com to find out more.
Former president is awarded BEM honour
A former Solihull Chamber president has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year’s Honours list. Kevin Johns, managing director of Prime
Accountants Group, has been handed the gong for his services to the town. The 53-year-old, who lives in Dorridge, has
played a key role in a number of organisations in Solihull during the past 20 years. He served two years as Chamber president and has been Solihull BID chairman since 2016. He has also spearheaded Prime’s fundraising
efforts, which have raised tens of thousands of pounds for charities such as Solihull Life Opportunities (SoLO) and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
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