The Power 50: Is it better to have been and gone, than never to have been at all?

By Ruth Ward on Jul 18, 08 12:13 PM in

The Birmingham Post and Birmingham Future's Power 50 is hot off the press, and I can't help but wonder if those people who have 'dropped off the list' in 2008 are mulling over the whys and wherefores of power as they sip their coffee this morning.

It's fair to say that the atmosphere at last night's launch was full of the usual anticipation, accompanied by a few raised eyebrows. But the interesting part for me was how quickly circles of influence can change in Birmingham.

By my counting there are 26 new names on the list, representing a vastly different 'Who's Who' in Birmingham to just 12 months ago. The list does not pretend to be scientific, but as the selection process was cast further afield with nominations sought from a broader range of sectors, this year's list feels far more reflective of the real influencers in our city.

So, as the new entrants to the list enjoy a warm glow of recognition this morning, are those who were relegated to the periphery reflecting on the challenges that lie ahead in regaining their status? Or are they joining the ranks of a few other big names that didn't quite make the final cut, and drawing consolation from proclaiming that the whole thing is a pointless exercise?

What's genuinely exciting for the rest of us observers is that, while our city continues to develop at such a pace across all sectors, the opportunities to get involved and play a part in its future are endless. For those looking to make their mark, organisations like Birmingham Future, Creative Republic and the IoD offer unrivalled opportunities to rub shoulders with and work alongside the city's key influencers, whether or not they have been and gone from the Power 50.