How I Got Nominated for Two Regional Awards as a Young Professional in Birmingham
I moved to this country two years ago. And I have just been named a finalist in two regional awards. As crazy as it sounds, I did it. So why can't anyone else?
On June 17, 2026, I was named a finalist in the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year — Marketing, Sales and Communications category
And a few days ago, I was named a finalist for the Young Achiever of the Year at the Birmingham Awards.
Coming from a humble background, these kinds of recognitions can feel like a dream. They did to me.
And while I have a long way to go in my journey, I think it is worth sharing, with young professionals in Birmingham, across the region, and wider in the UK, what actually led to these nominations and what you can do to achieve the same. Or better. Find a lifelong mentor. Develop ,meaningful friendships. Find a career opportunity you never expected.
Here is what worked for me. And what you should do.
Put Yourself Out There
For any young professional, I would highly suggest putting yourself out there. This sounds obvious. It really is not.
For years I did great work, commercially and personally, and kept quiet about it. I assumed it was just part of my job, just a personal deed, and that the results would speak for themselves.
They do not. At least not beyond the four walls where the work happens.
The people who could recognise you, advocate for you, or connect you to the next opportunity cannot do any of that if they do not know you exist.
The shift for me came when I started being visible. Writing this blog. Going to networking events, and trust me, I am an INTP-A type, in simple words: introverted. At first I did not know anyone. It was awkward and uncomfortable. But then you eventually meet people. You get comfortable. And the room that once felt foreign starts to feel like yours.
My advice: be part of a regional professional group. For me it was Future Faces, the young professionals network at Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. For you it could be your regional networking group, your industry body, your local Chamber.
Here is what that network did for me in just a few months:
Recognised my achievements: I was named one of the finalists in the Marketing, Sales and Communications category at the GBYPY Awards.
Connected me to opportunities I would not have found otherwise: including a Career Mentorship volunteering role at Arden University, with many more available through the network.
Gave me a seat at the table on things that matter: I joined the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, advocating for causes that are important to me personally and to the wider professional community.
All of this in a few months. And all of these initiatives pushed me to put myself forward for awards, and now I am a finalist for Young Achiever of the Year at the Birmingham Awards too.
Regardless of whether you win, you are already winning by putting yourself out there.
Create Content and Build Your Presence Online
I also started creating content: this blog, social media, and a YouTube channel. Not to become an influencer. But because I believe that when you make knowledge accessible, you have no idea how far the ripple goes.
I have been sharing what I know about marketing, SEO, GEO, AEO, and AI search, Ads, AI Tools, Everything marketing, the things I work on every day. And that content has built a professional presence beyond any room I could walk into. People who have never met me know what I do and what I stand for.
That visibility compounds over time in a way that no single networking event can replicate on its own.
You do not need to start a blog. But find your channel. LinkedIn. A local podcast. Speaking at an event. Whatever feels most natural. Start there. Be consistent. And share what you genuinely know.
Who Are Future Faces and How Do You Join?
Future Faces is the young professionals network under Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is for 18 to 35-year-olds across every sector, marketing, finance, law, tech, hospitality, healthcare, and everything in between.
As a member you get access to monthly networking events, professional development sessions, a mentoring programme, and the annual Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards, which are free to enter and open to members and non-members alike.
The GBYPY Awards are open to anyone aged 35 or under who lives or works in the Greater Birmingham region. You do not need to be a Chamber member to apply.
Find out more and join at: greaterbirminghamchambers.com/futurefaces
How to Apply for Regional Awards, and Why You Should
Here is a challenge. You almost certainly use AI in some shape or form, I assume around 90% of professionals do at this point. So use it for this.
Search for regional awards that fit what you do. Ask ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity: "what young professional awards are available in Birmingham" or "regional marketing awards UK 2026." Shortlist the ones that match your sector and career stage. Note the deadlines. And then just fill in the application.
Shortlisted or not. Winner or not. You have achieved something just by doing it, you have put yourself out there, forced yourself to reflect on what you have actually built, and made yourself visible to people who are looking for exactly what you offer.
Most young professionals are doing more than they realise. The application forces you to see it.
The Honest Summary
Join networks. Go to events. Awkward at first or not, show up. Because the rewards are not just trophies or certificates. They are the meaningful connections, the unexpected opportunities, and the version of yourself you discover when you stop working quietly in the background and start letting the world see what you are building.
I moved here two years ago not knowing anyone. Today I am a regional awards finalist, a career mentor, a D&I advocate, and someone actively contributing to the professional community in Birmingham.
You can do this too. Start today.
Faryal Raza Bhatti is a Marketing Manager at Norton Insurance Brokers, a Future Faces member, a Career Mentor at Arden University, and a Birmingham Chamber of Commerce D&I Working Group member. He is a 2026 finalist in the Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards (Marketing, Sales and Communications) and a 2026 Birmingham Young Achiever of the Year finalist. Vote at birminghamawards.co.uk/vote-now
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