Darren Walker

Position:
Associate, Cobbetts LLP and Birmingham Future Chairman

About Me:
Darren has been a member of the corporate team at law firm Cobbetts for 7 years specialising in private equity, venture capital and private M&A. Clients include SME’s, institutional equity investors, management teams and Blue Chip businesses such as Stanley Black & Decker, Veolia Environnment and RSM Tenon. He recently lead the legal team on the £27m buy out of Niagara Lasalle, voted businessdesk.com deal of the month for January. As well as being a qualified lawyer, he has an MBA from Birmingham Business School.

Darren was appointed chair of Birmingham Future in August 2010, prior to this was a member of the BYPY committee for 5 years, chairing the committee for the 2010 event. The theme for his year as chair of Birmingham Future is entrepreurialism - both how business and professional services can support Birmingham's entrepreneurs as well as how members and their organisations can be more entrepreneurial themselves.

What am I looking for from BYPY candidates:
I want to find someone who demonstrates excellence (relative to their experience) in their chosen profession. Thereafter they must have a big personality so that they can be a credible ambassador for Birmingham and that we feel confident in supporting as a future superstar of the business community. Being able to show innovation and intrapreneurialism in their chosen field is something that should be valued in such a challenging business environment.

Category Specialist: Legal