Professional services group Birmingham Forward has changed its name as part of the biggest overhaul in its history.

Members accepted the old Birmingham Forward was not fit for purpose in the 21st century and consigned the name to the dustbin, replacing it with Business Professional Services Birmingham, or BPS Birmingham.

The organisation will also have a streamlined governance model with a smaller board, while Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership chair Andy Street has become president.

It has slimmed down after a lean period for the group and following its AGM, an operation called Birmingham Leaders, will take up the role previously fulfilled by Birmingham Forward as the representative body for established leaders and senior managers in professional firms and roles.

Birmingham Future will remain part of BPS Birmingham and Birmingham Aspire, a new membership body aimed at building greater links and engagement with young talent in schools, colleges and universities, will also be part of it.

There will be a smaller board consisting of the chairs of Birmingham Leaders, Birmingham Future and Birmingham Aspire in addition to four executive directors and two non-executive directors.

The decision to change both the membership structure and name of Birmingham Forward followed a strategic review of the organisation with the aim of ensuring the city has a distinctive and effective voice that represents, connects and promotes the business, professional and financial services sector.

It was also announced Birmingham litigation lawyer and Shoosmiths partner Alex Bishop will become the new executive chair of BPS Birmingham and chair of Birmingham Leaders.

The new board of BPS Birmingham comprises former directors of Birmingham Forward Nicola Fleet–Milne, who will take the lead on membership, Nick Morgan who heads up the organisation’s marketing and Jason Langford-Brown will be responsible for operations. THSH finance director Richard Paterson will take on the treasurer role from Sally Beavan.

Outgoing chair of Birmingham Forward, Gary Cardin said: “We wrestled with the key questions of what do our members require from a modern representative body and how can we best help promote one of Birmingham’s priority sectors.”