A financial planner will "drive change and be a fantastic ambassador" for the city after being crowned Birmingham Young Professional of the Year.

Laura Thursfield, from financial services firm Mazars, took home the top prize at the 18th annual BYPY Awards last night which celebrate the city's best professional services talent aged 35 and under.

She was praised for her obvious enthusiasm and passion for Birmingham.

Ms Thursfield won the finance award before being chosen ahead of five other category winners to be named overall Birmingham Young Professional of the Year.

She will now receive a fully funded scholarship to study for an executive MBA at Aston Business School worth £18,000 and spend the next year representing the city as BYPY.

Victoria Ball, chairman of business networking group BPS Birmingham Future which runs the awards, said: "A huge congratulations to Laura.

"On judging day, her enthusiasm and passion for our city, along with her humble approach, really shone through and I have no doubt she will go on to drive change and be a fantastic ambassador for Birmingham.

"The calibre of our candidates has been outstanding right from the initial applications, demonstrating how fantastic our talent pool is here in Birmingham.

"With continued growth in the region and an increasing number of opportunities for young professionals, there is no better time for the leaders of tomorrow to make their mark."

The other category winners are below and click through here to see the full 2018 shortlist:

HR, Recruitment & Training

Gishan Abeyratne, BCL Legal

Legal

Chrissie Wolfe, Irwin Mitchell

Marketing & Communications

Truchio Powell, Alternate Events

Property and Construction

Kuli Bajwa, RPS Consulting Services

Technology

Sarah Mullett, Legal & General

The aspiring talent award, which celebrates individuals aged 16 to 24 and currently in education or training for a professional services career, was given to Daniel Goddard, a trainee solicitor at law firm Trowers & Hamlins.

This year's inspiring leader award was presented to Lorna Gavin, head of diversity, inclusion and corporate responsibility at law firm Gowling WLG.

A former corporate lawyer, Ms Gavin is tasked with spearheading projects aimed at helping the firm make a difference such as Business Action on Homelessness and the Ready for Work programme.

Since 2001 when the programme began, more than 100 people have had work placements with Gowling WLG and it still has employees there today who have come through the initiative.

She also leads the firm's pro bono work which supports more than 80 charities including British Red Cross, NSPCC and RNIB.

Deborah Cadman, chief executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority, chaired the 2018 judging panel.

She said: "Congratulations to all of the winners and of course to Laura.

"It was a privilege to chair the judging panel and we were really excited by the winners on judging day.

"I think they will continue to grow and develop and become even better."

The awards were held at the ICC in Broad Street and hosted by TV broadcaster and presenter Rick Edwards.