Birmingham's largest law firm, Wragge & Co, will again sponsor the Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards.

They take place at the ICC on May 17 next year. Phil Clissitt, a partner at Wragge & Co, said: "The future of Birmingham's professional firms is in the hands of the city's young professionals and that is why we are delighted to sponsor the Birmingham Young Professional of the Year Awards for the third year running.

"In order to maintain and build on our reputation as an international city for business it is important that we encourage and support the next generation coming through."

The BYPY Awards are now in their sixth year and a permanent fixture in the city's business calendar.

Joy Stefanicki, media and PR manager at Deloitte and chairman of the 2006 Awards team, said: "We are very grateful that Wragge & Co has chosen to continue as our main sponsor for the third year running. Without the continued support of our sponsors these awards would not be able to happen.

"We would urge all young professionals who work so hard to make this city a success to enter themselves or nominate somebody they think deserves to be recognised as Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2006."

She said the BYPY team had secured the attendance of one of the country's leading business figures and an announcement of the guest of honour would be made soon.

BYPY will again be supported by the Territorial Army, which returns as an individual sector sponsor for the third year running, while West Bromwich Building Society and Crosby Homes have signed up to sponsor a sector for the first time.

The awards cover communications, financial, legal, property and construction, and recruitment and training.

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Wragge has advised Antigua-based online gaming company English Harbour on its $23.25 million proposed acquisition by AIM-listed Leisure & Gaming. Corporate partner Baljit Chohan and solicitor Philip Graham worked on the deal.

Established in 1997, English Harbour was one of the first internet casino businesses. It operates several brands, including English Harbour, Silver Dollar and the Super Slots Casino.

Wragge's regeneration team has worked with the London borough of Croydon to streamline its assisted private purchase scheme.

Property and public sector specialists Christopher Plumley, Jacqueline Knox and Sarah Punshon have worked on the case.

Launched in 1987, the APPS provides Croydon Council tenants with grants to help them purchase their own homes in the private sector.

And Wragge has advised the Parkridge Group on the creation of a new intown shopping centre fund formed with Morley Fund Management.