As Head of People, Learning and Development I lead on the delivery of our people management strategies which support both Millennium Point’s business aims and objectives and Millennium Point Trust’s charitable objectives.

I am a chartered member of the CIPD, with a Master of Science in Human Resource Development and I have over 30 years’ HR experience, including roles at Asda Stores Limited, West Mercia Constabulary and Mettis Aerospace. I have also spent time working as a freelance HR consultant providing advice and insights to a wide range of clients and organisations. My key areas of interest include linking the strategic aims of Millennium Point to the People agenda and ensuring all team members are equipped to realise their full potential.

I also manage the charitable arm of our organisation Millennium Point Trust. Our vision is to be recognised as a leader in the promotion of education and careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). I am responsible for both our grants and scholarship programmes, and these programmes are vital components in supporting our charitable aims of improving STEM education and promoting STEM as a career choice in the West Midlands. There are many exciting opportunities for young people in STEM in the West Midlands and I am delighted that the work that I do, can help young people realise their full potential.

I head up the Finance team for Millennium Point Property and Millennium Point Charitable Trust, formulating strategic and long-term business plans; ensuring company compliance and developing financial management mechanisms which minimalise financial risk.

I put my team first, building their confidence and potential, while also challenging them to excel. I have nearly two decades of experience working in the financial sector across a wealth of industries. Millennium Point’s multi-strand nature as a commercial entity and not-for-profit places the landmark building in a unique position within the city.

We have the commercial power to facilitate real change and lead on the regeneration of Eastside in the wake of HS2 developments; while also having insight into challenges faced by not-for-profits and SMEs to provide meaningful support through our charitable arm.

I head up Millennium Point’s Marketing & Events team maximising the organisation’s commercial streams and ensuring the organisation’s key elements are effectively communicated; in order to drive revenue for both the business and allowing greater investment in STEM initiatives on behalf of the Millennium Point Trust.

Bringing commercial experience from my previous roles, including being the director of group sales for 5Ways Hospitality which included the grand opening of Park Regis hotel Birmingham, and prior to that head of sales at Worcester Warriors, it’s important that we don’t lose sight of why we’re pushing our commercial objectives and communicate to our clients, tenants and customers that when you invest with us you’re investing back into the future of Birmingham and the West Midlands.

I head the Facilities team at Millennium Point, focusing on strategic and operational leadership in the development and delivery of efficient and effective services and estates planning.

I have 30 years’ experience of delivering excellence in customer service, working across a number of sectors including communications, retail, property and higher education.

I am a passionate Brummie, excited about the potential for the next chapter of Millennium Point as an iconic landmark in Eastside.

I have experienced the regenerative power of catalyst developments like Bullring over the last 20 years and look forward to the opportunities that HS2 will bring to the City and to the STEM focused charitable activity of the Millennium Point Trust.

Abbie Vlahakis is CEO of Millennium Point and its charitable parent company, Millennium Point Trust. She also serves as Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands and holds trustee roles with the Prince Albert Community Trust and Your City and Metropolitan Hospital Charity.

Abbie leads the Millennium Point team, focusing on driving their commercial strategy as landlord to prominent tenants like Birmingham City University and Thinktank, and as an award-winning events provider. This generates the funds needed to meet their charitable mission of supporting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) across the West Midlands.

She is committed to widening the Trust’s reach to more organisations across the region, helping to secure rewarding careers in STEM for young people. The West Midlands, home to the historic Lunar Society, continues to be a hub for innovation and technological advancement.

Before joining Millennium Point, Abbie enjoyed a successful 20-year career as a Chartered Tax Advisor at Grant Thornton and KPMG, advising entrepreneurial businesses and high net worth individuals. She holds an MBA from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Growing up in a South Wales mining village, Abbie is hugely aware of the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation. She is extremely passionate about supporting and promoting STEM, and creating as many opportunities as possible for future innovators.

Abbie is delighted to be part of a region that will benefit from the great technological advances associated with HS2, believing there is no better place to recognise and inspire the scientists and engineers of the future than the West Midlands.