BIRMINGHAM Press Club, organisers of the Midlands Media Awards, has agreed a three-year sponsorship package with global bank HSBC.

Ed James, chairman of BPC, which was founded in 1865 and is the oldest press club in the world, said: “We are thrilled to become associated with HSBC at a time when they are set to be one of the most important and largest businesses in the region. This agreement has secured the club financially for the foreseeable future and means that we can now continue to shape the club to cater for an ever-changing media scene in the area.

“We have many exciting plans, including further strengthening our board of directors. Thanks to HSBC’s support, the new partnership will enable us to consolidate and improve our flagship events, the Midlands Media Awards and the Midlands Media Student Awards.”

HSBC has announced that it will be locating the national head office of its ring-fenced bank, which will serve its personal and business customers, in Birmingham in a new building at Arena Central in the city centre.