We the people
of the Commonwealth.

The Birmingham
Commonwealth
Association

Incorporating overseas territories

Trade and Business / Education / Communities. Maximising the benefits of networking, partnerships and collaboration for outcome-driven results. 

We are the BCA

The Birmingham Commonwealth Association comprises a network of academia, businesses, individuals and organisations from across Birmingham who are committed to improving the lives and prospects of the Commonwealth community.

The Team

The Association achieves its outcome by focusing upon three areas of Commonwealth interest, each area chaired by highly proficient individuals with relevant experience and skills.

Meet the team »

Get Involved

Become a Member and receive invitations and discounts to all BCA-organised events, as well as the inclusion of your logo (if you are a representative of an organisation or business) on our website and the opportunity to include articles in our weekly newsletter.

Become a BCA Friend and receive our weekly newsletter as well as invitations to some BCA organised events. 

Become a Friend or Member

Commonwealth Flag

Events

Prince William
Aston & BCU student CW debate
Laying CW Wreath
The Queens 90 B'day Event London

VISION AND MISSION

The Birmingham Commonwealth Association (BCA) is a network of charities, organisations, associations, companies, business, academia and individuals committed to improving the lives and prospects of each other in and around Birmingham as well as those of other Commonwealth citizens across the world acting in whatever capacity. We champion engagement, partnership and collaboration and the importance of equality and inclusion, the environment, connected communities and the benefits of bi-lateral trade across the Commonwealth’s 54 member nations and UK overseas territories.

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN

Our 2021-2024 Corporate Strategic plan evolves around our annual events held on Commonwealth Day as well as what our three focus groups of Trade, Communities, and Education will focus upon. These areas of focus are detailed further on this site. They are all intended to impact beneficially across a range of areas to improve the lives and prospects of all Commonwealth citizens.

Team

01. Chairman

Keith Stokes-Smith
J.P( Ret’d) FCG ACMA CGMA; President of the Birmingham Consular Association; Chairman of the Birmingham Commonwealth Assoc; Hon Chair of the Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce; Director of the African Business Chamber; Retired Consul for Lithuania; Founder and Chair of the Birmingham Commonwealth Society.

02. Director

Tony Shergill

CEO of Britasia TV & 
Director of the BCA.

03. Trade and Business

Martin Levermore

MBE; DL; FRSA; Chartered MCISL; Founder and Chief Executive of Medical Devices Technology International.

04. Communites

Wade Lyn

CBE; DL; Hon Consul for Jamaica and the driving force behind Cleone Foods Ltd.

05. Professor

Louise Toner

Associate Dean, Academic Portfolio & Market Development, Faculty of Health, Education & Life Sciences, Birmingham City University

06. Director

Nayaz Qazi

Voluntary Director, Conservative Friends of
India ( CF India)

Corporate & Legal advisor and Company Secretary of Sun Mark Ltd and Group Companies.
Board member of the Prime Minister’s Apprenticeship Delivery Board – Deputised on the Board for
Founder Member of the Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network.
An Advisor to the British Sikh Association & Punjabi Society of the British Isles
Spokesperson for The Pakistan, India, and UK Friendship Forum.

07. Director

Deirdre LaBassiere

LaBassiere Consultants Ltd

Chair: The Legacy Centre of Excellence CIC

Chair: Women Acting In Today’s Society (WAITS)

Chair: Common Purpose West Midlands Advisory Branch

Trustee: The Lunar Society

Board Member: Birmingham Race Impact Group (BRIG)

Advisory Board Member: Every Child Needs A Mentor (ECNM)

Current Interim Role: Deputy Director of Corporate Governance: St. George’s, Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (GESH)

What our
members say.

Swipe through to see all testimonials.

Commonwealth
Service 2021.