When Max Gimson graduated, he started work at the Birmingham office of commercial property consultancy DTZ - and, after 18 months, decided it was time to head south and make his fortune in the City. "Four years later and, tired of the endless concrete, packed public transport and 90 minutes stuck in traffic jams every time I wanted to get anywhere, I decided the Smoke wasn't all it was cracked up to be," says Max, picking up the story. "It dawned on me that the city of my birth offered a far better work-life balance." Now working as a consultant with financial risk managers JC Rathbone Associates in the heart of Birmingham's traditional business district, he reflects on the move. "Birmingham nowadays is a very different city to the one a grew up in," says Max. "Look at the number of top-class corporates with a presence here, the growing number of vibrant bars and restaurants, the sporting venues, and the surrounding countryside. "Put it all together and it makes a special place to live. I feel that the continued investment in the city and its growing national and international profile mean that this gem of a city can only continue to go from strength to strength." What amounts to a glowing testimonial for Birmingham bears out the bullish belief of top divorce lawyer Diane Benussi, who, as chairman of Birmingham Forward, makes it her business to talk up the city's pool of professional talent and its pulling power for the next generation of legal, financial and property players. Graduates like Max who leave Birmingham to work or study elsewhere are being drawn back in ever-growing numbers, according to Ms Benussi, by a killer combination of career opportunity, affordable housing and lively nightlife. She sees no let-up in the trend - and everyone is a winner as a result. The professions employ more than 90,000 people in this area, and that figure is projected to grow by 50,000 within the decade. "Just take a look at accountancy," says Ms Benussi. "Something like 500 graduates are taken in by Birmingham accountancy firms alone each year. They are paid a minimum of £25,000, which brings in £12.5 million for the city's economy. Imagine how much these people are going to generate over the years. "If it is true that a city is only as great as the people who are employed there, then Birmingham must be up there with the great cities. "Birmingham is sucking in more talent all the time and we are getting bigger and better as a result. "Five or six years ago, there was a perception that there were certain types of work that we could not undertake - I do not think anyone thinks that now. "We can take anything that is thrown at us and we will continue to grow because of this. The city's professional sector is leading the way in terms of overseas business. "I think we sometimes underesti-mate the importance of our city, both on a national and international scale, But look at KPMG - huge in terms of international work. We also have law firms like Cobbetts doing lots of work with Russia - one of the fastest-growing economies in the world." Graham Muth, partner at Cobbetts, agrees. Birmingham city centre is home to several high-profile lawyers, accountants and property agents - and their work is becoming increasingly pan-European. "Birmingham is fast becoming a leading, if not the number one, centre for professional services outside of the capital," he says. "The region's advisers have been increasingly active in generating business from around the globe, which has greatly contributed towards the continued economic growth of Birmingham and the region as a whole. "The vast amount of development work and regeneration happening around the region is helping to attract some of the biggest names in business, which in turn is bringing more high-quality advisers. "As the region's professional community is still developing, there is scope for up-and-coming talent to make their mark, and this is a key factor in attracting and retaining the next generation of quality advisers." Martin Luise, managing director of Birmingham-based recruiters and headhunters Charles Fellowes, agrees. "Over the past decade, Birmingham and the surrounding region has steadily reinvented itself from an industrial, manufacturing location to a progressive centre for modern business and lifestyle patterns," he enthuses. "If you are looking for career advancement, the Midlands certainly has plenty to offer. "While salaries remain competitive in the sector, the large majority of us know that money isn't everything, particularly as many of us operate in such a high-stress, fast-moving work environment. "One of the main attractions is the quality of life that Birmingham and the surrounding area can offer and its ability to help individuals achieve the all-important work-life balance. "Several of our current candidates are professionals in practice who are seeking out working hours more suitable to their lifestyle. "There are also those people who have gained valuable experience in the City, but feel that there is a good concentration of quality openings, with a flexible, rewarding lifestyle here." ..SUPL: | 
