I am very excited to be formally invited to host Birmingham’s 2022 Commonwealth Games, an event that has our region buzzing with joy. As an experienced presenter and host I feel privileged to be working towards a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and memory for Birmingham, helping to make this a special moment in history. You can catch me presenting at the NEC over all 11 days, Thursday 28^th July to Monday 8^th August 2022. Listen out for me as I engage with the ‘Fan Zone’ and ‘Village’ and I very much look forward to sharing the experience with you; and showing the world what Birmingham, the West Midlands and the UK is all about!
I look forward to sharing some smiles, bringing some happiness and communicating the message of Birmingham's Commonwealth Games 2022 to the world. Showing everybody how warm, friendly and welcoming Birmingham and the surrounding areas really are. It's time to shine!

The Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 is making history with the legacy projects it's creating that will benefit the community, and econimoc impact on the West Midlands, for many years to come.

Hosted by Elegant Entertainment, I was able to join forces with them as the presenter and host for evening. This online party was created to raise money to help talented local performers, whom otherwise would have had little work or profiling… as well as a donation going directly to our NHS heroes, and also Hospitality Action who are there to assist people in the industry in need through crisis grants and more. This fantastic event included; Cook-a-longs with two of Birmingham's finest chefs: Michelin Starred TV Chef and author - Glynn Purnell (Purnell's & Purnell's Bistro & Bar) and 'Great British Menu' star Alex Claridge from The Wilderness.

Musical performances from Elegant Entertainment, Aston Performing Arts, Feel Good Gospel Choir, The Collective Live Band, Cast of The Greatest Show PLUS a whole host of other celebrity guests, West Midlands Mayor and comedians live from their homes

I was invited to TAG Network Midlands, to do a webinar on ‘Online Presentation Skills’. As more people are now having to work and present from home, I shared my expertise to help individuals grow in confidence to deliver an outstanding presentation to their customers, colleagues and senior level personnel. The presentation was based on my 6 Steps to Success! It was great to see that so many people are joining online webinars to engage, learn and improve their own skills. It appears ZOOM! has become everyone’s new best friend.

Chung Ying Restaurant.

The joy I had when I was recently able to go out and experience an amazing place to eat and drink in the city.

I visited Chung Ying Restaurant, owned by my good friend James Wong. What a lovely occasion to get out with my partner and meet some friends from our bubble and indulge in some great cuisine, with the odd glass of wine! A fantastic new outdoor space, beautiful service and very tasty food while enjoying the pleasure of our friends. For bookings at Chung Ying please email the following  or why not give them a call on 0121 622 5669

Last year I was fortunate to be able to present and deliver a concept show I had written, initially for television, onto the Birmingham Updates platform. Working in partnership to deliver this online, we filmed; 8 x heats, 2 x semi-finals and a final with plenty of other ‘Facebook Lives’ and content in-between too! The buskers of the streets were incredibly talented, humble and heartfelt, giving us plenty of entertainment. It reached an audience of approximately 1.5 million viewers and gained huge recognition locally, thanks to the viewers being ‘the talent scouts and the judges too’!

We are looking at expanding Busking Battles nationally this year but are currently unsure of our forward timing with current circumstances. Please have a look at these brand-new highlights that have been put together by myself and Ewis Law (cameraman and editor).

Colmore Food Festival 2020!

It was with sad heart that an announcement was made to cancel this years’ 10th celebratory event in the city of Birmingham. An event I would have hosted for 9 consecutive years in a row. Usually taking place as we hit the summertime for the beginning of July, it is alive with an enormous collection of bars, restaurants, hotels, eateries, coffee shops, bakeries, Michelin Starred Chef’s and plenty of live entertainment too!

Drawing an audience of over 30,000 people this is always a special event in the Colmore Business District and is a must annual visit in many a diary. To celebrate this year, I teamed up with the CBD, some local businesses and an array of talented artists from Mr & Mrs Grey, as they performed live in each venue to acknowledge this special weekend. Check out the video link attached.

I also had the privilege to have a quick interview with Michelle Wilby, Chief Executive Officer of Colmore Business Improvement District, who answered some questions about the annual food festival event:

1. What does the 10th year mean to you and what are the current effects of the Covid-19 issue? The 10th anniversary of the Food Festival is a milestone for the BID and I was very proud and excited as to how we were going to celebrate it this year. COVID-19 has been an enormous challenge for everyone and we are all trying to anticipate what our new ‘normal’ might look like. We are working hard at the BID to support the leisure and hospitality venues however we can and are making plans to provide some parklets in the district, which will provide some informal seating at various locations – watch this space. We are looking forward to welcoming businesses safely back to the District to bring back the buzz and vibe that is #Colmore Life.

2. The joy you’ve experienced from it over the years? It is always such a high point for me, the culmination of a lot of hard work and the chance to share food and drink with all the great people who work in the District and make some new friends.

3. Why is it a highlight in the CBD diary each year? What can be better than having such an opportunity to show that Colmore is more than just business, everyone knows we work hard, but we also play hard and this gives us a chance to ‘let our hair down’ celebrating together with our great leisure and hospitality venues.

4. What does it do for the venues and businesses involved, and what is the overall impact on Colmore Business District area and Birmingham? It is such a fabulous opportunity for the leisure and hospitality venues to get together, talk, share ideas, and enjoy each other’s company. There are so many gems in the District to eat and drink in and to be able to showcase this locally and nationally is brilliant. Birmingham is a foodie destination and we love to have the opportunity to show how Colmore Business District is part of that story.

5. What are your top 10 moments from the festival over the last 10 years?

1. The first festival – it was nerve wracking but very emotional when it went so well (thanks to Tahreen Kutub!)

2. Going home feeling decidedly ill after eating too much, but not regretting it for a minute – it was the early days, I was excited

3. Dancing with so many different people over the years, celebrating the festival – my dancing feet love it!

4. Aston Performing Arts – I don’t need to say any more

5. Going to the festival in a wheel chair – the previous Saturday I had had a nasty encounter with a speed boat … nothing was going to stop me being there!

6. Glyn Purnell’s chat on the stage, never fails to entertain

7. Dancing with a pigeon – I do love the entertainers!

8. All the food and drink every year it gets better

9. Working with the BID team, Event Men and you Phil on the event, we have the best times

10. Seeing the culmination of all the hard work of whoever has organised it over the years– thanks to Tahreen, Liz, Lucy and of course Katy Paddock!!

 Michelle Wilby, Chief Executive Officer of Colmore Business Improvement District

After a couple of months of mental preparation, and fundraising, it was finally time to walk over burning coals in the name of charity! Thank you to Professor Paul Cadman, who had carefully chosen 100 business entrepreneurs, and known networkers, of the city to take part in this fundraiser; while also helping to raise the profile, and cause, of Acorns Children’s Hospital. I arrived, met like-minded friends of Birmingham, drank hot chocolate, shared stories, watched some entertainment, listened to the safety talk (a comedy delivery but serious too) and then headed, via vintage bus, down to the old Victorian streets of the Black Country museum. Even though it was dark, I had actually forgotten how lovely this place was in all its glory, like time had stood still for decades. We walked around by the metalwork and furnaces section, and got barefooted, onto a dark coaled damp floor in the dark evening sky, that was flooded by moonlight. We were also surrounded by press and a crowd of 200-300 people, cameras flashing constantly, as we all raised our energies, engaged and then took our turn and walked the path of glowing heat. 

A huge THANK YOU to everybody who sponsored me, sent messages, love and support as I walked on fire ??? for Acorns Children's Hospice, Night at the Museum & Fire-walk.
Personally, you helped me raise £1000!!!

30,000 people seen the Facebook live, on the night of Thursday 12^th March 2020 on Birmingham Updates page.

100 Fire Walkers and 250 Spectators. £42,000 was raised from the event  and donations are still coming in ???
Life is about the difference we can make for ourselves, and others!

Together we can do anything ??
(You can still donate via: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/phil-oldershaw )

Busking Battles commended by National News Awards 2020

In 2010 I drafted the idea for a brand-new Entertainment Reality TV Show that I hoped to get to air. In later years, after a conversation with Lord Waheed Alli at his swanky offices in London, it was suggested that I try an online version to break-the-ice with it. Therefore, last year I partnered with Birmingham Updates to launch the show online called ‘Busking Battles’. This show had phenomenal success in Birmingham with over 1.5 million impressions that gained a huge following and audience interaction. A total of 11 episodes filmed last summer with ‘live’ winner announcements each week, it really was a show that gave buskers in the city the opportunity to radiate their talents while the viewers voted for their favourites. Excitingly, the show did that well that it was recently commended at the National News Awards 2020 for ‘Outstanding Use of Social Media’ where they said, quote “Busking Battles is pure genius”.

A big Thank You to all the artists for taking part, the audience for getting involved and for the team at Birmingham Updates for working with me to help make its debut a huge recognised success. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Busking Battles.

Hosting the ‘Millennium Point Scholarship Live Final’ was fantastic. All the top five finalists did an amazing job of presenting their presentations in front of the judges to secure a scholarship placement. There could be only one winner!

Although every finalist received a brand new laptop for their efforts it was a big congratulations to Shennice Talburt for securing a scholarship at Birmingham City University.

Commercial News

Look out for me… appearing on your phone, tablet or computer very soon!

I was most pleased when a few weeks ago I filmed 3 x commercials for an international social media app, that will be going live across the globe as part of their summer campaign very soon! Sorry about the secrecy but it’s under wraps until launch. What I can say is this, although I may still have my boyish good looks (so it’s been said) I was, for the first time ever, cast for the role of a dad in all 3 adverts. Thanks to Tru Powell from Aston Performing Arts for the heads up. 

I get asked to host an array of events, from awards dinners to charity fundraisers, city events to food festivals, and a whole lot more. When Lesley Taylor (BCU Graduate+ Programme Lead) at Birmingham City University asked me to host Birmingham’s second ever TEDx, I was delighted to get involved. I was even more excited to mentor a co-host from BCU, Caprice Bound, who was about to present live, her second and largest event to date!

Guest speakers from all areas of the city included: Anthony Daulphin (Leap of Faith), Victoria Masso (Curiosity, for Tech’s Sake!), Linda Jones (Burn Out to Brilliance), Professor Adam Crizzle (Help Me! I’m Only Human), Sophie Milliken (The Truth Behind the Showreel), Raj Holness, DR Karl George MBE and West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street.

We were also indulged by amazing entertainment from Birmingham’s own, and now legendary, Aston Performing Arts Academy as well as the wonderful Lyriqe, and the superb, Electric, who all performed with such passion and energy.

The team front of house, and back stage in tech, did an extraordinary job in ensuring professionalism, smoothness and a competent delivery in ensuring an inspiring TEDx transpired and will subsequently be seen by millions around the world, once it goes up on the popular TEDx platform.

I enjoyed working with all of the teams in all departments, and also helping to calm the nerves and support the energies of great inspiring speakers who had to deliver to an audience, and cameras, for approximately 15 minutes each. Congratulations to all.

Finally, special recognition goes to Caprice, who pulled off a great co-host presenting roll and to Lesley Taylor, and her team, for making sure the event happened with amazing people on board.

It’s Serenity Radio  I am joining a brand new radio station that launched on Saturday 13th June 2020, its called Serenity Radio. www.serenityradio.co.uk  This fantastic new station will see an array of inspiring and energising presenters, and their unique skillsets, come together to deliver back-to-back incredible insights and positivity to raise the most stubborn emotions during this current crisis, economic climate and a world that seems to be paining every day.  My show, to be named ’The Butterfly Effect’ will see weekly guests, including; performance artists, authors, spiritual leaders and many more telling their story, their journey and their unique outlook to help raise the vibration and energy fields of all who visit.  Mindset is everything, but it's the heart that truly feels. My new show will be launching in the next couple of weeks, check out the website link for more details as they arrive.

It was an incredible night as thousands of people gathered for the media night of The Book of Mormon. Press people mixed with joyous adventurers who were all looking to be enlightened and taken on an incredible journey of music, laughter and a story like no other. Created by the writers of South Park, we were all excited by what we were about to experience. The Book of Mormon follows two young missionaries who are sent to Uganda to try to convert citizens to the Mormon religion. One missionary, Elder Price, is an enthusiastic go-getter with a strong dedication to his faith, while his partner, Elder Cunningham, is a socially awkward but well-meaning nerd whose tendency to embroider the truth soon lands him in trouble. Upon their arrival in Africa, Elders Price and Cunningham learn that in a society plagued by AIDS, poverty and violence, a successful mission may not be as easy as they expected.

 During the interval I caught up with the delightfully charismatic and visionary Chief Executive of the Birmingham Hippodrome, Fiona Allan. We talked about the hilarious and controversial show that is The Book of Mormon and also the incredible line-up of other performances scheduled for 2020 at this iconic venue. Birmingham Hippodrome this year is now celebrating 125 years of amazing shows, guests and all things showbiz in our wonderful city and you really should check out the fantastic bookings available.

Check out some of the photos and vlogs from the evening as I mingled with happy people sharing smiles, laughter and some great hospitality by the events team too!

The show culminated in a huge standing ovation, which was most worthy.

Thank you to all involved, including; Fiona Allan and Ben Wooldridge, for a lovely evening.

See more of what the hippodrome has to offer here: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/whats-on/

It was an utter delight to indulge in a two-course lunch at the Birmingham Council House on Thursday 5^th March, 2020. An array of very distinguished business people, and movers-and-shakers of the city, came together to pledge their support for this incredible charity. All monies were being given to Acorns charity courtesy of a sponsor

It also happened to be in the company of Steven Knight, the man who has recently helped to further imprint Birmingham firmly on the map of the world, with his incredible drama series Peaky Blinders. Another man that was in attendance, who is working hard for Birmingham, West Midlands and Acorns Charity; is that of West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street. Both passionately engaged with an audience of over 200 people before lunch, in the grandeur and rigidity of the Council Chamber! Their passion was shared, as Marc Reeves asked the right questions, before handing over more questions to the floor.

I was able to catch up with Steven Knight for some words after lunch (vlog attached) and we discussed his commitment in helping the team at Acorns, before I tried to get some Peaky Blinder spoilers out of him for season 6.

An immense amount of money was raised, thanks to sponsors Charles Stanley and Vision PLC, who paid for lunch; ensuring that all tickets purchased for the day were directed straight to Acorns. 

The team from Acorns on the day including: CEO Toby Porter, Supporter Engagement Neil Cramer, Nicky, Vicki, Amy, Janine and more, were all on hand to make the afternoon fun, friendly and a highlight in the fundraising calendar. Congratulations to them all on their continuous and consistent efforts in keeping this big oak growing.

Acorns Children’s Hospice is dedicated to providing care, support, fun and laughter for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, and offering support and rest bite for their families too!

For more information on the charity, and to learn how you can support as an individual, or as a company, then please visit them here: www.acorns.org.uk

The current campaign see’s Acorns needing to reach a target of £2 million, with over £600,00 already being raised thanks to the support of many.

Ok, this isn’t quite true, it’s not about me, it’s all about you! After years of TV, Radio, Online and Live Event Experience I would love to offer my services to help you, or your brand, become the star of the show. Or certainly radiate a call to action by your clients or potential new customers. I love what I do and I want to share it with you. This service allows you to showcase you for who you really are. Whether you’re a business owner, an employee or simply have a special talent you would like to share with the world. I have a story and tips to share, and so do you! Do you need help with presentation skills that could include speaking on stage, interviews for radio PTC - 'Piece to Camera' with interviews for video and much more?  Do you need new corporate videos, training videos or want to start engaging more with live content on your social media? I can help you; It’s Easy, It’s Effective and It’s as Discreet as You Need. Need a studio or scenic spot to film in? Let me help. I have an array of connections and production set-ups to ensure you are transformed, the message is fresh and most of all, meets the standards you deserve. It all starts with you taking action, what are you waiting for?

On 25th February, the team and I had the pleasure to attend the International Confex at Excel London, to see how our company PR Angels and myself, as a Presenter, can work together with various Event Industry’s, incorporating stage and screen. Watch us in action and get blown away with some of the innovative concepts!

I am pleased to be involved in this BCU round table talk taking place on Wednesday 18th December, discussing male process and redifine gender stereotypes and perceptions, with this select and diverse panel of incredible people.

1. Imogeen Denton- Education

2. Drew Currie- Breadwinner

3. Tru Powell- Work Life Balance & Parenting

4. Phil Oldershaw- LGBTQ+

5. Qasim ‘Cas’ Majid- Failure

6. Stephen Arthur- Support

7. Matthew Till- Mental Health

8. Dr Martin Glynn- Stereotype, Perception & Journey

9. Dr Mohammed Rahman- Violence

The subject will help students think about issues that face society on a regular basis and the varied views and approaches regarding such.

I am scheduled to be working with BCU in a larger capacity in 2020. Giving something back and help our future generation is something that has always interested me. Now with a broad range of skills and experience I am delighted to be invited to work with, and lecture, for students at Birmingham City University.

To keep me sane and to enhance the lives of listeners, and viewers alike on ‘Facebook Live’, I am maintaining to turn up every Sunday and put out my weekly show from 6-8pm. Engaging listeners and viewers worldwide, I have really enjoyed adapting my show to incorporate the audience more, making it more interactive with subjects that allow more comments and music choice around featured subjects while we are unable to have artists and guests in the studio. You can see more about my show via my website www.philoldershaw.com in the podcasts section, or visit www.solihullradio.com for station details.