THE HUB EVENTS ROUND-UP POST-EVENT REPORTS AND NEWS OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS Mark Neal Darren Lister EXPERTS OFFER
VALUABLE ADVICE The business benefits of winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise were highlighted at a Birmingham Chamber ‘masterclass’ event by Mark Neal, managing director of a company that was first honoured two years ago, and Darren Lister, business development director at Natural Wellbeing UK, which received its award earlier this year. In addition to sharing their experiences,
Mark and Darren also discussed the process of applying for the award and the subsequent impact on their businesses in the wake of award-success. Attendees also received some helpful
hints and tips on how to complete the application to increase their own chances of success and were informed of opportunities to network with previous winners and experts in the application process. Mark heads up Kitts Green-based
Armagard Ltd, which has built a worldwide reputation for producing protective environments for computers, screens and printers, supplying leading companies such as Nestle, Rolls Royce, Heinz and Tesco. It was acquired by Mark in 2005 and three years later a strategic decision was made to expand Armagard from selling purely in the UK to a multi-lingual sales organisation selling across Europe and North America in six languages. Natural Wellbeing is the UK’s largest
manufacturer of vitamins and minerals and since 2012 it has increased its turnover from £38 million to £47 million and sales to over 70 countries. Darren described the last 12 months as an “incredible journey of growth” and said that international sales had seen a 55 per cent growth year on year. The Queen's Award for Enterprise is the
highest business accolade a UK company can receive, rewarding outstanding achievement in the field of innovation, international trade and sustainable development. The Chamber “masterclass” event, which
included a presentation on the Honours process, was hosted by Paul Sabapathy, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands. Also taking part was Alex McMurtrie, head of honours operations at the Cabinet Office.
28 CHAMBERLINK JULY/AUGUST 2015 Kathryn James Mark Rogers
BUSINESS BREAKFASTS SNAP, CRACKLE AND POP
B
irmingham Chamber’s successful business breakfast events are continuing throughout the autumn, and among speakers are Birmingham City Council chief Mark Rogers and NEC boss Kathryn James.
Kathryn will be speaking at an event on 15 October. She joined the NEC Group in 2007, having
begun her career as a chartered accountant at Price Waterhouse. She is chair of the Association of Event Venues and is a governor of both King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy and Birmingham Metropolitan College. Hailing from Wales, Kathryn is the youngest of five children and prior to joining the NEC was
managing director of Luton Airport, which is the fifth largest in the UK. Mark Rogers is chief executive and director of economy at Birmingham City Council. He was
appointed to the position in December 2013 and took up the role in March 2014. He was formerly chief executive and director of children’s services at Solihull Council. Mark will be appearing at the Chamber breakfast event on 10 September. Another breakfast event, on 14 July will feature Graeme Chaplin, from the Bank of England.
Please see the Chamber’s website for further details.
NETWORK AT OUR SUMMER BARBECUE
Birmingham Chamber is holding its annual summer networking barbecue on 10 July, at the Studio in Cannon Street, in Birmingham city centre. The event is an opportunity to make new
contacts and develop existing business relationships. It will make use of the Studio’s roof garden and will include a welcome drink and barbecue lunch. Opportunities exist for inserting leaflets into
delegate bags and taking exhibition space at the event. Prices for the former start at £50 plus VAT; prices for the latter are £150 plus VAT for members and £200 plus VAT for non- members. The cost of attending the event is £12.50
plus VAT for members, and £18.75 for non- members.
For more information, contact the events team on 0121 607 1772 or email
events@birmingham-chamber.com
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