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Shortlist announced for sell-out awards


Suzanne signs on


as awards host Broadcaster Suzanne Virdee (pictured) is to be the host of the Asian Business Chambers of Commerce dinner and awards.


Suzanne is a highly


experienced journalist best known for reporting and presenting at ITV News Central and for BBC News. She was the main co- presenter of BBC Midlands Today, during which she won a best presenter award. She was a regular on BBC Breakfast


The shortlist has been unveiled for the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) annual dinner and awards in Birmingham, which takes place next month. The sell-out event, which will


feature government minister and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid as guest speaker, takes place on 19 November at the International Convention Centre (pictured above). The awards will feature six


Group, Chase Terrace Technology College and Penny Appeal. ‘Outstanding Start-Up of the


Saqib Bhatti: ‘Exceptional array of talent’


categories, including ‘Outstanding Business Woman of the Year’, which is being sponsored by Rational FX. Shortlisted are: Kavita Bachada, of PEL


Solicitors, Kavita Parmer, of Word 360 Language Services, and Shaz Manir, of Amirah Foundation. Other categories include ‘Outstanding Large


Business of the Year’, which is being sponsored by Birmingham Airport. Shortlisted are Al Rayan Bank, Glide Utilities and Marks Sattin. The ‘Outstanding Contribution to Society’


category, sponsored by West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association, is being contested by Accord


Year’ has a shortlist of Big Events Co, Mango Delivery Ltd and Snapify Ltd, and ‘Outstanding Small Business of the Year’, sponsored by BCRS, will see a winner emerge from Deepalis Vegetarian Restaurant, I Will Solicitors Ltd and Word 360 Language Services. The final category is ‘Customer Service of the Year’, and shortlisted


for this are Al Rayan Bank, PEL Solicitors and Pushkar Cocktail Bar & Dining. ABCC president Saqib Bhatti said: “Once again


we have been inundated with an exceptional array of talent from across the region. “It really goes to show how strong business is


in the region and what we have to offer and I congratulate all those who were shortlisted and I wish all those who applied all the best.” The dinner sold out months in advance,


testimony to its prestigious place in Birmingham’s business calendar.


news, presenting the early programme from London from 6 to 6.30am before moving to the bulletins desk to bring half-hourly updates, interviewing correspondents across the country and worldwide on the issues of the day. Before moving into broadcasting, Suzanne was a newspaper reporter working on the Solihull Times, Sunday Mercury and Birmingham Evening Mail. She reported live from Westminster Abbey on the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, for the newspaper. She is a regular host of some of the most


prestigious award ceremonies across the Midlands. She has presented the BBC Midlands Sports Awards and the Business In The Community Awards ceremonies. As well as hosting events Suzanne is now


working freelance as a producer and presenter, media trainer and crisis management consultant. In August 2016, she joined ITN as a news


correspondent for the ITV lunchtime news and early newsreader for ITV News London.


The risks and gains of investing in HMOs


The boom in the rental market is showing no signs of slowing down, claims Gurdip Singh, of ABCC members Spectra Property Services. He says property investing and housing


requirements are changing with rapid pace and for Birmingham landlords, owning a HMO (house in multiple occupancy) has never been a more attractive investment. A HMO accommodates a higher number of


tenants. Therefore, HMO landlords see far greater profit margins than for single tenancy residential lettings. A six-bedroom HMO let at £96 per room per week would make £2500 per month. However, Gurdip warns that owning an HMO comes with a complete set of rules and


regulations that do not apply to ‘single lets’. Many landlords are unaware of them and have ended in the wrong side of the law and spending a lot of money that they had not budgeted for. Understanding regulations before investing is


essential if for anyone considering becoming a landlord of an HMO. However, HMOs are great Investments, says


Gurdip. “HMOs can produce big yields for landlords, but it’s imperative that prospective HMO landlords know what is expected of them before they take on any such property. “Make sure you have the necessary time,


money and expertise to adequately maintain an HMO before you even consider investing in one.”


November 2016 CHAMBERLINK 41


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