Business News Business News Latest news from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Bumper awards entries shortlisted By John Lamb
Three new categories have been added to this year’s annual Birmingham Chamber awards and dinner, which is a sell-out event with over 1,000 guests attending. The new categories are ‘Excellence in Manufacturing’, ‘Excellence in
Sales and Marketing’ and ‘Business of the Year’. The latter will be drawn from the winners of the other seven categories. The new awards will be presented for the first time at the awards
and dinner on 30 March at the ICC, at which the host will again be broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, back by popular demand. ‘Excellence in Manufacturing’ is recognition the region’s rich
manufacturing heritage, which has its roots in the Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century. Although the region is today known for many commercial activities, including service industries, retailing and tourism, it remains the UK’s industrial heartland. A shortlist of five in seven categories has been drawn up by the five
judges, who were Mark Smith (director of enterprise and employability, Birmingham City University), Victoria Lineton (president Future Faces and bid adviser at lawyers Mills & Reeve), Russell Jeans (chair and chief operating office, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce), Axel Wittenberg (chief financial officer, Yazaki Europe Ltd) and Alan Gilmour (head of acquisition and retention at Police Mutual), Mr Jeans said: “The judging process for this year’s awards has been particularly challenging given the volume and the quality of entries and the judges deserve huge credit for their scrupulous fairness. “We would also like to thank all entrants because we appreciate
entering awards is a time-consuming business. “The contribution to the community category had a record number
of entries, reflecting the importance community-based activities have on the wellbeing of the region. There was also widespread interest in the new categories and we shall be announcing the business of the year at the dinner.” Principal sponsors of the event are HSBC and Elonex, the digital outdoor media specialist. The event is supporting the Lord Mayor’s Charity.
Shortlist
Excellence in Contribution to the Community (Sponsored by Wesleyan)
Amey plc: One of the largest companies working in the public and regulated sectors employing over 20,000 people striving to keep daily life functioning in the UK. Apart from numerous global projects, the largest Amey operates in the West Midlands region is the Birmingham Highways Maintenance and Management Service, which is due to operate until 2035.
Aspire Supported Living CIC: The Birmingham-based company has progressed from zero to £2.3 million turnover in only three years. It offers weekly supported accommodation to about 250 disadvantaged citizens from backgrounds of mental health, ex-offender, homelessness, addiction and ex-services. They strive to help individuals develop towards independence and aim to increase their support to 1,150 over the next three years.
Aston Performing Arts Academy CIC: The Moseley-based company empowers the lives of young people through the performing arts. This is achieved through music tuition and performance opportunities. It is self- funded through the help of volunteers and the main aim of the organisation is to provide a safe haven for disadvantaged young people in the city.
Muslim Women’s Network UK: An Islamic feminist movement based in central Birmingham that challenges discrimination against women and girls.
6 CHAMBERLINK March 2017
It has developed significantly since being established in 2007/8 and has grown to a membership of 750 nationally. Issues they raised about misogyny in Birmingham mosques were featured on BBC Newsnight.
Help Harry Help Others: Help Harry Help Others is a registered charity which supports cancer patients and their families. The charity was launched by Goergie Moseley, mum of tragic cancer victim Harry, who died at the age of 11, after two years battling a brain tumour. During those two years, Harry selflessly organised more than 100 events to help others suffering brain cancer. Five years later, Help Harry Help Others continues its work.
Excellence in Customer Service Qatar Airways: Qatar is one the world’s youngest and fastest growing airlines, and operates 72 flights from the UK (including Birmingham) to its hub in Doha. The airline is highly rated in its sector, and has won numerous awards for the quality of its service, including ‘World’s Best Business Class’ in the 2016 World Airline Awards, based on the results of a customer survey.
Laker BMS Ltd: Established in 1978, Laker is a Birmingham-based family business that specialises in repairs, maintenance and construction. As such, the company works in thousands of homes, workplaces and community buildings each year.
Open Study College: The Solihull-based college specialises in distance learning qualifications, and have recorded high levels of customer satisfaction in feedback from students. The college has helped some 50,000 students achieve qualifications, and has been awarded the British Institute for Leaning and Development’s prestigious quality mark.
A-Plant: Plant hire specialist A-Plant has a large range of construction and specialist equipment for use by builders, contractors and others. The Walsall Wood-based firm has won a number of customer satisfaction awards and operates a number of quality monitoring initiatives.
Al Rayan Bank: A Birmingham-based retail bank, which provides Sharia- compliant banking products to people of all faiths. It has invested in the latest technology and its ongoing staff training programmes ensure it is in a position to deliver the best possible customer service.
Excellence in International Business (Sponsored by Arup)
Y-International UK Ltd: A Witton-based business which is an exporter of both food and non-food products. Among its clients is the Lulu hypermarket chain, which operates throughout the Middle East and in Malaysia. The company has enjoyed year-on-year growth, and has introduced some 92 bespoke British brands to the Middle Eastern market.
Trade & Export Finance Ltd: A trade finance business based at Aston Cross, which helps small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with international trade. Last year, the company introduced a £1m tooling fund in order to aid the automotive industry, and also launched a shipping department.
Burton and South Derbyshire College: A further education college based in Burton, which has itself expanded into the international marketplace. Among its collaborations is with Beijing Railway Electrification College, with whom it has developed a new apprenticeship model. The college also hosts some 1,000 international learners each year.
Celsium Global Mobility Solutions: Celsium is a small-to-medium enterprise which specialises in global employee relocation. The company prides itself on taking a different approach to the challenges posed by relocating staff – by shunning normal office hours and encouraging clients to operate in the time zones of the country they are operating in.
Qatar Airways: The Midlands city has seven flights a week to Qatar’s Doha hub, operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which have 232 economy class seats and 22 in business class. Among Qatar’s innovations is the use of clean burning gas-to-liquefied fuel, which in introduced in 2013.
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