Business News Business News Latest news from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce The 2017 winners, joined by Paul Kehoe and Gyles Brandreth, celebrate their achievements
A celebration of innovation at the Chamber awards
By John Lamb
A wine merchant, described as having “one of the most innovative retail models in the UK”, has been named as Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) first Business of the Year. Loki Wines, based in the Great Western Arcade,
Birmingham, received the award in front of over 1,200 guests at the GBCC’s annual dinner and awards at the International Convention Centre. They also won the Excellence in Retail award at
an event sponsored by HSBC, Birmingham City University, Birmingham City Council and Elonex. The table sponsors were Velo Birmingham. Loki, which employs six people, were up
against strong competition from all of the other sector winners. They clinched the awards with their innovative
model in using new technology and allowing customers to try wines before buying. And the multi-award-winning business has invested heavily in ensuring their young staff are expert in wines to a high level, including the Diploma in Wine. When he established Loki Wines in 2012,
owner Phil Innes named the business after the Norse god who delighted in causing mischief for other gods. He says they share the same “anti- establishment ethos”. Loki has won 11 major national awards in the
past three years and offers customers the experience of trying up to 40 wines by the glass at any one time. The tasting room in their Great Western Arcade base also serves cold meats and cheese to go with the wine. They have used social media heavily to market
their wines and have over 11,000 followers on Twitter and 3,000 on Facebook.
The company has expansion plans with new
stores in Moseley and Harborne and aims to expand to 10 stores over the next 15 years. Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the GBCC,
said: “Loki is an outstanding young business and their enterprise and innovation impressed everyone. They certainly live up to their reputation of having one of the most innovative retails models in the UK. “They have brought in new ideas for selling
wine in a relaxed environment and have used new communications platforms to drive a business that is multi-award-winning and has impressive expansion plans. They are also great advocates for Birmingham.” “All of those factors are why we are proud to
announce them as the first Business of the Year chosen by the GBCC.” An intensive programme of global activity
earned Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) the title of Excellence in International Business. The judges said: “BSDC shows the way in how to work globally. Examples include supporting 1,000 international learners, delivering consult in Suzho (China), a partnership with Beijing Railway Electrification College and a five-year contract for managing a college in Saudi Arabia.” They also expanded their internationally-
celebrated links with Toyota Manufacturing UK, resulting in substantial investment from Toyoda City, Japan, to the BSDC, including groups of students attending courses at the college. From the huge number of entries received for
the Contribution to the Community category, the judges selected the Muslim Women’s Network UK. Over the past two years they have
provided support on a number of issues, April 2017 CHAMBERLINK5 Special lady: Sarah-Jane Marsh President’s Award
for hospital chief Sarah-Jane Marsh, who has led Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH) to “outstanding” status, received the President’s Award at the GBCC dinner and awards. The annual honour was presented to the
BCH’s chief executive in front of over 1,200 guests at the International Convention Centre by president Paul Kehoe, chief executive of Birmingham Airport. The accolade of “outstanding” by healthcare inspectors in England came just eight years after the hospital was criticised for having insufficient numbers of beds, operating theatres and trained staff. The hospital, now part of Birmingham
Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, was praised by the Care Quality Commission for “working effectively to provide the best care” (see patrons’ pages 20-21). Mr Kehoe said: “When Sarah-Jane was
appointed CEO of the hospital in March 2009 at 32, she was the youngest in the NHS. Since then she and her staff have done a remarkable job at a truly remarkable Birmingham institution. “They play a vital role in the delivery of great
care every day and they have all helped to get the hospital where it is today. Birmingham should be proud of this marvellous asset and I am delighted to give this special award to a special lady.” Sarah-Jane earned a masters at the University
of Birmingham. Having got through to the final round of recruitment for MI5, she joined the NHS via the Graduate Management Scheme before promotion to Director of Planning and Productivity at Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust. She was appointed Chief Operating Officer at
Birmingham Children’s Hospital in December 2007, and Chief Executive in March 2009. In 2015, Sarah-Jane also became the Chief Executive of Birmingham Women's Hospital. Birmingham can become a “truly global
player on the world stage,” Paul Kehoe told guests at the dinner. He hailed a truly prosperous future for the
region, post-Brexit and he described Solihull – or “Soliwood”, as he dubbed it – as the Midlands Engine’s “turbocharger”.
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