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ISA was set-up with an initial investment of Brave Moin honoured by chairman


A young man from Handsworth who is suffering from an agonising and rare genetic skin disorder received a special award at the ABCC dinner. Moin Younis, 17, suffers from Epidermolysis


Bullosa (EB), which causes his skin to blister or bleed with the slightest knock. Moin has the most severe type of EB, which


is life limiting and he and his family have been using the services of Acorns Children’s Hospice, based in Birmingham, since he was three months old. Despite the immense challenges he faces in his day-to-day life, Moin is determined not to let things get in the way of his dreams and ambitions. Recently he became a Young Ambassador


for Acorns, and it is his work as a Young Ambassador which has seen him recognised for a number of awards, including ‘Midlands Children of Courage 2016’, ‘Pride of Birmingham 2017’ and ‘Teenager of Courage’ at the ‘Pride of Britain’ awards. He is now also the recipient of the special


award from the ABCC, the Honorary Chairman’s Award. This was last awarded in 2015, to former Chamber chief Jerry Blackett. The award was presented to Moin by ABCC


honorary chairman Nasir Awan, who said: “Moin is an inspiration for us all. Despite the physical challenges that he faces, he has still found the courage to inspire and be the ambassador for Acorns Children’s Hospice


...from previous page After having established itself in the local area


working with homeless people, Aspire now intends to become a register social landlord, in order to further develop its role in the community. The organisation is also diversifying into the


area of supported accommodation for young people, and will be developing up to five facilities across the West Midlands to help with this. ABCC president Saqib Bhatti said: "This year's


award nominations were unprecedented in their quality. It was amazing to see the amount of companies and individuals doing great things in our city and our region. The judges felt that Aspire CIC was an exceptional contender and the judges rightly felt that they deserved to be ‘Overall Business of the Year’. As a CIC, they are a business that is also contributing significantly to the region and they were worthy and noble winners." Other winners at the awards, which took place


at the International Convention Centre, include Alison Delaney for ‘Outstanding People Development’ (sponsored by South & City College Birmingham). Alison is a life coach who works in the personal


development sector, who founded her business, Little Bird People Development, two years ago. That business was aimed at adults, and Alison has since launched Little Bird Products, helping


Surprise, surprise: Moin meets his idol, ex-England captain David Beckham


which helps patients and families at the most desperate of times. After learning of his Pride of Britain award, I could not think of any other person who deserves the honorary chairman’s award more than Moin.” ABCC president Saqib Bhatti added: "Moin


is an inspiration and an example to us all. As an ambassador at Acorns he is working hard to improve the lives of others and I am in awe of his ability to navigate his condition with such grace and passion." At Pride of Britain, Villa-fan Moin was


presented with his award by England manager Gareth Southgate, and players Jamie Vardy and Jermain Defoe. He was also shown in a film clip, being told that he had won the award by his idol, former England superstar David Beckham.


just £4,000, but today its turnover can be measured in millions of pounds. The company now employs 100 staff and is opening offices in London and Manchester. It has also opened a training academy, to help train and develop its own staff, and also that of other companies. At the other end of the scale in terms of is the


winner of the ‘Outstanding Start-up Business of the Year’, which has been won by Ex-Forces Recruitment. This business has three employees, and as the name suggests, works to recruit ex- forces personnel into highly-skilled job. It claims that there are currently between 50 -


120,000 unemployed ex-forces personnel, and the firm says it is dedicated to overcoming attitudes towards employing ex-military personnel, with potential employers either struggling to see how their skills can fit a business, or turning them away on the basis of them being over qualified. The winner of the final category, ‘Outstanding


Business Woman of the Year’ (sponsored by Rational FX) is shared by Raj Tutt (Resolve Legal) and Sukhi Johal (RSM). Raj is something of a poacher turned


gamekeeper, as she is a lawyer who defends… other lawyers. She says the idea came from complaints


against older lawyers who were sole practitioners who, being set in their ways, ignored new rules and regulations, thus prompting complaints. Sukhi Johal also works in professional


children to realise their dreams and aspirations, as well as Rise Up!, a new venture which helps women through workshops, coaching and other support. Winner of the ‘Outstanding Small Business of


the Year’ category (sponsored by Birmingham City University) is Escape Live, an unusual business operating from a base near the city centre. This business is escape rooms, and it is


basically a game-based experience. It offers various escape rooms, including Dr Wilson’s Office, where players must complete a Sherlock Holmes-style investigation to escape, and Room 13. In the latter, players must help a character, Amy, free herself from her abductor, an evil doctor. A third scenario is the Lab, where players have 60 minutes to stop a toxic gas leak. Since the business opened two years ago, it


has hosted more than 70,000 visitors, and is now planning to expand via an extension to its Henrietta Street site. Winner of ‘Outstanding Large Business of the


Year’ (sponsored by Mazars LLP) is ISA Support Services, a security services firm which began trading six years ago. The firm provides a number of services, including alarm response, key holding and guarding of premises. At the time it was launched, this sector was dominated by larger firms, ncluding G4S and Securitas.


services, but in corporate finance. She is employed by accountant RSM and has been instrumental in growing this side of the firm’s business in the West Midlands, by 130 per cent between 2015 and 2017. The awards evening saw the presentation of


one final award, the President’s Award. This year, the award has been made to the controversial Asian comedian Adil Ray, who is the star of the BBC series Citizen Khan. The audience at the event also heard a specially


recorded message from Prime Minister Theresa May, who said: “Across the UK, the Asian business community makes an enormous contribution to our economy, creating jobs and boosting growth. “Organisations like the ABCC ensure that work is


recognised and give businesses and entrepreneurs the support they need to thrive. Your work to promote women entrepreneurs, through your international women’s day celebration, is especially welcome. Tonight is a chance to celebrate everything you have achieved in the last 30 years and to look forward to even greater success in the future. I offer my sincere congratulations to you all.” Douglas Wright Restaurants trading as


McDonald’s was the headline sponsor of the awards and dinner and Ronald McDonald House was the chosen charity for the evening. More than £4,000 was raised for the charity, which provides accommodation for parents whose children are being treated in the Children’s Hospital. The event was hosted by TV presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy.


For more pictures of the ABCC awards and dinner, see page 34


December 2017/January 2018 CHAMBERLINK 39


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