ABCC
Updates and useful information from the largest ethnic support organisation in the UK
Contact: Anjum Khan T: 0845 603 6650
Inclusion leading the way at annual dinner in November
The Asian Business Chamber of Commerce’s leading role in championing diversity and inclusion across Greater Birmingham will be celebrated at the organisation’s annual dinner on 17 November. This year’s event – which is taking place at the ICC in Birmingham city
centre – will adopt a theme of diversity and inclusion in the business community. It follows the launch of the ABCC’s successful ‘Diversity on Boards’ campaign earlier this year, which seeks to support companies on improving the ways in which they attract, retain and develop diverse talent. The pilot campaign launched on International Women’s Day after a
number of surveys into diversity revealed a major disparity in the number of women and BAME individuals on boards. The headline sponsors for this year’s awards dinner are Douglas Wright
Restaurants (T/A McDonald’s) and HSBC. Nine awards will be handed out, including five new categories.
The new categories are: • Outstanding use of Digital Technology and Innovation • Outstanding Hospitality and Event Services • Outstanding Charity of the Year • Outstanding Contribution to Society in Business • Outstanding Diversity and Inclusion
The remaining categories are: • Outstanding Start-up Business of the Year • Outstanding SME Business of the Year • Outstanding Business Woman of the Year
Delivering diversity: Haseena Lockhat, Qasim Majid and Lakhbir Singh
The final ‘Business of the Year’ award will be chosen from the winners of
the eight other categories. Qasim Majid, president of the ABCC, said: “In the last year, the ABCC has
gone from strength to strength in terms of the championing and celebrating diversity in the region. “To reflect this we wanted the annual awards, the highlight of the ABCC’s calendar, to highlight particularly fantastic business practices towards diversity and inclusion. “In light of this, I encourage all businesses to boast about your successes
by nominating yourselves for one of our awards. We want to highlight how businesses are making an impact in our community and in the Greater Birmingham region.”
Nominations and tickets for the awards are now open and available to buy. To download an awards application form or secure your ticket, visit
www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com
Stay onside during World Cup
An employment law specialist has warned businesses that they mustn’t take their eye off the ball in the workplace during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, even though it is now in its final stages. Julia Fitzsimmons, employment partner at
FBC Manby Bowdler, said companies “must tackle the tournament challenge head-on”, with the potential of lost working hours due to employees staying home to watch the games and disagreements in the workplace over competing team interests. She said: “The best approach is to put guidelines in place, and if there are any gaps in advice, make sure you get them covered. “There also should be procedures in place
regarding alcohol consumption or watching games during working hours. “Staff should also be reminded of the importance of staying within the boundaries for any workplace discussions. Major sporting events like the World Cup build a competitive atmosphere and when this spills over into the workplace it may inflame existing tensions, and that can spell difficulty for employers. “With today’s multi-cultural workplaces there
48 CHAMBERLINK July/August 2018
World Cup fever: Businesses should rise to the challenge
is more chance that ill-considered comments fuelled by nationality or race may give rise to offence, and the employer could find themselves liable for the actions of their employees and face claims for discrimination.”
Opportunity to meet
executive committee Members of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce are being invited to meet their executive committee on Thursday 26 July. Attendees will be able to meet the ABCC
President, Qasim Majid, vice-presidents Haseena Lockhat and Lakhbir Singh, and the executive committee including Aftab Chughtai MBE, Gurmeet Jakhu, Dr Nasir Awan MBE, DL, Neelam Afzal, Omer Simjee, Prithpal Saimbi, Ravinder Masih, Ruzwan Boota, Sunny Araf, Amandeep Hyare and Steve Brittan. The informal meeting will be held at the
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce between 10–11.30am. This event will give you the opportunity
to meet the committee members, find out more about the ABCC and let us know what you would like to achieve from your membership as well as ask any questions or share any ideas you have.
To book your place, visit
www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com
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