Annual Dinner and Awards 2018 ABCC Patrons Premier+ Partners
ABCC
Asian Business
Chamber of Commerce
Annual Dinner and Awards 2018
Headline Sponsors
Mike Hopkins
Augmented reality and eLearning solutions
firm Enlighten received the ‘Outstanding Use of Digital Technology and Innovation’ award (sponsored by Bootcamp Media). Enlighten provides augmented reality and
virtual reality learning tools for businesses, charities and education establishments. The firm’s products are used in mental health
campaigns in South Korea, with their work and expertise being picked up by national newspapers. Newly-formed hospitality venture, Unique
Venues Birmingham (UVB), received the ‘Outstanding Hospitality and Event Services’ award (sponsored by Mahirs Experience). This commercial venture between Birmingham
Repertory Theatre and Library of Birmingham, UVB has been able to build on the success of these iconic venues by increasing conferencing and hospitality services dramatically. UVB has utilised the numerous unusual spaces
across the two buildings, increase the profile and brand of the joint venture and unify sales, marketing and operational efforts. The firm’s hard work and approach has
resulted in the provision of excellent hospitality services for both corporate and private clients. The ‘Outstanding Contribution to Society in
Business’ award (sponsored by Tipu Sultan) was presented to not-for-profit firm Gro Organic. The social enterprise transforms outdoor
spaces which are used by local communities. The firm work alongside West Midlands Police and young offenders, in order to help the latter back into work through their community schemes. The firm has recently launched a ‘Give and Gro’
arm, which partners with other local businesses to transform the communities in which they operate. Gro Organic reports that more than 10,000
employees from over 120 businesses have transformed their local areas using the Give and Gro scheme. A children’s health charity was the recipient of
the ‘Outstanding Charity of the Year’ award (sponsored by Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub). Little Hearts Matter provides free support and
information to the families of children suffering from complex heart conditions. The charity operates a support line, organises national and regional events and a family linking service. Sparkbrook-based Women’s Enterprise Hub picked up the ‘Diversity and Inclusion Champion’
Firms pledge to promote diversity
The Chamber have announced the eight out of 10 firms that have signed the ABCC’s Diversity in Leadership pledge, following the Chamber’s annual dinner and awards which celebrated diversity and inclusion across the region. The eight firms now confirmed are:
• Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
• Balfour Beatty Vinci • Town Hall Symphony Hall • Fircroft College • Aston University • South and City College Birmingham • Mazars • Sport Birmingham
award. The organisation supports the development of women-led businesses, by providing business support, meeting space and a range of events. The final award of the evening went to Mike
Hopkins, principal of South and City College Birmingham, who was the recipient of the President’s Medal (More information on page six). Douglas Wright Restaurants trading as McDonald’s, HSBC and Birmingham City University were the headline sponsors of the awards and dinner and the chief beneficiary, the Anzal Begum Foundation. More than £7,000 was raised for the charity,
which delivers local and international projects in economically deprived communities. The event was hosted by TV star Nina Wadia.
President’s Award goes to educator
Local leader in further education, Mike Hopkins, joined Adil Ray, Malala Yousafzai and Harry Moseley as the recipient of Asian Business Chamber of Commerce’s (ABCC) President’s Award. Mr Hopkins, Principal of South and City
College received the award at ABCC’s annual dinner and awards in recognition of his leadership in the sector. Having guided the college through the
merger between Bournville College and South Birmingham College in 2007, Mr Hopkins mentors aspiring students and local business leaders and has secured a number of key investments for the college. Today, South and City College is home to
12,000 students and over 1,000 staff, and offers a range of courses. Mr Hopkins has worked with the West Midlands Combined Authority to secure £5m in funding to provide construction training to unemployed people across the region, raised £500,000 for a new engineering centre at Bournville College, and invested £200,000 into a National Express Training Academy at the college’s Bordesley Green campus. He also sits on a number of advisory
boards, including Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, Birmingham Prevent Board and Corporate Social Responsibility City Board. Alongside his work in the education
sector, Mr Hopkins is an ambassador and fundraiser for various charities. Qasim Majid, ABCC president, said: “An
enthusiastic and selfless leader, Mike has made a huge impact on the disadvantaged community, and has often gone over and above the call of duty for the benefit of others. “He is the ideal candidate to receive this
year’s President’s Award, as he demonstrates the leadership, drive and diligence which other leaders should emulate to achieve success.”
December 2018/January 2019 CHAMBERLINK 49
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
