Business News
Two new categories expand awards at biggest dinner in the country
New awards recognising the third sector and responsible business practice will be handed out at the Chamber’s 2020 annual dinner and awards. The biggest business awards
dinner in the country is returning on Thursday 19 March, 2020 at The ICC in Birmingham city centre. Ed James, the voice of Heart
FM’s drive time show in the West Midlands, will host the black-tie event and Birmingham City University will be headline sponsor.
‘With over 1,300 people in attendance we believe that it is now the biggest event of its kind in the country’
The new awards - Excellence in
Responsible Business (sponsored by University of Birmingham) and Excellence in the Third Sector - are among 12 sector accolades at this year’s event. The overall Greater Birmingham Business of the Year, sponsored by SCC, will then be crowned from the 12 sector winners.
Businesses from across the region are invited to enter the following award categories:
• Excellence in Contribution to the Community • Excellence in Customer Service • Excellence in Hospitality • Excellence in International Business • Excellence in Manufacturing Sponsored by Crowe • Excellence in People Development • Excellence in Responsible Business Sponsored by Birmingham Business School, at the University of Birmingham
• Excellence in Retail • Excellence in Sales & Marketing • Excellence in Technology & Innovation • Excellence in Training & Education • Excellence in the Third Sector
The deadline for award entries is Friday 17 January.
Death of ex-Lichfield Chamber president
Neil Lancaster, former president of Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber of Commerce, has died suddenly, aged 50. He had been a partner at
Tamworth accountants and business advisers Adams Moore, for more than 20 years. Mr Lancaster served as president from October 2010 to February 2014. He was instrumental in leading
Lichfield's merger with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) in 2011 and continued to serve on the board after he was succeeded as president by James Blackman. He also previously served as president of South Staffordshire Chamber. Mr Blackman said: “His death has
come as a huge shock. He was dedicated Chamber member and will be sorely missed.” Mr Lancaster's business partner
Martin Crook said: “He was at his best figuring out problems and he was a sort of straight man allowing me to be a front man. He has given the business an extremely strong
6 CHAMBERLINK November 2019 Paul Faulkner, chief executive of
the GBCC, said: “The Chamber’s annual dinner and awards is now firmly established as the blue ribbon celebration of all that is brilliant about business and the people who make it happen in Greater Birmingham. “With over 1,300 people in
attendance we believe that it is now the biggest event of its kind in the country, as well as the best. “Sponsorship opportunities and
tickets will sell out and so we always urge people to get in quick if they want to be involved, and the award categories are now open for applications. “It is a great way to highlight
your businesses successes and to promote what you do among our regional business community.” Tables are now on sale at an
‘earlybird’ price of £999 (plus VAT), along with a limited number of buy one, get one free tickets at £150 (plus VAT) per pair.
There are also a host of sponsorship opportunities available – email sponsor@birmingham-
chamber.com
Forensic expert named Chamber vice-president
Deb Leary (pictured) has become junior vice-president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) after her nomination was approved at this year’s annual meeting. The chief executive of Forensic Pathways will work alongside vice-
president Steve Allen and president Saqib Bhatti. Deb was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2008
in recognition of her commitment to entrepreneurship. She is the founder and chief executive of Forensic Pathways, a company offering products, software, consultancy in the criminal business intelligence market. Its consultancy division provides due
Tributes: Neil Lancaster
foundation and will be a very difficult person to replace.” Paul Faulkner, chief executive of
the GBCC, said: “Neil was a truly dedicated businessman and Chamber member. He embraced the new opportunities which membership of the wider group brought while at the same time maintaining a local presence through networking and business support.” Mr Lancaster leaves his wife Helena and twin sons, 19.
diligence, cyber investigation, dark web monitoring and investigations and training, along with consultancy on the build of laboratories for law enforcement. She said: “I’m thrilled to be chosen as a
vice-president for the Chamber and greatly look forward to working with Saqib and Steve along with Paul Faulkner and his Chamber colleagues.”
• A ‘funny bird’ who is now a serious player in the world of forensics. See Jon Griffin column on Page 17.
Deb Leary: new vice-president
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