BEIJING, Nov. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The nine winners of The British Business Awards 2014 were revealed on Thursday 20 November at a glittering gala dinner at the Crowne Plaza Beijing Lido Hotel organised by the British Chamber of Commerce in China and the China-Britain Business Council. The awards ceremony was opened by Sir Sebastian Wood KCMG, Her Majesty's Ambassador to China. The winners collected their prestigious accolades in front of the nearly 40 finalists who were in the running for awards on the night, as well as some 400 other guests.
"British trade with China is at a record high and exports are booming," said Paul Atherley, chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in China. "This year's finalists demonstrate the wide range of success businesses are having in bringing the latest in British design, creativity, innovation and sustainability to the increasingly consumption-driven China market."
The British Business Awards recognises companies and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to UK-China trade and investment through their innovation, enterprise and endeavour. This year, there were 208 entrants in eight categories (with joint winners of one award), a 40 per cent increase on the last edition in 2012.
"The UK is now a worldwide hotspot for Chinese investors in diverse sectors. The British Business Awards shows the growing number of complementary fields in which China and the UK are both excellently placed to provide what the other side needs. This provides Chinese enterprises going global, such as Sanpower Group, with more business opportunities and scope for imagination," said Leo Yue, vice president of Sanpower Group Corporation.
British Ambassador Sir Sebastian Wood said: "The biennial Awards have gone from strength to strength, a reflection of the increasingly strong ties between China and Britain. This is a superb showcase for both countries to demonstrate the success stories behind the flourishing trade and investment statistics."
UK-China trade last year broke GBP50 billion, a new high and a continuation of the trend which has seen UK exports to China double since 2009 to an average of over GBP1 billion a month. During the Chinese government officials' visit to the UK in June, agreements worth over GBP14 billion were signed between Britain and China in a wide range of fields.
"We are still only at the take-off phase of a relationship which could make a big contribution to China's transformation to a knowledge economy and bring an enormous new source of vitality to the UK in return," added Ambassador Wood.
Winners of The British Business Awards 2014
| British Company of the Year Sponsored by Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) |
Corporate Social Responsibility Sponsored by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Standard Chartered |
| Alumnus of the Year Sponsored by British Council Du Yingzhou (Khan Wind) |
Entrepreneur of the Year Sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover Prime Fitness |
| Best Service award Sponsored by Locate Jersey Haskoll |
GREAT British Product Sponsored by UK Trade & Investment Hanovia & Koolmill Systems (joint winners) |
| Chinese Investor of the Year Sponsored by Manchester Business School Huawei Technologies |
Sustainability Sponsored by BP Atkins |
About The British Business Awards
Organised by the British Chamber of Commerce in China and the China-Britain Business Council, The British Business Awards recognise and promote excellence in innovation, enterprise and endeavour in British and Chinese business. They are held every two years and have grown in stature to become a prestigious feature of the business calendar in China. The awards, in eight categories, highlight organisations and individuals from a variety of disciplines who are achieving outstanding results and who demonstrate commitment to trade and investment in China. They also recognise the accomplishments of Chinese businesses operating in the UK.
The British Business Awards are open to all majority British-owned companies or organisations operating in mainland China; holders of a degree from a British higher education institution, under the age of 45; and mainland Chinese companies or organisations with a presence in the UK. They are supported by the British Chamber of Commerce in Guangdong, the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, the British Chambers of Commerce in the UK, the British Council, the Confederation of British Industry, The 48 Group Club, UK Trade & Investment and Walpole British Luxury.
About the Organisers
British Chamber of Commerce in China / China-Britain Business Council
The British Chamber of Commerce in China and the China-Britain Business Council work as a single operation. The two organisations formed a strategic partnership offering reciprocal membership in 2009, and were joined in 2014 by the British Chamber of Commerce in South-West China. Together they operate 13 offices in China and 10 in the UK.
The China-Britain Business Council is the leading organisation helping UK companies grow and develop their business with China. It helps companies of all sizes and sectors, whether new entrants or established operations. CBBC has worked with China for 60 years and its team has extensive experience of doing business there. CBBC offers practical in-market assistance, services, industry initiatives and a membership programme delivering access, seminars and networking. www.cbbc.org
The British Chamber of Commerce in China is a membership organisation for British business focused on boosting UK-China trade and investment. It operates as an independent, not-for-profit organisation with a strong and diverse membership. With over two decades' worth of business experience in China, the Chamber provides intelligence, advice, and networking opportunities for its members, helping their business grow in one of the world's fastest-growing markets. www.britishchamber.cn
Media Contacts
| EASTWEST PR Denise Chen T: +86 (0) 10 6582 0018 |
China-Britain Business Council Lisa Li T: +86 (0) 10 8525 1111 ext. 363 M: +86 (0) 13511059851 |
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20141124/0861408817-a
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20141124/0861408817-b
