Final judging process begins as over 2,600 votes are counted online
BEIJING, Oct. 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, is to be the Guest of Honour at the inaugural British Business Awards in Beijing on 6 November. In his official capacity as Special Representative of UK Trade & Investment, he will announce the winner of the Company of the Year Award.
The British Business Awards, led by the British Chamber of Commerce in China, recognise innovation, enterprise and endeavour in the fields of business, education and corporate social responsibility.
Out of an original total of over 100 entrants five finalists were short-listed for each of the six award categories. The jury panels will begin interviewing finalists on October 13 and their recommendations will then be reviewed by a panel of advisers chaired by the British Ambassador, with representatives from supporting organisations and a senior representative from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. The final decisions will also take into account an on-line voting round, which has drawn in over 2,600 votes from across China.
Jim James, chairman of the BBA Awards, commented: "We are delighted that HRH The Duke of York will attend the awards evening. His presence is further recognition of the tremendous achievements that have been made by all of the entrants in the Awards as well as the importance the UK places in furthering its trade and investment relationship with China. The high number of online votes cast reflects the tremendous interest in the Awards among the British business community. The Awards will highlight the 'Best of British' and serve as inspiring examples of how truly innovative and enterprising British business in China really can be."
BBA Finalists
The shortlisted nominees are (in alphabetical order):
Company of the Year -- sponsored by UK Trade & Investment
-- Arup
-- Astra Zeneca
-- Rolls Royce
-- Standard Chartered Bank
-- University of Nottingham
Entrepreneur of the Year -- sponsored by BP
-- Adrian Li (Idapted)
-- Dominic Johnson-Hill (Plastered t-shirts)
-- Duncan Clark (BDA)
-- Rowan Simons (China Club Football)
-- Zhang Xin (SOHO China Ltd)
Alumnus of the Year -- sponsored by the British Council
-- Ding Zhining (Art Consortium)
-- Kathy Cui (China Business Network)
-- Yan Xinmin (Volvo Ocean Race - Volvo Event Management)
-- Yuan Yuan (Ministry of Commerce)
Product or Service of the Year -- sponsored by Jardine OneSolution
-- Dyson Electrical Trading Beijing Co. Ltd -- Dyson Airblade
-- FA-ST Filtration Analysis Services Technology ltd - oil
-- Hayward Tyler Group Ltd -- specialist motors and pumps
-- Penguin Group (China) -- Penguin Classics in Chinese
-- Standard Chartered Bank (China)
Young Icebreaker Award -- sponsored by the 48 Group Club
-- Andie Wang (City of London Beijing Rep Office)
-- Daniel Leo Horn (DEFRA/CCF/Children's Project)
-- Dominic Johnson-Hill (Plastered t-shirts)
-- Fan Zhenxin (Amber Design and Public Relations)
-- Simon Babes (Colin Buchanan and Partners China Ltd)
Corporate Social Responsibility Programme of the Year -- sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank
-- B & Q
-- Diageo
-- GlaxoSmithKline
-- HSBC
-- Three on the Bund
About the Awards
The British Business Awards are organised by the British Chamber of Commerce China, to recognise and reward people who are building businesses and brands in China through innovation, enterprise and endeavour. The British Business Awards will be held on 6 November 2008 in Beijing.
More information can be found at http://www.britishbusinessawards.cn .
The British Embassy
British Embassy in Beijing is one of Britain's largest overseas Embassies and aims to promote the interests of the United Kingdom and contribute to a strong world community. Sir William Ehrman, HM Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, is the patron of the British Business Awards. http://www.uk.cn
UK Trade & Investment
UK Trade & Investment is the British Government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in international markets and assists overseas companies to bring high quality investment to the UK's vibrant economy. UK Trade & Investment is the sponsor of the Company of the Year category. For more information, please visit their website, http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk , or contact Mr. Doug Matheson at douglas.matheson@fco.gov.uk.
British Chamber of Commerce in China
British Chamber of Commerce in China is an independent, not-for-profit membership-based organisation with over 2000 members nationally that provides connectivity for British Business in China. For more information, please contact Ms. Kate Alden at marketing@pek.britcham.org.
British Council
British Council connects people worldwide with learning opportunities and creative ideas from the UK and builds lasting relationships between the UK and other countries. For more information, please visit http://www.britishcouncil.org.cn .
British Council runs an Alumni UK network, providing opportunities for UK alumni to expand their social network and develop their career. It is the sponsor of the Alumnus of the Year category. For more information, visit http://www.educationuk.cn/alumniuk , or contact Ms. Zhang Meng at zhang.meng@britishcouncil.org.cn.
China-Britain Business Council
China British Business Council, with over 1000 members globally, is the UK's leading organisation helping British companies do business in China. For more information, please contact Mr. Brian Outlaw at brian.outlaw@cbbc.org.cn.
Confederation of British Industry
The CBI is an independent, business-funded organisation with over 350 members in China, representing multinationals, SMEs and sector organisations via its Beijing, Brussels, Washington and the UK offices. For more information, please contact Mr. Guy Dru Drury at guydd@cbi.org.uk.
The 48 Group Club
The 48 Group Club is an independent business network committed to promoting positive relations with China since the early 1950's. The 48 Group Club is the sponsor of the Young Icebreaker Award. For more information, please contact Ms. Jean Jameson at admin@48groupclub.org.
