The British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai, in partnership with the UK Pavilion, kicked off the UK National Day celebrations tonight with the announcement of the British Business Awards 2010 winners. The VIP Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner, held at the Pudong Shangri-La, was attended by His Royal Highness, The Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, as part of his official visit to the Shanghai World Expo 2010.
Now in its third year, the British Business Awards have continued to promote and reward the growth and development of Sino-British trade and investment relations. This year’s Awards recognised eight winners, who were selected from a shortlist of 39 finalists following an intense judging process led by Sam Crispin, Founder and Managing Director at Crispins Property Investment Management. The winners are:
Chinese UK Alumnus of the Year Award: Alex Chen
Creativity Award: Split Works
Financial & Professional Services Award: Sun Alliance Insurance (China) Ltd. (RSA)
Innovation Award: Halma China
Most Promising New Business Award: Synergy Health
Sustainability Award: Arup
Shanghai Expo 2010 Chinese Investor of the Year Award: SAIC Motor Corporation Ltd.
Shanghai Expo 2010 British Company of the Year Award: Lloyd’s Register
In his opening address at the Awards, Her Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, and Patron of the British Business Awards 2010, Sebastian Wood, stated,“The British Business Awards demonstrate the broad range of sectors in which British businesses operate in China, and the partnerships they have formed with their Chinese partners and stakeholders.”
“There is no magic about these success stories. These companies have simply followed good business practice: investigating the market thoroughly, establishing the best contacts, following a sound business strategy and, of course, seeking out good advice on doing business in China,”said His Royal Highness The Duke of York before presenting both the Chinese UK Alumnus of the Year and Chinese Investor of the Year awards.
Other guests of honour at the event included Carma Elliot, Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul–General, Shanghai; Lord and Lady Heseltine; Sir David Brewer, Chairman of the CBBC; Sir Andrew Cahn, Chief Executive of UK Trade and Investment; Sir Kevin Smith, Chief Executive of GKN; Richard Lambert, Director-General of CBI; Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of the British Council; Jim Bai, China General Manager, Virgin Atlantic Airways; Vicky Li, Country Director of CIMA China; Changbo Bai, Vice President of BP China; and Joanna Fielding, CFO of Standard Chartered Bank China and Chair of the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai.