Pictured above: Doug Mahoney (West Midlands International
Trade Director), Nick Corley (Herefordshire and Worcestershire
International Trade Team), Tatiana Khrisanova (Fab & Fix), Ian
Stokes (StadiArena), Eva Cartwright (The Teaching Assistant
College) and Dominic Jermey (UK Trade & Investment).
A Meriden-based company that modifies sport stadiums into indoor
arenas has been named Exporter of the Year at the West Midlands
International Trade Awards last night (Thursday 11th
June).
StadiArena won the Innovative Company of the Year category, then
scooped the overall award, which was voted for by the guests at the
event.
The annual awards, marking the best in international trade over
the past year, were organised by UK Trade & Investment, the
Government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in
the global economy, as well as helping overseas companies bring
their high quality investment to the UK. Guest speaker Dominic
Jermey, Managing Director of UKTI's Sectors Group, presented the
awards at the New Bingley Hall in Birmingham along with
representatives from last year's winning companies.
In the other categories, Coventry-based door and window fittings
manufacturer Fab & Fix was named Passport Company of the Year,
while The Teaching Assistant College in Eccleshall, providers of
distance and e-learning courses, scooped the Small Passport
Exporter of the Year accolade.
Nick Corley of Herefordshire and Worcestershire International
Trade Team won International Trade Adviser of the Year. The judges
praised him for his "total customer focus and dedication to
maximising the support for all his companies in terms of advice and
funding".
Doug Mahoney, UKTI director for the West Midlands, said: "At
times like this, exporting and trading internationally is vital for
both the UK and global economy.
"Once again, the West Midlands has proven itself to be a centre
of excellence when it comes to international trade. The variety of
the companies really impressed the judges, and I'm sure all the
winners - and nominees - will act as inspiration for other
businesses looking to expand their horizons.
"Trading around the world can be as much a part of day-to-day
activity for small firms as it is for big multi-nationals. It can
be a daunting process, but the nominees and winners have all shown
that with UKTI support the world is there for the taking."
Mr Jermey added: "One of the main things to come out of the
recent G20 summit was getting international trade going again. What
I pledge to businesses, wherever they are in the world, is that we
want to see exports help us exit this recession."