Companies as diverse as Aston Villa Football Club and Deutsche
Bank are among the winners at tonight's Birmingham Chamber of
Commerce Group (BCCG) awards at the International Convention
Centre.
The accolade went to Aston Villa partly for its Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) work in the community around their stadium in
Aston and Lozells, engaging locals in a wide range of activities
from football coaching to cooking.
Deutsche Bank have increased their workforce from 40 to 650 in
Birmingham since they arrived in 2007 and have also engaged in an
extensive CSR programme.
A special President's award went to Mick Laverty, chief
executive of Advantage West Midlands (AWM).
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group award winners are R&D
Tax and Grants Limited in Wolverhampton (Best start up business);
Hadley Group plc in Smethwick (Best manufacturing business);
Dynistics in Solihull (Best international trade business);
Gingernut Creative in Marston Green (Best creative, media or arts
business); Big Johns in Birmingham (Best retail business); Aston
Villa Football Club in Birmingham (Best contribution to the
community); Deutsche Bank Operations International in Birmingham
(Best professional services).
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group awards
Best start-up business
R & D Tax and Grants Limited, founded in April last year,
has already succeeded in getting back over £1.5 million in
Corporation Tax for its clients. The average refund per client is
£50,000 and the largest successful claim was for a
manufacturing company in the East Midlands, for whom a
£118,000 was recovered within six weeks of starting the
assignment. In their submission, the Wolverhampton-based business
said: "Most companies (especially in the manufacturing/engineering
sectors) are struggling in the current economic climate so a
£50,000 tax refund obtained in a very short period of time on
a contingency basis is a very welcome services."
Best manufacturing business
Hadley Group plc undertook extensive research in French
vineyards and came up with a product that has earned them about
£1 million revenue in 12 months. The Smethwick company
decided to develop steel vine supports and met with immediate
success. Their first order was with the largest vine growers'
cooperative in the Champagne region, quickly followed with order
from Chablis, Burgundy and Alsace regions. They hen broke into the
Rumania market as well as receiving order from the south of
England. Marketing director Bob Dunthorne said: "We manufacture a
full portfolio of cold roll-formed products for many market
sectors, from metal sections for automobiles to the vine
posts."
Best international trade business
Business intelligence company Dynistics, based in Solihull, have
already clinched two ICT Technology Awards for their Active
Dashboards software, a real-time graphic reporting solution. The
system allows organisations to make faster, better informed
decisions resulting in improved competitiveness and increased
effectiveness in establishing and measuring performance. MD Anthony
Dent said the user-friendly tool is visually engaging and
easy to grasp and act on. Dynisitics have also successfully
completed in conjunction with UKTI and Birmingham Chamber a
flagship scheme enabling fledging exporters to expand into overseas
markets.
Best creative, media or arts business
By working with rather than for their clients, Gingernut
Creative have increased turnover by £80,000 and profitability
by £70,000 in the past 12 months. The marketing and designed
company based in Marston Green has worked in a core area of
social marketing, including campaigns against domestic violence and
promoting safer communities. Having moved into a more commercial
market, they won a prestigious account with Pfizer, one of the
world's largest pharmaceutical companies. Such is the pace of
expansion, Gingernut expected to expand their workforce from 11 to
25 in the next 12 months.
Best retail business
Fast food specialists Big Johns has overcome the effects of the
recession and is planning to expand the group to 26 outlets in the
next 12 months. The group specialises in providing a variety of
food, including pizzas, burgers, kebabs and fish and chips under
one roof. Their USP is providing "delicious quality food fast in a
very clean environment with a Big Smile". They estimate to have
served two million customers over the past 12 months by offering
competitive prices and through a re-branding and marketing
exercise.
Best contribution to the community
Aston Villa Football Club has achieved this award through its
increased engagement with the community on its doorstep. More of
their neighbours are attending games than ever before and they have
linked up with them through programmes involving football in
schools and a community kitchen and cooking initiative. The
behind-the-scenes team also launched apprenticeships in hospitality
at NVQ level 2 for young people who have not had the best start in
life. One of their most outstanding achievements has been
addressing anti-social behaviour in the 13-19 age groups through
community coaching in the Aston and Lozells areas.
Best professional services
Deutsche Bank Operations International (DBOI) UK has not only
grown its operations significantly in Birmingham, but has also
embraced Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR). Since opening in
2007, DBOI's Birmingham has grown from 40 to 650 employees by
fostering a "can-do" culture and focussing on personal development.
They have concentrated on providing a banking process and
analytical support for Deutsche Bank's infrastructure functions.
The bank regards its CSR functions as an investment in society and
its own future, being responsible to its shareholders, clients,
employees, society and the environment.
President's Award
Mick Laverty, chief executive of Advantage West Midlands (AWM),
receives the special President's Award at tonight's dinner.
The award recognises Mr. Laverty's 'clear, transparent and
utterly trustworthy' approach to his job. President Paul
Bassi said: "The new government has decided to abolish AWM.
This is a decision that needed a much more thoughtful
approach and the business community is now having to work hard to
ensure we do not lose the best of what we had. Not least how
we make the most of the new Local Enterprise Partnership bodies.
Under Mick's stewardship and with a relentless focus on performance
he has taken his regional organisation to be the top performer in
the country as measured by independent assessment. His
personal leadership credentials have never failed to impress any
business audience he has worked with."