BBC Radio WM breakfast presenter to host Chamber awards

BBC West Midlands Breakfast Show presenter PJ Ellis has been announced as the host for next year’s Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Awards 2025.

Well-known in the West Midlands for his entrepreneurial and philanthropic feats, PJ (pictured) is the co-founder of LoveBrum, a local charity that reaches out to Birmingham-based projects that are delivering real change to Birmingham.

PJ read Law at the University of Birmingham and then practised as a solicitor for seven years.
He set up the social media agency, Blake7, which merged with Lightbox Digital in the summer of 2018. He exited that business in July 2023.

An advocate of all things Birmingham, PJ was a founding trustee of the cancer charity, Help Harry Help Others in 2012, and was responsible for establishing, and organising, the Harry Moseley Charity Ball which raised over £230,000 in its first two years. The annual event continues to this day.

PJ then co-founded LoveBrum in 2014, which shines a light on the “hidden gem” projects of Birmingham.

LoveBrum has since funded over 300 local charitable projects addressing vital issues and serious challenges the city faces, including homelessness, serious crime, drug addiction, social injustice, art and culture, and education.

The charity has connected hundreds of volunteers and businesses along the way.

PJ has mentored entrepreneurs, helped raise over £1m worth of funding for start-up businesses, and sat on the advisory boards of the Birmingham Law Society, BPS Leaders, TedX, and the English Schools Football Association.

Having helped raise nearly £1m for charity, PJ received a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister in 2018, which recognises outstanding UK volunteers in their community, and was selected to be a Batonbearer for the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

He is currently also working as a roving reporter for BBC Radio WM.

PJ said: "I've been to the GBCC Awards a number of times. It's amazing. It's the region’s biggest celebration of all things business and I cannot believe that I will have the privilege of hosting the event in 2025.

“Applauding our businesses, celebrating our people, recognising this amazing region, making sure it stays firmly on the map - is what I am all about, and I cannot wait to get stuck in. Bring it on.”

The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Awards 2025 will take place on Thursday, 27 February 2025 at the ICC, Birmingham.

Headline sponsors for the awards are Birmingham City University and Group X.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities and to purchase your tickets, visit the GBCC events website.