Bumper shortlist as firms vie for Chamber awards success

Seventy-eight businesses are chasing glory at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s 2024 annual dinner and awards on Thursday 15 February.

Businesses have been shortlisted in 11 awards categories for the black-tie awards dinner, taking place at the ICC in Birmingham city centre.

Around 1,200 people are expected to attend the event, sponsored by Birmingham city university, which recognises those firms who have gone above and beyond in the past year. 

One of the category winners will also be crowned the overall Greater Birmingham Business of the Year (sponsored by Crowe).

Judging the 2024 awards were Zoe Bennett BEM, founder of Training Personified; Andreas Antona, chef-owner at Simpsons restaurant; Alex Nicholson-Evans, founder and director of Living For The Weekend; Karl George, partner at RSM UK and GBCC board member; Gurmit Kler, trustee of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust; Raidene Carter, creative director, Birmingham Festival; Omar Rashid, president of Asian Business Chamber of Commerce and managing director/owner of The HR Dept Bham Central & Wolves; Suzie Branch-Haddow, vice principal - external development, Birmingham Metropolitan College; Steve Allen, GBCC past president; Rob Valentine, regional director – Birmingham at Bruntwood; Nicola Beckford, BBC Midlands Today presenter and journalist; Heike Schuster-James, head of partnership development at Birmingham City University.

The GBCC’s head of membership Lillian Elekan (pictured), who chaired the judges, said: “I want to say a huge thank you to all organisations who put themselves forward for the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s Awards 2024.

“The judging panel was impressed by the high calibre of all entries received and selected finalists who embody the vibrant entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that makes Greater Birmingham so special.

“Each recognised business has not only excelled in their respective category but has also left their mark on the economic landscape and community fabric of Greater Birmingham.

“It has been a privilege to support the judging panel this year in honouring these remarkable businesses who embody excellence and are shaping the future of our region.”

The shortlisted companies are:

Excellence in Contribution to the Community - sponsored by runyourfleet
Arrive Alive
Emotion Dysregulation in Autism
Gateley
South & City College
Touchwood Solihull
Unity Trust Bank
Wesleyan
Word360

Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by Birmingham Airport
Crown Highways
EBS
EiB Group
Intercity
Rhino
Rohlig
Unity Trust Bank
Word360

Excellence in Hospitality, Retail and Events
Birmingham Hospice
Conference Aston
Fazenda
Hotel Du Vin Birmingham
Malmaison Birmingham
Millennium Point
Selfridges
Unique Venues Birmingham

Excellence in Inclusive People Development – sponsored by South & City College Birmingham
Agilyx Group
Birmingham Hippodrome
EiB Group
Excelsior Multi Academy Trust
Freeths
Intercity
Quilter Cheviot
Wesleyan

Excellence in International Business – sponsored by Gowling WLG
Gensler
GINHO
Liquid
Y International

Excellence in Manufacturing – sponsored by Thursfields
Evac & Chair
KEP Print Group
Shelforce
Vaughtons

Excellence in Sales and Marketing – sponsored by Schumacher Packaging
CUDOS Creative
Evac Chair
Hubtel IT
R&Co Communications
Rewired PR
STORY
The Alexandra
Touchwood Solihull

Excellence in Sustainability – sponsored by Aston University
Arup
Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Conference Aston
Gensler
Lloyds
National Express
National Memorial Arboretum
Voltage

Excellence in Technology and Innovation – sponsored by Close Brothers Asset Management
Agilyx Group
CocoonFMS® Ltd
CPIO
Forensic Pathways Ltd
res:harmonics
Runyourfleet
South & City College
Swof Media

Excellence in Third Sector – sponsored by Unity Trust Bank
Acorns Children's Hospice
Birmingham Hospice
Carers Trust Solihull
JERICHO
Sepsis Trust
St Basils

Excellence in Training and Education – sponsored by AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group
Excelsior Multi Academy Trust
GuruYou
Hayes Collins Media Ltd
JPF First Aid
Little Bird People Development
St Basils
University College Birmingham
University of Birmingham

Find out more information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the annual dinner and awards.