China Business Awards to return in 2015

THE China Business Awards will return next year to celebrate the trade links between Yorkshire and the global superpower.

It will take place as part of the Yorkshire and Humber Chinese New Year Business Dinner at Leeds’ Civic Hall on February 17.

The dinner, organised by the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds, is supported by UK Trade and Investment, DLA Piper and the China-Britain Business Council. 

This year the China Business Awards will be revived with three awards – recognising long-term experience and commitment to China, plus awarda for businesses who are just starting out in China and for those Chinese businesses established in the region.

Previous winners of the awards have included Sheffield Forgemasters, Fired Up Group, Sheffield Hallam University, Ekspan Ltd, Clyde Materials Handling and Bradford University. 

There are strong ties between China and Yorkshire that go back many years, forged by local businesses with interests in China and through Chinese businesses with interests in Yorkshire. In addition many Chinese students are studying at local universities and supporting the local economy. 

Mark Robson, UKTI Regional Director, said: “China offers great opportunities for UK companies of all sizes, accelerated by a growing demand for brand Britain. We have teams across China who are able to support UK-based companies seeking to find contacts in China, and Chinese companies wanting to set themselves up in the UK to take advantage of the European Market.”

Attended by some 150 representatives from firms and organisations engaged with China, the occasion offers a useful and highly enjoyable opportunity to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Sheep.

Josh Wong, of DLA Piper, said: “I am looking forward to celebrating the coming Year of the Sheep with Local and Chinese Businesses in Yorkshire & Humber. It has been another excellent year in our region for activity between China and Yorkshire and this deserves recognising with the return of the China Business Awards”

Giles Blackburne, director of China-Britain Business Council, added: “The breadth of Yorkshire and Humber companies and organisations now doing business with China, both large and small, and from a variety of sectors such advanced engineering, education, consumer products, textiles and professional services, is striking. These awards aim to celebrate the latest China business successes in this region.”   

Companies wishing to participate in the dinner or awards should contact Ellen Wang at the University of Leeds by emailing E.Wang@leeds.ac.uk.