The Finalists Announcement Event of the 2024 British Business Awards were held on 22 October at Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai.
Launched in 2008 and jointly organised by the British Chambers of Commerce across China, the British Business Awards recognise and promote excellence in innovation, enterprise and endeavour in the UK-China business community.
Through nine award categories, the 2024 Awards showcase organisations and individuals who are achieving outstanding results and who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to Sino-British trade and investment relations in a variety of disciplines in China. The Awards also recognise the excellent accomplishments of Chinese businesses operating in the UK.
Following a rigorous selection process by the 2024 Awards judging panel, 50 outstanding businesses and individuals have made it to the shortlist and will proceed to the next stage of interviews and public voting.
Kirsten Johnston, Chair of the 2024 British Business Awards
Kirsten Johnston, Chair of the 2024 British Business Awards, shared in her welcome remarks: “The 2024 British Business Awards bring nine award categories that recognise excellence in leadership, partnership, innovation, education, social impact, sustainability, and the commercial endeavours that continue to drive progress. This year, we received a total of 110 applications, showcasing many spectacular entries from a vast range of industries. This is a testament to the diverse sectors in which British businesses are successfully operating in China and proves that British businesses continue to adapt and thrive. We are especially pleased to see a significant increase in applications for categories open to Chinese companies investing in the UK and for business partnerships between our two nations. All great companies strive to grow and succeed, contributing to the strengthening of UK-China business relations.”
Matt Burney CMG, British Consul-General, Shanghai
Matt Burney CMG, British Consul-General, Shanghai, highlighted the momentum witnessed across green finance, digital trade, and innovation:”The British Business Awards present us with a wonderful opportunity to come together, not just to recognise excellence but to celebrate the evolving relationship between the UK and China. I am pleased that our bilateral trade continues to grow. Last year and this, we’ve seen major UK companies continue to expand their presence in China and many Chinese companies invest in the UK. With the momentum we are seeing across green finance, digital trade, and innovation, this is an exciting moment to recognise companies that are driving change and creating value. This evening, we celebrate not just individual achievement but the collaborative spirit that makes the UK-China partnership so resilient and future-focused. I would like to take this moment to congratulate everyone for submitting their work for consideration. Being part of these awards reflects a commitment to excellence and a determination to make a difference.”
Innovation Award
sponsored by The University of Manchester China Centre
Ascend lT
DavidHugh
Domino China Limited
Smiths Group
University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC)
Sustainability Award
sponsored by the University of Nottingham Ningbo China
AstraZeneca China
Lotus Technology Inc.
Modern Water
Smiths Group
Wood
Social Impact Award
sponsored by ASCEND IT
AstraZeneca China
Sichuan Blue Sheep Craft Commercial Company Ltd.
Modern Water
Reckitt China
Unilever
Education Partnership Award
sponsored by The British Council
King’s College London
Queen Mary University of London Engineering School, Northwestern Polytechnical University
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
The University of Edinburgh
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Business Partnership Award
sponsored by GE5 Education
Cambridge University – Nanjing Centre of Technology and Innovation
GSK
LEGOLAND® Shanghai Resort
Shanghai Yaohua Pilkington Glass Group Co., Ltd.
Wellington College China
Lotus Technology Inc.
Chinese UK Alumnus Award
Elysia Anqi Guo | Alpha Approach
Arthur Huang | Carbon Newture
Yifei Gong | PULI innovation
Lian Shuning | Furrytail
Yifei Cao | University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Yinpeng Bao | OxSyns Biotech
Inspiring Leadership Award
Andrew Starforth | Silverstream Technologies
Jeremy Sargent | The Happy Monk
Linian Li | Modern Water China
Dr. Mark Su | Johnson Matthey China
Capt. Simon Hibberd | S.B. Submarine Systems Company Limited
William Vanbergen | BE Education
Outstanding Contribution to the UK Award
Agricultural Bank of China London Branch
China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited London Branch
Honor Device Co., Ltd.
LANSHA LTD
PetroChina International (London) Company Limited
British Company of the Year Award
sponsored by Smiths Group
[Large Company]
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
COSTA Coffee (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Jaguar Land Rover (China) Investment Co., Ltd.
Johnson Matthey China
[Medium Company]
C2W GROUP
The Intralink Group
Silverstream Technologies (Shanghai) Limited
[Small Company]
Kinyu SCM
NeX eCommerce Hub
The Hutong
2024 Awards are supported by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the British Council, China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), Scottish Development International, Invest Northern Ireland, and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the UK.
Winners of each category will be announced at the Gala Dinner on 21 November in Shanghai. Tickets are now available. For more information, please visit www.britishbusinessawards.org。
