The 2024 British Business Awards recognised the best of British enterprise in China during a Gala Ceremony held on 22nd November at the Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai. The event, organised by the British Chambers of Commerce across China, showcased the extraordinary contributions of businesses and individuals enhancing UK-China economic ties.
The biennial awards, which celebrated its 16th year, featured nine categories and saw a total of 110 entries across various industries. The first round of judging resulted in 50 finalists, with an additional online voting component attracting an impressive 1.16 million public views.
Speaking at the event, Dame Caroline Wilson DCMG, British Ambassador to China, highlighted the significant role of business in the UK-China relationship. “Business is a cornerstone of the UK-China relationship, and the British Business Awards are a testament to British companies’ contributions to China’s growth. Their achievements not only support China’s development but also help drive economic growth and innovation in the UK.”
The awards covered categories such as Innovation, Sustainability, and Social Impact, with notable winners including Smiths Group, which won both the Innovation and Sustainability Awards. Reckitt China took home the Social Impact Award, while the Education Partnership Award was claimed by the University of Nottingham Ningbo China.
Kirsten Johnston, Chair of the 2024 British Business Awards, thanked the panel of 38 judges for their dedication, noting they contributed almost 2,000 volunteer hours to the rigorous evaluation process. “These awards reflect the commitment of both British and Chinese businesses to driving collaboration and progress,” she said in her address.
Other winners included Wellington College China for the Business Partnership Award and Yinpeng Bao from OxSyns Biotech, who received the Chinese UK Alumnus Award. The Inspiring Leadership Award was given to Captain Simon Hibberd of S. B. Submarine Systems Company Limited.
Jaguar Land Rover (China) Investment Co., Ltd. won the prestigious British Company of the Year Award in the large company category, while Silverstream Technologies (Shanghai) Limited and The Hutong Education received recognition in the medium and small company categories respectively.
The Gala Ceremony was attended by high-profile figures, including Matt Burney CMG, British Consul-General in Shanghai, and Sohail Shaikh, British Deputy Trade Commissioner for China. Over 330 distinguished guests, including representatives from British and Chinese governments, businesses, and media organisations, were present to celebrate the success of these outstanding companies.
The event was chaired by Jasmine Pang, Director of European Affairs at Phoenix TV, and underscored the strengthening ties between the UK and China through collaboration, innovation, and leadership. 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. For more information, please visit www.britishbusinessawards.org