With trade opportunities between the West and China continuing to build on an annual basis, Cathay Pacific has launched its eighth annual China Business Awards scheme, which acknowledges and celebrates UK and Irish business dynamism and success in China and Hong Kong.
The prestigious awards scheme has been designed to recognise and reward the best of business trading with the region, and opens up networking benefits – putting companies in front of key business influencers linked to the region.
Inviting large and small UK and Irish-based enterprises to enter these awards, the three categories will appeal to SMEs, corporates and not-for-profit organisations that have established successful trading links, shown long-term commitment, or whose projects have displayed either business innovation, environmental or CSR benefits in China.
The award scheme features three award categories:
- Continued Commitment Award: This recognises ongoing sustainable and ethical investment in China and/or Hong Kong, rewarding companies in the UK and Ireland that have demonstrated a continued commitment in the China region.
- Rising Star Award: This recognises dynamic and innovative businesses that have opened operations in China within the past five years and demonstrate entrepreneurial flair.
- Social Responsibility Award: This recognises initiatives from any company or Not For Profit organisations that have benefited China in a socially responsible manner.
The awards are overseen by an advisory panel that includes Agnes Allcock, Director General of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office; Sir David Brewer, Chairman of the China Britain Business Council; Baroness Dunn, Chairman of The Hong Kong Association; Douglas Flint, Group Chairman of HSBC; Nick Baird, Chief Executive of UK Trade & Investment; John Slosar, Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific; and The Right Honorable Lord Wei of Shoreditch.
The awards are judged by a panel of senior representatives including Stephen Phillips, Chief Executive of CBBC; Mark Emmerson, Head of Trade and Supply Chain at HSBC; and Angus Barclay, General Manager Europe for Cathay Pacific.
The winner of each category will receive a prize consisting of two Business Class tickets to anywhere on the Cathay Pacific China network and the winners will be presented with their prize at a formal awards ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London. The three winning companies will also receive one Diamond and one Gold membership to Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo Club. In addition, Cathay Pacific will provide the winners with considerable business networking opportunities in the UK/Ireland and China to help further their business goals.
Previous winners of these awards have included Fired Up, Intertek, CRCC Asia, Penguin Group, SMD Holdings, B&Q, Arup, Prudential, Cherry Valley Farms, Rolls Royce and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
Companies registered in the UK and the Republic of Ireland that trade with Hong Kong and/or China can submit their entries online at a dedicated awards website, cathaypacific.co.uk/awards, and have until 31st October 2012 to do so.
Angus Barclay, General Manager Europe, Cathay Pacific, said: “As Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, we have been flying business men and women between the UK/Ireland and Hong Kong and on into China for the last 30 years. During this time, the global economic landscape has changed significantly, and without question there is a real upward trend with more and more UK and Irish-based businesses venturing into Greater China. We are delighted to promote, encourage and applaud strong business links between the two regions. These awards celebrate and reward talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit for which the UK and Republic of Ireland are renowned.”
