Who will stand out from the crowd?

As the 2012 Olympic Games drew to a close, the world saw some exceptional performances by both British and Chinese athletes. The games were framed by innovative and quirky opening and closing ceremonies and characterized by smooth handling, and the UK is now being viewed in a fresh light around the world. It is this renewed energy that creates what is often referred to as the ‘legacy’ of the games: The long-term benefts hosting the event brings for the whole country, from trade and investment to job creation and a positive environment which attracts inbound and outbound opportunities in a variety of sectors.

Why is this business momentum important? It is the individual eforts of businesses, small and large, that contributes to the overall change in a business environment. Just as after the Beijing Olympic Games, the world has taken notice of the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit following the 2012 London Olympics. This spirit is not, in fact, new, but it has not always been recognised. This spirit was also refected as the Chinese and British applications for the British Business Awards 2012 closed in July, with a one-third increase in the number of applicants compared with 2010, when the last awards were held.

While many British companies have experienced a difcult few years, these awards ofer a chance to showcase their contribution to UK business and Sino-UK trade relations, as well as highlight some of the activities that Chinese companies are undertaking in the UK.

Sebastian Wood, the Ambassador to China and also the patron of the British Business Awards 2012 said, “The British Business Awards play their own important role in highlighting the skills and expertise which British business can ofer to China. The Awards also recognise those Chinese alumni of UK universities who, on their return to China, have gone on to notable achievements … This is our chance to celebrate their achievements, and the overall strength of

the UK education sector in China.”

“The British Business Awards are a celebration of the very best in British business. They are a unique opportunity to refect on your success and celebrate your achievement, also benchmark yourself against the best British companies and organisations operating in China,” said Rory Farquhar-Thomson, the Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai.

On September 6, the fnalists of the British Business Awards 2012 will be announced, ofering individuals and organisations the recognition they deserve for achievements in business. The awards have been made possible by the support of many organisations, including: BP, British Council, Costa Cofee, GKN, Hogan Lovells, Jaguar Land Rover, Manchester Business School and UKTI. For the British Business Awards 2012, we expect to see more British and Chinese companies stand out from the crowd and win in what has been an incredible year so far!

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