Sixty-two businesses will be vying for glory at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s 2025 annual awards dinner.
The shortlist has been revealed ahead of the region’s biggest celebration of business, which is taking place at the ICC in Birmingham on Thursday 27 February 2025. Eleven sector awards are to be handed out on the night - with one of the category winners going on to be crowned overall Greater Birmingham Business of the Year (sponsored by Crowe UK LLP).
Birmingham City University are headline sponsors of the glittering ceremony, which is expected to attract 1,200 people. A high-profile judging panel – chaired by the GBCC’s director of membership Lillian Elekan – included:
- Mike Hopkins - principal at South & City College Birmingham
- Justice Williams - editor-in-chief and co-founder of Black Business Magazine
- Steph Smith - business manager at Crown Highways
- Dr Nik Kotecha - founder and chairman of RandalSun Capital
- Professor Harris Beider - Pro Vice-Chancellor: Engagement, Enterprise and Innovation at Birmingham City University
- Wendy Morgan - CEO and founder of Jumar
- Liam Dillon – chef-owner at The Boat
- Marverine Cole - journalist and broadcaster
- Parveen Mehta - group director at MWW
- Mike Owens - non-executive director at the GBCC
- Simon Marks - city executive, Birmingham at Arcadis
- Joanna Duggan - director of fundraising, communications & marketing at Newlife
Lillian Elekan said: “Once again, our expert judging panel were very impressed by the high quality and diversity of entries for the awards.
“We would like to thank the panel for their time and diligence in reviewing applications. We also commend the huge number of companies who took the time to complete entries.
“Congratulations to all those who are nominated and we look forward to celebrating at the ICC on the night.” The shortlist in full:
Excellence in Contribution to the Community – sponsored by runyourfleet
B:Music
Balfour Beatty VINCI
Disability Resource Centre
Gateley
Lil-Lets UK Limited
ROSHNI BIRMINGHAM
Unity Trust Bank
YMCA Heart of England
Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by Birmingham Airport
Millennium Point
Norton Insurance Brokers Limited
Röhlig UK Ltd
runyourfleet
Selfridges & Co
Techcare
The Listening Centre EAP Ltd
Wilkes
Excellence in Hospitality, Retail & Events – sponsored by Translift Bendi
Albert's Schloss
Conference Aston
Edgbaston Stadium
Eventurous
Fazenda
Hotel du Vin Birmingham
Selfridges & Co
Smoke + Ash
Excellence in Inclusive People Development
Acivico Group Ltd
Agilyx Group
Birmingham Hospice
Norton Insurance Brokers Limited
Pinsent Masons LLP
Prime Accountants Group
Excellence in International Business – sponsored by Gowling WLG
Röhlig UK Ltd
Simpex Express Limited
Solotech
Taylex Group
Excellence in Manufacturing
Embello
Hardy Signs
Taylex Group
Translift
Excellence in Sales & Marketing – sponsored by Pyvital
Brew
Hubtel IT
Leopard Co
Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Mills & Reeve LLP
Osborn Communications Ltd
R&Co Communications
Spark Media
Excellence in Sustainability – sponsored by University College Birmingham
Conference Aston
Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre
Edgbaston Stadium
Eventurous
Grace Cares 1111 CIC trading as Grace Cares
University of Birmingham
Excellence in Technology & Innovation
Agilyx Group
Black Space Technology
Empro Business Group Ltd
Evac+Chair International
Pinsent Masons LLP
runyourfleet
South and City College Birmingham
TechWM
Excellence in Third Sector
B:Music
Disability Resource Centre
Our Community Foundation
ROSHNI BIRMINGHAM
Services For Education
Smart Works Birmingham
Sport 4 Life UK
United By 2022 Charity
Excellence in Training & Education – sponsored by AIM Qualifications & Assessment Group
Beacon Learning and Performance Ltd
Birmingham City University
Birmingham Hospice
CBSO
Forward Education Trust
Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College
King Edward VI Foundation
Sandwell College
Find out more information on tickets and last remaining sponsorship opportunities for the GBCC Awards 2025.