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.