A judging panel featuring some of the region’s most respected leaders and entrepreneurs will select the winners of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s 2023 awards.

Ahead of the Chamber’s annual dinner and awards, which take place at the ICC on 16 March, a panel of experts from business and the public sector has been announced to select the shortlist and winners in 12 categories. One of the sector category winners will go on to be crowned the Greater Birmingham Business of the Year.

 

The judging panel – chaired by the GBCC’s chief commercial officer Katrina Cooke – includes:

  • Alex Claridge – chef-patron of The Wilderness restaurant
  • Yetunde Dania – partner at law firm Trowers & Hamlin and chair of WMCA Race Equality Taskforce
  • David Jackson - centre manager of McArthurGlenDesigner Outlet West Midlands
  • Yiannis Maos MBE - CEO and founder of Birmingham Tech CIC
  • Dr Nik Kotecha OBE – entrepreneur and philanthropist
  • Steve Allen – partner at law firm Mills & Reeve and past president of the GBCC
  • Carmen Watson – chair of recruitment agency Pertemps Network Group
  • Rosie Ginday MBE - founder and managing director of Miss Macaroon CIC
  • Professor Geoff Thompson MBE DL – vice-chairman of Birmingham 2022
  • Tani Dulay – CEO of real estate developer Woodbourne Group
  • Cllr Brigid Jones – deputy leader of Birmingham City Council

Katrina Cooke (pictured) said: “As chair of the judges for this year’s awards, I am delighted to be joined by a stellar panel who are all experts in their respective fields and command huge respect across the Greater Birmingham business community.

“Every year, the bar seems to be raised even higher in terms of the quality and volume of entries. We are very much looking forward to the shortlisting process and would encourage businesses to get their applications in as the deadline edges closer.”

The GBCC annual dinner and awards is the region’s largest celebration of business, welcoming more than 1,200 delegates. Awards applicants are tasked with sharing their organisation’s track record of success and engagement with, or commitment to, the Greater Birmingham area, as well as providing evidence of how they have demonstrated excellence in their chosen category.

Touchwood – the Solihull-based retail and hospitality centre – claimed the Greater Birmingham Business of the Year crown last year, having also won the Excellence in Hospitality and Retail category. The application deadline is 5pm on Friday 27 January – download an application form.

The GBCC annual dinner and awards is supported by headline sponsors Birmingham City University and Schumacher Packaging, as well as headline partners Birmingham City Council.