A host of remarkable business people were recognised at the annual Indo British Business Forum Awards on October 10.
The elite event was attended by highly successful business people, politicians and other high-standing members of society.
It was hosted by Baroness Sandy Verma, alongside a ‘Trade and Investment, Networking Evening, which was designed to strengthen trade and business relations between the UK and India, attract investments and boost small and medium enterprises.
Picture: Pukaar News
“The businesses between India and the UK are incredibly important. The relationship is absolutely crucial for both economies, but more than that it’s the interaction of our communities with the communities of India,” said Baroness Verma on the night.
“Just from listening to all the people that turned up today, there is a great hunger for that interaction to develop, so I think open discussion is good. We know there are many British firms that don’t have Indian diaspora knowledge that want to go to India and we know of many Indian firms that don’t have Indian diaspora connections and want to come to the UK. So let’s work out how we can best service both countries.”
The five awards, given out were selected from over 100 nominations to those who have excelled in their chosen fields.
Mr Sumant Bahl was given the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award for his career in the media and entertainment industry, whilst Priten Patel, won his award for ‘Excellence in Property Management Consultancy.’
Picture: Pukaar News
Romail Gulzar, Executive publisher of Pukaar News won the award for ‘Excellence in Media’ and HT Drinks Group were recognised for Excellence in International Business.
Finally, Dr Anand Kumar was given the award for Excellence in Banking and Charitable Contribution.
Picture: Pukaar News
Among those in attendance, were Rosie Glazebrook, Chief executive of the Commonwealth, Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).
“I wanted to come and find out more from businesses on the ground about how we can support and strengthen ties between the UK and India and also look at the opportunities across the commonwealth that organisations like mine can support with,” she told Pukaar.
Picture: Pukaar News
Meanwhile Trevor Hutchings, Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association was there to speak about the transition to clean energy, and how businesses can navigate this.
“We’re undergoing a global transition from burning fossil fuels to clean energy and renewable energy sources and that is a massive system change. It affects every single business especially SMEs and I think a lot of companies are seeing this as both an opportunity for them, but also a risk,” he said.
Picture: Pukaar News
“It’s very important that they have full understanding of what it means for their business and that’s actually the role that we play as trade association for our SME members to help them navigate that transition.”
Summing up the event, which began in 2010, Kavita Sharma, CEO of the Indo British Business Forum said: “I was pleased to organise this event, which helps to build up the relationship between the India and UK economy, whilst also supporting individual businesses and giving them a platform to grow.”
To find out more visit: https://www.indobritishbusinessforum.co.uk/?fbclid=IwY2xjawF7FrJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRTGbZs4ldLGoa8eMt1fYUlzJJsnf7b9gtMY_L0ZrT3Btb1D_Q-kIICzVA_aem_UM-jDP5Uo_xlS08sS-8Puw
