This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on May 16, 2022 - May 22, 2022

AFTER a two-year hiatus, the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) is bringing back its flagship event, the prestigious Business Excellence Awards, to honour the very best of UK and Malaysian companies and individuals, particularly those who have excelled in and contributed to the progress of the business landscape between the UK and Malaysia.

In its third edition, the event’s Awards Gala Night — featuring an exclusive three-course dinner served by the first-ever international outlet of Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill — will be held on May 26 at Sunway Resort in Sunway City, with more than 400 people from a wide range of industries expected to be in attendance.

According to a statement from BMCC, the event signifies its commitment to enhancing bilateral relations between the UK and Malaysia, and further enhances the BMCC’s status of being among Southeast Asia’s most prolific chambers.

HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd returns as the main, or Platinum, sponsor of the event, with the British Council Malaysia and BP as Silver Sponsors, and EcoWorld International and Sime Darby Property as Bronze Sponsors. The partners of the event, which is supported by the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur, are the University of Nottingham Malaysia, Royal Selangor, Malaysia Airlines, Sunway Resort and The Edge.

“The pandemic has affected how we live and how we do business. Being able to carry on with business, let alone excel at it, has not been easy. That is why this year’s Business Excellence Awards carry much more significance than usual,” says British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay.

“This year’s nominees represent the very best of British and Malaysian businesses. I hope their stories and successes will inspire others to seize the new business opportunities we see beginning to emerge, and that we can look forward to a surge in two-way trade and investment as we begin to surface from the pandemic.”

The awards reflect the growth, strides and achievement of any company or individual in relevant industries, thus further exemplifying the relevancy of being recognised as a pioneer or industry leader, says BMCC.

BMCC CEO Jennifer Lopez says: “Returning to a resemblance of normalcy, the Business Excellence Awards 2022 look to celebrate the success and noteworthy strides of UK and Malaysian businesses in the respective categories as well as advance trade and commerce relations between the two countries. BMCC is buoyed by the resounding success of previous awards and is confident that this year’s third edition will be well received by the business community.

“The gala dinner this year will be an exclusive event to look out for as we look to deliver on a highly sought-after awards recognition as well as a prominent networking opportunity, alongside government officials and industry leaders alike. BMCC looks forward to a resounding welcome at the gala dinner and we commend all nominees and potential winners for their tremendous efforts to claim the awards.”

Companies have started to submit their nominations for the seven categories:

UK-Malaysia Business of the Year

The pinnacle award, it recognises a UK company investing in Malaysia or a Malaysian company investing in the UK that has displayed a stellar track record of investment in that country by building on its successful local business, bringing mutual economic benefit to both nations.

UK-Malaysia Partnership of the Year

This celebrates an individual or company that has successfully partnered with a UK or Malaysian counterpart, with the collaboration and synergies created through this partnership having driven exceptional commercial results and shown significant value creation to the economy.

UK-Malaysia Education Institutional Partnership

Sponsored by the British Council Malaysia, this award recognises a UK higher education institution that has partnered with a Malaysian organisation or organisations to deliver significant impact in the last five years.

UK-Malaysia Export Excellence

This award recognises a UK company exporting to Malaysia or a Malaysian company exporting to the UK that has displayed a stellar track record of exports to that country, bringing mutual economic benefit to both nations.

Diversity and Inclusion

This award recognises and celebrates organisations in all industries that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to fostering the spirit of diversity and inclusion in the workplace through effective strategies and initiatives.

Technology and Innovation

This award is given to an organisation that has successfully pursued new solutions through the application of digital, innovative and disruptive technologies to operate with greater efficiency, and ultimately contributing to Malaysia’s productivity enhancement and paving the way towards technological advancement, especially in the last two years.

Outstanding ESG (environmental, social and governance)

Sponsored by HSBC Bank Malaysia, this award recognises a company that has demonstrated outstanding achievements in adopting ESG practices and ultimately contributes significantly to the environment and communities, as well as advocating for these initiatives within its industry and supply chains and among its clients.

Among the previous winners of the second edition of the Business Excellence Awards in 2019 were brands such as PwC Malaysia, Sports Direct and Sunway Medical Centre.

For more information on the nominations and table reservations, visit businessexcellenceawards.bmcc.org.my.

The Edge is the media partner for the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) Business Excellence Awards

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