KUALA LUMPUR (June 8): YTL Corp Bhd has been crowned UK-Malaysia Business of the Year at the fourth iteration of the British Malaysia Chamber of Commerce’s (BMCC) Business Excellence Awards.

The award, positioned as the pinnacle achievement of the ceremony, recognises the diversified group’s stellar track record of investment in the UK by building on its successful local business; bringing mutual economic benefit to both the UK and Malaysia.

The BMCC also awarded YTL Corp managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh Sock Ping with the UK-Malaysia Business Personality of the Year Award, honouring his role in investment developments in Wessex and Bristol in the UK.

“It also recognises his passion and commitment to innovation, philanthropy, and extraordinary contribution to sustainability which has left a significant mark, preserving the legacy between the UK and Malaysia,” the BMCC said during the award ceremony, celebrated in conjunction with the chamber’s 60th anniversary.

The ceremony held at St Regis Kuala Lumpur was graced by Investment, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong, British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay, and UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Malaysia Richard Graham.

“All the award nominees have, in one way or another, contributed to the ever-growing UK-Malaysia trade relationship,” said Hay, who chaired the award series’ judging panel.

“Bilateral trade increased 8.9% and reached £5.6 billion (RM32.41 billion) in 2022. With the UK having concluded negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), British and Malaysian businesses will soon be able to take full advantage of the new opportunities ahead,” he added.

The UK-Malaysia Partnership of Year Award was claimed by developers EcoWorld International Bhd and Ballymore for the pair’s joint venture development collaboration across London, including London City Island.

In the education sector, University of Reading and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman’s collaboration was named UK-Malaysia Education Institutional Partnership of the Year for their synergy creation driving exceptional results and significant value-creation in Malaysia and the UK’s education sectors.

Meanwhile, medical technology company Smith & Nephew Operations Malaysia clinched the Outstanding ESG (environmental, social and governance) Award for showcasing outstanding achievements in adopting ESG practices and in turn contributing towards the environment and communities, as well as advocating these initiatives within its industry, supply chain and clients.

The Technology and Innovation Award was given to engineering, management and development consultant Mott MacDonald Malaysia for successfully pursuing new solutions through the application of digital, innovative and disruptive technologies to operate with greater efficiency and ultimately contributing to Malaysia’s productivity enhancement, paving the way towards technological enhancement.

Last year’s holder of the UK-Malaysia Business of the Year title, Owen Mumford Sdn Bhd, won the Diversity & Inclusion Award. The award recognises and celebrates the medical device maker’s outstanding commitment to fostering the spirit of diversity and inclusion within the workplace through effective strategies and initiatives.

The BMCC’s Business Excellence Awards 2023 was sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Sdn Bhd, HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd, Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, BP Malaysia, British Council Malaysia, XCL Education, Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption Center of Excellence Sdn Bhd; and BMW Wheelcorp Premium.