On 21 November 2022, the British Chamber of Commerce in China held the Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony of the British Business Awards 2024 at the Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai.

The University of Manchester China Centre is proud to support the 2024 British Business Awards as a sponsor for the "Innovation Award". We are glad to celebrate British excellence in bringing innovative ideas, products or processes to the Chinese market, contributing to the growth of their sector, or leveraging existing approaches in a new and creative manner.

The Gala Ceremony was graced by Dame Caroline Wilson DCMG, Matt Burney CMG, British Consul-General, Shanghai, Sohail Shaikh, British Deputy Trade Commissioner for China, Cat Sinclair-Jones, Director East China, British Council, Peter Burnett OBE, BBS, CEO, China Britain Business Council, and Founding Director of UoM China Centre, Ms Sherry Fu. They were joined by representatives from British and Chinese governments, businesses, and media organisations, alongside over 330 distinguished guests. The event was chaired by Jasmine Pang, Director of European Affairs at Phoenix TV.

Organised by the British Chambers of Commerce across China, the biennial awards celebrate outstanding achievements and highlight the vital contributions of businesses and individuals fostering strong economic ties between the UK and China. Featuring nine categories, the 2024 Awards drew 110 impressive submissions from a wide range of industries. More than 50 outstanding businesses and individuals were shortlisted during the first-round judging. The newly introduced online voting element garnered nearly 1.16 million public views, further amplifying the reach and engagement of this momentum occasion.

Dame Caroline Wilson DCMG, British Ambassador to China, said:

Business is a cornerstone of the UK-China relationship, and the British Business Awards are a testimony to British companies’ significant contribution to China’s development. Their achievements, successes and thriving eco-system also help drive economic growth and innovation in the UK.

Kirsten Johnston, Chair of the 2024 British Business Awards, shared in her welcome remarks:

The British Business Awards, now in their 16th year, reflect the unwavering commitment of both British and Chinese businesses to driving progress, fostering collaboration, and making a lasting impact on our economies and societies. As we unveil the winners, I would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our 38 judges, who collectively contributed nearly 2,000 volunteer hours. Their hard work and expertise were critical to ensuring a rigorous evaluation process.

Ms. Sherry Fu, Founding Director of UoM China Centre, said:

It is a great honour for The University of Manchester China Centre to be invited to participate in the biennial British Business Awards again. We proudly celebrate the extraordinary achievements of businesses that are leading the way in innovation. This recognition underscores the vital role academia plays in fostering economic growth, facilitating knowledge transfer, and building creative partnerships that bridge cultures. The award honours the critical contributions of British businesses operating in China and globally. It showcases their ability to set benchmarks for success, inspiring others to strive for excellence and innovation on an international scale. We also encourage our Chinese alumni to make positive contributions to the Sino-UK cooperation and exchanges in the fields of education, business and culture.

Matt Burney (middle) CMG, British Consul-General, Shanghai, and Founding Director of UoM China Centre, Ms Sherry Fu (left), presented the “Innovation Award” to Smiths Group.

Arthur Huang (right), Manchester Global MBA Alumnus, CEO of Carbon Newture, was nominated “Chinese UK Alumnus Award”.

Upon the arrival of the 60th anniversary of Manchester Business Alliance School, we will continue to support Sino-UK educational and cultural exchanges and business cooperation.