A panel of business leaders was brought together to judge our 2021 Birmingham Post Business Awards.
This year's awards will recognise business excellence for individuals, companies and the third sector across 11 different categories - read the full shortlist here.
The 2021 ceremony will take place next month online due to the covid restrictions and this year will recognise small and new businesses, exporters and a young businessperson among other categories.
There is also a one-off Covid Defiance Award for a business which has shown exceptional fortitude in the face of the pandemic.
The online awards ceremony takes place on Tuesday June 15 - Please email nikki.kandola@reachplc.com for more information and to learn about sponsorship opportunities. The ceremony will be hosted on our new virtual events platform The Awards Room which gives nominees and sponsors the chance to experience real-time networking, with guests grouped together on their own tables. Follow the hashtag #BPBAwards for updates on social media. |
The 2021 judging panel is:
Suzie Branch-Haddow, Birmingham Metropolitan College
Suzie is vice-principal of external development at Birmingham Metropolitan College, leading the commercial engagement and income diversification activity at the college. Her responsibilities include apprenticeships, business and economic engagement, stakeholder management, strategy and funding, recruitment, careers and employability.
She supports education and businesses to come together and help our region's economy and communities to grow and thrive. Before joining BMet, Suzie built her career in marketing and PR and also had spells as chairwoman of BPS Birmingham Future and won Birmingham Young Professional of the Year in 2009.
Graeme Brown, Birmingham Post
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Graeme Brown is the editor of the Birmingham Post, its sister newspaper the Birmingham Mail and online news service BirminghamLive. His 17-year journalism career has spanned various disciplines including news, campaigns and business including a five-year spell as business editor of the Post.
During this time he reported on major economic developments in the city region including the progress of HS2, the arrival of HSBC 海角视频 and projects such as Paradise and Arena Central. More recently, he led the launch of the BlackCountryLive online news service and spent time as interim editor of the Coventry Telegraph.
Maxine Dalziel, InYourArea and panel chairwoman
Maxine has been head of community for the southern region at InYourArea for just over a year.
She champions hyperlocal community news both online and in the regional newspaper titles in the south of England run by Birmingham Post and BusinessLive publisher Reach plc.
Maxine came to regional print 13 years ago, compiling community news and then becoming a sub-editor before spending two years as South East and Cambridge's regional community content manager.
Rebecca Delmore, Millennium Point
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Rebecca is commercial director at Millennium Point in Birmingham where she is responsible for commercial revenue streams including property, events and its charitable trust.
Her focus is to raise the brand and profile of the public building and maximise commercial opportunities in order to gift donations to STEM organisations in the West Midlands.
Rebecca's priorities include creating and delivering on a strategic ten-year plan to ensure the commerciality of the business falls in line with shareholder expectations.
Aaronpreet Khatkar, Propel Finance
Aaronpreet is asset finance relationship director with Propel Finance, one of the largest independent 海角视频 finance houses which helps businesses grow their operations by financing new and used equipment such as plant, machinery and IT.
Propel Finance is partnered with Barclays Bank and accountancy firm Azets, helping more than 40,000 businesses to access finance to purchase business critical equipment and vehicles quickly and easily. He works to support businesses by utilising finance products available to them via a wide offering and tailor funding products to suit clients' needs.
Kurt Pollard, Barclays
Kurt is the regional manager for Barclays Business Banking for the West Midlands and Warwickshire. He has been in banking and finance for 15 years, building his experience and earning degrees in business and economics in Australia, before moving to the 海角视频 in 2016.
Kurt, who is a vocal advocate for employee welfare and against short-termism within business, now leads a team of 14 relationship managers and directors, supporting thousands of businesses across the West Midlands to realise their aspirations.