History of the Awards

Awards 2008

On Chinese New Year’s day (7^th Feb), more than one hundred British businesses converged from all over the UK at Knowsley Hall, Liverpool, celebrating success of trading with China . Liverpool was the European Capital of Culture in that year. The participants all have strong business connections with China and are amongst the best British companies in the global market.  Many are large employers and significant GVA contributors to their local economy.  Read more…

Winners 2008

Bank of China (UK) Ltd — Winner of  Business of the Year Award

The University of Liverpool — Outstanding Achievement Award

Double Act Productions —  Special Contribution Award

Read the winner’s achievements…

Awards 2007

The event was in its fourth year running and was attended by a total of 600 businesses in the last three years.  The official supporters for that year’s event included the Chinese Consulate General, ChinaLink, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce & Industry, British Chambers of Commerce, HSBC plc, Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Peel Ports, and Arends International.

Attendees were generous in their feedback:

“It was indeed a great evening and thoroughly enjoyed by my guests.”

“The event was superbly organised and, I felt, combined social, business and cultural networking opportunities in a superb setting.”

Mr. Jianzhong Gong, the Chinese Consul General for Northern England in his New Year Message  shed the light on implications after China had largely completed the compliance process of WTO accession.

Winners 2007

Greens Power Ltd — Winner of Business of the Year
(ex. TEi Greens Overseas Ltd)

It impressed the panel by its achievements:

• Identifying China market’s potential in 2002 after a business visit to Shanghai with us and a follow-up discussion
• Setting up and acquiring the Chinese JVs through MBO in 2004 that safeguarded 13 jobs in the UK
• Through the British – Chinese JVs, the company was able to employ a further 17 jobs of the original company in 2005
• saving the British Brand of the company with 160 years of history and reputation through the purchase of the IPR of the original company
• That the company turnover has grown from zero to £25 millions in two years and is anticipating doubling this in 2007.

Mr. Xu Kuangdi —  Winner of Outstanding Achievement Award

The award Panel that year unanimously nominated Professor Xu as the recipient in acknowledgement of his personal effort in the development and establishment of the Liverpool–Shanghai sister city relationship and contribution to the UK– China business co-operation. In his acceptance letter to us, Professor Xu said “Indeed, it is a great honour for me to receive the award”. “Although I have left Shanghai and taken up new posts, my keen interest for the better and stronger relations between Liverpool and Shanghai remains unchanged. I will, as I have always had, still try my very best to promote this good relationship and see it grow from strength to strength”.

Awards 2006

China’s economy had already overtaken the UK that year to become the fourth largest in the world, according to a report in December’s FT. Doing business with China was not much an option of ‘if’ but more a question of ‘how’ for many UK business.

Winners 2006

Strategic Systems Solutions

Strategic Systems Solutions Holdings Corporation Limited had, since 1995, been providing IT development expertise, primarily to investment banks, from offices in the North of England, with a head office in Liverpool. In 2002 the company increased its scope to provide Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) to investment banks through Strategic Back-Office Solutions.

In 2003 the company set up office in Hangzhou, Shanghai to support both IT and BPO work. The Chinese operation had grown remarkably, from a handful of staff at the opening to over 200 staff, with the prospect of massive growth in the coming year: in the first quarter of 2006 staff numbers was expected to increase to almost 300, and by the end of 2006 to as many as 500 staff. The company recruited the vast majority of staff locally. There were plans to open an office in Dalian in the North East of China. The company’s revenue in China for the financial year ending in 2005 was 4m GBP. In 2006 revenue was expected to reach 5m GBP.

Caldeira Ltd

Caldeira Ltd was rapidly becoming the model for UK manufacturing and supply chain businesses that were looking to trade in and with China. Instead of being threatened by competition, Caldeira strengthened its position as market leader in the UK within its niche and was able to compete on the world stage with the help of the its Chinese joint venture company.

Awards 2005 

Tithebarn Ltd: North West Business In China Award 2005

Caldeira: Winner of North West Small Business China Exporter Award 2005 .

The Award panel was impressed by the achievement of Tithebarn Ltd in its effort to export the Rockies animal feeds product to the China market. The approach of market entry in following up trade missions and exhibitions with frequent market visits, conducting trials with local partners, supporting local agents and working with Chinese agricultural trade associations to achieve national recommendation had all been commented on.

Caldeira Ltd, the fast growing Merseyside home textile company had scooped the North West small business China exporter award for 2005. The award was presented by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool to Tony Caldeira, Director of Caldeira Ltd and to Dai Shu Qin partner and general manager of Caldeira China Ltd, at the North West Chinese business dinner held at Liverpool town hall.

The judges were impressed by the speed at which the new joint venture company in China was established and how it had helped Caldeira sell its products in markets all over the world, in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and Taiwan.  Export sales were expected to reach 50% of Caldeira’s total turnover.

2004 Chinese New Year Reception

To celebrate the first Chinese New Year after Liverpool won the European Capital of Culture 2008 bid, we welcomed two groups of star studded top artists from China to take part in the celebration. Chinese community and Chinese culture in Liverpool plays a significant part in Liverpool wining the bid the year before and the two events, Chinese Variety Show (Liverpool Olympia) and Workshop and Demonstration of Chinese Folk Arts and Handicrafts on 28th January 04 were organised with the support of the Chinese Consulate General.

In the Chinese New Year dinner, China Business Club (UK) worked with the Chinese Consulate General, Manchester City Council and The 48 Group Club(CBBC) to organise one of the most successful gatherings at the prestigious venue of the Chinese Consul General’s official residence in Manchester, with more than one hundred VIP guests enjoying the informative briefings, productive networking and wonderful Chinese food.

“At home in China, we have witnessed the surging forward of Chinese economic development in the wake of China’s WTO accession taking China into the number one country receiving FDI in the world. The SARS scare did not slow down the Chinese economy, it brought home the reality of how far the globalisation has taken us and how important the international co-operation is. Prime Minister Tony Blair’s visit to China and other high level exchanges have further developed the UK – China partnership.”