The British Chamber Shanghai led the organisation and execution of the 10th British Business Awards in China. British Business Awards 2024 – Innovation, Enterprise and Endeavour 

Supported by the British Chambers of Commerce across China, the biennial British Business Awards (BBA) celebrate outstanding achievements and highlight the vital contributions of businesses and individuals fostering strong economic ties between the UK and China.  

Highlights 

• HMA Dame Caroline Wilson, Patron and opening speech 

• Nine categories with eleven awards 

• 38 independent & expert judges from across industry donating in-excess of 2000 volunteer hours, audited by KPMG 

Support for members 

The awards were not a stand-alone event, but a campaign of core award activities interlinked with a variety of committee and community activities, including events with previous winners, sponsors and finalists.  They created increased connections with existing member companies and introduced new companies.    Award categories promoted cross-industry collaboration and new awards focused on joint ventures and UK based Chinese businesses. 

The awards also drew a bigger attention than ever before from the Chinese media.  Creating interest, connections and actual media coverage through articles & videos including several winners by China Daily. 

All of the above and the general energy & success of the awards from day one brought more members together in more events and was significant in raising the Chamber profile. 

Highlights 

• Largest Gala Dinner audience since event inauguration with 325 attendees 

• Raised BritCham SH’s brand with UK&Chinese Governments, Businesses & Communities 

 British Business Awards Strategy 

The first BBA without covid-19 restrictions since 2018.  The awards were founded in 2008 in as a joint project between the Chambers in China.  Since the initiation of the awards there had been little change to the format.  This presented an opportunity to re-evaluate the Awars purpose & core proposition.  Previously a focus on size of monetary investments, profitability and pure commercial impacts drove criteria. Through discussions with members, DBT and community partners, we implemented the following changes 

Award categories:  

All awards included a weighting towards ESG principles in the judges’ criteria. 

British company of the year – included a small-business category  

Changed “UK Investment award” to “Outstanding contribution to the UK” shifting the criteria towards community, social impact and long-term sustainable growth strategy. 

Returned “Inspirational leadership award”, recognising this vital role over the past 4 years and the difficulty that Covid-19 brought. 

Returned “Alumni of the Year award”, recognising growing significance and important of those Chinese nationals choosing to study in the UK and lead modern businesses and change in China. 

New awards 

“Business Partnership Award” recognised the increasing growth of joint venture businesses.   

“Social Impact Award” recognised businesses/oragnisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to making a significant and sustainable social impact through projects and initiatives in the Chinese market. 

New Brand Identity 

Previous logo 2008-2022 

Moving away from the previous branding with symbols of historic Chinese coins and the number 8, focusing on financial returns and lucky symbols we re-branded the awards with a focus on partnership, cooperation, sustainability and longevity.  

The new brand identity inspired by the auspicious Chinese Knot (jié结), a symbol of friendship and a fruitful, long-lasting relationship that represents the trade relations between the UK and China. The new logo serves as a Mark of Unity (tuán jié团结) and features the energetic and everchanging colours of the Aurora Borealis. 

A different colour scheme was created for each award to increase the overall branding, visual dimension and prestige. 

Local Impact 

The re-position in tone, purpose and approach ensured those submitting better understand many aspects of their business often ignored.  It demonstrated examples of what is possible and can be achieved.   

Highlights 

• Event Hostess, Jasmine Pang,  TV Hostess, celebrity & UK-China Ambassador  

• Special guest, Alex HuaTian, Chinese Olympic medal equestrian winner, ex-Etonian, media celebrity. 

Innovation  

The trophys were created recycled aluminium, using Nespresso capsules. The design and production process reduces waste and greenhouse gas emissions by 95% – compared with using new aluminium. 

Re-launched a physical launching event inviting media and representatives from fellow Chambers in China. 

An additional public, online voting platform was added to the awards.  The public award contributed 10% in weighting and created a new winning category of public vote winner.    

• Increase exposure and publicity for both the sponsors and finalists 

• Exposure to company employees, clients and wider community 

• Engage the younger population into voting  

• Increase the awareness of the UK-China business environment and impact 

Highlight  

The platform achieved 1.16 million views  

Collaboration 

The 38 volunteer judges included representatives from all China Chambers’ Chairs, MDs and members in addition to Tsinghua University, IoD, DBT, British Council, CCPIT, ACII, CBBC and the previous HMTC Richard Burn.   

Highlight 

• Award sponsorship and deepened collaboration with the Chinese Chamber (CCCUK) 

Commercialisation, member retention & recruitment  

In 2024 our Chamber annual revenue increased from RMB4.9m(£544’444) to RMB6.08M(£675’555).  The BBA directly contributed RMB926’566 in revenue and a direct profit of RMB 455’481 ahead of budget by 63%.  Achieved direct sponsorship of RMB786’000 including 6 award sponsorships & in-kind of RMB100’000(£11’000).  

Company membership increased 241 to 264 with 88 new members and a retention rate 84.1%, record-high.  Platinum membership level increased by 6, 23%(3x value of standard membership. 

Total membership value increased RMB3’523’805 to RMB 4’158’813 (£462’090), record-high. 

Summary 

The awards acted as the major campaign and core for much of the focus for committee and outreach activities for the year including post event media, winner events and general interaction. 

Highlights 

• Increase profile and gravitas of BritCham SH & China Chamber network & partners including IoD, CBBC, CCCUK etc. 

• Substantial impact on financials leading to the expansion of Secretariat to 13 full time staff from 7 in 2013. 

It has created a stronger BritCham SH to build our 2025 activities and continue the expansion of services and support, a great profile and gravitas and higher member and community engagement which we are continuing to build on into 2025.