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EM Business Awards Winners 2007The Rochdale Ethnic Minority Business Support team are celebrating a successful fourth year of their Annual Business Exhibition and Awards evening. The Business Awards highlight the success of many ethnic businesses, with strong competition in all categories for the top prize. The Business Awards Gala evening was opened by Paul Rowen, MP for Rochdale. Guest speakers were Phil Hawker, Area Director of Lloyds TSB and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi of Dewsbury, Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion. Musical entertainment was provided by Aa’shiq al Rasul. Excitement built amongst the hundreds of guests as the award winners were announced. This year, there were 8 business award categories. Business of the Year WardThe prestigious Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Lloyds/TSB, went to Reach BCS.Aftab Ali of Reach Brand Communication Solutions has strong and focused objectives which have resulted in the business growing rapidly over the last 2 years to the point where they now employ 23 staff. Reach provide design and marketing solutions and have succeeded in building an enviable client base including Manchester City Council and the recent acquisition of a contract for a company based in Florida. Now operating in a global market place, Reach pride themselves on developing innovative and ground breaking sales and marketing campaigns. New Business Start Up AwardThis award, sponsored by NatWest, was won by Niche Casting Agency.Established by Shenaz Khan in May 2007, Niche Casting Agency specialises in providing ethnic artists to mainstream television and film media. There is a growing demand for ethnic artists and Niche Casting is the first agency to specialise in this area. Through professional marketing and developing networks and contacts, Shenaz has provided artists for Bollywood movies, mainstream television programmes such as Shameless and Waterloo Road and also for some TV adverts. Young Entrepreneur of the Year AwardThe Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Hopwood Hall College, was won by Ray Younis of BMS.Ray set up BMS in June 2006 as a call centre specialising in the sale of mobile phones to both business and the general public. Initially employing 2 members of staff, the company now employs 25 and Ray’s objective is to become the number one call centre in the country by this time next year. Focusing on meeting customer needs and ensuring customer satisfaction and with a strong emphasis on training and development of staff, BMS is one of the most exciting young businesses in Rochdale today. Catering Excellence AwardSponsored by EMBF-NW, this award was won by Miah’s Restaurant.Miah’s Restaurant is a family run business which was established in 1979. Over many years, the restaurant has built a loyal customer base and prides itself on quality food and excellent customer service. A winner of the Rochdale Town Centre Best Food Award 2007, Miah’s restaurant is a dining experience not to be missed. Best Employer: Reducing Re-offending through Employment AwrdThe Best Employer: Reducing Re-offending through Employment Award, sponsored by IMPACT, was won by Sahara GrillThis award is for the tremendous support and commitment demonstrated by Sahara Grill in championing the benefits of employing ex-offenders. Not only have they employed ex-offenders, they have also offered work opportunities to prisoners from Kirkham prison. They have also spoken out at conferences, taken part in a promotional video and committed themselves to the IMPACT Employment Charter pledging to continue to offer a much needed second chance to offenders to enable them to get jobs. Business Woman of the Year AwardMiriam and Sairah Shah of Safe Hands won this award, which sponsored by Molesworth Bright Clegg Solicitors.Both Miriam and Sairah have worked hard to overcome personal and cultural barriers to set up and develop their business. They have demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial spirit and clear objectives for future business development. In addition, they have become adept at balancing their home life with work commitments. They understand that there are many challenges ahead and there is much to learn and believe that, together, they can achieve success. Entrepeneur of the Year AwardThe Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by LSC, was won by Imtiaz Ahmed of Eye Care Optical.Imtiaz established Eye Care Optical at the heart of the Asian community in Milkstone Road in 2000. His objective was to attract members of the ethnic community who have historically neglected eye care. This has involved recruiting multi lingual and female opticians and targeting sections of the ethnic community such as women, the illiterate and young children. Staff have been recruited from the local community and the business serves a client base of over 12,000 in the local area. Special Recognition AwardsThe independent judging panel, consisting of Lloyds/TSB, Molesworth Bright Clegg Solicitors, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Celltek, felt that one particular business deserved special recognition for outstanding effort. This award, sponsored by NatWest, went to:Roti Restaurant Aadil Hasmi opened his new restaurant in Drake Street almost 12 months ago. His objective was to capture the essence of traditional Asian food by employing Asian chefs who cooked in the style of mothers at home. Market research also indicated that family orientated followers of the Muslim faith were insistent on an alcohol free venue. Roti is therefore Rochdale’s first alcohol free restaurant. |
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