Leeds City Region Chinese New Year Celebrations and China Business Awards

China is an important market for the City Region from both a trade and inward investment perspective and we recognise how important it is to devote time and effort to develop the market and opportunities. The Leeds City Region Chinese New Year Celebration and China Business Awards were an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of businesses and organisations in the region to develop links with the China market.

2019 was the first year for these awards and we hope that they will develop and grow from here. The awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the exciting China partnerships which exist, and also to bring people together to share their knowledge and experiences.

We presented awards in five categories:

1) Leeds City Region-China partnership

This award celebrates the great partnerships which exist between Leeds City Region and Chinese organisations. The winners highlighted the social and economic benefits of engaging with China, and created new and innovative products or services as part of their China activity. 

Winner: TPP

Highly commended: Scotts Fish and Chips

Sponsor: Mills & Reeve LLP

2) Exporter of the year

UK exports of goods and services to China were worth a record £22.6 billion in 2018, making China the UK's sixth largest export market. The winners of this category demonstrated the positive impact exporting to China has had on their business, and provided valuable insight for other businesses looking to explore the China market.

Winner: A W Hainsworth

Highly commended: Nine Health Global

Sponsor: China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) 

3) Chinese Investment

This award is to celebrate Chinese businesses who have chosen to invest in Leeds City Region. The winners of these awards showcased their new operations and the partnerships they have developed with other local organisations in Leeds City Region

Winner: OSO Polymers

Highly commended: Dahua

Sponsor: Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds

4) Tourism, Arts and Culture

This award celebrates the concerted effort businesses in the Tourism, Arts and Culture sector have made to increase their reach in China, this includes the development of new projects and products influenced by Chinese culture.

Winner: Dane Royd Junior and Infant School

Highly commended: Bradford City of Film

Sponsor: Market Gravity

5) Significant contribution to Leeds City Region-China relations

This award celebrates individuals who have been instrumental in helping to build strong links with key regions in China and who are influential advocates for the City Region in China.

Winner:  Howard Grindrod, Vice-President of Hisense UK

Highly commended: Will Zhuang, Founder and CEO of OE Media

Sponsor: Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership