Miliband Congratulates Yorkshire's Finest

WEST YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND, April 15, 2011

Ed Miliband congratulated Yorkshire Business award winners last night at entrepreneurial support network ABDN - The Network of Influence's 13th Annual Dinner & Business Awards: Aiming High highlighting the region as leading the way in bridging the North/South economic divide.

The Awards Dinner, held at Saviles Hall, Royal Armouries, Leeds celebrated the achievements of outstanding businesses across Yorkshire and the North West who have contributed to the economic regeneration of the region by continually reaching for the sky.

The full list of winners is as follows:
Business of the Year 2011 - ATB Morley Ltd
SME Business of the Year 2011- Cleveland Biotech Ltd
Innovation in Business 2011 - Brandon Medical Company Ltd
Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 - Dave Helm - Blue Logic Computer Systems Ltd
Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2011- Olga Kubassova - Image Analysis Ltd
Most Promising New Business 2011 - Thermal Engineering Contracts Ltd
Service to the Community 2011 - Hamara HLC
Rising Sports Star of the Year 2011 - Ashpal Bhogal
Lifetime Achievement Award 2011 - Avtar Singh Thethi

Attracting guests from over 700 Businesses including Jaguar, Akbars, Santander and Irwin Mitchell the lavish ceremony featured entertainment, dinner and a very moving additional award to ABDN Chairman Arshad Chaudhry for Outstanding Contribution to ABDN and to the business community as a whole.
Reflecting on the record number of nominated Businesses this year judges Ismail Hanif and Clare Morley-Jones noted the incredible standard of entrants showing "phenomenal talent, innovation and creativity"

Key note speaker Ed Miliband praised the Network of Influence in his speech saying: "The Asian community has made an enormous contribution right across a whole range of industries which equates to GBP25 billion generated each year. I will ensure in the work that I do as both leader of the opposition and hopefully as Prime Minister, to support all of your work as a way of wealth generation.

I know we have a massive challenge on our hands and whoever is in government needs to make sure we have balanced economic growth across the country. Regional development agencies make an enormous difference to our region, but we need to build on our expertise as we need more active industrial policies in place to create a better future for the next generation.

The Asian community has enormous strength through diversity, and ABDN supports this helping to enrich the lives of those who are a part of it. Thank you Arshad for your work and commitment throughout the years."

Arshad said: "This year's Annual Dinner was an emotional experience which inspired me from my heart in front of 700 guests, many of whom I know personally. The love and respect I received has given me the strength to fight on making a difference to the communities we live in and to continue to aim high"

For more information on ABDN - The Network of Influence and to see highlights from the awards dinner visit http://www.abdn.org

Notes to Editor:
Originally known as the Asian Business Development network, the organisastion has expanded and subsequently re-branded as ABDN - The Network of Influence; to support a wider business community. ABDN now provides business support not just for ethnic groups, but makes sure additional measures are in place in order to form a united sense of inclusion, mainstreaming businesses, inspiring entrepreneurial activity and promoting 'outside-the-box' thinking. For more information on ABDN, please visit http://www.abdn.org.uk

The Network of Influence provides an exceptional and dynamic platform to members and the business community in general with real tangible business benefits such as business services which cater for all the requirements of a business, from accountancy to marketing support, IT to HR and cost reduction to corporate finance.

Business of the Year 2011
ATB Morley Ltd, Pudsey, Leeds - This company has demonstrated strong financial performance and innovative management style and built up a solid base of clients.
SME Business of the Year 2011
Cleveland Biotech Ltd, Stockton-on-Tees - This company has demonstrated that they are market leaders in their field by evaluating, developing and delivering innovative solutions to their consumers
Innovation in Business 2011
Brandon Medical Company Ltd, Leeds - This company has proven to be incredibly innovative and dominant within their sector, a position gained by continuous investment back into the company.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2011
Blue Logic Computer Systems Ltd, Leeds - Dave Helm - This Individual has demonstrated a high degree of entrepreneurship, by driving new products and services into the market and simultaneously improving the company's turnover and growth prospects.
Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2011
Image Analysis Ltd, Bradford - Olga Kubassova - This individual has developed new products in an untapped marketplace. She has shown great entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and a drive to succeed.
Most Promising New Business 2011
Thermal Engineering Contracts Ltd, Leeds - This company has demonstrated an impressive turnover in a short period of time, they have grown rapidly by offering unrivalled quality and service.
Service to the Community 2011
Hamara HLC, Leeds - Hanif Malik - This individual has dedicated 20 years of his life to the community in Leeds. He has been the influence and driving force behind Hamara the largest ethnic community organisation within the Asian voluntary sector and its success has inspired many other organisations to emulate its achievements. Hanif malik has been a role model and the driving force in moving Hamara in to a purpose built centre for catering for the community needs.
Rising Sports Star of the Year 2011
Ashpal Bhogal, Leeds - The Rising Sports Star of the Year award is to celebrate the achievements and the breakthrough of new talent within the sporting industry. At just the tender age of 16, she has become the first British Asian female player to be selected in any of the England Woman's Hockey international programs. Coached by her father, this young aspiring girl has clearly aimed high and excelled in her chosen sport and has become an inspirational role model for all.
Lifetime Achievement Award 2011
Avtar Singh Thethi - This award is for one who has contributed to the economic regeneration in the private sector as well as given their time and funds to local charities. The gentleman arrived in this country at the age 15 years and stayed in school for just one year. Being a practical man he started working in the building trade. He had the ambition to set up his own company which he did within few years of leaving school. He bought his first house for GBP400 at the age of 21 years. Today he has a portfolio of properties worth over GBP25m. His sons have joined him to manage the property lettings business, where as he still drives around in his van to run his construction company. His generosity for community support is greatly appreciated by local people.

For further information please contact:
Chocolate PR
Jamila Juma-Ware
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