Enterprise Ambassador Tim Campbell who was winner of the first series of the BBC TV ‘The Apprentice’ programme is guest speaker at this year’s Belfast Business Awards.
Tim was awarded an MBE for Enterprise Culture in the 2012 New Year Honour’s List. After leaving Sir Alan Sugar’s company Amstrad in 2007, he set up the Bright Ideas Trust enterprise charity which gives young entrepreneurs a chance to start up in business. He has worked as London’s Ambassador for Training and Enterprise on appointment by the Mayor of London Boris Johnston and the UK Government Secretary of State’s Enterprise Advisor, on appointment by Vince Cable MP. As well as being a co-author of one of Amazon’s Top 10 business books in 2010 ‘What’s Your Bright Idea?’, he is a much in demand business speaker working with BT, Lloyds Banking Group, Ernst & Young, IoD, Barclays and the NHS to name a few.
The Belfast Business Awards are organised by Belfast City Council in partnership with Belfast City Centre Management. With 11 awards up for grabs, the winners of the prestigious event will be announced at a special Gala Dinner in Belfast City Hall on 8 November.
The awards` categories this year are - Best New Business; ‘Best Green Business; Best Hospitality Business; Best International Trade Business; Best Creative Business; Best Social Economy Business; Young Business Person of the Year; Best Business Innovation; Best Business Expansion; Customer Excellence in Retail and the Business Person of the Year.
Tim Campbell said it was an honour to be taking part in the awards ceremony in November.
“It is a great pleasure to be invited to speak at the Belfast Business Awards. In light of all of the doom and gloom being reported regarding business and the economy, and the fact that we will need more entrepreneurial activity if things are going to change in the medium to long term, I think that Belfast City Council`s promotion of success and positive stories about local businesses is necessary and a welcome change from the norm,” he said
Christopher Stalford, Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee, said: “Belfast City Council aspires to improve the economic performance of local businesses by encouraging entrepreneurship and enhancing business growth and competitiveness across the diverse range of sectors located in the city. Through the Belfast Business Awards, the council can recognise and celebrate business success by providing businesses with the opportunity to gain recognition for the excellent contribution they make towards the overall development of the city.”
Victoria Square is sponsoring the Young Person of the Year Award this year.
Centre Manager Hugh Black said: “Victoria Square is delighted to be once again supporting the Belfast Business Awards as it offers the opportunity to recognise and reward the wealth of business talent that exists right here in Belfast.