Midlands King’s Awards Network Assembly unites region's top innovators and business leaders to drive economic growth and global competitiveness
Today [10 September 2024] marks a historic occasion as the Midlands King’s Awards Network (MKAN) convenes for the first time at the University of Birmingham. This event brings together leading businesses from across the region representing over £7bn in turnover and £294m of investment.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise is recognised as the highest honour for a UK business. The Midlands is home to more King’s Awards recipients over the past five years than any other region outside London and the South East, highlighting how the region stands at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurial excellence. The Assembly symbolises a powerful coming together of many of these pioneering businesses, setting a new standard for collaboration in pursuit of economic growth across the region.
The Midlands King’s Awards Network, convened by the Midlands Engine Partnership in collaboration with regional Lord-Lieutenants and government partners, represents a groundbreaking initiative. It aims to harness the collective power of the region’s most successful enterprises, driving investment, economic growth and social mobility - a testament to the thriving ecosystem of innovation and enterprise that defines the Midlands. Today at the event, the region underlines its position as a beacon of excellence, showcasing the transformative impact of its businesses on the local and global stage.
Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine Partnership, commented on the significance of the event:
"The Midlands King’s Awards Network Assembly is a landmark event that brings together some of the region's most innovative minds. With over 180 King’s Awards for Enterprise received by Midlands businesses in the past five years—the highest number outside London and the South East—this Assembly and the Network it results in will serve as a powerful platform to build on the region's successes. The collaboration fostered here today has the potential to unlock significant opportunities for growth and prosperity across the Midlands."
The Assembly’s programme includes a series of dynamic panel discussions and interviews, each aligned with the Midlands Engine Partnership’s drivers for inclusive economic growth – Investment, Business, Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity.
These discussions, featuring numerous award-winning businesses from across the Midlands, are designed to inspire and enable new collaborations that will drive investment and growth and unlock greater opportunities for the region.
Keynote speakers, such as Edwina Dunn OBE, Jenny Tooth OBE and the CEO of the British Business Bank Louis Taylor will share their insights, contributing to an event that is connecting our region’s brightest businesses with regional business investors, and is a catalyst for future growth.
Notes to Editors:
For media inquiries, please contact: comms@midlandsengine.org
Complete list of panellists
Business Panel:
- Charlotte Kenan, Head of Corporate Engagement & 10,000 Small Business Lead, Goldman Sachs
- Ben Amanna, Founder & CEO at BOXRAW
- Nikki Whitfield, CEO at Upperton Pharma Solutions
- Tullis Matson, CEO at Stallion AI Services
- Emma Heathcote-James, Founder & CEO at The Little Soap Company
- Paul Schaffer, Managing Director at Plum Play
- Prof. Adam Tickell, Vice Chancellor of University of Birmingham
- Jim Campbell OBE, Founder of SureScreen Diagnostics
- Robert Stevens, Managing Director of Proteus Instruments
- Dr. Robin Elliott, Principal Engineer at ONYX Insight
- Dr. Lisa Smith, CEO of Midlands Mindforge
- Roger Mendonca, CEO at Midlands Engine
- Josie Morris MBE DL, Managing Director at Woolcool
- Sarah Windrum, Future Mobility Lead at HORIBA MIRA
- Francoise Derksen, Managing Director at Midland Lead
- David Horsfall, Director of Property & Sustainability at Webster & Horsfall Group
- Tim Reid, CEO, UK Export Finance
- Chris Tattersall, CEO of Woolroom
- Richard Freeman, CEO at Zeeko
- Dr. Eve Davies, Co-Founder & Director at ProtectaPet
- Tajinder Banwait MBE, CEO of Urban Apothecary
- Mark Briggs PLY, Director of Partnerships at Nimbus Disability
- Holly Hunter, Head of Social Value and Marketing at Nuneaton Signs
About MKAN:
The Midlands King’s Awards Network (MKAN) is a strategic initiative convened by the Midlands Engine to harness the collective power of King’s Awards recipients. MKAN’s mission is to foster collaboration, innovation and investment, driving regional prosperity and influencing policy decisions. With a vision to sustain and enhance the Midlands' thriving ecosystem of innovation, MKAN represents the next chapter in the region’s economic strategy.
The Assembly of the Midlands King's Awards Network - midlandskingsawards
About the Midlands Engine Partnership
The Midlands Engine Partnership is a unique and powerful collaboration, bringing together a breadth and depth of expertise, investment and commitment from across the region. Each partner is already focused on driving inclusive and sustainable growth of the regional economy. The role of the Midlands Engine Partnership is to add value to and amplify this existing work, delivering even greater impact and value through the power of our Partnership.
Together, we make sure the Midlands voice is heard and act as a positive agent for economic, social and environmental change, to benefit every single part of our region. We do this through shared intent, collaborative investment and a strong, unified voice direct to private sector decision makers and investors – and to government and shadow government stakeholders whose priorities and agendas can create tangible opportunities for our region.
Midlands Engine | Partnering for Prosperity
10th Sep 2024