From the UK Trade & Investment Press Release:
Award-winning digital film company FilmLight Ltd has added another honour to its trophy cabinet by taking home the prize for London’s Outstanding Exporter of the Year at the London Export Awards 2010, held today at the Piccadilly headquarters of BAFTA.
The Soho-based company, which also triumphed at this year’s Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Sci-Tech Oscar Awards, beat off stiff competition from a diverse range of companies all hoping to be named the capital’s business with the highest X-port factor.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said:
“I want to congratulate the winners of the London Export Awards 2010 – and all the companies who entered – on their international trade achievements. Their initiative underlines the role exporters have to play in maintaining the return to economic growth seen in the last quarter of 2009. I hope their success will encourage even more London businesses – of all sizes – to follow their example.”
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Lord Davies, Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business, said:
“I am incredibly proud of FilmLight and of all the other companies that have taken part in this competition. They are shining examples of what can be achieved if you take your business international. They also demonstrate that the UK is strong across many sectors.
“Export is one of our most powerful weapons as we emerge from the worldwide recession. Exporting is great for business, generating new ideas, processes and products. And UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) can give businesses the best advice on how to access overseas markets.”
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:
“Less than a century ago London was the world’s market place with nearly every commodity passing through the city’s docks and trading floors, generating great wealth for the capital and country. Now, more than ever, London’s exporters are the key to driving us through this downturn and onwards to sustained economic prosperity.
“I am staggered by the quality of this year’s entries which showcase the incredible talent and creativity we have in this city. This combined with inspired business knowledge is a sure recipe for success and gives me huge confidence that we are in a great position to exploit many more lucrative and emerging overseas markets.”
Vivek Ramachandran, Head of Cash and Trade, Barclays Corporate said:
“The achievements of the exporters recognised through these awards are magnified by the incredibly challenging economic circumstances in which they have succeeded. They should be applauded and offer an example for other UK businesses to follow.
“The depth of nominees is testament to London’s strength as an export centre.”
Other winners at the London Export Awards 2010 include:
- London’s Creative Industries Exporter of the Year: Knomo, creator of stylish and practical everyday bags for both men and women.
- London’s Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing Exporter of the Year: Specialist Energy Group Plc, manufacturer of specialised pumps and electric motors for the power generation, offshore and other industries.
- London’s Financial, Business & Professional Services Exporter of the Year: RIZE recruitment, international recruitment IT and telecommunications solutions consultancy.
- London’s Life Sciences Exporter of the Year: Smart Cells, a company dedicated to researching innovative ways in which to combat illnesses.
- London’s Young Exporter of the Year: MyDestinationinfo.com Ltd, producer of a network of travel guides providing up-to-date news on everything a traveller needs to know.
- London’s Best Newcomer of the Year: TestPlant, a technology firm responsible for what is regarded as the world’s leading automated software testing tool.
FilmLight and Avanti, the UK’s only fixed satellite service operator, were joint winners of the award for London’s Technology Exporter of the Year.
The UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) organised awards, supported by the Mayor of London and sponsored by Barclays Bank, were open to London-based SMEs registered within any of London’s 33 boroughs.
The awards judging panel consisted of respected UK entrepreneurs and business authorities. They included:
- Chris Blackhurst – Evening Standard City Editor
- Anthony Browne – Mayoral Policy Director for Economic Development
- Martin Broughton – Chairman of British Airways
- James Caan – investor, entrepreneur and television personality
- Sir Andrew Likierman – Dean of the London Business School
- Roger Mavity – CEO of the Conran Group
- Vivek Ramachandran – Head of Cash & Trade, Barclays Plc
- Susan Searle – Chief Executive Officer, Imperial Innovations
For further information on the awards and the finalists, please log on to: http://londonevents.ukti.gov.uk/awards/.
Media contacts:
For more information contact Rosetta Buahin or Tessa Fras at UK Trade & Investment Press Office on 020 7215 8530/ 8483 or at [email protected] or [email protected].
