Blank Event Template for The British-American Chamber of Commerce for the Midwest, Inc.

	The British-American Business Council Chicago	JOIN BABCC

BRITISH CONSUL GENERAL AWARD

Award Background

The United Kingdom and the United States share a deep and historical relationship. This relationship has been built on the values and qualities that our two countries and cultures share. While challenges have faced our countries and are rapidly growing in the era of globalization, decision-makers who display strong leadership and direction are helping our countries meet these challenges.

The event recognizes corporations and/or individuals who have made significant contributions to furthering relations and commerce between the United Kingdom and the United States. A nomination package is distributed to the business community to identify qualified companies/individuals.

Over 200 guests attend the event. Guests include senior executives from the British and Midwest business community, representatives from Chicago's civic institutions, and leaders of British societies, organizations and cultural institutions, as well as the British Consul General and representatives from the British Consulate General-Chicago.

2009 British Consul General Award Recipients

Aon Corporation, the leading global provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human capital consulting, with 37,000 professionals worldwide, is being honored because of its standing in the Chicago and US business markets and its global outreach. Its unique products and innovative service have resulted in a creation of jobs that support international operations between the UK and the US. This together with its investments in production facilities and operations in the UK and US, promoting internationalization, makes the company truly deserving of the Award. In addition, Aon's exemplary leadership and commitment to communities where its colleagues live and work and its leadership in state and local programs that publicize the importance of international business demonstrate the company's commitment to the communities and countries in which it operates, Aon has been a long time supporter of the BABC for many years, including the creation of the Aon Award, awarded to the BABC Chapter with the fastest growing membership. Most recently, Aon's support of Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games has not only benefited Chicago, but has also demonstrated the international vision of the Company.

BigHand, which develops and supplies the market leading voice productivity application for the professional services community, is being honored as an outstanding emerging company for its rapid growth, technical innovation, and its excellence in customer service. Used by over 800 organizations worldwide, BigHand software helps businesses get more done by allowing professionals to record, edit and send voice files or verbal tasks to office based support, and access round-the-clock outsourced services. Voice tasks, instructions and dictations sent on-the-go via BigHand then instantly enter the office workflow, and are tracked via status updates, priorities and alerts. It is available via both Smartphone and Desktop Editions. BigHand’s client base extends to Accounting, Property and Healthcare sectors, and is a Microsoft Gold and a Blackberry ISV Partner.

2008 British Consul General Award Recipients

George W. Buckley, Chairman, President and CEO of 3M Company, was honored as one of the most senior British business executives in the United States. Since taking over as CEO of 3M - a Fortune 100 Company and Dow 30 Industrials component - in late 2005, George has overseen new investment in excess of $750m in Britain. George has enthusiastically and unreservedly supported the UK government efforts to engage with industry in the State of Minnesota and the US generally. He also is a passionate advocate for Britain and its strengths as a business destination.

The Wm. Wrigley Company, a recognized leader in confections with a wide range of offerings – from gum to mints to hard and chewy candies – was honored for its global presence, spirit of innovation and commitment to the well-being of the environment. In terms of its global footprint, the Company distributes its world-famous brands in more than 180 countries, and has 22 manufacturing operations in 14 countries. Established in 1891, Wrigley went “global” shortly after the turn of the century and has longstanding presence and deep roots in Australia, Canada, Germany and England, including a plant in Plymouth. And while innovation has always been a driving force for Wrigley’s business, the Company has taken it to a new level since 2000 – opening a state-of-the-art Global Innovation Center here in Chicago, at the northern tip of Goose Island, and increasing new product activity to the point where they have accounted for close to 20% of sales in recent years. Finally, Wrigley’s environmental commitments range from rigorous energy conservation, waste reduction and water conservation programs at every production facility to the Company’s active involvement with litter awareness and educational efforts in all of its geographies around the world – from “Keep America Beautiful” to “Keep Britain Tidy" to “Beautify China.”

Manpower, established in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1948 and in the U.K. in 1956, iwas honored as the U.K.’s leading employment expert, creating and delivering services that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work. Manpower U.K. employs over 30,000 people through a network of over 300 U.K. offices providing staff for approximately 5,000 clients.

TradingPartners, the leading global provider of fully-managed eAuctions, was honored for its rapid growth, its ability to transform challenges—such as geography, time zone and cultural differences--into strengths that benefit clients who, like TradingPartners, have a global footprint. Using a blend of web based technology, global sourcing expertise and experienced procurement professionals, TradingPartners saves millions of dollars for its clients every day.

2007 British Consul General Award Recipients

Tate & Lyle produces a wide range of food and industrial ingredients, namely in the US and Europe, and is one of the largest corn refiners in the US. Tate & Lyle (with headquarters in London) has 10 manufacturing or blending facilities in the US and its global research and development center is based in Decatur, IL. In addition to corn syrup, Tate & Lyle also manufactures food ingredients, such as starches, sweeteners (including SPLENDA® Sucralose), acidulates, citrates, savory flavors, animal feed, and ethanol. Tate & Lyle is being honored for its significant and consistent growth over the last several years; its investment in ethanol—Tate & Lyle will have the ability to fill the need for corn-based ethanol as a oxygenator/octane, and continue to develop their wet mills to be flexible for a number of corn-based products; and for the company’s overall commitment and approach to the environment.

Neogen Europe Ltd, established in 1998 and located in the west of Scotland and acquired in 2003 by the Neogen Corporation headquartered in Lansing, MI, is dedicated to the development and marketing of novel diagnostic test kits that address topical concerns about the quality and safety of agricultural and food products. Neogen Europe Ltd. is a recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade. The BABCC is honoring Neogen Europe for its innovation in the development and marketing of solutions for animal food and safety and creation of high quality jobs as a result of its rapid growth.

2006 British Consul General Award Recipients

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated, the world's leading real estate services and money management firm, is being honored for its exemplary integration of two businesses which were--each in its own right--successful institutions on the business maps of London and Chicago respectively: Jones Lang Wootton, a U.K. firm dating from 1783, and LaSalle Partners, a U.S. firm founded in 1968. Since its merger in 1999, the firm has continued to grow its business and today has 22,000 employees in 50 countries. In 2005, Jones Lang LaSalle achieved record revenues and profits and was named to the Forbes Platinum 400—the only real estate money management and services firm to be included in that listing of top companies from all sectors. Jones Lang LaSalle has created a suite of innovative services for its clients, an example of which is the first integrated global accounts payable system in the real estate outsourcing industry. It is involved in important governmental initiatives on both sides of the Atlantic, providing real estate advice to the London Olympic team in connection with the largest sporting event that the U.K. will ever have hosted, and also advising The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on the redevelopment of the World Trade Center.

British School of Chicago, part of a privately-held, British-owned group, is being honored for the outstanding growth it has achieved and for its unique contribution to the Chicago educational community. Offering an alternative choice for private school education (K-12) in Chicago, the school opened its doors in September 2001 with approximately 15 pupils and has grown to 260 pupils in 2006. The school offers a challenging and broad curriculum based on the English National Curriculum, facilitating educational continuity for a range of international executives and their families—with 85% of the families being American. Other British Schools are located in Washington, D.C., Boston, Charlotte, and Houston.

2005 British Consul General Award Recipients

RR Donnelley was the recipient of the 2005 British Consul General Award. RR Donnelley, the world’s premier full-service global print provider and the largest printing company in North America, is being honored for its global leadership, expanded outreach to existing and new clients, and innovation--changing the role of print in every marketplace it serves. With the acquisition of The Astron Group, a leading U.K.-based provider of integrated business process outsourcing solutions (for approximately $990 million), RR Donnelley expanded its ability to serve global customers with locations in the U.K. and U.S. In addition, in May of 2005, RR Donnelley opened a new European headquarters for its Global Capital Markets financial printing business in a renovated building in the heart of London’s financial district. This 24 hours a day, 7 days a week facility reflects the technological sophistication that makes this London facility the center of their European financial printing operations.

Batavia-based Gripple, Inc., a subsidiary of Gripple Ltd. headquartered in the U.K., is being honored as an outstanding emerging company for its resilience, innovation and determined market focus, which has led to the successful building of a strong and dynamic US platform for Gripple, a platform from which shareholder value has been dramatically enhanced. In January 2002, with a team of just four people, Gripple introduced its unique range of industrial hanger systems to the North American construction market. Today, the company is on track to reach US revenues of $5-million in 2005 with a team now numbering 18 and global sales revenues of $30-million. Growth has been achieved as a result of outstanding customer service, the supply of unique innovative products, and tremendous brand awareness for its products. Gripple products have been not only used, but also requested by name in the construction/renovation of buildings owned by such companies as Walmart, Boeing, Ford Motor, U.S. Navy, Toyota, Honda, Meijer, and Home Depot.

2004 British Consul General Award Recipients

Dyson was the recipient of the 2004 British Consul General Award. Dyson, the hottest new vacuum cleaner company, was honored for its overall excellence in innovation, market penetration, job creation, and international exposure. Since the October 2002 launch of UK inventor James Dyson's DC07 vacuum in the United States, Dyson has made a significant impact in the vacuum category and has built strong brand awareness. The vacuums can now be found in more than 3,000 stores across the country and sales have exceeded expectations. Dyson retailers include Sears, Target, Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, Kohl's, Costco, Linens 'n Things, Amazon.com, Hammacher Schlemmer, and other independent vacuum retailers nationwide.

Mintel International Group, Ltd., a global market research firm, was honored for its enviable customer orientation, innovation, and ability to provide a unique overview of a market's dynamics and prospects.

Electronics market leader Newark InOne, a subsidiary of global distributor Premier Farnell plc, was honored for its ability to manage change and work across geographic and business boundaries with its UK parent to provide its customers exceptional service

2003 British Consul General Award Recipient

Robert N. Culshaw, British Consul General, Chicago. Robert Culshaw served at the British Consulate-General in Chicago from 1999-2003. During his post in Chicago, Robert's enthusiasm, excellent cultural, civic, and business knowledge, fine judgment and diplomacy raised the profile of the United Kingdom in Chicago and the Midwest to unprecedented levels. To recognize Mr. Culshaw's contribution in furthering the U.K. and the U.S. relations, the BABC awarded him the first Consul General Award at his farewell dinner on March 10, 2003.

British Consul General Award Recipients

2009 RECIPIENTS

British Consul General James Clark (center)with award recipients Steve McGill, Chairman & CEO of Aon Risk Services (left) & Steve Butterworth, CEO, BigHand Inc. (right)

2008 RECIPIENTS

George W. Buckley