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	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.

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

2007 RECIPIENTS

TATE & LYLE