The winners for the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) awards 2022, were announced on Saturday, 19 November in a ceremony attended by 500 guests.
There were a total of 11 categories of awards, ranging from “Business of the Year” to “Charity of the year”.
Formed in 1987, the ABCC has a long history in supporting the vast variety of diverse, Asian businesses that operate in the West Midlands. The largest Chamber of its kind, the ABCC acts as a gateway for any organisations looking to target the West Midlands Asian business community.’
Among the winners, Solihull based MOT and vehicle servicing company Motorserv UK was awarded with the Business of the Year title. The company was also given the Outstanding Small Business of the Year, while its managing director, Kamran Saleem was the winner of the Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year.
The business conducts up to 600 MOTs a month, making the centre one of Birmingham’s busiest, from which there is an impressive 80 per cent customer retention rate.
Meanwhile, Haroon Mota, founder of Active Inclusion Network and Muslim Hikers, was awarded the co-presidents Award for his passion, drive and determination, despite the abuse and racism he had faced while hiking outdoors.
Image: Haroon Mota’s twitter
Known by many as the ‘Marathon Man’, Haroon is a runner, community activist and a mountaineer.
Over the years, Haroon has helped raised millions of pounds for charity and is an advocate for humanitarian causes. His fundraising adventures have seen him run marathons and climb mountains all around the world.
He has led successful fundraising expeditions for British Muslim Charities by hiking Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu in Peru and raised a phenomenal £250,000 for the Rohingya crisis by leading 18 British Muslim Women on a trek to Mount Everest Basecamp.
Haroon, along with fellow Muslim hikers faced backlash and racist comments on social media when he organised a hike in the peak district during past Christmas day. He was targeted again when he appeared in BBC’s documentary Countryfile.
Speaking about receiving the co-presidents award, Haroon said: “A huge thank you for the ABCC co-presidents for offering me this award. Nothing is more important than wellbeing. We don’t have the outdoors and fitness embedded in us and that’s what I have been working on. Try to get outside a little bit more and remind yourself of how blessed you are!”
Speaking about the winners, ABCC co-presidents Omar Rashid and Amina Hussain said: “A massive congratulations to all the award winners. It was great to see such a diverse range of winners. Special mention to Kamran Saleem and MotorServ UK for winning not one, not two but three awards on the night, including Overall Asian Business of the Year 2022”
Full list of Award winners:
- Charity Of the Year sponsored by OTD
- Winner – Services for Education
- Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Este Medical Group
- Winner – Kamran Saleem, Motorserv UK
- Outstanding Finance Business of the Year sponsored by SME Outsourcing
- Winner – FAZ Accountants Ltd
- Outstanding Hospitality Business of the Year sponsored by Lets Sanify
- Winner – Hotel du Vin
- Outstanding Legal Services Business of the Year sponsored by Vicarage Court Solicitors
- Winner – Shakespeare Martineau
- Outstanding Small Business of the Year sponsored by Ones
- Winner – MotorServ UK
- Outstanding Start-Up Business of the Year sponsored by LIV24
- Winner – Desicity
- Outstanding Tech Business of the Year sponsored by South and City College Birmingham
- Winner – Gloss Ltd
- Outstanding Young Achiever of the Year sponsored by Staffordshire University
- Winner – Gurdas Singh – WANAMA
- Overall Business of the Year – Sponsored by Aston University
- Winner – MotorServ UK
- The Co-Presidents Award
- Winner – Haroon Mota
