Headlines § e-mail § Publisher details § rates & data § links Est. 1996 Issue 149 July 2009 Top Honours For Midlands' Asian Businesses At Lloyds TSB Jewel Awards           Some of the brightest stars of the British Asian community were recognised recently at the Lloyds TSB Jewel Awards, including Mohammed Afzal Butt, Founder of Imrans Restaurant. Now in its seventh year, the event was held on Saturday 11th July 2009 at the NEC Hilton and saw nine coveted awards presented in categories including business and commerce, professional services, healthcare, education and public life. The winners were chosen from thousands of nominations from across the region, spanning business, education, politics and the charity sector. Judges of the Lloyds TSB Jewel Awards, including business entrepreneur and star of Dragon's Den James Caan, faced a tough challenge selecting the final winners and said this year's nominees included some of the most impressive and inspiring individuals in the event's seven-year history. Lloyds TSB business experts were on hand to offer advice to SMEs, corporates and individual entrepreneurs on how businesses can manage their way through the economic downturn and position themselves for when the recovery begins. Commenting on the awards, Mrs Kamel Hothi, Asian Markets Director, Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets, says: "For over half a century, the Asian community in Britain has been making a huge contribution to all aspects of life, not least the economy. I would like to congratulate all of the winners on their outstanding achievement as they continue to set a benchmark in these challenging economic times, when their abilities and acumen are truly put to the test. Through our sponsorship of the Jewel Awards, we have had the opportunity to honour and celebrate the many achievements that make the Asian business community a source of inspiration to us all. We're working hard to make sure that the Asian firms get all the help they need from us during these difficult times and in the future." Khalid Darr, Chairman of Carter Andersen (CA), organisers of the Lloyds TSB Jewel Awards, says: "Asian men and women are truly breaking new ground in their professional careers and adding real value to the UK economy. This is what these awards set out to recognise." The winner of Retail, Food & Franchise Award was Mohammed Afzal Butt, a well-known figure in the local community who has many years of experience in the restaurant trade. He came to the UK in the late 1960s and, by 1969 was involved in the 'Ghazala Restaurant' in Stoney Lane with his elder brother Nazir. In 1977, he opened the Butt Sweet Centre & Restaurant and then moved onto Imrans Restaurant current site in 1981, named after his eldest son. Originally, Imran's had a seating capacity for 50 people when it first opened, it now boasts close to 400 seats over two floors. Overseeing the whole proceedings is Mr. Butts middle son whom is the chief chef Usman and Irfaan who deals with front of house service. Lloyds TSB's support of the Jewel Awards is just one aspect of the bank's commitment to serving the UK's Asian population and demonstrates its wider role, providing a level of support that only comes through a deep understanding of its customers. A further example of Lloyds TSB supporting the business community is confirmed by the pledges it has made in its charter for small businesses and the bank's commitment to lend to firms through a range of government schemes. top

Headlines § e-mail § Publisher details § rates & data § links   Mood Food is published by FSR, London, England © 2009 Editor: Peter J. Grove Editorial office: PO Box 416 Surbiton, Surrey, England, KT1 9BJ Tel: 020 8399 4831 email: GroveInt@aol.com