BME business awards 'inspire others'

Previous winners Roland Gilbertson, KK Wong, Lydia Tse and Imani Sorhaindo joined organisers for the launch on the Ipswich waterfront

Organisers of an awards evening aimed at promoting black and minority ethnic (BME) businesses say it helps inspire others.

This will be the sixth year the Suffolk BME Business Awards have been held, after launching in 2016.

They are run by BSC Multicultural Services and the University of Suffolk.

Prof Gurpreet Jagpal, pro vice-chancellor business and entrepreneurship, said: "We want to highlight the amazing things the different people who come to Suffolk are doing."

Prof Gurpreet Jagpal has previously helped judge the awards

The awards presentation evening will be held in November and hosted at the university's waterfront building in Ipswich.

Prof Jagpal said: "My passion is blurring the boundaries between the world of education and the world of business, and making sure our students and staff are getting opportunities to engage with industry.

"But also that they are going out to business and supporting them as well with their education and skills requirements both now and in the future."

The Suffolk Kurdish Society was the recipient of the Judges' Special Award in 2022, the last time the awards were held

Roland Gilbertson, of ThinkBiznes, won Business of the Year in 2022.

He said: "As a person of colour and being able to support entrepreneurs, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds or from black and minority ethnic communities, I think it's important because we have made a lot of contribution to this society.

"If we are going to continue, we have to also be in a position to contribute economically."

Another previous winner, Imani Sorhaindo, is founder and CEO at KMT Rising.

She said: "I was made redundant and for me, it was a massive boost to know that yes, I can do this.

"It gave me proof that, yes, as a black woman here in Suffolk, I can do this and it was an encouragement for other young people to do the same."

Members of BSC Multicultural Services say many business owners are modest and the awards help bring recognition for hard work and dedication

The categories are:

• Business of the Year (Catering)

• Start up/New Business of the Year

• Female Entrepreneur of the Year

• Health Champion of the Year

• Business Person of the Year

• Community Business of the Year

• Charity of the Year

• Judges' Special Award of the Year

• Business of the Year

Nominations close Monday 30 September, with the evening of celebration held on 26 November.