BOE-2023-210x210+3mm SINGLEPAGE - Flipbook - Page 5
WELCOME
Welcome
“A very warm welcome to the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence
Awards - We’ve all faced challenges over the past year.. from stressed supply
chains, emergence of automation, inflation and soaring energy bills. Yet, here
you all are, not just weathering the storm, but thriving in it.
Each one of you is the cornerstone of your community, the heartbeat of the
economy, and a testament to resilience and adaptability. It’s an honour to be
among you tonight.
We are currently in the midst of the digital transformation revolution. The
emergence of generative AI has been a standout advancement in 2023, with
historians of the future set to look back and mark this time as the beginning
of the new business landscape. As Socrates once said: ‘The secret of change is
to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new.’
From AI to VAR - personally, I draw inspiration from the remarkable success
of the England women’s national football team in the 2023 Women’s World
Cup - reaching a final for the first time in their history. It was more than a
sporting triumph; it was a testament to representation and empowerment.
Seeing strong women break boundaries and challenge outdated norms is a
victory that transcends the chalk outlines of the pitch’s boundaries - inspiring
generations to fight against the odds.
This is also the year that Eurovision graced our very own Merseyside, bringing
a fantastic long-term boost to tourism, with some estimates projecting up to
£260 million to the local economy by 2026. The boost to business in the North,
as well as cementing Liverpool as a global cultural hub, truly embodies the
‘Great’ in Great Britain.
britishbusinessexcellenceawards.co.uk
As we all know; there is no such thing as perfect conditions when it comes
to business. You’ll grow old waiting for the stars to align; for grace, kismet or
serendipity to change all the proverbial traffic lights green at the same time.
Each and every one of our finalists here tonight have proven that by actively
avoiding the ‘someday’ sentiment, you can truly achieve your dreams and
stand head and shoulders above your peers as leaders of industry.
More than ever, leadership matters. Leaders inspire people, motivate them to
perform to a higher level and embody company values and culture. A leader
is more than ‘someone who has followers.’ Leadership flows throughout
organisations and can make or break your company. Leaders must value
inspiration over imitation. When employees aren’t simply engaged, but truly
inspired, that is when leadership has succeeded.
Finally, I’d like to thank each and every finalist for their remarkable
achievements throughout the year, and the judging panel for their expert
assessments. Also, a special thanks to Lloyds Bank for their invaluable
support in making this celebration possible.
Please join me in congratulating all of our finalists and winners this evening.
If we aspire to be the inspiration we see in this room tonight, we’ll never stray
far from success.”
Sarah Austin
Founder & Managing Director
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