Greater Birmingham firms advance in British Chambers awards

Two Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce members have been named as winners in the regional heats of the British Chambers of Commerce 's 2021 Business Awards.

Sutton Coldfield-based video production company Ark Media won the Problem Solver award for the West Midlands, while manufacturer Shelforce came out on top for the region in the Equality Trailblazer category.

Both firms will now advance to the national finals which are taking place online on Thursday 9 December.

Ark Media, whose CEO is Sutton Coldfield Chamber president Phil Arkinstall, rose to the challenge during the pandemic by producing a suite of videos to help educate children across the country who were impacted by school closures.

Having achieved an impressive period of growth, Ark have also relocated to new premises as Wrens Court in Sutton Coldfield town centre.

Mr Arkinstall said: “We are delighted to win the regional award from the British Chamber of Commerce in the Problem Solver category.

“During the pandemic we were keen to help in any we could and this manifested in producing hundreds of videos to help young people learn phonics online.

“The programme has been a big success with millions of views of the content. ”

Erdington-based Shelforce is a PVCu window and door manufacturer that is renowned for its commitment to inclusivity and supporting disabled people on their entry to employment.

Founded in 1839 as a workplace for the visually impaired as part of the Royal School for the Blind, Shelforce have carried forward their mission to change the perception of disability within the workplace.

The firm won the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce 's Business of the Year award in 2021.

Shelforce 's Business Manager Howard Trotter said: “It 's a great honour to become a regional winner at the British Chambers Awards.

“Contributing to a much greater agenda than the manufacture of windows and doors is our social aim, and winning this prestigious award is a strong indicator of the progress we have made and the commitment we have to promoting equality and inclusivity. ”