The nomination process has commenced for the 31st annual DHL/SCMP Hong Kong Business Awards (HKBA) to honour outstanding management, corporate and entrepreneurial achievements in the city.
The awards, the highlight of Hong Kong’s corporate life since 1990, will honour achievements in six categories this year: Business Person of the Year, Executive of the Year, SME of the Year, Start-up of the Year, International Award and Enterprise Award. A seventh award may be given at the judges’ discretion to honour a nominee with exceptional accomplishments over a lifetime’s work.
Nominations, which can be accessed online herewill close at the end of business on Monday October 5 for the judging of the entries to take place on Tuesday November 3.
“We at DHL Express are excited to be honouring Hong Kong’s business leaders and companies who have shown resilience amid current challenges,” said Chee Choong Ng, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of DHL Express Hong Kong and Macau. “DHL/SCMP Hong Kong Business Awards continue to recognise the relentless spirit embodied by entrepreneurs. DHL, as a brand rooted in Hong Kong, is proud to play a part in inspiring more into overcoming all adversity and creatively tackling the ever-evolving business landscape.”
For more than three decades, the awards have recognised the work of Hong Kong’s corporate sector through booms and busts. This year’s awards come as the economy is mired in its worst recession in decades amid the coronavirus pandemic, and escalating US-China tensions.
“Amid these challenging times, the awards should give particular recognition to nominees who are role models for corporate social responsibility, governance and philanthropy,” said Eugene Tang, business editor of South China Morning Post. “This way, the awards can play a positive part in honouring executives or entrepreneurs who go the extra mile to care for their staff, or give back to society.”
The Hong Kong Business Awards has endured because of its unique peer judging process, where winners of each year make up half of the judging panel for the ensuing year.
Last year, the Fung Group’s chairman Victor Fung received the Lifetime Achievement Award for being a tireless advocate for globalisation, and for championing Hong Kong’s international role.
Charles Li, chief executive of the Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearings Limited (HKEX), was the Business Person of the Year, for driving the listing reforms that propelled the city to become the world’s top destination for initial public offerings (IPOs). Fred Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Airport Authority (HKAA) received the Executive of the Year Award, while the Shangri-La Group was recognised in the International Award.
Xinyi Glass Holdings received the Enterprise Award, while Tencent Holdings was recognised with the China Company Award. Ho & Partners Architects Engineers and Development Consultants Limited received the SME Award while biotech start-up Phase Scientific International was recognised as the Start-up of the Year.
The 2019 black-tie gala dinner, that typically highlights the annual awards, had to be postponed over security concerns after many months of street rallies and protests. A joint award ceremony is scheduled for December 8 this year, where winners of the 2019 awards and this year’s recipient will be honoured together.