QBBF Excellence Awards 2008
The inaugural QBBF Excellence Awards were held at the British Embassy in Doha on 14th May 2008 and were presented were Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham. The awards were conceived to reward British companies in Doha who, in the opinion of the Award Committee, had done more than anyone else to promote British business/ trade/ products/ services in Qatar during 2007.
Two awards were presented on the evening. Reed Personnel Services Qatar LLC were awarded the trophy for Winner of the QBBF Excellence Award 2008 - New Business. During the past 2 years the company successfully identified Qatar as a potential location in which to expand, established a dedicated onsite feasibility study to ensure a workable business module and in 2007 gained a 6 months' company registration and licensing by the QFC. As the fastest growing international operation within the REED group, it now has a team of eleven professionals covering seven of the twenty niches within REED. In addition to identifying highly skilled professionals to support skill shortages for expanding businesses in Qatar, it has also implemented a Qatarisation project to support clients integrate in Qatar. In all it has achieved its business plans ahead of target.
The trophy for Overall Winner of the QBBF Excellence Awards 2008 was ISC Group Gulf WLL and collecting the award on their behalf was Major Robert Noble MBE, BSc, Managing Director. ISC Group has specialised in providing security services and personnel in Qatar for 9 years. It is active in all aspects of security and fire and safety disciplines, providing highly trained security guards to diplomatic and commercial entities throughout the State of Qatar. It now represents thirteen UK companies and in 2007 sales from its British partners exceeded GBP700,000. Contracts to the value of GBP150,000 have been won in the first four months of 2008 alone with several more large contracts pending.
The awards were presented within the grounds of the British Embassy at West Bay, Doha and a reception was held which was attended by 130 people. The evening was hosted by Roddy Drummond, Chargé d'Affaries and Head of Mission and sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank.
During his speech Lord Jones praised the work done by British companies within Qatar and emphasised the relationship between Qatar and the United Kingdom. He said he was impressed by the hospitality he had received in Qatar and described the new Embassy building as a tribute to a "modern, innovative and fit-for-purpose FCO Office".