The London Business Awards, organised by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCC) has recognised Karan Bilimoria CBE, DL, Founder and Chief Executive of Cobra Beer, as Business Person of the Year 2004. This year, after shortlisting four candidates, the LCC and its media partner, The Evening Standard, threw the contest open to members of the Chamber and to the newspaper’s readers. Based on the votes in a telephone poll, Bilimoria was awarded “Business Person of the Year” (also known as the “blue riband award”) with 60% of votes.

Chaired by Sir Gulam Noon, MBE, the panel of judges who shortlisted Bilimoria were unreserved in their support for him as Business Person of the Year. They judged Bilimoria to perfectly fulfil their criteria for such an award – someone who has achieved sustained success throughout the year and whose entrepreneurial skills and achievements have made him a role model for younger business people and had an effect not only on his business, but on the wider business world either nationally or internationally.

Accepting the award, Bilimoria stated: “I am overwhelmed, so very very grateful to all the people who voted for me. When I came to Britain as a 19 year old, my parents and family told me that if I stayed on after my studies to work or to start a business, I would never get very far because there would be a glass ceiling as a foreigner. How wrong they were! London is, I believe, the best city in the world to have your business headquarters in, and to do business in. It is the most cosmopolitan city in the world and we are all very proud to be here.”

He further adds, “This award is not only for me but for my wonderful team who I am very proud of and grateful to.”

LONDON BUSINESS AWARDS 2004 - PANEL OF JUDGES

Tom Vyner CBE, Vice-Chairman, L'Oreal (UK) Ltd
Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge, Chairman, British Airways Plc
Simon Woodroffe, Chairman, Yo! Sushi
David Page, Chairman, Clapham House Group
Baroness Jay of Paddington
Sir Peter Davis, Former Chairman, J Sainsbury plc
Mel Egglenton, Head of Middle Market, KPMG
Fru Hazlitt, Managing Director, Yahoo! UK & Ireland
Chris Blackhurst, City Editor, Evening Standard
Christy Swords, Managing Director, ITV London

ABOUT COBRA BEER

Cobra Beer is one of the fastest growing beer brands in the UK, with a current turnover of £65 million at retail value. It has been exported to over 30 countries worldwide, and is available nationwide in more than 6,000 Indian restaurants, major supermarkets and off-licenses and now mainstream bars, pubs and clubs. Cobra Beer was awarded two Grand Gold Medals and four Gold Medals at the 2004 Monde Selection, Brussels - World Selection of Quality and Gold for three successive years at the 2003, 2002 and 2001 Monde Selection awards. Monde Selection also presented Cobra with the International High Quality Trophy in 2003 for its achievements.

Cobra was listed on the 1999 Virgin Fast Track 100 list of the fastest growing, privately owned companies in the UK. Founder and Chief Executive, Karan F. Bilimoria CBE, DL, was been honoured with the RSA Albert Medal, and as Business Person of the Year by the London Chamber of Commerce; Best Business Leader by the Sage Business Awards 2004 in partnership with The Daily Telegraph; Entrepreneur of the Year 2004 by the National Business Awards, London and South East England; Entrepreneur of the Year 2003 by the London Chamber of Commerce; 2003 London Entrepreneur of the Year (Consumer Products) 2003; Entrepreneur of the Year 2003 by the Asian Achievers Awards; Asian of the Year 2002; and Co-Chairman of the Indo-British Partnership and Visiting Entrepreneur at the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning at Cambridge University.

Cobra was recently recognised as Business of the Year by the Asian Business Awards. Headquartered in London, UK, Cobra Beer has offices throughout the world, including India, South Africa, and the USA.