British Inspiration Awards 2010

Tuesday 16th March/... Prime Minister Gordon Brown MP, Conservative Leader David Cameron MP and Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg MP today threw cross party support behind the UK’s creative industries sector as it launched a major new awards initiative. The British Inspiration Awards, a major new celebration of Britain’s cultural sector, celebrates the people and the achievements that have helped Great Britain become a global power-house of creative endeavour.

Supported by industries including video games, interactive entertainment, fashion, music, film, television and media, the BIAs will also be a charity-facing event with 100 per cent of net proceeds going to UK charities, including help for the families of UK Armed Forces.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown MP, said:

“Britain is a country full of talent. You see it every time you turn on the TV, when you watch a sports event, a film, or flick through the pages of a fashion magazine. You can hear it in our music. And you can feel it in the energy and dynamism of our communities.

“I am enormously proud of the talented people in this country who, through their creative and entrepreneurial gifts, illuminate their lives and enrich ours. And the British Inspiration Awards is a great way of both recognising their endeavours and celebrating our achievements as a nation.”

David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, said:

“British design and creativity has led the world for many years, and we should be proud of that heritage. I welcome the opportunity this event brings to celebrate our many creative successes.”

Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

“This event is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the excellence of the individual nominees in their respective fields and also to recognise the enormous contribution that creativity makes to our economy, our society and our culture.”

The British Inspiration Awards have been created to recognise those who have contributed to our country’s economic, social and artistic development through creative endeavour. Rather than hiding our nation’s light under a bushel, the British Inspiration Awards are designed to help Britain develop a positive spirit for the future, and foster a community where difference and diversity are looked upon as an asset. The BIAs will honour the top creative, entrepreneurial, inspirational people that have helped make Britain great over many years.

The event is being driven by an Executive Committee led by David Yarnton, UK MD of Nintendo. Yarnton, said: “The UK is the creative capital of the World. Whether it’s Damien Hirst or Simon Cowell; Damon Albarn or Ridley Scott, Dame Vivienne Westwood or Jonathan Ive; Sam Houser or Amy Winehouse, this nation has an incredibly rich and colourful heritage of creativity.

“The political cross-party support is welcomed and is further evidence of the importance in which the sector is now held. Our view is that it is about time that the UK creative sector was recognised for its achievements. It has much to be proud of and we intend to bring together creative industries from across Great Britain and give recognition where it is due.

“We have received a tremendous reaction from across the UK as creative and media industries get behind us, share our vision for supporting charity whilst amplifying the messages of the great work for which this Nation has been responsible.”

He added: “We also want to stand up and show support for many organisations and charities that deserve more help and support. As a sector we are proud to do this.”

In recognition of an individual, company or group’s contribution to the Creative Economy of Great Britain and the Inspiration that they give to others they will be awarded a Boudica; a forward-looking woman who inspired others around her. The Boudica logo with its four shades represents England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland moving forward together as one.

BIA Award Categories

Film

Television

Music

Fashion

Arts

Design

Innovation, Enterprise and Industry

Science and Technology

Interactive Entertainment

Special Recognition

The inaugural British Inspiration Awards will take place on Friday 23rd of April 2010 at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London EC1.

Partners also include The Brewery, Daily Mail, Express Newspapers, City AM, Fullers and Diageo.

The British Inspiration Awards has an Executive Board which is led by David Yarnton. The Board includes:

Richard Desmond – Northern & Shell Plc

Wendy Malem - Director of the Centre for Fashion Enterprise at London College of Fashion.

Russ Lindsay - James Grant Media Group

Simon Harvey – Barrington Harvey

Tom George - CEO Media Edge CIA

Gary MacManus – CEO Reach LTD

Colonel Ben Farrell MBE

Nicola Mendelsohn – Chairman Karmarama

Philip Snape – MD PSA Communications

A working group is responsible for the event.

The BIAs will support The Dallaglio Foundation and Games Aid as its main beneficiaries.

www.dallagliofoundation.com

www.gamesaid.org

A prime beneficiary of The Dallaglio Foundation is the Help for Heroes Charity.

Further information can be found at www.britishinspirationawards.co.uk

Tickets can be ordered through the web site or by calling Barrington Harvey

01462 456780.

Ends

Contact:

Simon Harvey

Barrington Harvey

07860 401 882

simon@bhpr.co.uk