APCOM

The first edition of the "UK-Italy Business Awards Ceremony" aimed at giving true recognition to those Italian companies that have invested or further developed their business activities in the UK in 2007, took place in Milan this week. UK Trade & Investment is the Government's organization that helps UK-based companies succeed in overseas markets and supports overseas businesses that want to locate in Great Britain. The Editor-in-Chief of financial newspaper "Il Sole 24 Ore", Ferruccio De Bortoli, introduced the ceremony which took place at the Palazzo Mezzanotte. "It is very significant this ceremony takes place in the premises of the Borsa Italiana considering the merge with London Stock Exchange: this proves the strong ties between Italian and Uk businesses" he explained before delivering a few significant figures: "Between 2000 and 2006 the presence of Italian business in the Uk has grown from 443 to 681" he said. "Turnover has increased from 7 do 12 billion pounds; today there are 51thousand employees in various industries, from energy, to defence, from household appliances to cars, from catering to publishing".

Mayor of Milan, Letizia Moratti, delivered a hopeful speech, underlying the strong bond between London and Milan "a strategic alliance - she explained - which entails the capacity to innovate financial services which can determine in the whole of Europe the creation of a new set of standards" she said.

Among the guests present at the ceremony key players of the Italian financial and business establishment. The name of the winners and the relevant categories are: Finmeccanica (Investor of the Year); Pirelli Tyres (Innovation); Department of Bioengineering of Politecnico di Milano (Knowledge Transfer Partnership); Eurotech (Research & Development); Carpisa/Kuvera Group (Internationalisation Business Award); Rossopomodoro (Internationalisation Business Award); Aicon Yachts (Internationalisation Business Award); Telsey (SME Successful Start Up); Tiscali (Business Technologies). Massimo Capuano, the Managing Director of Borsa Italiana who actively pursued the agreement between Borsa Italiana and the London Stock Exchange, received the prize in the Business Partnership category on behalf of Borsa Italiana. The London Stock Exchange was represented by Chairman Dr Chris Gibson-Smith. The technology collaboration between Politecnico di Milano and the University of Hull was be represented by Prof. John Greenman. Edward Chaplin, H.M. Ambassador in Italy, Andrew Cahn, Chief Executive Officer of UK Trade & Investment, and Laurence Bristow-Smith, H.M. Consul General in Milan, also attended the Awards Ceremony.

There was also an award for the entertainment business. The Italian artist Mario Biondi received a special Career Recognition Award and also performed some of his most popular hits. The well-known singer of "This is what you are", Mario Biondi is famous in Italy for his performances in English and is considered a true spokesman for the good relationships, and close cultural affinity, between the UK and Italy.