30th November 2011

Over 150 business leaders and guests including H.E. Sarah Gillett, Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador to Switzerland, attended the inaugural British-Swiss Business Awards in Geneva to celebrate the success of some of the British-Swiss business community's most innovative companies in 2011.

5 organisations and individuals were recognised for their contributions to business success in Britain and Switzerland, including Withers LLP who won the Company of the Year award. The public was invited to nominate deserving companies and a distinguished panel of judges, including Victoria Curzon-Price, Professor Emerita of the University of Geneva, had the difficult task of selecting the winners.

A category overwhelmed with impressive submissions, Most Promising Business/ Entrepreneur, was won by Avaloq UK, accepted by Mr. Peter Schoepfer, Member of the Advisory Board. Avaloq recently announced that it is to set up a new Scottish base, creating about 500 jobs over the next five years.

La Cote International School in Gland won the Excellence in Customer Service award; HSBC Private Bank came away with the trophy for Corporate Social Responsibility and journalist Ellen Wallace triumphed in the category of Unsung Hero.

Russell Galley, Managing Director of Lloyds TSB Private Bank's International Wealth division, has said of the event: "This was a wonderful opportunity to join forces with the BSCC for what was a really exciting and memorable evening. We are also delighted that, as the first British Bank in Switzerland, we were able to recognise and support other British businesses. Being part of the BSCC since 1954 shows the length of the relationship the two organisations have. We were very pleased to further strengthen our relationship by supporting these Awards".