Awarded the Title in Recognition of his Achievements
South & City College Birmingham Principal Mike Hopkins has been named Business Person of the Year by the Institute of Asian Businesses at their annual awards in December 2013.
Mike, who has been the principal for the further education college for six years, was awarded the title in recognition of his achievements in providing the inspiration for the successful growth of the college.
Mike directed the college through a successful merger in August 2012 between the former South Birmingham College and City College Birmingham. The college now has over ten campuses and centres across the city, and offers 15,000 school leavers and adults vocational courses and qualifications. There are over 1400 members of staff employed, making it one of the largest employers in the city.
On receiving the award, which was sponsored by Irwin Mitchell LLP, Mike said: “I was very shocked to hear I had been shortlisted for what I thought was a private sector award, and I was even more surprised to win! I am not the kind of person who wants to win personal accolades – I would rather the college win something. However, I am pleased because I have been awarded this for the work I have done for the college and for the businesses and communities within Birmingham. We are of course a very large business in our own right and I think this award enhances the college’s reputation, especially as the award was presented in front of 1000 business people and leaders from within the city.”
At the awards evening, South & City College also sponsored an Apprenticeship Champion Award. The winner was Wow Internet – a specialist web design and social media company which was recognised for the support that it has given to the apprenticeship programme by taking on two young people. The small company says it has plans to recruit more as it grows.
