Law firm Blavo & Co Solicitors has added its support to the UK’s only award scheme to recognise British-Ghanaian achievements.
The company, recognised as one of Britain’s most successful legal practioners, will be backing the annual Ghana UK Based Achievements (GUBA) Awards by sponsoring this year’s “Young Ghanaian Entrepreneur Award”.
The award highlights the business achievements of young British-Ghanaians, rewarding individuals who have not only excelled in a commercial capacity but have also made some contribution to the Ghanaian community through their business or by supporting a cause outside of work.
The winner of the prestigious award will be announced at a high-profile event in London this November.
John Blavo, Managing Director and Senior Partner at Blavo & Co, is a past recipient of a GUBA Award — being named “Best Professional” in 2012.
Speaking about the sponsorship deal, he said: “As the only awards of their kind, GUBA is hugely important in recognising the many achievements of British-Ghanaians.
“As a previous GUBA winner myself, I was delighted to have an opportunity to put something back. I deeply believe in what the organisation is trying to achieve in embracing and promoting the links between the UK and Ghana, and celebrating business successes.
“Blavo & Co has a responsibility to our clients, but also to the communities that we are based in. We often work in partnership with community organisations, schools, colleges, hospitals and local charities and as such the Young Ghanaian Entrepreneur category is the the prefect award for us to sponsor”
He added: “This is further evidence of our commitment to GUBA and we hope to maintain this relationship for many years into the future.”
International law firm Blavo & Co covers many sectors including employment, mental health, family, immigration and criminal law.
The company, which has offices in London, Hertfordshire and Surrey, is known for its strong emphasis on ethical and social responsibility and backs charities in Africa and Britain including Great Ormond Street Hospital & MIND.
In addition to sponsoring the Young Ghanaian Entrepreneur Award, Blavo & Co are also offering six months of free legal representation and advice to the winner.
Nominations for the award closed in June and a short-list of nominees will be announced at the 2013 GUBA Launch event, taking place at the House of Commons on September 5.
GUBA founder and CEO Dentaa Amoateng says she is “delighted” to have the support of John Blavo & Co and said: “John Blavo and his firm, Blavo & Co, is a great example of the kind of success stories we want to celebrate through the GUBA Awards.
“John is the epitome of what we stand for and has been involved with GUBA in many different ways, contributing so much of his time to networking and bringing in new supporters and sponsors.
“He makes such an important contribution to the British-Ghanaian communities and we are delighted that he has decided to increase his involvement by sponsoring an award.”
Now in their fourth year, the GUBA Awards — a non-profit organisation backed by the Ghana High Commission — have become the benchmark of business and innovative success, recognising achievement and enterprise within the UK’s 500,000-strong Ghanaian community as well as the “outstanding and valuable” contribution that British-Ghanaians make to both countries.
Since their creation in 2010, a variety of politicians, celebrities and other high-profile stars have lent their support including Tony and Cherie Blair, Dianne Abbott MP, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, actor Hugh Quarshie, and — most recently — Adam Afriyie MP.
Previous GUBA Award winners include MoneyGram, Armajaro Trading, entrepreneurs Sir Sam Jonah and Roland Agambire, and Labour politician Lord Paul Boateng.
At least 1,000 entrants from a cross-section of industries are expected to take part in this year’s awards, which are divided into 11 categories including the IIA Sustainability Award, Business of the Year, Ghanaian Association of the Year and Charity of The Year.
The winners will be announced at a high-profile black-tie event at the exclusive Park Plaza Hotel in London on 16 November.
For more information visit www.gubaawards.co.uk