Black Country businessman wins award for diversity and enterprise
A former President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce who is also a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands and an entrepreneur was a winner at the Midlands Business Awards.
Ninder Johal received the award for his contribution to encouraging diversity and promoting enterprise in the region.
Mr Johal hold several non-executive director board positions including at West Midlands 5G, West Midlands Growth Company, West Midlands India Partnership, BCRS, Accord Housing and Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.
He is also a governor at the University of Wolverhampton and Victoria Academy Trust.
Mr Johal also supports local charities including being a board member on the Albion Foundation and is a patron of charity EmployabilityUK. Mr Johal is also co-owner of the Wednesbury-based Nachural Group, a media and events production company.
"As we celebrate International Women day, it is so important to understand the importance of diversity both in and outside of the workplace. As the labour market tightens, we need to ensure that we make use of every ounce of talent available.
"We have come a long way in recognising the value of everyone in society irrespective of gender, colour, creed, disability and religion but we could always do better. Diversity is so important if we are to have a sustainable and confident society.
"As the owner of the Nachural Business Awards, the Nachural Entrepreneurship Awards and the Signature Awards – we always promoted a category that recognises diversity and inclusion and to date we have witnessed some outstanding winners across the country which partly recognises the positive and changing nature of the British workforce," said Mr Johal.
"The Midlands is such a vibrant region and I enjoy every minute speaking about and promoting the heartland of the UK where we are blessed to have so many fantastic businesses in the region.’
"It really is an honour to have received an accolade for my work in promoting diversity and enterprise in this wonderful country of ours," he added.
The awards are in their 14th year and were held on March 6 at the Athena in Leicester.
Previous winners of the contribution award have included Lord Digby Jones, Sir John Peace, Sir Peter Rigby, Lord Paul and Andy Street.
"It was a great surprise and humbling to be recognised alongside a line-up of previous winners who have achieved so much in their careers,"’ said Mr Johal.
Harjinder Singh Sandher, managing director of Leamington Spa-based UK Special Events, which has organised the awards for the past 14 years, said: “We’re delighted to present this special award to Ninder. It is fitting for his work to promote diversity in the community. I hope he will continue this great work."
