British Business Awards spotlight innovation and inclusion in Korea

British Chamber of Commerce in Korea (BCCK) CEO Lucinda Walker, front left, poses with the winners of the BCCK British Business Awards at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Friday, including Elspeth Stewart, third from left, Robert Walters Korea country manager Choi Jun-won, front center, Dwight School Seoul's representative Allan Ward, third from right, and AstraZeneca Korea representative Lee Hyun-ju, second from right. Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin, back row second from right, served as one of the four judges for the awards. Korea Times photo by Ko Dong-hwan

Companies, brands and an individual that have played a key role in strengthening trade relations between Korea and the United Kingdom over the past year were honored by the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea (BCCK), Friday.

The inaugural edition of the BCCK British Business Awards, held in Seoul alongside the King's Birthday Dinner, the chamber's traditional annual gala, celebrated winners across five categories.

Dwight School Seoul received the Responsible Business of the Year Award. The BCCK recognized the international school, located in Seoul’s Mapo District, for its outstanding commitment to education, particularly through the integration of the Belonging, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (BJEDI) initiative into its curriculum and institutional policies.

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology company AstraZeneca received the Campaign of the Year Award for its "Lung Cancer Zero" initiative. The campaign engaged students, academics and celebrities to promote early lung cancer screening, resulting in 5,000 public pledges. It also contributed to a policy shift by the Korean government to enhance public awareness and encourage early screening for the disease.

Colin Crooks, British ambassador to Seoul, speaks during the BCCK British Business Awards and King's Birthday Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Friday. Korea TImes photo by Ko Dong-hwan

Robert Walters Korea, an employment consulting firm and operator of an online job portal, won the Innovative Business of the Year Award. The Korean branch of the multinational company was recognized for launching a service that provides flexible job opportunities for senior citizens, reflecting its commitment to addressing the challenges of Korea’s aging population and workforce.

The BCCK's Award for Personal Contribution was presented to Elspeth Stewart for her outstanding efforts to support the professional advancement of middle-aged women through a social initiative called the Empower Program. Stewart volunteered her time to secure resources and build networks, while actively supporting BCCK events and community initiatives. The BCCK praised her “selfless efforts,” noting they “have made a lasting impact on the British-Korean community.”

Stewart thanked the British embassy for "creating a space where we can grow and challenge each other" and asked audiences to "thank amazing women besides you."

The U.K. Impact in Korea Award was presented to Chivas Brothers’ Scotch Whisky. The liquor company launched a charity project to sustain Korea’s traditional culture of haenyeo, or female divers on Jeju Island, using its scotch whisky brand, Aberlour. The project, titled "Aberlour Brand DNA X Haenyeo’s Kitchen," highlighted the company’s support for the culture and promoted how haenyeo, who free dive for marine plants and animals, help preserve sustainable and eco-friendly seafood harvesting practices.

According to the BCCK, the company focused on addressing the decline in Korea’s haenyeo community and supporting them through charitable donations.

British Ambassador to Seoul Colin Crooks bestowed the award to Chivas Brothers. Prior to the presentation, he said the U.K. is "immensely open to Korea" and would like to see "more students and tourists in from Korea to the U.K."

The BCCK said the awards recognized “outstanding achievements by businesses and individuals that made a significant impact on the British-Korean business landscape.” Environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles and corporate social responsibility were also considered, the chamber added.

This year's 77th Birthday Dinner for the King Charles III followed the awards, followed by live performances, a silent auction, prize for best dressed, raffle and dance party. The evening was hosted by Peter Bint, a British broadcaster well known in Korea for his appearances on tvN’s "Naked World History," MBC’s "United Fathers," MBC Every1’s "The Great Guide," and for his football commentary.

“The King’s Birthday Dinner is one of our flagship events that brings together the British and Korean communities to experience British culture, celebrate friendship and business excellence and to have fun,” BCCK CEO Lucinda Walker said.