East meets west at business dinner

The event organised by the Bolton Ethnic Business Service was held at the posh Last Drop Hotel.

The line up of guest speakers included the new Mayor of Bolton Councillor Cliff Morris, Sir Stephen Brown Group Chief Executive of British Trade International, Digby Jones Director General of the CBI, and Councillor John Byrne Bolton Metro's Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Housing Strategy.

The evening also included a celebration of Cultural Diversity through a AFM fashion show and music by the Raj String Quartet.

The Mayor of Bolton Councillor Cliff Morris said, "I can think of no better way to start my year of office than to attend this most significant event, which celebrates diversity in business, having attended the inaugural dinner last year I am very pleased to see the progress that has been made by the EMBS in partnership with jobcentre plus to harness the skills of our diverse communities within the work place".

The Head of EMBS Sikander Badat welcomed guests to the multicultural business dinner. Sikander said, "A more diverse workforce brings the balance of skill and new ideas into businesses, larger companies like B&Q and Halifax have been quick to realise this, nowadays companies can be based anywhere and still reach global markets, which allows smaller companies to compete.

"The diversity workshops run by EMBS during the year, have made a major contribution, and highlighted again that embracing diversity makes sound business sense."

Sir Stephen Brown highlighted the major contribution made by Ethnic Minority Businesses to the British Economy. He said we must encourage diversity at all levels it's good general for people good for businesses and good for the bottom line".

Digby Jones Director General of the CBI urged "Businesses to be socially inclusive, and to make a better society for everybody. We must become better employers, we cannot pass on responsibility for embracing diversity to others, and we must embrace diversity and make it happen."