We are pleased to announce that this year's Birmingham Post Business Awards Gala Dinner will be held on Thursday October 4, 2012, in the new exhibition hall at Edgbaston Stadium.

One of the country’s favourite broadcaster’s has been signed up to host this year’s Birmingham Post Business Awards. Jeremy Vine, who currently hosts the lunchtime show on Radio 2, will compere the event celebrating the best companies from across the region, at Edgbaston Stadium on October 4. Mr Vine started his career in journalism as a trainee at the Coventry Evening Telegraph back in the 1980s and while he was only there for little more than 12 months, he believes it was one of the most important years of his career.

"When I was in Coventry I vehemently believed that journalism was ink and I had complete contempt for anyone who packed hairspray for an assignment – man or woman," said Mr Vine.

"I would say I learned around 50 per cent of what I know about the industry during my time in Coventry and have written a chapter about it in my latest book which looks back at my career.

"While I am a broadcaster, I still love newspapers but they are going through extremely difficult times and the challenge is how to make them pay as websites become increasingly important.

"I took my eight-year-old daughter to the FA Cup final this year and afterwards when we wanted to talk about it we didn’t boot up the laptop but went and bought all the papers and spread them across the kitchen floor so newspapers still provide something that nothing else can offer."

He said he believed the current Leveson Inquiry into media standards very much reflected the challenges the press has faced in recent years. He said: "I think this inquiry is very much part of the whole issue of the future of the print media. Basically what we have seen with the advent of the computer -– which some may wish had never been invented – and the general economic environment is an industry which became ferociously competitive that saw journalists go on the hunt for impact that became criminal. It’s very difficult to know how Leveson will play out but it is unlikely to be good for the industry." Talking about his own career, Mr Vine said he had found his niche at Radio 2.

He said: "I have decided that I would like to stay at Radio 2 until I’m 93. Radio is currently in the ascendency – people thought things like podcasts would hurt radio but we now have more than a million more listeners – and in radio it is very much about longevity while on TV it is all about impact. My predecessor Jimmy Young did his show for nearly 30 years so I have a long way to go yet.

"In terms of agreeing to host the Birmingham Post’s Business Awards in October, he said it was important to meet people at the sharp end of life. He said: "While we have guests come into the studio, it really is important to get out and about and find out what’s going on in the world. As for business awards, I did something recently which was full of fantastic entrepreneurs which really gave me hope for the future and I’m hoping that we see more of the same when I am up in Birmingham."

Armed with lever arch files and a myriad of business experience from across a spectrum of industries, this year’s judging panel has come together to run their rule over the the applications for the Birmingham Post Business Awards 2012. The panel was chaired by Post editor Alun Thorne who was joined by industrialist Russell Luckock, planning expert Gary Cardin and top city chef Aktar Islam. Mr Thorne said: “Our thanks go to the many local companies who submitted some fantastic awards entries, and gave the judges such a difficult task on the day. Once the debates were concluded and the coffee cups were drained, I believe we emerged with an excellent shortlist reflecting the diversity and success of business in the West Midlands region today. “We can now look forward to the awards ceremony on October 4 at Edgbaston Stadium where we will not only reveal the winners, but also toast the success of all our shortlisted companies.” Click here to view the Shorlist

As a sponsor of the Birmingham Post Business Awards, we are delighted to offer you 2 for 1 on all standard admission tickets to Grand Designs Live this October.
The UKs top contemporary home show returns to the NEC from for the 7th year running from the 12-14th October 2012. Presented by design guru Kevin McCloud, and based on the hugely popular Channel 4 series, the show offers visitors a unique opportunity to see all the latest trends for the home.

With areas dedicated to interiors, technology, kitchens, bathrooms, build and gardens, there’s something for every room in your home. And with over 500 exhibitors, you can shop from a great selection of brands with 100’s of items not available on the high street.

Take advantage of this exclusive 2 for 1 Offer and Save up to £19*
Book now and get 2 for 1 on standard tickets. Visit www.granddesignslive.com, follow the book tickets link, and enter the code BPBAS241 to claim discount. Alternatively, call 0844 854 1348 - Hurry, offer ends 12th October 2012.
*T&C’s- Transaction fee of £1.70 applies per order. Tickets must be booked in advanced. Offer ends 12th October 2012. Offer valid on standard admission tickets only. Saving based on the door rate.