British Inspiration Awards 2010

Friday 23rd April/... Today Britain’s top creative, entrepreneurial and inspirational minds from the worlds of fashion, film, television, arts, science and innovation, recognising the cream of Creative Britain were honoured for the first time today at the inaugural British Inspiration Awards.

Alexander McQueen, Sir George Martin, Elisabeth Murdoch, Sir James Dyson, Nick Park, Michael Eavis, Sir Terence Conran, Andrew Bourne, Baroness Susan Greenfield and Ian Livingstone were recognised for their contribution to the Creative Economy of Great Britain and for the Inspiration that they have given to others and for the success that they have brought to the country across the world.

The British Inspiration Awards took place in the heart of London at lunchtime today.

From the campaign trail leaders of the three main political parties threw their support behind the initiative to celebrate British creative talent.

From Fashion, the late designer Alexander McQueen was posthumously honoured for his dramatic designs and creative thinking.

Legendary music producer, arranger and composer, Sir George Martin scooped the Music award for his outstanding contribution. Often referred to as “The Fifth Beatle” he is considered one of the greatest record producers of all time.

Business executive in the British television industry, Elisabeth Murdoch was presented with the award in the Television category.

Michael Eavis, the founder of the Glastonbury Festival was the recipient of the Special Recognition Category.

The full list of British Inspiration Awards’ winners follows:

FILM

Nick Park

TELEVISION

Elisabeth Murdoch

MUSIC

Sir George Martin

FASHION

Alexander McQueen

ARTS

Matthew Bourne

DESIGN

Sir Terence Conran

INNOVATION, ENTERPRISE & INDUSTRY

Sir James Dyson

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Baroness Susan Greenfield

INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Ian Livingstone

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Michael Eavis

The Awards are a charity-facing event with 100 per cent of net proceeds going to UK charities, including help for the families of UK Armed Forces. They are supported by industries including video games, interactive entertainment, fashion, music, film, television and media.

David Yarnton, Chairman of the BIA organising committee, said:

“The UK is the creative capital of the world. With the same hard work, drive and determination shown by the winners and all our nominees, creative people can excel in this country. You don’t need a great education and there’s great freedom for people to express themselves. Punk music, for example, would probably have been banned in many countries but was allowed to flourish here. I hope the British Inspiration Awards will change some people’s attitudes about Britain and make them proud.”

Ends.

About The British Inspiration Awards

The inaugural British Inspiration Awards took place on Friday 23rd of April 2010 at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London EC1.

Partners also included: The Brewery, Daily Mail, Express Newspapers, City AM, and Fullers.

The British Inspiration Awards has an Executive Board which is led by David Yarnton. The Board includes:

Richard Desmond – Northern & Shell Plc

Wendy Malem - Director of the Centre for Fashion Enterprise at London College of Fashion.

Russ Lindsay - James Grant Media Group

Simon Harvey – Barrington Harvey

Tom George - CEO Media Edge CIA

Gary MacManus – CEO Reach LTD

Colonel Ben Farrell MBE

Nicola Mendelsohn – Chairman Karmarama

Philip Snape – MD PSA Communications

A working group was responsible for the event.

The BIAs will support The Dallaglio Foundation and Games Aid as its main beneficiaries.

www.dallagliofoundation.com

www.gamesaid.org

A prime beneficiary of The Dallaglio Foundation is the Help for Heroes Charity.

Further information can be found at www.britishinspirationawards.co.uk