The 17th annual Variety Club Midlands Business Awards sponsored by the Bank of Scotland took place at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham on 6th February 2002.
William McGrath, Chief Executive, Aga Foodservice Group plc, was the judges choice for the category of Midlands Business Leader, highlighting how the Group had adapted and re-energised itself. William was presented with the award by Angela Rippon, the leading TV personality, before an audience of 650 people.
Accepting the award, William McGrath said, "We are very much a Midlands company. Abraham Darby started selling cooking pots in the 1680s from what is still our Aga Coalbrookdale foundry; Sidney Flavel was selling cookers from our Rangemaster factory in Leamington Spa nearly 200 years ago and Nicholas Kneale was selling Fired Earth tiles from a Banbury farmhouse 20 years ago. We span the pre to post industrial ages. With such strong roots and support in this area we have confidence to build internationally. Our new overseas star signings, led by Judy George of Domain in the USA and Alain Guermeur of Bongard in Europe, are ensuring their national markets are not away games for us any more."
Headline from the Business Section of The Birmingham Post - 7th February 2003
