BRCC AWARDS GALA 2025

Date:19/02/2025 7:00 pm
Location:JW Marriott Bucharest

The British Romanian Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the 3rd Edition of the BRCC AWARDS GALA, recognizing the champions of 2024 in Business, NGO’s and Education. We are glad to organize this event after the success of the previous editions when we celebrated Excellence in Business among the bilateral British-Romanian community.

 

This edition’s theme, The Story Behind the Brand, will spotlight the journeys of businesses—their origins, challenges, values, and visions that set them apart. Through these powerful stories, we honor not just success but the passion, perseverance, and innovation that fuel lasting impact in the marketplace.

 

Our Awards Ceremony will take place on the 19th of February at JW Marriott, Bucharest where we will be celebrating those BRCC members who have truly excelled in 2024.

 

DRESS CODE: Cocktail Attire

 

EVENT AGENDA:

19:00-19:30 – Registration & Networking
19:30- 19:45 – Opening Remarks
19:45-20:00 – Artistic Moment & Starter
20:00-20:40– Announcing the winners for the first 3 Categories
20:40-21:00 – Networking Break
21:00- 21:15 – Artistic Moment & Main Dish
21:15- 21:45 – Announcing the winners for the last 3 Categories
21:45-22:30 – Closing Remarks, Dessert & Networking

 

We are officially sold out!

 

Purchase your tickets online via the following links:

 

For those who prefer issuing a fiscal invoice, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to assist.

 

Tickets are non-refundable after 1st of February 2025, but at the discretion of the organizer, you can change the name of the person(s) attending.

*Please note that while we aim to provide all our guests with a wonderful experience at the event, we cannot guarantee specific seating arrangements at the table.

 

Join us in celebrating business success stories from every corner around the UK and Romania!

REGISTER HERE

 

About the Categories:

CATEGORIES

  1. Start-up of the year
  2. Sustainability and Environment Award
  3. NGO Initiative of the year
  4. Community Impact Award (CSR)
  5. Best Innovation in Technology
  6. BRCC Champion (AWARDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS)

 

INFORMATION AND JUDGING CRITERIA        

 

Submit your application HERE by 1st of February

 

*Kindly note that all participating companies are invited to join us at the Gala by securing a member ticket, ensuring the opportunity to celebrate in style and claim their well-deserved trophy in case they win.

 

Why apply:

Applying to the BRCC Awards is the perfect opportunity to:

Have your achievements recognized through the year
 Boost your reputation and be considered a Champion in your field
 Increase your visibility in front of the bilateral business community and obtain recognition of your success
Benefit from media exposure and make your success story visible from other members of the community
Share the knowledge and expertise with other peers in your field
Get access to C-level executives
 

All the applicants will be mentioned on our social media and website and all the application forms will be seen by our jury of C-level representatives.

 

The winners will enjoy extensive visibility through our PR and communications announcement through the event and after the awards ceremony.

 

Who should apply?

The awards are open to BRCC members active in the UK and Romania, and we encourage businesses from all sectors to apply, regardless of their size or current resources
New members joining in January 2025 will also be considered, pasted members won’t be considered
The initiative(s) put forward in the application must have taken place in Romania and/or in the UK to be considered applicable
Membership of BRCC is mandatory to apply to different categories, applications are not limited to only one category if it fits company’s profile and current projects
The Gala allows affiliated companies of jury members to apply for a particular category. Yet, the Jury Member is precluded from adjudicating in that specific category to maintain fairness and transparency

 

Can I apply to several categories?

Each initiative can only be entered for one award category. If an organization wishes to apply for more than one category, they can do so but should submit a different project for each category.

 

What happens after you submitted your application?

We will notify you once the application and/or project is submitted
Afterwards, the applications will be reviewed by our jury who will shortlist 3 companies per category depending on the importance and impact of the project
The winners will be announced during the Awards Celebration on 19th of February at JW Marriott Bucharest
 
 
 
Master of Ceremony
 
Colin Lovering – BRCC Chairman

Based in Romania for over 11 years now. Colin is International Business Partner for Brainovate Leadership Consultants as well as a well know Senior Advisor on Real Estate and Office design.

He is also a lecturer at the University of Bucharest plus a familiar face hosting and moderating major business events in Romania. As a Business performance Expert, Colin has trained CEO’s, Executives, Department Managers, Sales people and hundreds of professionals in North America, China, South Africa and right across Europe.

 

 

Head of Jury 

Mihai Marinescu – Business Transformation Director at EY Romania

Mihai is a director on BRCC’s board since 2019, where he helps promote commercial connections between Romania and the UK. After completing his bachelor degree in Business Administration at the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, his life journey took him to New York, where he spent 7 years in Management Consulting, helping large organizations better execute their strategy. After that, he moved to London where he spent 8 years working on major transformation projects in the investment banking industry, before returning to Bucharest in 2018 and joining EY Romania. Since then, Mihai is EY Romania’s Business Transformation Director, where he oversees the successful execution of strategic internal changes.

Besides EY, Mihai is an associate teacher at FABIZ / Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, teaching Digital Transformation for the Masters programme.

 

Chris Frean – Head of the Prosperity Team at the British Embassy in Bucharest

He took up this position in August 2020. In a Foreign Office career stretching back to 1988, he has worked for the British Government in Abidjan, Karachi, Kigali (as Deputy Head of Mission), Zagreb, Algiers, Rabat and Casablanca (as Consul General and Director of Trade and Investment). These postings were interspersed with stints in London where he has worked on the Middle East, the Near East and North Africa, and most recently as Deputy Manager of the Global Opportunities Fund Re-Uniting Europe Programme, which included extensive project management in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova.

 

Shajjad Haider Rizvi MBE – CEO of Resysten International

Shajjad is a Londoner based in Central and Eastern Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall, has led civil society and UK business development in the region. Currently, is the CEO of Resysten International, an innovative protective coatings company whose anti-microbial and Clean-Air products ensure sustainable surface decontamination and are a genuine solution for dealing with air pollution. In 2002, Shajjad founded the Little People Childhood Cancer Charity, which helps every child in Romania undergoing treatment for cancer. In 2015, Shajjad co-founded Youth Cancer Europe, which has grown to be the most prominent youth cancer patient organisation and the leading voice on cancer issues globally. In 2014, Shajjad was appointed the Chairman of a UK Royal Charity, The Duke of Edinburgh AwardProgram, in 10 years, the program has become the leading youth skills/service accreditation program in terms of participation in Romania outside of the state-run educational services. In 2019, Shajjad was awarded an MBE by HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, for his work in cancer care. In 2021 was Awarded the Custodian Medal of Honour from Her Majesty Margareta of Romania. In 2024, Shajjad became a Livery Freeman of the City of London Corporation

 

Kendall Peet – Director of the International British School of Bucharest

Kendall has more than 20 years’ experience in the educational sector, including 15 years in school leadership. He is currently head of one of the top British international schools in Romania, leading his school successfully through the rigorous UK Department for Education British School Overseas Inspection and being awarded the highest outcome, with Excellent across all areas of provision. He is a High Performance Learning School Accreditor and an NPQH Facilitator for University College London, with a double degree in Marketing and Management and Economic History from Victoria University, and postgraduate qualifications from the University of Canterbury and Harvard. Personal interests include travel, triathlon, scuba diving, and spending time with his wife and three children.

 

Matei Stoicescu – Territory Marketing Lead for Romania at Genpact EMEA

Matei Stoicescu is a seasoned marketing and communications expert with over twelve years of experience leading impactful brand initiatives, strategic campaigns, and innovative communication efforts across diverse industries. Although trained as an engineer, Matei has dedicated his entire career to marketing and communications.

Currently serving as the Territory Marketing Lead for Romania at Genpact EMEA, Matei drives strategic marketing initiatives, leveraging his expertise in corporate communications, B2B marketing, and digital communication. A key achievement in his current role is his involvement in the launch of Genpact’s AI Innovation Center in Bucharest, an important milestone in the company’s AI-first approach.

Previously, Matei gained extensive experience at Vodafone and Telekom, focusing on public relations, public affairs, and brand marketing.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Matei is deeply committed to giving back to the community. He actively participates in social impact initiatives, including forest cleanup efforts and tree planting campaigns. An avid hiker, he finds inspiration and rejuvenation in nature, dedicating his free time to exploring the outdoors.

Matei lives by the motto: “Lead with courage, connect with energy, inspire with empathy, and uplift with a smile. Together, we conquer new heights”.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest and a Master’s degree in Project Management from SNSPA Bucharest.

 

Ralph Rogobete – Public Policy Manager for Romania and Croatia at Mastercard

Ralph is a seasoned public affairs expert, with more than 9 years of experience spanning across both public and private sectors. He is currently working for Mastercard as Public Policy Manager for Romania and Croatia.
Ralph started his professional career working for the Romanian Presidential Administration (internal politics department) and later on, for the British Embassy in Bucharest, Romania (press & public affairs department). He then contributed towards shaping global policies and standards related to data privacy & AI as Regulatory Affairs Coordinator for the GSMA, the world’s largest association representing the interests of mobile network operators worldwide, based in London. Ralph also worked as a Public Affairs Consultant for a local Consultancy firm, providing public affairs services for renown companies and navigating the political and economic intricacies of strategic industries, such as telecommunications, payments, e-commerce, agriculture. Prior to joining Mastercard, Ralph worked as Senior Corporate Affairs Specialist for Carrefour.
He is a graduate of the University of Royal Holloway, University of London in the field of Politics and International Relations and holds a Master’s degree in European Studies from KU Leuven.

 

Vikram Jotwani – Partner, Growth & Advisory at Moore

Vikram is a strategist and growth consultant with over a decade of experience in leading complex transactions and fostering innovation across industries. As a Partner at Moore Romania and Republic of Moldova, part of Moore Global, he specializes in growth consulting, complex transactions, and strategic transformations, helping organizations navigate high-level deals and position for long-term success. With experience in five economies—UAE, Oman, Moldova, Romania, and India—he brings a global perspective, tailoring strategies to fit each market’s unique challenges and opportunities.
His eight years in the Global Shapers community, a World Economic Forum initiative, have strengthened his commitment to global collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches. Vikram has been part of hubs in Bucharest and Chisinau and has taken various leadership roles, developing deep insights into how global cooperation can address complex challenges. He has previously been a mentor for the EBRD Star Venture Programme, helping startups refine business models, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth. Passionate about integrating creativity, technology, and strategic innovation, Vikram is dedicated to helping organizations thrive in evolving markets.
 

 

Mihai Manea – CEO of Nine O’Clock Daily Newspaper & Founder of Manpres

Mihai Manea is a visionary leader and entrepreneur with a deep commitment to excellence in journalism and business. As the CEO of Nine O’Clock, Romania’s premier English-language daily and diplomatic newspaper, Mihai has successfully positioned the publication as a trusted voice in international affairs, economic analysis, and diplomatic news.

Under his guidance, Nine O’Clock has continued its legacy of bridging Romania with the global stage, delivering insightful content that serves as a vital resource for decision-makers, diplomats, and business leaders alike.

Beyond his role at Nine O’Clock, Mihai Manea is the founder and owner of Manpres, a dynamic company that reflects his innovative mindset and passion for fostering impactful ventures. His entrepreneurial journey demonstrates a rare combination of strategic vision and hands-on leadership, earning him recognition as a prominent figure in Romania’s media and business sectors.

With a forward-thinking approach and unwavering dedication to quality, Mihai Manea remains committed to promoting excellence and contributing to Romania’s international reputation.

 

Adriana Lobdă – Co-Founder of Envisia Boards of Elite

Adriana Lobdă is a senior professional and independent NXD who champions responsible corporate governance, continuous education and business growth.

With more than 20 years of experience in audit and advisory services working mainly with Big 4 professional service networks, Adriana was an audit partner leading one network regional office in Romania, acting also as liaison partner with regulatory bodies and professional associations in Romania and abroad.

Adriana is Co-Founder of Envisia Boards of Elite, currently serving Boards of Directors of several organizations operating in areas such as financial services, telecom, education and energy, also chairing Audit Committees. She is an active and constant contributor to few organizations such as Association of Independent Directors in Romania and Professional Accountancy Education Europe, as member of Steering Committee. She has extensive training experience in financial reporting, audit, ethics and corporate governance.

Apart from her master’s in economics, she graduated the EMBA from ASEBUSS Bucharest/Kennesaw State University, Atlanta, as well as Master of Art in Board Practice and Directorship at Henley Business School, Reading University. She is a fellow ACCA member and licensed financial auditor. 

 

Patricia Lucia Coconea – Sales and Marketing Director in DHL Express Romania

Sales and Marketing Director in DHL Express Romania, member of the DHL Board, licensed in International Commerce law with cross-country and cross-cultural management experience of which 18 years of experience in sales and 15 years in sales management.Considering my experience in upskilling sales teams I fully believe in coaching people to develop a growth mindset and expand their comfort zone.

Fostering the cooperation between various stakeholders and creating a climate of trust is crucial to the development of strategic partnerships through BRCC and it is my priority as a Director in the BRCC Board.

 

 

You can check 2024 Edition here

 

The winners of our last edition of BRCC Awards Gala:

  • Start-up of the year – PATAGONIA FOODS SRL – Franuí
  • Excellence in Business – RebelDot
  • Community Impact Award (CSR) – TE AUD ROMANIA
  • Innovation in Business – Clean Air by RESYSTEN
  • Sustainability and Environment Award – Ateliere Fără Frontiere 
  • NGO Initiative of the year – Vodafone Foundation
  • BRCC Champion – Total Business Solutions Romania

 

Diamond Partner:

Up Romania

 

Platinum Partner:

Heveco

 

Silver Partners:

One United Properties

E-Infra

Moore

 

Bronze Partners:

Vodafone Romania

Regina Maria – Reteaua Privata de Sănătate

Academia Titi Aur

Andel Environmental

Groupama

TGS Romania

 

Strategic Partner:

BDR Associates

 

Supporting Partners:

 
 
Official Beer Partner:
 
 
 
Event Fashion Providers:
 
Official Water Provider:
 
 
Official Wine Partner:
 
 
Media Partners: