2005 Attwood Award

THE 2005 ATTWOOD AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE GOES TO ART

 ART has been chosen as the recipient of the 2005 Attwood Award for Services to Enterprise in recognition of its pioneering work providing finance for enterprise in the Birmingham area.  Since it started in 1997, ART has helped local entrepreneurs to create or protect almost 2,000 jobs. 

The Attwood Award is given by the Attwood Group to individuals or organisations working ‘in the spirit’ of Thomas Attwood (1783 – 1856) today.  Attwood was a champion of Birmingham’s ‘industrious’ classes and the city’s first MP.  The Award was presented to Steve Walker, Chief Executive of ART, by Sylvia Shaw, a descendant of Thomas Attwood’s, at a special lunch held to mark the occasion. 

Accepting the Award, Steve Walker commented: “Thomas Attwood deserves to be remembered for the relevance of his beliefs and actions to major issues of today.  I am extremely proud to receive this Award presented by local people in recognition of ART’s work.” 

Patrick Shaw, an Attwood historian and member of the Attwood Group, told guests attending the lunch:” We need an organisation like ART operating in every town and city, supporting enterprise particularly in those areas where traditional industries are disappearing.  Long may its excellent work continue”