Midlands King’s Awards Network Assembly unites region's top innovators and business leaders to drive economic growth and global competitiveness

The partnership director of Derby-based social enterprise, Nimbus Disability, has taken part in the first Midlands King’s Awards Network (MKAN) event held at the University of Birmingham.

This event brought together leading businesses and organisations from across the region representing over £7bn in turnover and £294m of investment.

Nimbus’ Mark Briggs PLY was a member of the panel discussion focusing on promoting opportunity and the wider discussions designed to inspire and enable new collaborations that will drive investment and growth and unlock greater opportunities for the region.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise is recognised as the highest honour for a UK business. The Midlands is home to more King’s Awards recipients over the past five years than any other region outside London and the South East, highlighting how the region stands at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurial excellence.

The Midlands King’s Awards Network, convened by the Midlands Engine Partnership in collaboration with regional Lord-Lieutenants and government partners, represents a groundbreaking initiative. It aims to harness the collective power of the region’s most successful enterprises, driving investment, economic growth and social mobility - a testament to the thriving ecosystem of innovation and enterprise that defines the Midlands.

At the event, the region underlined its position as a beacon of excellence, showcasing the transformative impact of its businesses on the local and global stage.

Nimbus Disability, which is run by disabled people for disabled people, achieved The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2022 for the development of their Access Card which is the world’s first accessible ticketing scheme - offering a universal and consistent way for disabled people to evidence and communicate their needs to providers quickly and discreetly.

The Access Card which currently held by about half a million disabled people and is recognised by more than 2,000 venues and events across the world who offer accessible tickets from music festivals and theme parks to sporting venues and visitor attractions.

Mark Briggs said: “It was an honour to be invited to be part of this inaugural event which was both informative and inspiring – showcasing the best of Midlands’ businesses and organisations who have been recognised with this accolade.

“Our goal is to level the playing field for disabled people to ensure they have equal access to events and venues. Increased accessibility should be at the heart of all businesses and organisations and we welcomed the opportunity to be part of the wider discussions to achieve this as part of the overall objectives of the network to drive economic growth, investment and social mobility.”

Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine Partnership, commented on the significance of the event: "The Midlands King’s Awards Network Assembly was a landmark event that brought together some of the region's most innovative minds.

“With over 180 King’s Awards for Enterprise received by Midlands businesses in the past five years—this Assembly and the Network it results in will serve as a powerful platform to build on the region's successes. The collaboration fostered here today has the potential to unlock significant opportunities for growth and prosperity across the Midlands."