The Birmingham Assay Office shortlisted for award

The awards ceremony will take place on 22 June 2012 in Birmingham’s Mailbox and will be the culmination of Birmingham’s first week-long Design Expo in over 100 years. The Birmingham Assay Office will join around 100 other exhibitors from business and education as well as a ‘Design Fringe’ programme including over 20 art and design seminars, events and activities. The EXPO provides an ambitious line-up looking to stimulate fresh thinking, and is free for all and open to everyone.

As well as promoting the region’s best brands through the newly launched Birmingham Made Me Design Awards, with winners being selected by the public through an online vote, the Design EXPO provides an opportunity to view the many prestigious, authentic brands being produced in the Midlands.

Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State, Business Innovation and Skills, applauded the work being led by Birmingham City University and supported by leading Midlands businesses, saying: “We welcome the inaugural Birmingham Made Me Design EXPO and Awards, especially given its aims to highlight the importance of design-led manufacturing in Birmingham and the Midlands and the role this region has played through design in improving the quality of life for people around the world.”

Commenting on the Birmingham Assay Office’s nomination (in the Best Midlands Brand category), chief executive and assay master Michael Allchin (pictured) said: “Innovation, independence and integrity are what we have always been about and always will be. The Birmingham Assay Office has invested heavily in high-tech equipment and the highly skilled experts to use it. We would not have survived for over two centuries without continual innovation, and in the current difficult trading conditions it is more important than ever. We are delighted and honoured to have been recognised with this nomination.”

Winners will be decided by public online vote, taking place from 15 May to 20 June, and the winners will be announced at an ‘Oscars-style’ ceremony at the Mailbox on 22 June (by invitation only).

To cast your vote, visit: www.ideabirmingham.co.uk/shortlist.aspx