- Mark Smith honoured with the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce President’s Medal
- Award recognises Mark’s 30-year passion for driving business activity, building partnerships and serving local industry.
Aston University’s executive director of business and regional engagement, Mark Smith, was awarded the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce President’s Medal for 2021 at its annual general meeting on 22 November 2021.
Mark was given the award by Steve Allen, president of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Birmingham, the West Midlands and the wider business community over the past 30 years.
As executive director of business and regional engagement at Aston University, Mark takes responsibility for all business engagement activities and showcases the commercial benefits of working with the University to business, professional and public sector organisations.
Mark is currently the vice president of the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce. He has had a long career involving working across government, regeneration and online education, taking on big projects including establishing new airports and fostering enterprise in inner-city areas.
Steve Allen, president of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Mark’s passion for the Chamber and driving business activity across the region has been evident for a number of years. He has made a significant contribution to the Chamber’s policy output via his role as a Chamber Council member and Aston University’s sponsorship of key campaigns such as Growth Through People and the Sustainable Business series.
“His commitment to the Chamber is also demonstrated via Aston University’s patronage across the Commonwealth Chamber (of which Mark is vice-president), Future Faces (Aston University are also partners on the mini–MBA series) and the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce.
"In short, Mark is an incredible partner, ambassador and supporter with, for and of the Chamber, with a genuine commitment to building partnerships and serving local industry.”
Mark Smith, executive director of business and regional engagement at Aston University, said:
“I’m honoured and humbled to have been awarded the President’s Medal. I want to thank Steve Allen and Henrietta for their support.
"Working with the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce is a delight and allows me to learn from businesses and the Chamber alike.”
- Notes to Editors
Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Alec Cameron is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.
Aston University was named University of the Year 2020 by The Guardian and the University’s full time MBA programme has been ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking. The Aston MBA has been ranked 12th in the UK and 85th in the world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Sam Cook, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44)744691 0063 or email: s.cook2@aston.ac.uk
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