All the winners of the prestigious Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards 2024 were announced at an elegant gala dinner held at the Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga on the 17 July.
The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards recognise businesses in the province that are going above and beyond in their efforts to be successful and to make a difference for their employees, clients and other stakeholders.
Grant Adlam CEO of KZN Top Business commented, “Success is always about people and guiding these businesses and their teams’ achievements are some extremely talented and committed business leaders.”
Each year the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Leader of the Year is given to someone who has demonstrated exemplary business achievement, industry influence and is a true inspiration to others. This year the honour went to Brian Howarth who has served as the managing director of Magnet, a leading industrial and commercial electrical and energy solutions provider, for the past 32 years. Howarth has been accountable for steering the company and its dedicated employees on the path of profitability and growth.
Following in this theme, the keynote speaker, Lubin Ozoux, the CEO for Sumitomo Rubber South Africa spoke on conscious leadership. Ozoux said, “Conscious leadership is about developing an awareness and understanding that in every situation we have choices. It’s no longer about ticking boxes but about the sustainable positive impact that we can make.”
The winner of the title of Standard Bank KZN Top Brand 2024, which was voted for by public SMS vote only, was revealed to be Mi7 National Group who claimed the title for the second year in a row. Beekman Group were in second place and SA Home Loans in third place. Once more, this sought-after accolade saw much social media activity with many thousands of votes cast by employees, clients, family, and friends for their brand of choice.
The 2024 category winners were:
Standard Bank Client of the Year – SME Category: Less than R100 million turnover per annum.
Steelco
Standard Bank Client of the Year – Larger Enterprise: More than R100 million turnover per annum.
Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund
Manufacturing Sector
Sumitomo Rubber South Africa
Franchising Sector
RE/MAX Coast and Country
Family Owned/ Managed Business
Royal Tyres
Partnership
Do More Foundation
Transport/Logistics Sector
Grindrod Limited
Employee Wellness
Beekman Group
Agriculture and Agri--Processing Sector
Agrikool
Business, Finance and Education
Inspired Financial Management Solutions
Community Upliftment and Improvement
SA Home Loans
Renewable Efficiency – Green initiatives
SAMAC Engineering Solutions
In her comments, Simone Cooper, Head, Business and Commercial Banking, South Africa, Standard Bank, said, “We are extremely proud to be associated with an event such as this. Together let us build a prosperous future for KZN.”
While making her closing remarks programme director, Carol Ofori said that in a time of significant socio-political changes, these achievements remind us of the strength and potential within our business community.
Standard Bank believes that these awards are key in celebrating the businesses that align with their purpose of driving Africa’s growth.
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