1st February 2013 - Islamic Bank of Britain plc (IBB, www.islamic-bank.com) the UK's only wholly Sharia compliant retail bank, presented the inaugural British Muslim Awards 2013 at a ceremony held at the Sheridan Suite in Manchester on Tuesday 29th January.

The Awards ceremony was attended by over 500 guests.  Over 10,000 nominations from all over the country were submitted and representatives from IBB personally awarded:

  • Hussein Lalani, Co-founder, 99p Stores, as winner of 'Business of the Year', presented by Sultan Choudhury, managing director, IBB

  • Uzma Hassan, Producer, as winner of 'Best in Creative Industries', presented by Zegum Hussain, senior branch manager, IBB

IBB also sponsored the 'Entrepreneur of the Year' category which was won by James Caan, Dragons' Den star, entrepreneur and CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw

Commenting on the event, Sultan Choudhury, managing director, IBB said, "The inaugural British Muslim Awards 2013 have recognised the successes of a high calibre of individuals, groups and businesses.  Achievements for community work, business leadership, sport and charity work, to name a few, have been publicly showcased and celebrated.  As the pioneer of British Islamic banking, IBB was honoured to present the event.  Muslims play a significant role in British life and the Awards have highlighted this."

The awards honoured the success and achievements of Britain's Muslim individuals, groups and business people. The evening was one of recognition and celebration, highlighting the significant role Muslims play in contributing to a better Great Britain.

The founders of the Awards, Oceanic Consulting, were delighted to welcome IBB as headline sponsor for the event based on its significant achievements and contribution to the British community.  As the UK and Europe's first, and only, wholly Sharia compliant retail bank, IBB offers the largest range of Sharia compliant retail financial products in the UK.  This has earnt the Bank a reputation as the pioneer of British Islamic banking and has drawn over 50,000 customers to its products and services.  IBB's genuinely groundbreaking achievements mean that consumers now have a real choice regarding the management of their finances.

The full list of British Muslim Award 2013 winners can be found at the event website www.thediversityawards.info

About Islamic Bank of Britain
Islamic Bank of Britain plc (the Bank, IBB) has pioneered Sharia compliant retail banking in the UK and now offers the largest range of Sharia compliant retail financial products in the UK. These include Sharia compliant mortgage alternatives, the Home Purchase Plan (HPP) and Buy to Let Purchase Plan (BTLPP), current accounts and savings accounts. The Bank was also the first to introduce Sharia compliant business banking to the UK, and now offers a wide range of institutional and business banking products and services, including Commercial Property Finance. Several of the Bank's products remain unique in the UK retail financial market.

The Bank is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is a member of Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Sharia compliant banking operates without the use of interest and is founded on Islamic finance principles derived from trade, entrepreneurship and risk-sharing. IBB has a dedicated a Sharia Compliance Officer (SCO) and a panel of respected Sharia Scholars, called the Sharia Supervisory Committee (SSC), which acts as an independent body to ensure that its products and activities are Sharia compliant. 

Whilst IBB offers products and services that are designed in accordance with Sharia principles, it is an inclusive, ethical organisation and welcomes customers of all faiths looking for a bank with a transparent, prudent and community-focused approach.

Interviews with Islamic Bank of Britain are available on request.

The bank should only be referred to as "Islamic Bank of Britain". If abbreviated please use "IBB".

Issued by Islamic Bank of Britain Plc, Edgbaston House, 3 Duchess Place, Birmingham B16 8NH

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ghezala Sultan (on behalf of Islamic Bank of Britain)
Manager, PR and Media
Email: Ghezala.sultan@ifaas.com
Mobile: 07739 337 063

© Press Release 2013