More than 500 guests attended the awards ceremony on 22 January 2009 at the "Icebreakers' Annual London Chinese New Year Dinner at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London. Keynote speakers included Peter Sands, Chief Executive of Standard Chartered; Ian Pearson, Economic Secretary to the Treasury; and Madam Fu Ying, China's Ambassador to the UK. Guests included the Rt Hon John Prescott MP, former UK Deputy Prime Minister and former head of the Prime Minister's China Task Force, who was endowed as a 48 Group Club 'Honorary Patron'; and Ian Clement, Deputy Mayor of London.

The awards ceremony incorporated a series of awards for businesses that have made outstanding contributions to developing and maintaining China-UK business relations, bilateral trade and cultural links.

Sponsored by KPMG, the awards included 'UK Exporter of the Year', awarded to Hayward Tyler Ltd; 'Chinese Inward Investor of the Year', awarded to Mindray (UK) Ltd; 'UK Outward Investor of the Year', awarded to ARM Ltd; and a special 'Award for Olympic Spirit and Achievement' made to UK engineering company Arup, for its design involvement with Beijing's National Olympic Stadium.

An independent business network, The 48 Group Club is committed to promoting positive links with China. The Club's history goes back to the early 1950s, when the founding 'Icebreakers' were the first Westerners to break through the embargo and establish mutually beneficial trade relations with the newly formed People's Republic of China. With more than 300 members, including business and political leaders, the Club now runs an extensive programme of networking events. The Club's activities are primarily of relevance to managers of UK companies who are responsible for developing business with China. Member companies and institutions vary in size from multinationals to SMEs from industry, commerce, government, education, sports and culture.

Receiving the award on behalf of Hayward Tyler, Group Managing Director David Boughey commented: "Hayward Tyler has been doing business with China for more than 25 years. Our products are among the most robust and reliable in the world and this latest award reinforces our position as a world leader in motor and pump technology for power generation and oil and gas markets. The award, coupled with our recent British Business Award 2008 for innovative products sold into China, demonstrates the effort, commitment and dedication of all Hayward Tyler staff."