Paul Lalli who is MD of Solid Systems Global is the keynote speaker for the inaugural Nachural Summer Business Ball and awards dinner taking place tonight. The event has had considerable support both from private and public sector stakeholders and is regarded as one of the largest black tie events in the region. Its Chairman Ninder Johal, who was  president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and is currently a board member of the Black Country LEP, commented that it was a sign of the confidence in the economy and in particular the strength of the Black Country Economy. The Black Country LEP area is the second fastest growing area in the country but continues to face challenges in the area of skills.

Entrepreneurs come from all types of backgrounds but are an essential part of wealth creation. They constitute to least 95% of the business community. Paul Lalli is an example of an employee purchasing the business he worked for from its American owners and turning it into a multi million company operating in six continents. 

The Awards categories/nominees are:

Darren Cooper Business Start Up Award - Leap Mini Buses, Windsor Estates, Zuri Coffee Shop.
Regeneration Award - Ramada Hotel (Wolverhampton), Glass House.
Community Excellence - Neelam Heera, SAFS, Sajid Rashid, The British Sikh School.
Enterprise Category - Interiors Italia, BJS Distribution.
Business Woman of the Year - Natalie Murison, Kavita Bachada, Neelam Kumari Duggal.
Entrepreneur of the Year - Makhan Singh Padda, Raj Gill.
Business Person of the Year - Gareth Jones, Mahmudur Jaigirdar, Makhan Singh Padda,
Surrinder Lall.
Hospitality Business of the Year - Red Leaf, BCABA Dining, Hotel La Tour.

There will also be a business of the year award.

Sponsors include : FBC Manby Bowdler Solicitors, Birmingham City University, Cobra Beer, East End Foods, Intu (Merry Hill), Hollywood Monster, Mercedes Benz, Microsoft, Qatar Airways, Pathway Group, Rational FX, Sandwell Council, Vision Print and Wolverhampton University.

The charity for the evening is the Wolverhampton based Promised Dreams.