Celebrating Culture at the Bradford Annual Dinner

Nearly 200 people representing all walks of life attended the Bradford Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.

Staged at the Cedar Court Hotel and themed around the Business of Culture, the event sought to champion and celebrate the city’s commercial and cultural prowess.

Hosted by Irene Kaali, one of the official voices of Bradford, the evening brought attendees everything, from poetry, to brass bands and the haka.

The evening got off to dramatic start with a haka, performed by Suaia Matagi and Quentin Laulu-Togagae, two members of the Talk Your Walk Foundation.

The event enjoyed poetry from Bradford artist Noor Jahangir to keep up the cultural theme, as well as Dan Bates, executive director for BD25. West Yorkshire’s mayor Tracy Brabin also gave some remarks.

Panellists included Bolu Fagborun – CEO of Fagborun Limited, Lisa Mallaghan – Executive Director of Bradford Producing Hub, Jenny Harris – Programme Director – BD25, Simon Hinchcliffe – Head of Bradford Grammar School and Becky Fitgerald, who is Director of Data and AI at the Yorkshire Building Society and vice president and our next president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce. 

The event also raised an amazing £1,395 for the chamber’s chosen charity, One in a Million, bringing the total raised to £3,161 during the last two years.

Mark Cowgill, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: “I am sure we will all agree that Bradford has so far more than lived up to the title of being UK City of Culture and that we have very much succeeded in showing the country and indeed the world just how much our city has to offer.”

The event was very kindly sponsored by Chamber members, TL Dallas.