{
  "id": 16680038,
  "title": "Mark Surgenor wins historic British Chambers of Commerce International President’s Award 2026 — a first for Sri Lanka",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/mark-surgenor-wins-historic-british-chambers-of-commerce",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-26T23:57:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/mark-surgenor-wins-historic-british-chambers-of-commerce-international-presidents-award-2026-a-first-for-sri-lanka/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mark Surgenor, the President of the Council for Business with Britain (CBB) in Sri Lanka from 2023 to 2025, has achieved a historic milestone by winning the prestigious British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) International President’s Award 2026. This marks the first time in the award's history that Sri Lanka has been recognized with this accolade. The award is bestowed upon individuals and organizations that bolster the global Chamber Network and propel international commerce.\n\nMark's selection was a testament to his transformative leadership during his tenure, as he successfully revamped the CBB from a traditional networking group into a platform teeming with commercial insight, trade access, and strategic connections. His tenure encompassed hosting impactful forums, engaging with over 200 member organizations, and founding CBB NextGen, a structured initiative aimed at empowering the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.\n\nFurthermore, Mark's efforts significantly bolstered bilateral partnerships with the British High Commission, UK Department for Business and Trade, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and other peer councils. Reflecting on his achievement, Mark expressed his gratitude, stating, \"I’m honoured to receive the President’s Award and hugely grateful to everyone across the Council who has contributed to what we’ve achieved. Together we’ve worked to strengthen UK-Sri Lanka business links, bringing the next generation into our work and ensuring the Council offers real value to its members.\"\n\nThe British Chambers of Commerce President, Andy Haldane CBE, noted, \"Mark’s leadership shows the difference one individual can make to an entire business community. He has modernised the Council and created stronger practical connections between firms in the UK and Sri Lanka. This award is thoroughly deserved recognition of his energy, integrity and lasting contribution to the global Chamber Network.\"\n\nDes Shaw, CEO of Quest, the organization supporting the award, added, \"Mark has combined strategic vision with practical delivery, creating lasting value for members and ensuring the Council is well placed for the future. We warmly congratulate him on his achievements.\"\n\nFor further details, visit the official announcement from the British Chambers of Commerce. The Council for Business with Britain (CBB), under the auspices of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, is committed to fostering bilateral trade, investment, and enduring commercial relationships between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.",
  "summary": "In a groundbreaking achievement on the global business stage, Mark Surgenor, President of the Council for Business with Britain (CBB) in Sri Lanka (2023–2025), has been named the winner of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) International President’s Award 2026. Out of a competitive international network of more than 75 British Chambers of Commerce and […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}