On Wednesday, 22nd March, the Worcestershire business community came together for the newly renamed King’s Award for Enterprise to celebrate outstanding achievements by local businesses.
The event, taking place just ahead of the official announcement of the new 2023 awardees on 21st April, presented the opportunity for the region’s 2022 winners to tell their stories and inspire future applicants.
By invitation of the King’s representative, the newly appointed Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Mrs Beatrice Grant, the flagship event took place at DRPG’s Hartlebury headquarters.
The King’s Award’s will continue Queen Elizabeth’s legacy and reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to recognise and promote outstanding business achievements and the value these represent for economic growth.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise were first created by Royal Warrant in 1965 and are globally recognised as the most prestigious award for UK business. The royal seal of approval for outstanding business achievement is based on four categories; Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility.
As the recipient of the trusted, high-profile and internationally recognised award, businesses enjoy an increase in sales revenue and a boost to staff morale. In addition to these more obvious benefits, it is evident that the endorsement acts as a talent magnet for future recruitment alongside a wealth of other positive commercial rewards.
After a networking reception, guests enjoyed a warm welcome from the Lord Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenant, Louise Hewett, who will be further involved with promoting opportunities in the county in her new role as High Sheriff of Worcestershire as she officially takes on the role from 30th March.
The evening progressed with some inspirational presentations. Worcestershire’s 2022 winners took to the stage to share their personal journey to achieving the accolade and to encourage businesses to submit an entry themselves.
Dale Parmenter, DRPG’s CEO, delivered an impressive insight into DRPG’s winning application for a 2022 Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development, demonstrating the ethical investment from the company. DRPG’s commitment to pioneering sustainable business expertise combined with forward-thinking initiatives in this arena is outstanding.
Fellow 2022 winners, Proteus Instruments, are one of only 51 organisations nationally to be recognised with a Queen’s Award for Innovation. Managing Director, Rob Stevens, delivered a heartfelt presentation summarising what it means to the business to have this symbol of excellence.
Following Rob to the stage to tell their story was Excool’s CEO, Jon Pettitt. The Bromsgrove-based company that manufactures cooling units for data centres were presented their award for International Trade by The Princess Royal last summer.
Rounding off the evening’s presentations was Emma Heathcote-James, Founder of the Little Soap Company. The brand’s eco-warrior range was granted the award for Innovation, Emma comments;
“Little Soap Company has always supported British manufacturing, jobs and communities. Receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise has given us valuable recognition for the work we’ve always done to be outstanding, to demand better and to do better. Winning this highest accolade means that we’re now open to new opportunities, and we’re able to raise awareness of our brand and to further achieve our initial goal when we started all those years ago back in 2008 – to make natural soap accessible to all.”
Nigel Harte, Managing Director of Nexus Creative and board member for the King’s Awards for Worcestershire, comments;
“The evening was a great success; it was good to see so many excellent Worcestershire businesses gathered together, sharing ideas and networking and, above all, interested in applying for a King’s Award in the future.”
For further information on the King’s Awards for Enterprise and to make an application visit
https://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise/how-to-apply
or email Linda Smith on linda@hi5v.co.uk
Join the Linkedin community @Worcestershire Business Support for The King’s Awards for Enterprise