PAST WINNER INTERVIEW The Stockvale Group
Did you engage other teammembers?
What made The Stockvale Group apply for a Queen’s Award? The prestige of The Queen’s Award was already well-known, but the specific award we applied for was, we felt, well suited to how we operate as a company already. What research did you do about the awards/ application process? The company was fortunate enough to have seen first-hand how the Queen’s Awards works and what is involved.
Many other members of the team helped bring the application together. Describe any challenges you overcame in the process? Putting your business on paper is not easy. You will probably need to set aside at least a couple of days without distraction to put the raw information down. It is then a case of putting it altogether and perfecting what you are writing. Now you’ve won an award, what advice would you give to others thinking of applying? I would try to find a highly competent and trusted person to discuss your business with. The things you take for granted are quite often the things that make you special. How will you use your award to promote your business going forward? We have adorned the logo on every piece of marketing material we have put out since we won the award!
What planning did you do beforehand?
The planning involved was mainly bringing together the right people with the right information.
How did you find the application process?
Company Background Based in Southend-on-Sea, The Stockvale Group owns and operates the UK’s premier free entry fun park, Adventure Island. In addition, the company’s portfolio also includes the popular Sealife Adventure aquarium, as well as a selection of restaurants across the town. This endeavour began way back in 1976 when the enterprising Miller family took over what was then known as Peter Pan’s Playground. Since those early days, the organisation has grown and diversified to become a leading light of the coastal resort’s seasonal tourism landscape. AWARD CATEGORY: Promoting Opportunity/ Social Mobility SIZE OF COMPANY: Circa 1,000 employees during main summer season WHERE BASED: Southend-On-Sea, Essex TYPE OF BUSINESS: Leisure and Tourism PROFILE: James Miller JOB TITLE: Operations Director
The application process was relatively straightforward.
Did you learn anything about your own com- pany during the process? For the first time it gave us a chance to look at ourselves in the mirror as a business. There are always aspects that can be improved, but we are very proud of who we are and what we are trying to achieve, both as a business and as a place in wider society. Before this process, it may not have been the source of pride it is today.
Would you consider applying again in future?
We would definitely consider applying again in the future!
www. queensawardsmagazine .com
86
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog