The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine
2024
C
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Promoting Opportunity (Through Social Mobility)
Innovation
Sustainable Development
International Trade
Award Holders 2020 - 2023
We tender the loyal greetings of all King’s Awards recipients to His Majesty The King
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WELCOME
04 Letters of acknowledgement for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 08 About the King’s Awards for Enterprise 09 A breakdown of King’s Awards recipients 2024 10 The benefits of winning an award 12 The King’s Awards Reception 2023 14 Interview with the Lord-Lieutenant 16 Multi-Year Winner Interview - IDEM 19 Meet the judges behind the awards 39 International Trade category award recipients 79 Innovation category award recipients 101 Promoting Opportunity
It is our great pleasure to bring you the 2024 edition of The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine, celebrating and showcasing this year’s award holders.
We extend our warm congratulations to every company that has been honoured with a 2024 King’s Award. Whether in the field of international trade, innovation, sustainable development or promoting social mobility, receiving an Award is a proof of excellence, and recognised across the globe.
The Awards continue to constitute the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a British company, and become ever more relevant with each passing year.
The late Duke of Edinburgh helped launch the Awards in the mid-1960s, and we at The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine, as well as the hundreds of companies who’ve received an Award over the past six decades, owe a great debt of gratitude to both him and Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It is inspiring to see UK businesses lead the way on the world stage, across every sector, despite the economic and geopolitical hurdles we currently face. As the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, says in his foreword: “The variety of businesses who have been awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise this year are shining examples of the thriving firms found across the country. It is through their innovation, tenacity and dedication that they have helped drive economic growth and create jobs in their communities.”
We couldn’t agree more and wish all of this year’s King’s Award holders continued and even greater success.
(Through Social Mobility) category award recipients 109 Sustainable Development category award recipients 127 Award holders 2020 - 2023 132 Index of contributors
Richard Stoppard Chief Executive Officer Nexus Media Events
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The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine would like to thank The King’s Awards Office and all of the businesses awarded in 2024, who have kindly given their assistance in the preparation of this magazine.
Registered Office: 208 Canalot Studios, 222 Kensal Road, London, W10 5BN Printing: The Magazine Printing Company, Broxbourne Business Centre, Pindar Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 0FJ Design: Antonio Manuel Front Cover image: Alamy Stock Photo
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied, recorded or otherwise stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any electronic means without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of the book, Nexus Media Events bears no responsibility for any errors or consequences thereof, or for damage or loss of material submitted to the magazine. The publishers do not necessarily endorse or support facts and opinions expressed within this magazine, individual editorials and images having been supplied direct by The King’s Award winners who have chosen to be included in the publication.
ISSN 2041 9783 2024 © Nexus Media Events The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine® is published annually by Nexus Media Events Ltd 208 Canalot Studios, 222 Kensal Road, London, W10 5BN
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On the occasion of the publication of the 2024 edition of The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine, I send my warmest good wishes to all concerned.
I was interested to learn that the publication celebrates the winners of the Award and shares their achievements.
Your thoughtfulness in writing is much appreciated. In return, I send my congratulations to the recipients, together with my best wishes to all the contributors and readers of The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine.
CHARLES R.
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I want to extend my congratulations to the 2024 cohort of businesses and organisations to be recognised with The King’s Award for Enterprise.
Continuing one of the many great legacies of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, this Award has encapsulated the UK’s enterprising spirit since its creation in 1965 as The Queen’s Award to Industry. The King’s Award for Enterprise has made an incredible impact on UK businesses, both in elevating the profile and credibility of recipients and, importantly, in helping UK companies to grow. For this reason, and many others, I am delighted to see so many organisations being recognised by the King’s Award for excellence in business, including for innovative technology and solutions, consumer technology, clean technology, and agriculture.
Let us celebrate and highlight the UK’s best performing businesses that are helping to build greater prosperity across the UK.
My warmest wishes to you all.
Rishi Sunak The Prime Minister
Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister Correct at time of publication ahead of the General Election 2024
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The variety of businesses who have been awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise this year are shining examples of the thriving firms found across the country. It is through their innovation, tenacity and dedication that they have helped drive economic growth and create jobs in their communities. The past few years have clearly posed a number of challenges. Times have been tough for a lot of businesses as they have had to face up to a variety of economic shocks. But we have started to see things move in the right direction and inflation has fallen. That is good news, and I am hopeful about the economic signs we have seen of late.
I wish all of this year’s winners the very best for the future in their endeavours.
Many congratulations to all of the businesses awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise this year.
Andrew Bailey Governor of the Bank of England
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I would like to congratulate all the winners of this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise.
It’s truly inspiring to see the strides made by businesses across the UK in the past year, despite the economic and geopolitical hurdles we currently face. This year’s winners demonstrate the resilience and innovative thinking that are key to driving our country’s economic growth. We should all therefore be encouraged by the winners’ achievements. As outlined in our Royal Charter, the Institute of Directors is committed to fostering a climate that encourages entrepreneurship, and we are pleased to back the ongoing efforts of the King’s Awards for Enterprise in promoting this.
I highly commend the winners of this year’s award and look forward to their continued success in the years to come.
Jonathan Geldart Director General of the Institute of Directors
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The King’s Awards FOR ENTERPRISE
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are considered the UK’s most prestigious business awards, designed to acknowledge and encourage outstanding achievements demonstrated by UK businesses. Instituted by Royal Warrant in 1965 and first awarded in 1966, their format has evolved to now encompass four categories: International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility). In the past, individuals have been recognised within the King’s Awards for Enterprise but, as of 2017, this individual award was rested. His Majesty The King makes the awards on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an advisory committee, including representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions. The King’s Awards for Enterprise are free to enter and you may apply for more than one award. Organisations of any size operating regularly as a business unit in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man and which meet the criteria may enter. The awards are made to businesses as a whole rather than to individuals. Applicants that are unsuccessful receive feedback about their strengths and are offered guidance about how to improve their entry for future. Presentation ceremonies are conducted at each winner’s premises, usually by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County, who is the designated representative of His Majesty The King. The awards consist of a Grant of Appointment and a commemorative crystal trophy. Successful organisations may
fly the King’s Award flag at their principal premises and are entitled to use the emblem on marketing materials – such as on packaging, advertisements, stationery and websites. This information was correct at the time of going to press. For the latest information visit www.gov.uk/kings-awards- for-enterprise THE KING’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE: ELIGIBILITY To apply for the King’s Award for Enterprise your organisation must meet the following minimum criteria: Be based in the UK (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man); Have a good, continuous, compliance record with HM Revenue and Customs; Be a self-contained enterprise that markets its own products or services and is under its own management; Have at least two full-time UK employees or part-time equivalents; and Demonstrate strong achievement in environmental, social and governance goals. Each award has additional entry criteria, which can be found at the start of each relevant section in this magazine as well as on the website www.gov.uk/kings- awards-for-enterprise/eligibility
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Entries for The King’s Awards for Enterprise come from all corners of the UK including the outlying islands. The companies’ activities, however, are international with many businesses exporting and negotiating with countless countries around the world. King’s Awards winners 2024: a breakdown
STATISTICS
2024 Awards by category The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 include: 161 awards for International Trade 59 awards for Innovation 29 awards for Sustainable Development 8 awards for Promoting Opportunity Five business were double award winners: 3D Technologies Ltd - winners of International Trade and Innovation Cokebusters Ltd - winners of International Trade and Innovation Mike Stoane Lighting Ltd. - winners of Innovation and Sustainable Development Red Fox ID Limited - winners of International Trade and Innovation Zeeko Ltd – winners of International Trade and Innovation
The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 Total number of awarded businesses: 90 % of 2024 winners are SMEs The graphic shows the distribution of these 2024 Award winners across the United Kingdom. 252
SCOTLAND Winners 14
NORTHERN IRELAND Winners 4
NORTH EAST Winners 9
NORTH WEST Winners 27
YORKSHIRE & THE HUMBER Winners 19
WEST MIDLANDS Winners 22
EAST Winners 36
WALES Winners 11
EAST MIDLANDS Winners 14 19
GREATER LONDON Winners 42
SOUTH EAST Winners 37
SOUTH WEST Winners 17
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A QUEEN’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE The benefits of winning… A KING’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE
Why the King’s Awards for Enterprise really matter:
learned during the application process, new targets set and additional focus given to how the company can come back even bigger and better the following year, on a quest to become a worthy future award holder – and one of the best British companies in its field. Over the past 55 years, since the awards’launch in 1965, entrants have come from all around the UK, from city-based centres of commerce to remote locations in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. The majority of winning companies have fewer than 250 employees, but larger companies have also clinched this most prestigious of accolades. Entering the King’s Awards: In order to enter, your company must have at least two full-time employees. There is a straightforward online entry process. How long this takes to complete will understandably vary according to the type of company and its products, and how readily available the required data is. Your chances of success – and the accolades associated with this – are high. On average, a quarter of those entering succeed in gaining a King’s Award. Of course, any award is only as good as the employees who have worked hard to achieve it, and this recognition is the ultimate morale booster. Each business that has been awarded receives a formal presentation by The King’s representative (often the county’s Lord- Lieutenant) at the company’s premises or another suitable location; some examples of these presentations can be seen in later pages of this publication.
What motivates a company to enter the King’s Awards? The answers to this question are many and varied, but one thing is certain: companies have everything to gain by entering, and nothing to lose. The King’s Awards for Enterprise are widely considered the highest accolade to be bestowed upon a UK business, celebrating the British companies that have showed outstanding achievement in trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility. Put simply, being honored with an award puts British companies on a pedestal; it celebrates their achievements, in a multitude of sectors, and showcases their innovations, ideas and achievements to a global audience. The King’s Awards are hugely respected, both at home and overseas, and being awarded one has been proven to give companies a winning edge over their competitors, as well as offering the ideal introduction to new customers. Additional benefits of receiving an award range from an increase in overseas trade and the far higher likelihood of staff retention, to the awards’influence in attracting highly skilled staff. Becoming an elite King’s Awards holder also provides unlimited marketing potential across digital and print platforms, both at local and national level. However, it’s not all about receiving an award. Simply entering and becoming a part of the King’s Awards journey is hugely valuable. If success doesn’t happen on the first attempt, lessons will have been
Be celebrated in print and online
In an exclusive promotional opportunity, available only to King’s Award holders, companies are offered the chance to appear in the publication you are reading now, the notable King’s Awards For Enterprise Magazine, and its accompanying website. This high quality publication is independently published, acting as a who’s who of the business world’s greatest innovators. It is
distributed to a prestigious mailing list of recipients, both in the UK and internationally. In a survey of award holders, the majority agreed that the King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine, and its website, were rated either ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. With your help, the dedicated print and online team want to improve on this even further, so please email your feedback to admin@kingsawardsmagazine.com
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The King’s Awards for Enterprise Royal Reception 2023
The reception held was once again a glittering occasion, graciously hosted by The King, at Buckingham Palace and he was joined by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. The awarded companies were delighted to attend the Buckingham Palace reception, held in their honour and to mark their achievements, and many took to social media to share their good news and excitement about meeting King Charles. During the reception, His Majesty met a diverse group of winners from across the United Kingdom, many of whom are leading in their fields of innovation, international trade, and sustainable development. Overall, there were 149 awards in 2023, with one company receiving an award across two categories: International Trade and Innovation, a truly remarkable achievement. The largest category was for those who attained awards in International Trade, where 78 awards were given out, followed by 47 for Innovation and the smaller categories of Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through Social Mobility) had 15 and nine winners, respectively.
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HM Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, NI
Lord-Lieutenant of Co Antrim David McCorkell with King Charles during his visit to Northern Ireland
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Interview with DAVID McCORKELL
First of all, can you give us an overview of what the Lord Lieutenant’s role is within The King’s Award scheme exactly? The Lord-Lieutenant’s role is to promote the Award to businesses and business organisations in order to raise awareness and increase the number of applicants year on year. The Lord-Lieutenant will then present the Award on behalf of His Majesty to local winners within their county. The King’s Award has been around since 1966. Do you remember when you personally first became aware of the scheme? I became aware of the Queen’s Award for Industry, as they were known then, in the late 1970s. My late father was Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry during ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland and I remember being very moved to hear from him about some of the stories of the recipients despite the turbulent landscape they worked in. The Awards themselves have changed and evolved over the years. Do you think there is anything that remains integral to them, some common values perhaps? Without doubt, the support of the monarch is integral to the Award as it adds huge prestige and acts as a huge mark of distinction, not just throughout the United Kingdom, but on the global stage, highlighting the extent of the interest of the Crown and the impact it has. And on the flip side, what would you say is the biggest difference between the Britain of 1966 and the Britain of 2024? Would you say that the landscape of the UK, as a place to work in, has changed drastically over the past 50+ years?
This year has seen King Charles III publicly share his cancer diagnosis. Do you think the continued dedication and dignity which The King has displayed throughout this difficult period is characteristic of the Awards themselves? Yes, I definitely agree with this. I think the leadership and example shown by His Majesty during this incredibly difficult and unsettling time has been nothing but inspiring. Business is not always plain sailing and changing economic cycles always bring fresh and sometimes unforeseen challenges. I would hope that the resilience shown by His Majesty will inspire companies to carry on and create an even deeper bond with the Award. And finally, how do you see the King’s Award developing in the future? The Award is open to any employer of two or more employees but I think there needs to be an interim award for SMEs with less rigorous criteria to encourage them to apply at an early stage and then progress up through the Awards. Also, coming from Northern Ireland - a devolved administration - I would like to see the Award become more inclusive and representative of all parts of the United Kingdom, not just the big employment zones like London and Manchester. I also expect sustainability and employee wellness to become an even bigger part of the award criteria going forward. So, do you think the scheme will still be going strong when Prince George ascends to the throne? I would be disappointed if it was not even bigger, more prestigious and more inclusive!
service-based, which has led to a very different workforce. Technological advances are much quicker now than they were in the 60s, which makes the pace of change in the business sector much quicker and more able to adapt to challenges. Sustainability is also now a key driver in business decision-making and I expect that trend to only continue over the next 50 years. In 1966, people wouldn’t have even known what ‘ESG’ meant, now it is an integral part of most companies' mission statements. Lastly, our relationship with Europe and the Commonwealth has changed hugely and that has had a material impact on how and who we do business with. Many of the companies that win an Award consider it the most prestigious accolade a business can receive. Do you think this has always been the case or have the Awards become more important over time? I think the Award is as important now as it was in 1966. Any company that receives the Award will tell you it benefits their business no matter which category they have won it in and what their field of business is. How do you think the King’s Award is regarded overseas? Do you think having an Award gives a company more clout when trading internationally? The Award is still highly regarded overseas. Many of the winners receive the award for International Trade and having the KAE emblem on their notepaper opens many doors in overseas countries.
In 1966, Britain still had a large manufacturing economy whereas the 2024 economy is more
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MULTI-AWARD WINNER INTERVIEW
IDEM Safety Switches Ltd
A selection of Idem safety products
Any business which has won a King’s Award will readily testify to just how much they had to ‘earn the right’ to fly that iconic flag outside their HQ. However, while winning an Award is an achievement in itself, it’s fair to say repeating that success - being recognised with more than one Award - is a genuinely laudable feat. Happily, there are companies and organisations - several of which can be found within these very pages - that can proudly lay claim to that distinct honour. For the precious few though, there is a rarified honour within the pantheon of the King’s Award strata which is even higher still. An accolade so singular in its triumph that it is almost off-limits: The ‘three on the bounce’ hat-trick Amazingly, there are some organisations across this ever-industrious nation of ours that can - thanks to near-Herculean levels of endeavour - bask in the glory of being able to proclaim: ‘We have won three consecutive Awards in three consecutive years!’
These companies are, understandably, few and far between. One such company is IDEM. A world-leading producer of mechanical, electromechanical and electronic interlocks and safety switches, IDEM received its first ever Queen’s Award for International Trade back in 2022. This was followed swiftly by two back-to-back King’s Award wins for Innovation in 2023 and 2024. We sat down for a brief chat with the company’s CEO, Medi Mohtasham, to find out more about the perks, privileges - and pressures - of being a multi- award winner:
continuous growth in International Trade – IDEM generates more than 90% of its revenue through exports to over 80 countries and is the leader in a number of applications. Having won the Award in 2022, we looked at our patented products and identified further opportunities to apply for the Innovation Awards. Applying and winning in both 2023 and 2024 showed everybody we are more than just an exporter. Customers and distributors are proud of us as a supplier and our team are incredibly motivated by this recognition. A hat-trick of Awards in succession is a feat almost unequalled by any other business in the UK and clearly puts IDEM on the map of ‘Britain’s Best Companies.’
What does it mean to you to be a multi-award winner?
It is an honour to achieve such a unique and prestigious award for the third year running. The Queen’s Award we won in 2022 was recognition and a ‘seal of approval’ that showed our customers and employees we are a successful and leading business in our field. We won the award for our
What are the benefits of winning multiple awards?
Multiple Awards show the world we are more than just a ‘single success’ business. Winning awards for
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CEO Medi Mohtasham meets HM King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in 2023
How do you celebrate being a multi-award winner?
both International Trade and Innovation (twice) demonstrates the depth and capability of the organisation, and supports our distributors who position IDEM as a world-leading manufacturer of safety switches and interlocks. Why have you continued to apply for more awards over the years? Before the mid-1980s, Britain did not manufacture safety solutions for industry. Nearly all the safety solutions were imported from Germany. Today, the German manufacturers are following our designs and innovations in many sectors. Not only that, the largest of these German companies has approached IDEM to manufacture and label safety products for them. The success of the first Award and the additional publicity we gained overseas demonstrated the value of the Queen’s / King’s Awards for UK businesses. Applying for the second and third Awards made absolute sense as our patented products had helped generate that export success and the innovations they embodied deserved the recognition of the King’s Awards and put UK safety device manufacturing on the global supply map.
Our employees all celebrate together and are proud to wear the King’s Award lapel badge.
We have had two visits from the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, and our local Mayors. The second time was a ‘welcoming of old friends’ as there are only a few ‘double’ winners. We are looking forward to the next visit to receive the 2024 Award which will be a unique occasion. What advice or tips would you give anyone considering applying? It’s worth it! The application forms can be daunting at first, but as you write your entry, you learn about yourself and the process. You are telling your story to a non-expert audience so there is a discipline in how you best use language to explain your business and innovations. Don’t give up! This shows that the Awards can be granted to any successful British company, no matter how large or small, and the recognition by HM The King is wonderful – an unforgettable achievement.
Idem stainless steel interlock installed on a food production line
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Presentations and Celebrations
AIS
Edward Gillespie OBE, the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire presents Kings Award for Enterprise: International Trade to AIS
Littlepod
Janet Sawyer MBE BEM, Managing Director with David Fursdon Lord Lieutenant of Devon
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MEET THE JUDGES Here we introduce a selection of judges from across the King's Awards for Enterprise categories
JUDGE’S NAME Sarah Atkinson
Don’t just tell us what you've done, tell us what difference it has made, and to whom
CATEGORY Promoting Opportunity
AREA OF INTEREST Social Mobility & Inclusion
Sarah Atkinson is the Chief Executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, a charity working to make a practical difference to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds across the UK. Before joining the SMF, Sarah was the Executive Director for Strategy, Policy and Communications at the Charity Commission. Prior to that, she worked within the private sector, including roles with Nationwide Building Society and in public affairs consultancy. Ms Atkinson is a member of the Charity Tax Commission and has board roles at Endometriosis UK, Womankind Worldwide, and the Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years. She is also a Leadership Fellow at St George’s House, Windsor as well as a mentor on the Leaders Plus fellowship programme.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE KING'S AWARDS? Social mobility is one of the biggest challenges facing our country at the moment and it's vital for our economy and our society that we level the playing field for people from disadvantaged backgrounds and neglected communities. We need to celebrate the achievements of UK businesses and social enterprises that have committed to social mobility, and the King's Awards do exactly that. WHY DO THE KING'S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? The King's Awards are a mark of excellence and I have certainly seen how winning has led to increased profile - both within the UK and internationally - and to increased commercial and partnership opportunities. I know winning an Award in the category of Promoting Opportunity is also a huge morale boost to employees and to the wider community they support, because it recognises the impact they have had. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A KA JUDGE? Reading through all the Awards submissions and seeing the range of entries from businesses of all sizes showcasing their efforts to promote opportunities for disadvantaged groups. The entries that stand out are the ones where every part of the organisation has been engaged and it's clear that the business takes real pride in the difference they are making. They bring a real smile to my face. WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS KING'S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? Some of the applicants this year were coming back for a second time, having been unsuccessful previously. It was great to see where they they had taken on the feedback and been committed to improvement, and a real pleasure to recommend them for an Award.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A KING'S AWARD? Don’t just tell us what you've done, tell us what difference it has made, and to whom. Show us that you've been able to create real opportunities for disadvantaged people, and how employees across your business have really engaged. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING'S AWARDS WINNER, AS YOU SEE IT The judging process is exacting and Awards are only given where a business has been able to show commitment to Promoting Opportunity over a sustained period and demonstrate it has made a difference. So winners can be confident that the Award is a real mark of excellence and marks them out to customers, employees and the wider community as a top performer.
DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS
One of the hallmarks of British business is that we are truly innovative and we certainly see that across all the businesses and social enterprises that are recognised in the King's Awards. Strong bonds with the communities in which businesses are located, and investment in long-term relationships, are also, for me, hallmarks of British business. ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD? The pandemic has highlighted and increased the barriers which prevent disadvantaged people achieving their potential, but it has also inspired many businesses to respond to the challenge and invest in social mobility. I’m looking forward to seeing that reflected in next year’s entries.
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MEET THE JUDGES
JUDGE’S NAME Tunde Banjoko OBE
Take the time to put as much effort into the application as you did when doing the work
CATEGORY Promoting Opportunity
AREA OF INTEREST Diversity, equity and inclusion, with a particular interest in social mobility and race equality
A passionate social justice advocate with almost 30 years’ experience running a grassroots organisation, Tunde Banjoko is the founder of multiple initiatives (including the social mobility charity Making The Leap and the UK Social Mobility Awards) which try to help make the world a fairer place. As well as providing consultancy to businesses who wish to make advances on race equity, Tunde is known as an inspiring and convincing public speaker, and is qualified as an Executive Coach. He has an MSc in Urban Regeneration from UCL and was awarded an OBE in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE KING'S AWARDS? I accepted the invitation to be a judge because I believe the King's Awards for Enterprise are an exceptional vehicle to encourage businesses to excel in the area relevant to their category. WHY DO THE KING'S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? They matter because they are not easy to win. It is a rigorous process and the assessors are experienced and diligent, and that’s before it even gets to the judges, so being awarded one is an achievement. They are extremely prestigious awards, something a business can proudly display for five years. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A KING'S AWARD JUDGE? Just being part of such a distinguished and diverse group of individuals that form the judging panel. They are themselves experienced and successful in business and it is a privilege to listen and engage in their deliberations. WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS THE KING'S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? How the applicants fared and did exceptional work at a time when Covid was still a major factor. How they adjusted, adapted and, in some cases, pivoted, and achieved quality outcomes; that particularly interested me.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A KING'S AWARD? Take the time to put as much effort into the application as you did when doing the work. It is a challenging process, so give it your best shot and really explain in detail what it is you are achieving. Do not leave the assessors to have to figure it out. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING'S AWARD WINNER, AS YOU SEE IT This for me is a no-brainer. You get the opportunity to display the Award which in turn says to everyone – but most importantly current and prospective customers – that you are operating to a very high standard. DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS The starting point for British businesses is a very high benchmark; there is a long history of global success that has led the way and inspires today's businesses to reach for the very top.
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JUDGE’S NAME Anne Beggs
We are a nation of problem-solvers and extra-milers with a strong can-do approach
CATEGORY International Trade
AREA OF INTEREST Exports, Foreign Direct Investment, Economic Development
Anne Beggs has 25 years’ experience of working within the economic development of Northern Ireland, assisting start-ups and scale-ups, attracting and supporting blue-chip multinationals, pioneering strategic sector initiatives, and driving collaboration with local and international partners across the public and private sectors. This impressive breadth of experience has proved invaluable in her current role as Director of Trade and Investment at Invest Northern Ireland, the region’s economic development agency. Along with attracting inward investment to the region, Ms Beggs uses her role to provide strategic direction which helps NI businesses accelerate their export growth, and maintain a supportive diaspora network.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE KING’S AWARDS? My passion is to see businesses - and our economy as a whole - thrive through international trade. It is extremely rewarding to see exporting excellence recognised and celebrated. However, I would truly love to see more Northern Irish applicants grasp this unique opportunity to showcase their achievements. WHY DO THE KING’S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? The King's Award is an internationally recognised mark of excellence, that shines a light on the word-class performance of businesses of all sizes and from a range of industries right across the UK. The Awards represent the most prestigious endorsement of their credentials as trusted trading partners around the world and the quality of their products and services. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A QA JUDGE? Being a King's Awards judge offers a unique opportunity to learn of developments across a diverse range of industries, the latest innovations in go-to-market strategies, the expanding global reach of our businesses as well as the challenges they face, and how they overcome them. WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS KING’S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? The ambition, the tenacity and the global successes of applicants is inspirational - all the more so in the context of the global economic shocks they have had to contend with in recent years. The insights we get as judges into the applicants' exporting journeys - and how they have innovated, evolved and excelled - is truly inspiring.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A KING’S AWARD? Go for It! Don't be put off by the application process; the information required already exists in your business. And remember: you're not on your own; the team at the King's Awards office are on hand, extremely experienced and are there to support you every step of the way. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING’S AWARDS WINNER, AS YOU SEE IT Beyond well-deserved recognition and the injection of confidence for winners and their employees, the King's Award boosts the global profile of recipients, creating the potential to attract new export customers and win new international business.
DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS
We are a nation of problem-solvers and extra-milers with a strong can-do approach. We are leaders in a vast range of innovative world-class products and services with a global reputation as trusted trading partners and a relentless focus on the customer. These strengths combine to make a compelling overall package.
www. kingsawardsmagazine .com
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MEET THE JUDGES
JUDGE’S NAME Neil Crockett
Innovation will be the heartbeat of the UK's economic and social success in a post- Brexit and post-Covid world
CATEGORY Innovation
AREA OF INTEREST Digital Innovation
As Chief Digital Officer at Rolls-Royce PLC, Neil Crockett was a pioneer in developing cutting-edge power solutions. These days, he uses the passion and insight for digital innovation gained from his leadership experience to help organisations going through changes in strategy, culture and execution. As well as his time as CDO at Rolls-Royce, Neil was the founding CEO of the Digital Catapult and held several European and UK leadership roles during a 15-year career at Cisco. Mr Crockett is currently a Trustee at Barnardo's, the UK’s largest children's charity, and a Director at CatalystNI, a not- for-profit organisation driving knowledge economy innovation in Northern Ireland. Elsewhere he is a Board Advisor at MonolithAI, an exciting AI start-up for engineers, and a Fellow at Be The Business, a not-for-profit organisation accelerating productivity within UK SMEs.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE KING'S AWARDS? The King's Awards are a combination of something I passionately believe in and which I can bring value to - getting involved was an easy decision! Innovation will be the heartbeat of the UK's economic and social success in a post-Brexit and post-Covid world, especially in my view the up-and- coming generation of innovators harnessing the explosion of new digital technologies and data science breakthroughs. We need high-profile programs like the King's Awards to encourage, reward and promote the UK's best. WHY DO THE KING'S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? It offers a lot and we need to get more businesses involved. The first and most obvious point is that for businesses establishing themselves, the King's Award is a hugely prestigious, recognised and established global brand to endorse your business for a five year period. But it goes much deeper than that. The Award opens the door to a powerful network of new supporters and contacts, the shared pride of the Award will motivate your employees, is a validation that will impress investors and last but certainly not least, is a recognition that will help convince customers - especially export customers. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A KA JUDGE? It is a privilege to see how diverse and vibrant innovation is across the UK. There are so many types of innovations, in so many different sectors, across every size of business and monetised in so many ways. It is also fantastic to see that often the innovations with most impact are simple ones based on a deep understanding of what a customer needs rather than what deep R&D can make possible. I also really enjoy and value the insights and learning I take away from the rich and robust (but always constructive) discussions on the judging panel.
WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS KING'S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? The diversity of the innovations; the companies; the sectors - the innovation approaches was even higher than last year. I was also really encouraged with the growing number of companies that are harnessing data science and AI within their product innovations and offering their products as a service. WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A KING'S AWARD? It really is not that difficult to apply, especially when you weigh it against the benefits! My main tip would be to make sure you use simple language and include powerful customer examples - why your innovation is different and better for customers and is more than just a better "me to" offering. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING'S AWARDS WINNER, AS YOU SEE IT It places you in a group of innovators that the UK is promoting as its best. How cool is that, and what an amazing way to motivate employees, impress investors and convince customers at home and abroad. Also I believe just going through the application process (and feedback) can help a business structure, mature and benchmark its own innovation process and plans. DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS • A reputation for innovation and creativity in solving complex problems, • Getting on the ground to build close collaboration with customers in order to spot market opportunities early, • A reputation for service - which is going to be increasingly critical as more products are offered as a service, • Trust in quality and an ability to deliver, • Increasingly the UK's reputation as a leader in data, cyber security and AI innovation.
King’s Awards Magazine 2024
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JUDGE’S NAME Karim Fatehi MBE CATEGORY International Trade
Using the King's Award emblem is a stamp of trust that leads to future success
AREA OF INTEREST International business development for UK plc
Karim Fatehi is the CEO of United Corporation Ltd, a globally approved Engineering Procurement Management company serving the oil and gas energy sector. Along with providing high-quality, professional engineering services to major players in the petrochemical and gas industry, United Corporation has won the Queen's Award for International Trade on two separate occasions in 2007 & 2011. Mr Fatehi was appointed an MBE for services to International Trade in 2012.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE KING'S AWARDS? Passion and determination for International Trade as we are a global trading nation in the UK. WHY DO THE KING'S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? Winning the King's Award provided us with a huge opportunity of trust and created new global opportunities in getting contracts, finding new supply channels and breaking into new markets with an increased credibility and a seal of approval. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A KA JUDGE? Seeing the incredible potentials with UK companies and a looking into their total commitment for global challenge with determination to make Britain great. WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS KING'S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? The variety of talents, commitment and development regarding export strategy with full confidence.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A KING'S AWARD? Thinking of receiving an award has a great feel-good factor, but getting the award is a serious privilege that encourages you on your way to greater global success. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING'S AWARDS WINNER, AS YOU SEE IT We have been privileged to have won the award twice. That has increased our business three-fold and afforded us a massive opportunity with both our clients and our worldwide supply chain. DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS Truly, the King’s Award is the most credible UK award with great prestige. Using the King’s Award emblem is a stamp of trust that leads to future success.
www. kingsawardsmagazine .com
24
MEET THE JUDGES
JUDGE’S NAME Williams Fletcher MBE CATEGORY Promoting Opportunity
The King's Awards show businesses that they are trusted, valued and recognised for work which goes above and beyond simply profitably delivering a service or product
AREA OF INTEREST Corporate social responsibility
An experienced and diverse business leader, William has worked across the recycling, finance and food retail sectors for PLCs, family-owned and private equity-run businesses in the UK and internationally. In his most recent post, as Managing Director then Chief Executive of Recycling Lives Ltd - a national waste management business supporting charitable programmes - he grew the business nationally and increased sales ten- fold without compromising on its strong social values. Under his leadership, the company earned three Queen's Awards, for International Trade, Promoting Opportunity and Sustainable Development, adding to an earlier win for Sustainable Development.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE KING'S AWARDS? Having experienced first-hand the prestige and business benefits that come from being a Queen's Award holder, I was keen to give my time to the judging process again, to welcome a new cohort of inspirational businesses. WHY DO THE KING'S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? I maintain my view that the King's Awards show businesses that they are trusted, valued and recognised for work which goes above and beyond simply profitably delivering a service or product. By recognising businesses of all sizes across all sectors, the Awards also allow smaller businesses to gain the same respect as - and compete on a level playing field with - larger, more established organisations. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A KA JUDGE? I enjoyed having the opportunity to learn about and take lessons from other organisations: their motivations, solutions, ambitions and challenges. This felt particularly poignant in a period that has been challenging for so many businesses. Seeing how people have adapted to survive and thrive was inspiring. WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS KING'S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? I was impressed by how businesses and social enterprises have adapted to the challenges created by the pandemic and lockdowns, particularly how a number moved quickly to offer additional support to their communities at a time of uncertainty and growing need.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A KING'S AWARD? Don’t underestimate the application process – be sure to give it the respect it deserves and you’ll reap the benefits. It’s a thorough process which offers an opportunity to take a step back from your business and view it afresh. Don’t forget to really get in to the how and why of your business, as well as simply what you do and what's delivered – for example, problem-solving for your customers is as vital as profit growth for your shareholders. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING'S AWARDS WINNER, AS YOU SEE IT I believe a King's Award is both a quality mark signalling your expertise and credibility externally and a cause for celebration - sharing your achievement with your team, without whom your achievements and impact would not be possible. For the Promoting Opportunity category in particular, it’s recognition both individually and to wider society of how businesses can, and do, significantly support communities beyond just their stakeholders. DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS Along with the quality of our services, products and teams, I think we’re known for integrity in our dealings, adaptability in problem-solving and evolving our work. This is certainly what I’ve seen amongst King's Award winners, who are flying the flag for British business globally.
King’s Awards Magazine 2024
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JUDGE’S NAME Marco Forgione
Winning a King's Award is a recognition that you and your team have gone the extra mile to achieve excellence
CATEGORY International Trade AREA OF INTEREST International Trade
Marco Forgione’s knowledge of international trade, combined with his experience in education, led him to be appointed Director General of the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) in January 2020. Since he took on the role, the IOE&IT has grown from a team of twelve to over 150 international trade and customs experts, with overall membership growing from 2,000 to 7,000. The IOE&IT is now a trusted partner for governments, international agencies, global businesses and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on every continent. In 2022, the IOE&IT opened its first international office in Kenya with plans to invest further and support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), alongside the broader global trade agenda.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE KING’S AWARDS? As the director general of the UK's leading trade body for international trade (IOE&IT), I am in a unique position to engage with the nation's importers and exporters on a regular basis. Winning a King's Award is the pinnacle of success for British businesses and I am proud to be part of the judging panel recognising this excellence. WHY DO THE KING’S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? It is right that we celebrate exporting in this way and recognise the hard work that these companies have put in to achieve what they have to date. We want to encourage more companies to start their own export journey because we know that companies which export are more profitable, employ more people and are more resilient. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A KING’S AWARD JUDGE? The most enjoyable aspect of being a King's Award judge is being able to see first-hand the innovation and ingenuity of British businesses. Every year we get a new cohort of companies that have gone above and beyond to grow their footprint on an international scale. It is only right that we recognise their hard work and dedication. As a judge it is a great privilege to be part of their story. The journey of these companies does not just stop when they achieve King's Award status. For me, the most exciting part is seeing how the winners continue to develop and grow after receiving the award. WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS KING’S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? I’d like to congratulate all the winners of both the King's Awards and the first King’s Awards for Enterprise. The range of sectors represented is testament to the creativity and diversity of the UK economy. The diversity of the companies that have won the awards for international trade shows the incredible variety of goods and services the UK exports. This is good for the business and good for the whole UK economy.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A KING’S AWARD? My top tip would just be to apply. The King's Award is a mark of excellence and if you're an organisation that excels at international trade, innovation, sustainable development or promoting opportunity, then you should look to be recognised for that. This is the most prestigious official UK award for British businesses and is revered around the world, which can help businesses get to the next level.. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING’S AWARDS WINNER, AS YOU SEE IT There are multiple benefits to being recognised in the King's Awards. From the commercial perspective, it gives you an edge over your competition, home and abroad, when bidding for new business opportunities. Winning is also a boost for staff morale and brings a sense of unity to a company. Winning a King's Award is a recognition that you and your team have gone the extra mile to achieve excellence.
DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS
The UK has always been a nation that advocates for the value of trade, and has always shown ingenuity and innovation in the goods and services it produces. Countless research studies have found that British goods and services are revered internationally for their quality, reliability and creativity. Brand Britain continues to thrive overseas, as shown by the successes of this year's King's Award winners.
www. kingsawardsmagazine .com
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