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Innovation
Promoting Opportunity (Through Social Mobility)
Sustainable Development
International Trade
We tender the loyal greetings of all King’s Awards recipients to His Majesty The King
WELCOME
04 Letters of acknowledgement for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 08 Renaming the Awards 10 The Queen’s Awards Reception 2022
It is our great pleasure to bring you the inaugural version of the King’s Awards for Enterprise magazine, celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III and recognising the life and contribution of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This very special publication showcases the holders of the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2023, in this remarkable year. We are delighted to extend our warm congratulations to every company that has received the honour of being awarded a 2023 King’s Award. You have demonstrated excellence in the fields of international trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting social mobility – on a global stage – and we salute your incredible achievements.
12 Tribute to the Queen 14 The King’s Coronation
16 Interview with the Lord-Lieutenant 18 A winning piece - Cumbria Crystal 20 Multi-Year Winner Interview - AIS 22 About the King’s Awards for Enterprise 23 A breakdown of King’s Awards recipients 2023 24 The benefits of winning an award 25 Meet the judges behind the awards 45 International Trade category award recipients 73 Innovation category award recipients 93 Promoting Opportunity
As we join our monarch in marking the start of his reign, it is especially poignant to celebrate Britain’s best companies: those businesses, large and small, that lead the world in a number of fields.
The past few years have created unprecedented challenges but, despite this, this year’s King’s Awards holders have demonstrated excellence. The Awards continue to constitute the highest honour to be bestowed on a UK company, and are more relevant now than ever before. The world is fast-changing, and businesses of today need to be ever more resourceful.
Any business carrying the King’s Awards logo receives a warm welcome internationally, and the relevance of the Awards has never been clearer.
Of course, it was the late Duke of Edinburgh who 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 experienced the honour of receiving an Award since then, owe both him and Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II a great debt of gratitude. We pay homage to Her Late Majesty in our special feature, marking her remarkable life and 70-year reign. We also celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation and meet the artisan team at Cumbria Crystal who have crafted this year’s striking looking award.
(Through Social Mobility) category award recipients 103 Sustainable Development category award recipients 111 Award holders 2019 - 2022 120 Index of contributors
We wish all of this year’s King’s Award holders continued success.
Richard Stoppard Chief Executive Officer Nexus Media Events
Registered in England Registered Number 01993193.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine would like to thank The King’s Awards Office and all of the businesses awarded in 2023, 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 2023 © 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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Please convey my warm thanks to the Readers of The King’s Awards Magazine for their loyal greetings, sent on the occasion of their May 2023 Publication of The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine. I much appreciate your thoughtfulness in writing as you did and was pleased to be reminded of the winners’ valuable contributions to enterprise. In return, I send my congratulations to all concerned for their achievement and success as winners of this prestigious Award.
CHARLES R.
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I’m delighted to send my warmest congratulations to all the winners of The King’s Awards for Enterprise.
This Award has encapsulated the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit since its creation in 1965 as The Queen’s Award to Industry, so it’s fantastic that we are continuing and renewing this great tradition today. The 2023 winners deserve their place on the impressive list of recipients over the years. They illustrate the brilliance of British business – whether it’s creating and exporting innovative products and services or boosting social mobility. Faced with a challenging and ever-changing environment, they have not just survived, but thrived, helping to grow the economy. Their example will inspire others to reach ever greater heights and ultimately bring greater prosperity to the whole of the UK.
Congratulations once again.
Rishi Sunak The Prime Minister
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Congratulations to all of the businesses awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise this year. This is a fantastic achievement and you should be very proud. These prestigious awards recognise the hard work and dedication of businesses like yours.
I am pleased that Her Late Majesty’s legacy of supporting businesses across the UK will continue with His Majesty The King giving his support to these awards.
This past year has not been easy. Sadly, the people of Ukraine continue to suffer from the Russian invasion and, closer to home, people up and down the country have felt the squeeze on the money in their pockets. However, I am hopeful that we have turned a corner. Inflation is beginning to fall and that is a welcome sign for all. This hope is compounded by the entrepreneurial spirit that I encounter all around the UK, and which is evident from all of the businesses recognised by these awards. Businesses like yours make a hugely valuable contribution to the UK economy and the lives of people across the country. I wish you all the best for the future.
Well done.
Andrew Bailey Governor of the Bank of England
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Congratulations to all of the winners of this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise.
It is inspiring to see the achievements of firms across the UK in the past year despite the economic and wider geopolitical challenges they have faced. The past few years have been incredibly challenging for businesses, and I am encouraged by the perseverance of this year’s winners. The successes of the winners of the King’s Awards are testament to their continued hard work and innovative thinking.
Enterprise is at the core of the work of the Institute of Directors, and we are pleased to support the continued work by the King’s Awards for Enterprise in encouraging this.
I warmly congratulate all of the deserved winners and look forward to their continued success.
Patrick Macdonald Chair, the Institute of Directors
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The King’s Awards
The launch of a new era
First established during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and conferred in Her Late Majesty’s name, the Queen’s Awards have now officially been renamed to reflect King Charles III’s Accession As Prince of Wales, His Majesty The King has been closely involved with the Awards for a number of years. His Majesty has hosted the annual Royal Reception for recipients on behalf of HM Queen Elizabeth II since 2018, as well as recording a personal video message to refocus the Sustainable Development Award category in 2019. Throughout Her Late Majesty’s 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II was committed to recognising outstanding efforts made by British businesses across the UK. The Awards were officially changed to The King’s Awards for Enterprise this year and, by attaching His Majesty’s name, The King has emphasised his desire to continue Queen Elizabeth’s legacy of recognising excellence. Celebrating outstanding achievement The newly renamed King’s Award for Enterprise celebrates outstanding achievement by UK businesses and is internationally recognised. The 2023 Awardees were announced on Friday 21 April this year, marking Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday. From 2024, this announcement will occur on 6 May, the anniversary of The King’s Coronation. Previous winners include companies operating on an international scale, such as Kelvatek, who provide innovative fault management for electricity distribution networks; to family-run businesses like The Quiet Site, a sustainable holiday park in the Lake District. “It is wonderful that His Majesty The King will give his name to these prestigious Awards,” says Minister for Enterprise Kevin Hollinrake. “Her Late Majesty left an enduring legacy of support for outstanding entrepreneurs, and the continuation of these Awards will make sure they recognise hardworking individuals up and down the country long into the future.” Minister for Civil Society Stuart Andrew adds: “I’m delighted The King will continue the legacy of Her Late Majesty. I look forward to seeing the outstanding achievements the Awards mark in the coming year. The King’s Award for Enterprise will continue to celebrate the very best and shine a light on the inspiring work that supports our economy.” Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II said of the Awards in 2018: “Having watched the Awards established in my name grow in stature and influence, I continue to be impressed by the way that they have given opportunity to big organisations and small, enabling them to project themselves on the world stage.”
By attaching His Majesty’s name, The King has emphasised his desire to continue Queen Elizabeth’s legacy Photo PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
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His Majesty, pictured here in 2022, has hosted the annual Royal Reception for Award recipients on behalf of HM Queen Elizabeth II since 2018
A brief history of the Awards
• Instituted by Royal Warrant in 1965, The Queen’s Awards to Industry scheme was recommended by a committee chaired by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and the first Awards were made in 1966. • In 1975, recommendations of a review led to the scheme becoming the Queen's Awards for Export and Technology, with separate Awards for outstanding achievement in each field. • Following a review in 1999, led by HRH The Prince of Wales, the scheme became the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, creating three of the four categories that still exist today: Innovation, International Trade and Sustainable Development.
• A new category, Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility) was introduced in 2016, and the first winners were announced in 2017. • In 2020, the award for Sustainable Development was refocused to align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and to inspire and recognise those who place sustainability at the heart of their organisation. • Since the Award’s inception, more than 7,000 companies have been honoured.
Throughout Her Late Majesty’s 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II was committed to recognising outstanding efforts made by British businesses across the UK
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The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise for businesses awarded a Queen’s
The reception held was once again a glittering occasion, graciously hosted by the then HRH The Prince of Wales, at Buckingham Palace and he was joined by The Princess Royal, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra. 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 the Prince of Wales. Overall, there were 232 awards in 2022, with six companies receiving awards across two categories: International Trade and Innovation, a truly remarkable achievement. The largest category was for those who attained awards in International Trade, where 141 awards were given out, followed by 51 for Innovation and the smaller categories of Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through Social Mobility) had 31 and nine winners, respectively.
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Royal Reception Award in 2022
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In tribute
A lifetime of ser We pay tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Her Late Majesty The Queen was an inspiration to us all, not least the thousands of industry leaders and innovators who’ve been presented with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise since the Awards’ launch in the mid-1960s.
Here, we look back on a remarkable 70-year reign and a life that spanned a World War, a royal wedding that was recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio to 200 million people around the world, the space race and immense technological advances and global change.
September 1940 As the Second World War rages on, London comes under increased attack, with Buckingham Palace hit in a Luftwaffe raid on 13 September 1940, while Princess Elizabeth and her family are in residence.
April 1926 Princess Elizabeth is born at 2.40am on 21 April at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. She is the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who are later to become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
July 1947 Princess Elizabeth’s engagement to Lt Philip Mountbatten is announced by Buckingham Palace. After the couple’s wedding in Westminster Abbey that November, Lt Mountbatten becomes formerly known as the Duke of Edinburgh.
November 1948 The Prince of Wales – now King Charles III – is born. The Princess Royal is born in August 1950, Prince Andrew arrives in February 1960 and Prince Edward is born in March 1964.
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1948 1952
Princess Elizabeth, pictured here in November 1947, with her fiance Lt Philip Mountbatten, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI and Princess Margaret Rose Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images
February 1952 King George VI dies following a prolonged illness and Princess Elizabeth accedes to the throne, becoming Queen Elizabeth II the following year, in June 1953, in the first televised Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey on 21 November 1947 Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images
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vice
November 1965 The Queen’s Award to Industry – which later became known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and has now been renamed The King’s Awards for Enterprise – are launched. This follows an invite to the Duke of Edinburgh by the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, to chair a committee to work out the details of a proposed scheme to award recognition to industrial companies. The aim of the Award is to recognise outstanding achievement by industry either in increasing exports or in technological innovation. 1965 1977
June 2022 HM Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, marking a remarkable 70 years on the throne with a four-day celebration across the UK.
June 2012 The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is celebrated across the world.
April 2016 The Queen celebrates her 90th birthday.
2012 2015 2016
2022
September 2015 The Queen officially becomes the longest-reigning monarch, surpassing the reign of her great grandmother Queen Victoria having passed the milestone of 23,226 days and 16 hours.
June 1977 The Queen’s Silver Jubilee, which marks 25 years on the throne, is celebrated with Commonwealth visits and Jubilee Day, a public holiday, on June 7.
September 2022 The Queen dies peacefully at Balmoral at the age of 96. Her son, Charles, becomes King.
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The Coronation
Crowning glory The world’s eyes were on London on May 6th 2023 as King Charles and Queen Camilla were crowned during a historic day of pageantry
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, places the St Edward’s Crown on to the head of King Charles III | Photo by Alamy
As thousands lined the streets in the pouring rain to cheer, and more than 18 million viewers tuned in to watch it on their TV sets, King Charles and Queen Camilla were crowned in a historic and deeply religious ceremony at Westminster Abbey. “I come not to be served, but to serve,” the King said in his first prayer after reaching the Abbey, before being proclaimed as the “undoubted King” in the first stage of the ceremony. The congregation was then asked to show their homage and service, shouting “God save the King”. Following the two-hour ceremony, the King and Queen took to their Gold State Coach as part of a huge procession through London, flanked by thousands of armed forces personnel. Later waving from Buckingham Palace’s iconic balcony as the RAF Red Arrows painted the sky red, white and blue, the celebratory atmosphere couldn’t be dampened by the very typical British weather.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave Westminster Abbey | Photo by Alamy
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King Charles III with grandson Prince George of Wales on the Buckingham Palace balcony Photo by Alamy
The military procession, the largest of its kind since the 1953 Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, makes its way down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace | Photo by Alamy
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HM Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear
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Interview with LUCY WINSKELL OBE
First of all, can you give us an overview of what the Lord Lieutenant’s role is within The King’s Award scheme exactly? Promotion of the King’s Award for Enterprise is a key role of a Lord-Lieutenant. Here in Tyne and Wear, I’m working with a team of Deputy Lieutenants and the business community to promote and encourage businesses to apply. We are establishing networks to support businesses in developing their applications. We have received great support from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, North East England Chamber of Commerce and others. The King’s Award has been around since 1966. Do you remember when you personally first became aware of the scheme? 1966, when I was just 2, is a long time ago and I am therefore aware of the very great success of the scheme over all those years. Personally I became aware of the award working as a lawyer in the northeast of England where I recall a number of my clients were enthused by the recognition given by the award. 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? These awards have always encouraged and rewarded the very best of British business and I am confident that it will always be the case. Whilst the Awards will need to evolve to reflect ongoing significant change, they will always enshrine the principles of excellence and quality.
And on the flip side, what would you say is the biggest difference between the Britain of 1966 and the Britain of 2022? Would you say that the landscape of the UK, as a place to work in, has changed drastically over the past 50+ years? Innovation, sustainability and diversity all have a much greater prominence in modern British business. International markets have presented huge opportunities for UK companies which could not have been envisaged in 1966. 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? As they have been in existence since 1966 many more people now recognise the prestige of the Awards. The Award winners I have met have highlighted the benefits the Awards have brought to them in terms of profile, growth and international reach, be they large or small businesses. It is an enormous privilege to be able to present the Award, and I have shared in a real sense of pride with employees, customers and the local community. 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 King’s Award benefits from the regard and admiration of other countries for our monarchy and its traditions. Many of the recipients I have met during my term of office have testified to the greater international reach the Award has brought them.
Of course, this year marks the Coronation of King Charles III. What does this landmark event mean to you personally? The King’s Coronation emphasised to me the value and importance of our constitutional monarchy. It was a very great honour to be present at the Coronation and is a day I will never forget. That occasion reflected both history and tradition yet embraced the significant changes which we have seen over the past 70 years. And finally, how do you see the King’s Award developing in the future? The Awards scheme will continue to evolve to reflect change as it arises. I am reminded of the King’s own vision over many years where he has highlighted emerging societal and environmental issues and championed causes long before they became mainstream issues. So, do you think it will still be going strong when Prince George ascends to the throne? The continuity provided by the monarchy gives us hope that - with careful evolution - the Awards will still be going strong whenever Prince George ascends the throne.
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Cumbria Crystal
A winning piece
Finished using an unusual crackle effect, no two awards are exactly the same
Awarded businesses will receive a unique crystal bowl made by the artisan team at Cumbria Crystal
If you’re an avid fan of Downton Abbey, you may well have noticed the stunning crystal glassware that appears in certain scenes. When the Crawley family sit down for a grand dinner, it is Cumbria Crystal’s Grasmere Collection that graces the table – and the company is now at the heart of the King’s Awards, producing this year’s striking looking award. Finished in an unusual crackle effect, the award is created by dipping the glass in a bucket of cold water whilst it’s red hot and then, just before it shatters, it is put back into 1600 centigrade heat and fused back together. As such, no two pieces can be the same. “As the last remaining luxury crystal manufacturer in the UK, with a reputation for quality, we were approached by the King’s Awards Office to make this year’s award,” says CEO of Cumbria Crystal Chris Blade. “All of our products are made by hand,
using heritage processes passed down through the generations. We aspire to make the best handmade crystal in the world, without compromise.” Founded in 1976 by Lord and Lady Cavendish, together with a small group of local business people, an artisan workforce was initially recruited from Stourbridge – historically the heart of the English crystal industry. A team of craftspeople later re- located to Ulverston at the southern edge of the English Lake District, and Cumbria Crystal now employs 14 experts at its factory, where visitors can watch the alchemy of traditional crystal making from the factory’s viewing areas. Each King’s Awards winners’ bowl takes several hours to make, carefully crafted by Cumbria Crystal’s artisan glass makers, using the finest lead crystal. Incredibly highly trained, each of the company’s glass blowers
train for 15 years before they can create the hand crafted pieces the company has become famous for worldwide. Fit for a King To celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation, Cumbria Crystal is crafting a limited edition gold gilded crystal baluster. A true work of art, each baluster takes 10 days to make, with each piece hand blown by Master Blowers Steve McDougal, Andrew Round and Adele Clark before being hand cut by Master Cutter Robert Thomson. The King’s royal cypher and the Coronation emblem are engraved by hand by Master Engraver Anton Satterthwaite, and the crystal is then adorned with 24 carat gold gilding. The baluster pays tribute to Cumbria Crystal’s royal heritage, as in 1985 Queen Elizabeth II was gifted a pair of gold gilded balusters after visiting the factory.
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Cumbria Crystal’s Grasmere Collection features in ITV’s Downton Abbey
All of Cumbria Crystal’s products are made by hand
And another thing… Cumbria Crystal’s Helvellyn collection is used by virtually all of the British Embassies and Consulates around the world for formal entertaining, and a whisky tumbler from its Grasmere collection was used by James Bond in Casino Royale. Did you know? • Glass can only be called crystal if it contains a minimum of 24% lead oxide in its raw materials. Glass with over 30% is called full-lead crystal; anything else is simply ‘glass’. • In order to achieve the highest quality crystal possible, the team at Cumbria Crystal melts its glass (a mix of high quality silica sand, soda, manganese, lime and lead oxide, the exact recipe a closely guarded secret) slowly over a whole weekend in its two 500kg furnaces. • Humans have been making glass for 5,000 years, and its origins can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia, now known as the Middle East.
Find out more about Cumbria Crystal, its collections, its factory visits and its online shop at cumbriacrystal.com
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MULTI-AWARD WINNER INTERVIEW
AIS
Winning a King’s Award is a significant achievement for any company or organisation, big or small. Indeed, any business which has been bestowed with the accolade will testify just how much they had to ‘earn the right’ to fly that prestigious flag outside their HQ. While winning a single King’s Award is a feat in itself, it’s fair to say repeating that success - being the recipient of more than one Award - is a hugely impressive triumph. Maintaining the high levels of success and excellence required to be a double-award winner is a truly immense challenge. There are companies and organisations that can proudly lay claim to this distinct honour, several of which can be found within these very pages. However, there is - for the precious few - a level of attainable achievement within the King’s Award strata that’s even higher still - the multi-award winner. There are some organisations
What does it mean to you to be a multi-award winner? With such high judging standards, being able to call ourselves multi-award winners for the King’s Award is special. The latest Award is particularly satisfying since much of our export growth happened during the Covid-19 pandemic and was largely due to our versatile teams finding ways to navigate the challenges. Some of the UK’s most distinguished businesses are multi Queen’s and King’s Award winners, so we are in good company.
Why have you continued to apply for more awards over the years? Each entry is a way of benchmarking ourselves, and winning not only gives us more credibility but is also good for employee morale. Our success in the Innovation category over the years shows that we are progressive, and International Trade Awards -such as this year’s - reinforces our reputation as a company with a global reach.
across this great nation of ours that can - compelled to go well above and beyond in their efforts - puff out their collective chests with substantial pride and say “We have three or more awards.” Suffice to say, these companies are few and far between. One such company is AIS. Formerly known as Advanced Insulation Systems, this global leader in the engineering, manufacture and application of insulation and passive fire protection systems has no fewer than FIVE King’s Awards to its name in both the International Trade and Innovation categories. We sat down for a brief chat with Managing Director Andrew Bennion to find out more about the perks, privileges and pressures of being a multi-award winner:
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What are the benefits of winning multiple awards? Winning multiple King’s Awards shows that the company continues to grow and certainly helps us attract more talent in a highly competitive market. The most prestigious - and toughest to win - each Award is a testament to the huge contribution of every team member. How do you celebrate being a multi-award winner? As we have in the past, we are going to commemorate this year’s success with everyone at the company to acknowledge the hard work of all teams at AIS. What advice or tips would you give anyone considering applying? It is always good to celebrate your success as a company, and every business has a story to tell. Applying for a King’s Award for Enterprise
And finally, could you please share some thoughts on what the King’s Coronation means to you? Whilst this historic day marked the end of an era after the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we at AIS are optimistic that UK businesses will continue to flourish under His Majesty, King Charles III.
is a good opportunity to gather information from different teams within the business. It will also reveal a lot about the key contributions throughout each team. Be sure to start your application early, as there is a lot of information to gather. The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious awards for a reason!
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2023
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 bowl. 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 2023: a breakdown
STATISTICS
2023 Awards by category The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2023 include: 78 awards for International Trade 47 awards for Innovation 15 awards for Sustainable Development 9 awards for Promoting Opportunity One business was a double award winner: SureScreen Diagnostics Ltd - winners of International Trade and Innovation
The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2023 Total number of award winners across the UK: 90 % of 2023 winners are SMEs The graphic shows the distribution of these 2023 Award winners across the United Kingdom. 149
SCOTLAND Winners 11
NORTHERN IRELAND Winners 3
NORTH EAST Winners 1
NORTH WEST Winners 19
YORKSHIRE & THE HUMBER Winners 12
WEST MIDLANDS Winners 10
EAST Winners 21
WALES Winners 5
EAST MIDLANDS Winners 14 13
SOUTH EAST Winners 24
LONDON Winners 20
SOUTH WEST Winners 16
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A QUEEN’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE The benefits of winning… A KING’S AWARDS 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 Awards 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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2023
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’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.
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.
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.
www. kingsawardsmagazine .com
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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.
King’s Awards Magazine 2023
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JUDGE’S NAME Lesley Batchelor CBE CATEGORY International Trade
The UK is a leader in technologies and innovative design and the world expects a lot from us
AREA OF INTEREST All aspects of International Trade & Export
A much-admired champion of exporters, Lesley Batchelor runs Exportbootcamps.com, an expert accredited training company that helps businesses identify international opportunities and focus on new export market growth. Hailing from a blue-chip background, Ms Batchelor is active on the APPG Advisory Panel on Trade & Investment and has given evidence to House of Lords Select Committees on Government support for SMEs. She also writes thought leadership pieces for many journals, and is frequently sought out by TV and radio stations for comment on international trade issues. A graduate of Coventry University, the Institute of Export, and the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Lesley was awarded an OBE in 2014 for services to business and has been elevated to a CBE in 2023 in recognition of her work promoting International Trade.
strategy as they tailor their approach to the specific needs of that market. As the panel are all experienced in international trade they will understand that it’s complex. We do, however, feel more confident if it is clear in the application. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING'S AWARDS WINNER, AS YOU SEE IT Winning the King's Award for any business brings recognition to the staff, the suppliers, the local community and most importantly, to the international customers around the globe. It represents years of hard work and a great honour for the company. And it is very well deserved.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE KING'S AWARDS? When I was asked to become a judge, I was completely bowled over! The work that UK businesses do internationally is often unsung, and I believe that the King's Award for them is recognition of their achievements. Being part of this process is so rewarding. WHY DO THE KING'S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? Exporting is all about communication and the King's Award is a brilliant tool to help businesses prove their credentials and authenticity. HM The Queen is highly regarded and valued across the globe and this makes the Awards easy to translate into goodwill and sustainable trade. A photo of the County Lord Lieutenant in full regalia handing over the award speaks in every language and every export market of the World. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A KA JUDGE? Each year we receive a weighty parcel by registered delivery that contains all the shortlisted case studies. It takes a very long time to read but rewards you with the greatest stories of success, often unusual approaches and always innovative businesses. WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS KING'S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? One of the interesting takeaways from the applications I’ve noticed is that the Corporate Social Responsibility section is now full of great ideas and full business engagement with the local community. WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A KING'S AWARD? When applying for the King's Award in International Trade you need to be able to articulate your strategy and approach with clarity - this is harder than it sounds. Companies often have several strands to their export
DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS
Businesses that succeed globally have many of the same attributes. The main one is focus, which manifests itself in many ways but those that are well prepared are well received in new markets. Making assumptions about a new market often leads to problems in the initial stages and can make a sustainable relationship harder to achieve and lead to loss of profit. As the saying goes ‘failing to plan is planning to fail!’The UK is a leader in technologies and innovative design and the world expects a lot from us, especially moving forward into new markets. ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD… Each year I look forward to reading the applications and seeing how brilliant the UK is. However, I’d love to have more entries and more businesses trading globally and finding the pleasure of being part of a global force for good. As Thomas Jefferson said; "Commerce and honest friendship for all."
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 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.
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.
King’s Awards Magazine 2023
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