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.
King’s Awards Magazine 2023
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