The first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise have been announced today (21 April), celebrating the achievements of UK businesses, with 13 awards bestowed on East Midlands companies.
Minister for Enterprise Kevin Hollinrake said: “I congratulate the first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise, who exemplify the talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of British business.
“I wish them every success and commend the invaluable contributions they make to communities both at home and overseas, helping to grow the UK economy.”
The King’s Awards for Enterprise was previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. The Award programme, now in its 57th year, has awarded over 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965.
This year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise are given for outstanding achievement in Innovation, International trade, Sustainable development, and Promoting opportunity (through social mobility).
His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year.
The recipients from the East Midlands include:
Innovation
Archaeological Research Services – Bakewell
MasterMover – Ashbourne
SureScreen Diagnostics – Derby
The Alternative Pallet Company t/a PALLITE Group – Wellingborough
International trade
Blanson – Leicester
Brian James Trailers – Daventry
Fulkrum Technical Resources – Corby
SureScreen Diagnostics – Derby
Upperton Pharma Solutions – Nottingham
Valour Consultancy – Grantham
Viridian International t/a Viridian Nutrition – Daventry
Sustainable development
Anpario plc – Worksop
Trade & DIY Products – Wirksworth
David Campbell, director of SureScreen Diagnostics, a double winner, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been announced as double King’s Awards winners in recognition of what was a huge company-wide effort to develop and manufacture lateral flow tests that helped save lives both in the UK and in countries around the world at the height of the COVID pandemic.
“It is a wonderful testament to the hard work across the whole team, but what makes this fitting is that our company has been built on scientific innovation and has always exported a significant volume of our products, so these awards reflect the ethos of SureScreen Diagnostics from the very beginning.
“However, they also point to an exciting future. Our work during the pandemic has built a strong platform for our company which promises to help millions of people by giving them the ability to take control of their health and diagnose issues early through fast and reliable testing at home or in clinical settings.
“Reducing waiting times for diagnoses is at the heart of improving healthcare. Whether it be workplace testing for drugs and alcohol, home wellness screening or infectious disease testing at the GP, we will be ready to help catch issues early and help prevent them before they arise.”
Blanson Managing Director Andy Turner said: “We are delighted that Blanson’s expertise and experience have been recognised by His Majesty The King with this award. For nearly 60 years we have been dedicated to leading the way in developing acrylic products that meet unique challenges in terms of pressure, visual clarity and biocompatibility. This award shows that we are at the top of our field and is a testament to the excellent reputation that British manufacturing holds on the global stage.”
