Eight Welsh businesses have been named among the recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise.
The businesses cover a variety of sectors including industrial lasers, medical equipment, and baking, and are based around the country, from Wrexham to Bridgend and Welshpool.
One Welsh company was awarded for their innovative practices, five for their achievements in international trade and one for their sustainable development.
This year’s recipients include Spectrum Technologies, a global leader in the supply of industrial laser wire-processing equipment for the aerospace industry. Based in Bridgend, they have been recognised in the International Trade category.
Dr Peter Dickinson, Chairman and Chief Technology Officer at Spectrum Technologies, said:
“Spectrum is very excited and proud to be a winner of the King’s Award for Enterprise. The company faced huge challenges with Covid but our team of employees have really pulled together and helped turn a difficult situation around, more than doubling sales over the last few years.
“The King’s Award is a tribute to their combined efforts, as well as a reflection on the company’s global market-leading position supplying specialised laser wire processing equipment to the aerospace industry.”
Bluestone Resort is situated in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside. The park has been designed to reconnect families with nature in a responsible fashion, and as such they have received an award in the Sustainable Development category.
William McNamara OBE, CEO and Founder of Bluestone, said:
“Receiving the King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development is a hugely exciting and rewarding milestone for everyone at Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire.
“Our ethos is centered on the three pillars of sustainable development: actively protecting natural ecosystems, growing the local economy and supporting local communities. This has become our operational blueprint. The King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development gives us many reasons to celebrate, recognising the importance of our work as we continue to protect our planet for future generations.”
The King’s Awards for Enterprise were previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and were renamed two years ago to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, has awarded over 8,000 companies since its inception in 1965.
His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants – the King’s representatives in each county – will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year. One representative from each winning business will also be invited to a special royal reception event.
Eligible businesses are free to apply for one or more categories. The recipients pass a robust assessment process, judged by experts from industry, academia, the voluntary sector, a representative from the Welsh Government and senior officials in Whitehall. On that basis, each year, The King’s Awards for Enterprise recipients are recommended by the Prime Minister.
Richard Harris, Head of Trade at the Welsh Government and a judge on this year’s panel, said:
“It’s an absolute privilege to represent Wales as a judge on the Kings Awards and reviewing and appraising the applications which seem to grow in quality year on year never fails to impress.
“The Kings Award is the gold standard, it means something, for me it’s the benchmark award for quality that can literally open doors and start conversations across the world, enabling companies to access opportunities that ordinarily might not be available and win business.”
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:
“I congratulate all eight Welsh businesses who have won awards. From baking to medical devices to sustainable holidays, their work shows the best of business right across Wales, producing and exporting high quality products and services.”
