Manufacturing expert set to stick around after receiving MBE

TJ Duncan-Moir with her MBE

Management consultant Tracey-Jane Duncan-Moir has officially received her MBE at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Duncan-Moir, who runs the Business Glu consultancy, spent 30 years working in the manufacturing industry, before she set up her own business in February 2020.

She receied the recognition from the Princess Royal, and says that when she found out about the honour, last May, she couldn’t quite beliebve it.

“Back in May when I was emailed the notification, I thought it was a hoax as didn’t expect to receive it this way,” she said. “After calling the cabinet office I was told Congratulations and, yes, it was true.”

Duncan-Moir received her MBE for service to Female Entrepreneurship and Business recovery from Covid-19.

In lockdown she worked with a company remotely to guide through diversifying from manufacturing with aerospace companies to manufacture PPE, engineered disposable laryngoscope, a ventilator valve, and an internal vehicle screening.

She said: “I communicated with MPs and utilised all my contacts to get the products to the NHS, GP surgeries, food and frink providers, care homes and everywhere possible. Some of the products were supplied to the Nightingale Hospital and a very well-known food manufacturer.

“Together we got the products EN, CE Marked and DVSA approved to help sustainability of the products and business beyond Covid.2

On meeting HRH Princess Anne, Duncan-Moir said: “She asked me of my manufacturing background and if it was British, I responded that 100% as that is what is important to me. er words that what I was doing was fantastic because there are so many SMEs out there that need the support I give, was quite humbling, I don’t feel what I do is so huge merely what I am passionate about and my job.

“The day was quite surreal. The staff were so warm and personable making it a very special day. To have the Princess Royal know what I do and commend me on – it was amazing.”

Duncan-Moir says she has found it hard to accept the recognition at such a high level as her previous awards – including Businesswoman of the Year, Director of the Year and Woman in Manufacturing weren’t celebrated by the family business she was then working for.

She added: “Since leaving the manufacturing business I had been in for 30 years I have been offered some fabulous opportunities; employment offers, executive memberships, business acquisition but after stepping back I listened to those who supported me and recognised my knowledge and skills, and with my passion for helping others, I made the decision to start up my own company Business Glu.”

Duncan-Moir has made an impressive start to her entrepreneurial career: Since Business Glu was incorporated, she has secured R&D tax credits of over £250,000, business growth of over 46%, turnover and profit increases of over 52% and increases in staff and productivity of above 35%.

She said: “I am grateful for all the good people I have had around me in the past three years to get me to the point that my work is recognised with an MBE. I’m not the hero in this, the businesses I work with are.

2Today my work just doesn’t feel like a job, and I go to work every day excited for what’s next.”

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