Accolade from Queen for fast-growing wound care innovator
CHAMPAGNE corks were popping when fast-growing wound care specialist Crawford Healthcare was presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2016.
Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs visited the Knutsford, Cheshire headquartered company to present the certificate and glass vase to chief executive Richard Anderson in front of scores of staff.
In his presentation speech Briggs – the Queen’s representative in Cheshire – told the gathering the company had won the highest award any company can win in the UK.
And he hailed the science industry sector in the county saying: “People think Cheshire is county of green fields and dairy cows, but is the hub for one of the most important industries in the UK and Crawford Healthcare is right at the heart of that.
“Crawford spends £2m a year on research and development, more than its competitors.
“The company has grown its turnover from £11m to £25m in seven years (since Anderson bought the company) and is targeting £100m annual revenue by 2020, and is currently the fourth largest advanced wound care company in the UK.”
And he added: “This award is the Queen’s way of saying ‘thank you for what you do for Britain, it is hugely deserved’.”
Meanwhile, Anderson said: “This company is a true North West success story. I’ts based on strong values and beliefs which we demonstrate every day – trust, loyalty nimbleness and fun.”
He said the Cheshire region had a heritage of innovation in life sciences businesses and Crawford Healthcare was “proud to be part of that”.
“We’ve got a very important role to play in the local economy and as part of the Northern Powerhouse, which I am passionate about,” he said.
And he hailed the expansion of the company, which has recruited key staff from giants like Astra Zenica and now has sites in Philadelphia, Dubai and Munich, employing 150 people.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, and I am grateful to all the people in the company, because it’s all down to them.”
Crawford hit the headlines recently with a new treatment for chronic wounds developed alongside the University of Manchester which stands to save the NHS more than £125m a year in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
With more than 5,000 major limb amputations taking place each year in England at a cost of about £25,000 per operation, Crawford’s new silver-based wound dressing KerraContact Ag prevented a near certain leg amputation at an NHS hospital following the failure of traditional antibiotic treatment.
