Sixteen companies in South West pick up King’s Awards for Enterprise
Sixteen companies in the South West have been handed the prestigious King’s Award For Enterprise.
This year there was a heavy emphasis on sustainability and food and drink in the South West reflecting the new monarch’s interests.
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 companies on the list include Axminster Tool Centre, Doddl in Gloucestershire and Flexi-Hex in Cornwall.
LearnSci won an award in the innovation category.
The Bristol-based company was founded in 2007, and aims to transform science education and empower teaching teams to inspire the next generation of STEM graduates. The team now supports over 200 university departments across the world with their digital learning solutions.
Employing 30 scientists, web developers, designers and learning specialists, LearnSci develops interactive, problem-solving lab simulations and advanced digital worksheets that enable self-led learning and skills development. Its learning technology accelerates teaching innovation, helps prepare graduates for industry careers, and widens access to science across the world.
Founding Directors, Bill Heslop, John Eastman and Tony Baldwin said: “We are honoured to have our work acknowledged in this way.
“This award belongs to the whole team at LearnSci and we are immensely proud to make a difference to the lives of so many science students and educators around the world.
“It’s especially pleasing to be recognised for innovation in education as this underpins everything we do in the company to create better and more inclusive opportunities for teaching and learning.”
Tewkesbury tech firm Trackwise also won an innovation award. Trackwise manufacture products using circuit board technology.
Philip Johnston, chief executive of Trackwise, said: “We are honoured to have been recognised for the innovation of our technology at the highest level. I would like to thank all our colleagues for their continued creative input, hard work and dedication in making this possible.”
Other winners include Ultramed, Advanced Innergy, Celtic and Co, Charter Brands and the Creamery.
Cornwall based Feritech Global was founded in 2015 by Rob Ferris and Gemma Ferris. It is an advanced engineering company specialising in designing and building products that are used in extreme marine environments.
The company won the King’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over three years. In the period under review, Feritech demonstrated overseas earnings growth of 1,210 per cent. The company trades in more than 40 countries around the world, including the USA, France, Germany and Singapore.
Rob Ferris, said: “This is a huge honour for our business and fantastic recognition for our dedicated team and all their hard work. When we founded Feritech, we challenged ourselves to develop world-leading products that would set new standards in our industry. That approach has served us really well, and we now have the privilege of working with great customers around the world.”
Ideal Foods, Scymaris and chocolate maker Moo Free also won the prestigious award.
Clayworks in Cornwall and Little Pod in Devon, which works with vanilla pod farmers, were included in the list of South West winners.
