West Midlands businesses honoured in King’s Awards
The West Midlands has seen 21 of its businesses recognised in the King’s Awards for Enterprise, out of a total of 252 recipients nationwide.
The Awards are designed to recognise and encourage outstanding achievements in the fields of Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity through social mobility.
Now in its 58th year, it is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.
Notable recipients include Aston Martin, Horiba Mira, Unity Trust Bank and the Birmingham County FA.
Here are the West Midland’s winners told TheBusinessDesk.com:
Innovation
Multifleet Vehicle Management
Simon Shiner, chief finance officer and Steve Whitmarsh, managing director
Trading as runyourfleet, the Henley-in-Arden-based firm now has a customer base of over 1,200 businesses across the UK, providing fleet management services for more than 32,000 vehicles.
Its customers range from accountancy firms to NHS ambulance services, and it provides everything from vans, company cars and rental services to salary sacrifice schemes.
Company revenues had grown to £19m in its last financial year, with staff numbers rising by 30% to 37 since 2022.
Steve Whitmarsh, chief executive of runyourfleet said: “We are honoured to receive the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for innovation in recognition of all the hard work our team has put in to developing this platform.
“The flexible architecture used to build the platform is where the true innovation rests, enabling us to develop and launch new modules and services at short notice in response to changing market and customer needs.”
3D Technologies (Moasure)
Moasure is the world’s first motion-based measuring tool. Built using high-performance inertial sensors, packed into a device that fits in the palm of your hand.
Alan Rock, founder and co-CEO, visualised this idea in 2004 to solve a problem he experienced, and 15 years later in 2019 Moasure devices started shipping.
Rock said: “We are deeply honoured by the King’s Awards recognition for both Innovation and International Trade. This dual accolade marks a significant milestone for Moasure, driving our passion for continuous innovation and excellence. As our team expands and our customer base grows, we are excited to push the boundaries of technology even further. At Moasure, we are dedicated to consistently refining our products and actively exploring the future possibilities within the realm of measurement technology.”
C Brandauer & Co
Rowan Crozier
Brandauer is one of only a select group of companies that have held two different King’s Awards for Enterprise titles simultaneously.
The Birmingham-based company, a leading presswork and tooling specialist, has been recognised for ‘Innovation’ after developing a new precision modular tooling concept that will deliver up to £6m of new sales over the next two years.
This has involved the manufacture of globally competitive precision tools that can produce micron accuracy components for use in high-specification construction applications, battery assemblies, MedTech devices and electrification.
The ‘Innovation’ accolade comes just four years after the firm was presented with an International Trade Award from the then Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Rowan Crozier, CEO of Brandauer, commented: “It’s so difficult to get Royal endorsement once, so to get a second Award is a tremendous achievement for the business and reinforces our determination to be world class in everything we do.
“The initial title had already helped us win new contracts, especially in the US where the Royal family are highly revered. I’m hoping the Innovation Award will showcase our new precision modular tooling capability to new audiences and help us achieve our aim of delivering significant growth in this area over the next few years.
S&A Group Holdings
S&A use the latest technology to grow soft fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and asparagus. The group says it delivers the freshest products regardless of whether products are grown in the UK or imported from overseas operations.
Peter Judge, group managing director said: “The Award for Innovation in 2024 reflects the hard work of the S&A team in bringing market changing genetics to growers across Europe and North America and we are truly humbled to be recognised through the Kings Award for Enterprise – Innovation. This follows 2023, when our Lady Emma Strawberry Variety was awarded three stars in the International Taste Institute – Superior Taste Awards.”
Semantics 21
Leaders in digital forensics, Semantics 21 provides categorisation and victim identification products across the world and was the first digital forensic company recognised in 2019 with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation.
Its team has expertise ranging from law enforcement, and software developers to award-winning AI specialists and works to protect the public and save children from sexual exploitation.
Aston Martin
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin said: “As a company with a commitment to innovation, we are incredibly proud to be honoured with this King’s Award for Enterprise, which celebrates both the ingenuity of our craftspeople and the quality of Aston Martin’s bespoke interiors.
“Recognising our combination of handcraft and cutting-edge manufacturing technology, this award highlights the unique composition of our ultra-luxury interiors and how our manufacturing team have gone to extra lengths to ensure the highest level of personalisation is offered to our customers, whilst not compromising on our seat technology’s core functionality.”
Ryse 3D
RYSE 3D, which was formed by Mitchell Barnes in 2017 after printing 3D models for fellow University students, has been recognised for its commitment to ‘Innovation’ after developing 3D printed mould tools that allow UK manufacturers to compete with low-cost overseas operations.
Daily Express. Mitchell Barnes,27, CEO of Ryse 3D in Shipston on Stour. Resin printing. 5th September 2023.
The solution involves developing new materials that work with the additive manufacturing process to create moulds that can be used to make components in production volumes.
“This has been some journey. From replacing my mum’s washing machines in the garage with a few DIY 3D printers to create models at university, to setting up a world class 3D printing factory in Warwickshire and winning one of the hardest to achieve business awards in the world,” explained Mitchell Barnes, founder and one of the youngest Managing Directors to achieve the King’s Award.
“We pride ourselves on disrupting the marketplace and this has seen us win a string of new contracts across the world, printing production performance components for some of the world’s most renowned OEMs.
“40% of our work is now going overseas and this figure is set to grow, with interest coming from five different continents.
“The King’s Award for Enterprise will help reinforce this international expansion and will certainly open new doors for us when pitching to large OEMs, car makers and potential customers in aviation, renewables and the MedTech sector.”
International Trade
Fortress Interlocks
Fortress Safety specialises in machinery safety and interlocking, saving lives by providing the best safety solutions around the world. Established in 1977, the company with headquarters in Wolverhampton employs 141 people in the UK and over 250 in total worldwide.
This accomplishment adds to their previous success with the Queen’s Awards for Innovation in 2007, and International Trade in 2008 and 2018.
Pete Browitt, managing director at Fortress Safety, said: “We are thrilled to be the recipients of the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise. This recognition is a testament to the remarkable growth of our company and the significant increase in our overseas sales, all of which has been made possible by the relentless efforts of our dedicated team and our global network of partners. Receiving this award is a milestone that reaffirms our belief in the work we do and feeds our ambition to grow further and live our purpose of saving lives by providing the best safety solutions”.
3D Technologies (Moasure)
Moasure’s patented technology uses motion to make measurements, leveraging inertial sensors and a proprietary algorithm to deliver an innovative new way to measure.
Founded in 2014 in Warwick, UK, Moasure® successfully launched a smartphone App, that allows users to leverage the motion sensors in their smartphone to take measurements, by simply moving their phone.
Co-CEO Mo Hussain said: “Receiving two King’s Awards for Enterprise is a tremendous honour. It affirms our belief that our measuring technology is truly groundbreaking and has global appeal, while also underscoring the passion, skill, and dedication of our talented team. From the outset, our strategy has been to adopt an ‘international-first’ approach to launching and scaling sales in multiple geographic regions outside of the UK. This strategy has helped us deliver record-breaking sales year after year. Winning the King’s Award for International Trade is a great testament to this.”
The Lawton Tube Company
Fourth-generation, family-owned business The Lawton Tube Company, provides copper and cupro nickel tubes for the electrical, automotive and solar heating industries. It’s added more standard plumbing tubes and coils to its product range as well as moving to supply refrigeration and air conditioning tubes. Company turnover is now in excess of £150m.
Robert Lawton marketing and international sales director said: “Lawton Tubes has been manufacturing and distributing in the heart of the UK, Coventry, for over 100 years but only exporting in the last decade, now into 42 countries.
“Achieving The Kings Award for International Trade is a proud moment for the family owners and the 140 locally employed team. Copper pipe is one of the greenest sustainable products found in construction especially when reused – 100% recyclable without any loss of quality.”
Willo Game
The processors of high-quality wild game are based in the South Shropshire countryside with its premises nestled under the Longmynd ridge, where one of the most southern populations of Red Grouse can still be found.
Willo Game supplies high-quality and innovative Wild Game throughout the country and is found in many of the top Michelin-starred restaurants. The company also export abroad, where prime British Wild Game is seen as a valued product both on the Continent, the Middle East and indeed the Far East.
It told TheBusinessDesk.com: “We are delighted to have won. It is a testament to the hard work Will Oakley and the directors have put in since setting up the business in 2017. It was created by the shooting community to provide a route to market for shot game and the award recognises our success in doing that.”
Slicker Recycling
Slicker Recycling is a market leader leading specialist in the collection and recycling of waste oils and hazardous workshop waste.
Laura Carter, joint managing director said: “It’s incredible news that Slicker Recycling has been honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2024. It’s without a doubt one of the proudest moments of my career. As joint managing director, I have the pleasure of seeing the difference our team makes every single day. They constantly push innovative ideas, whilst grasping and adapting to constant change in the global market – helping to make us a leader in the collection and re-refinement of used lubricating oil.
OOSC Clothing
Nick & Aaron started the business in 2015, combining their love of après and skiing into an old school product – the ski suit.
All of OOSC’s products are sustainable with the majority of clothing from recycled polyester sourced from recycled plastic bottles and organic cotton in all soft goods. In 2022, OOSC relaunched the Yeh Man range in material that actually takes waste out of the Ocean – made from 100% hard-wearing Nylon repurposed from fishing nets and other sea waste
Nick Marsden, co-founder and director said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Kings Award for International trade! OOSC is now sold to over 110 different countries worldwide and it’s truly awesome to get Royal approval for all our efforts in selling our sustainably made skiwear. We put so much effort into the business and to have this kind of recognition is amazing! We look forward to the Royals wearing some OOSC on the mountain soon!”
Arrowsmith Engineering (Coventry)
Arrowsmith Engineering (Coventry) which is part of the rapidly growing ASG Group, has seen overseas sales rocket by nearly 400% following the pandemic, with orders now accounting for 35% of the firm’s annual £7.6m turnover.
Precision components manufactured at its Bayton Road factory in Coventry are sent to global customers in China, France, Germany, Singapore and Spain for end use in aerospace engines, landing gears and air frames.
Plans are now in place to build on strategic partnerships with Incora, ITP, Mecachrome, Parker-Meggitt and Rolls-Royce to take annual sales past £12m over the next two years. This should result in the creation of a further 15 jobs in the UK.
Jason Aldridge, Managing Director of Arrowsmith Engineering, commented: “It has been some turnaround from the very depths of despair during Covid to the renaissance we are seeing now and in the future.
“Civil aviation – a major market for us – literally dropped off the cliff (40% reduction) with the pandemic and we had to show good old-fashioned resilience and a fair bit of business innovation to get through it.
“We also moved with changes in the sector with the location of customer production facilities switching. Thanks to our technical expertise, our ability to add value in design and the financial strength of the ASG Group, we were able to secure contracts in new countries, as well as securing one of the biggest orders to supply parts for the German-built jet plane project called ‘Pearl 700’.
“All of these reasons have contributed to our outstanding short-term export growth and led to us winning the International Trade King’s Award for the second time in our history. It’s a real landmark moment for us.”
SAFEJAWZ
Founded by two contact sports athletes George and Ewan, SAFEJAWZ is a sports mouthguard brand that started in the bedrooms of its founders. The innovative sports protection company has improved access to desirable sports mouthguards for all-level athletes.
George Dyer, director at SAFEJAWZ said: “We’re over the moon to have been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise after 10 years of hard work by the whole team. Our sports mouthguards exist to empower athletes to play with fearless freedom and thanks to the popularity with contact sports athletes all over the world, safejawz.com have been recognised for excellence in international trade.
“In the days of building the brand from our bedrooms, we received a Prince’s Trust grant (which we used for a logo design). To now be recognised by His Majesty The King around 10 years later for our global success is a real honour for us. We’ll get to thank him personally for that grant when we meet The King at the Royal Reception. Pretty Cool.”
Promoting Opportunity
Nuneaton Signs
Nuneaton Signs is a social enterprise, originally set up as a Sheltered workshop by the local authority in 1982.
The signwriter and manufacturer says its core purpose is to provide meaningful employment and training for people with disabilities. More than £3m has been provided in social and economic value.
Holly Hunter, head of social value & marketing said: “We at Nuneaton Signs are extremely honoured to have received the Kings Award for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity. This is a fantastic opportunity for our company, and we are delighted to be able to use this to share all of the important work that we do within our community supporting people with disabilities through the sale and manufacture of signs.
“One of the core areas of our work recognised is our Supported Intern Programme, within which we have been able to offer placements for 13 young people with special educational needs to help them gain employable skills and confidence to help them in their journey in the working world. We hope that this achievement helps to inspire other companies to look at how they recruit and to become more inclusive. This award is a testament to the hard work of our whole staff and the support they offer one another”.
Sustainable Development
Birmingham County Football Association
Birmingham County FA is the not-for-profit governing body for football in Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire.
It’s been awarded a King’s Award for Sustainable Development, for its work on transforming wider social behaviour change by creating decarbonised football at the community grassroots level.
Richard Lindsay, Sustainability & Insights Manager said: “We are truly honoured to receive the Kings Award 2024 for Sustainable Development from His Majesty the King. This recognition is a testament to the organisations commitment in supporting grassroots football make a positive impact on our planet and the local communities we serve. We will continue to strive for excellence in sustainability and drive positive change for a cleaner, greener game.”
Kevin Shoemake, Chief Executive of Birmingham County FA said: “We are thrilled to accept the Kings Award 2024 for Sustainable Development and have our Save Today, Play Tomorrow programme recognised by His Majesty the King. We made a strategic commitment to improve the national game’s impact on the environment within the West Midlands and this fantastic honour is testament to what we’ve already achieved in such a short space of time whilst supporting those in the grassroots game to have a better understanding of the challenges, and make positive changes which will benefit generations to come.
Tyseley Energy Park – Webster and Horsfall Holdings
Tyseley Energy Park (TEP) has been honoured with a King’s Award for its leadership and dedication to advancing sustainable power, transport, heat, waste, and recycling solutions.
Webster and Horsfall, celebrating its 300-year anniversary, is one of the oldest surviving manufacturing companies in the Midlands. TEP, born out of Webster and Horsfall’s legacy, is a leading green technology hub collaborating with academic institutions, industrial partners, and local authorities to drive clean growth and foster green innovation.
David Horsfall, W&H Group’s Head of Property and Sustainability said: “It is a great honour to receive this award which has come as the result of years of collaborative work with a wide variety of inspirational partners, all of whom are passionate about delivering low carbon solutions for a greener, cleaner, healthier Birmingham.”
Robert Horsfall, W&H Group’s Head of Finance and Strategic Projects commented: “Receiving the King’s Award for Sustainable Development is incredibly exciting. Together with our partners, we are now looking to use TEP as a launchpad to help drive the creation of Birmingham’s Green Innovation Quarter which will act as a living laboratory for the city and the region. Our ambition is to create an exemplary sustainable working and living environment and a neighbourhood built by and for the community.”
HORIBA MIRA
Mira Technology Park
HORIBA MIRA is a global provider of automotive engineering, research and test services, with over 70 years of experience in developing some of the world’s most iconic vehicles.
Operating from its highly secure 850-acre Technology Park in Nuneaton, the world-leading centre of excellence has a workforce of over 600 staff.
It’s received its King’s Award for its achievements as an enabler and catalyser of the automotive industry’s path toward net zero vehicles.
Declan Allen, Managing Director at HORIBA MIRA said: “The car is an emblem for society’s determination to decarbonise. This has made our mission at HORIBA MIRA to boldly pursue this goal so very important. We started by looking at our own operations, then we turned our attention to every aspect of the automotive development and verification process.
“I am really pleased that our collective efforts have received the highest accolade from His Majesty King Charles III and I am sure that this will add even more momentum to our work and the growing number of inspiring companies that we support with our solutions and services.”
Triton Showers, a division of Norcros Group
Triton – which employs over 280 people at its Shepperton Business Park headquarters, has been part of Norcros since 1987. The manufacturer is a market leader in the electric shower segment.
It’s been recognised for its work in inspiring people to shower sustainably as it looks to be carbon net zero and provide customers with ever more efficient products.
David Tutton, managing director at Triton, commented: “Given our market-leading position, we believe it is our responsibility to champion the water, energy, and carbon saving benefits of showers at every opportunity. We are therefore delighted to receive a King’s Award for Excellence in Sustainable Development, which is testament to the hard work of everyone within our organisation who is contributing towards delivering change.
“Going forward, we are committed to achieving an ambitious ‘Net Zero by 2035’ target, with a near-term alignment target of 2028. There is a lot more to do but we are moving the dial and delivering solid progress, which makes the recognition we have received from the King’s Award for Enterprise so very special.”
Unity Trust Bank
Unity Trust Bank has been awarded a King’s Award following its work lending to socially-minded organisations across the UK with 100% supporting UN SDGs.
With offices in Birmingham, Manchester and London, Unity offers a range of banking services, including current accounts, savings accounts and loans.
Unity is a Real Living Wage employer, a Fair Tax Mark business, a Women In Finance Charter signatory, a member of the Banking Standards Board and currently holds the Investors in People Gold standard.
Colin Fyfe
Colin Fyfe, CEO of Unity Trust Bank, said: “We’re honoured to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development which recognises how we support socially-minded organisations across the UK and improve the lives of local communities. It’s particularly special to receive this award in the same week that we marked Unity’s 40th anniversary.
“As an ethical bank committed to a ‘double bottom line’ of delivering positive impact and commercial success, we’re so proud that our work in sustainable development has been recognised in this way.
“We believe our approach to supporting our customers to achieve their commercial and sustainability goals can play a crucial role in addressing key social, economic and environmental needs, helping to deliver real change where it is needed most.”
