Companies across the West of England have been recognised with Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
The awards are the highest 海角视频 Government accolade for a British business and are presented on the Queen’s birthday each year. They are for outstanding achievement and are valid for five years.
Businesses across the region have been named on the 2020 list in categories covering innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.
We take a look at the companies in the South West that have picked up one of these prestigious awards this year.
Somerset
Netcraft, Bath
Security testing and internet analysis business Netcraft is one of only three companies to scoop two awards this year - in the innovation and international trade categories.
The company, which is based in Bath and employs 57 people, provides internet security services, including cybercrime disruption, app security testing and automated vulnerability scanning.
“Although our customers are spread all over the world, we recruit locally,” said Mike Prettejohn, director of Netcraft.
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“Students and alumni from Bath & Bristol universities have made substantial contributions to the services that have won these awards.”
The company was founded in 1987 and was previously known as Lambda Consultants, before changing its name to Netcraft in 1994.
Inspecs, Bath
海角视频 eyewear designer Inspecs has won a prize in the international trade category.
The company floated on the London Stock Exchange in February, and raised £23.5million in its initial public offering (IPO).
Robin Totterman, who founded the business in 1988, said: “This award acknowledges our stellar international growth whilst cementing our vision to provide the highest standard of design and manufacturing of eyewear products to consumers across the globe.
“I wish to thank the Queen’s Award panel for recognising us, as well as our great team, who have been instrumental in building such a successful business.”
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Kaiasm, Frome
Kaiasm is a data visualisation online toolkit that has won a Queen’s Award for innovation.
The service uses human-guided artificial intelligence and big data to create market insight for organisations.
The Somerset-based business works with clients including the NHS, Lloyds Banking Group and EY.
Wiltshire
BG Automotive, Swindon
The 91-year-old automotive parts company has scooped an international trade award.
The company, which is the aftermarket division of the British Gaskets Group, employs 90 people in Swindon.
BG Automotive supplies automotive giants Jaguar Land Rover and Caterpillar as well as the rail and aerospace, white goods and domestic appliances, oil and gas, agriculture and electronics industries.
Gloucestershire
Berwin Industrial Polymers, Lydney
Berwin Industrial Polymers designs and manufactures rubber compounds for tyres, mats and industrial products.
The company, which was founded in 1953, has scooped a Queen’s Award for international trade. Berwin employs 78 people at its site.
A spokesperson said: "We are over the moon to have won a Queens Award for International Trade 2020; its recognition for all the hard work put in at all levels within the company to enable its continued growth internationally as well as within its home market."
Red Savannah, Cheltenham
海角视频 travel company Red Savannah has scooped an international trade award.
The business was founded in 2011 by George Morgan-Grenville and offers high-end, tailor-made holidays and villas.
George said: “Such an award would be welcome at any time, but in the present environment it gives me particular pleasure to see the dedication of the Red Savannah team recognised at such a high level."
He added: “My sincerest thanks go out to our hard-working staff and loyal client base, who have enabled us to turn what started as a dream in 2010, into a successful and dynamic business in 2020. Despite the current crisis, we look forward to an even brighter future.”
The firm employs 22 people.
DPS Designs, Coleford
The Gloucestershire-based design and engineering company has been awarded an international trade prize.
DPS Designs, which manufactures chocolate moulds, also makes tools for a range of industries including the aircraft sector.
The business was founded in 1995 and many of the team were previously chocolatiers, according to the company’s website.
Sebastian Down said: "We're delighted to be recognised in the Queen’s Enterprise Award.
"It’s a huge achievement for a business like ours to win an award of this kind and is down to the creativity and hard graft of our team in the Forest of Dean.
"With the support of our customers and suppliers we hope to use it as a springboard for further growth.”
Tomcat, Gloucester
Tomcat designs and manufactures custom-built disability trikes and equipment for children and adults with special needs.
The company, which was founded in 1997, has received an innovation award for its work.
“Over the past twenty years, Tomcat has helped thousands of children who each have a unique story to tell,” a statement by managing director Bob Griffin states on the company’s website.
“We have built a reputation for excellence, and a willingness to take on challenges through our readiness to innovate, that other companies were unable or unwilling to match.”
He added: “My team are very proud to have won this new Queen’s Award for innovation, because not only will it encourage the non-disabled community to adopt a heathier, greener form of transport, it will also help bring an understanding of what is personally achievable to the disabled adult community – an ever-growing section of society that is so often ignored."
The company was also presented with a Queen’s Award for innovation in 2013.
Bristol
Triodos Bank
Ethical bank Triodos has won a sustainable development award.
The bank was recognised for demonstrating a strong sustainability ethos and leading the way in creating a more sustainable approach in the banking sector.
It was praised for a clear focus to use money consciously as a catalyst for sustainable change.
Dr Bevis Watts, chief executive of Triodos Bank 海角视频, said: "This award coincides with a significant moment in time for us all, including the financial sector, given the challenges of Covid-19.
“We hope that as society recovers, the learnings from this crisis provide an opportunity for all banks to refocus on their role in society and consider the long-term welfare of customers in all their investment decisions.
"Triodos will continue to play a key role in encouraging this transition.”
Ignition DG
Exhibition, events and experiences company Ignition has scooped a sustainable development award.
Founded in 2007, Ignition has offices in Bristol and Indianapolis, in the US, and employs 28 people.
The business works across the retail, pharmaceutical, healthcare, education, aerospace and defence, engineering and manufacturing, construction, and food and drink sectors.
“We are in the people business and well known for always going the extra mile for our clients,” chief executive Sam Rowe writes on the company’s website.
Babbasa
The social enterprise has won an award for promoting opportunity through social mobility.
The Babbasa Programme supports young people from ethnically diverse communities to pursue their professional ambitions.
Since 2013 the organisation says it has helped more than 2,200 young people to build confidence or move into work, education, or business – with around 300 joining its programmes each year.
Babbasa’s founder and CEO Poku Osei said: “We launched Babbasa in 2013 with a simple vision to help young people who are being disadvantaged to realise their career ambitions.
“It’s an immense honour to be recognised on a national level.
“It’s a real testament to the commitment of our young people, mentors and employers, as well as the dedication of my team, who have supported over 2,200 young people since our inception.”
CameraForensics
The company has been rewarded for its work helping law enforcement to detect and prevent online crime – particularly child sexual exploitation – with a Queen’s Award for innovation.
The business was founded by Matt Burns in 2011 and currently employs six people at its offices in Bristol.
Matt said: “It’s an honour to receive a Queen’s Award. Our core mission is to help law enforcement safeguard more victims of child sexual exploitation. We hope exposure from this prestigious accolade will help us to continue achieving that.”
Commercial Director Dave Ranner added: “Our whole team is very excited to receive this award. We are a company of technology innovators, but our inspiration comes from our users and collaborators around the world who take the tools that we develop and use them to safeguard children.”
Unify Communications
Cloud and telecoms communication company Unify has been awarded a prize in the innovation category.
The company was founded by Russell Attwood in 2012 and now has 32 staff based in Bristol. The business works with global brands including Shell, Nuffield Health, Capita and Addison Lee.
Russell said: "We are honoured to be presented with a Queen’s Award, the most prestigious award for British businesses.
"It’s tremendous recognition for our team to have their hard work and expertise recognised in this way and a powerful reflection of the skill, commitment and culture which lies at the heart of our business.
"The progress we have made as a business since we started in 2012 has exceeded all of our expectations and we can’t wait to see what the future holds."
Devon
Plymouth Citybus
Winner in the Promoting Opportunity category, the company, which has 561 employees has been honoured for creating and inspiring routes for people into work for people who feel marginalised by a lack of opportunities including young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, disabled residents, those from ethnic minorities and women.
The company has been providing employment and education, raising aspirations and creating opportunities to enable mobility through respect and equality.
Richard Stevens, managing director of Plymouth Citybus and Go South West, said 'We are over the moon to have not only been shortlisted for a Queen’s Award, but go on and win one for social mobility.
“It is a huge honour and really goes to show the amount of pride each and every member of the team takes in providing a valuable service.
“I am extremely proud that Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall bus again punch above its weight and achieve something that is truly remarkable. We will soon be putting plans in place of how we celebrate this with all.”
Packexe
This Exeter-based firm has developed a unique and innovative glass management tool used by Fire and Rescue services worldwide, and this has landed it the Innovation award.
The firm also makes carpet, hardfloor, Interior surface self adhesive protection film for home DIY or the building industry. It employs 16 people.
Medicare Colgate
Cullompton-based International Trade winner sells equipment such pasteurisers and consumables for Donor Human Milk Banks. It employs 13 staff.
The Natural Mat Company
Exeter-based mattress maker has won the Sustainable Development honour. All the ingredients that go into its Naturalmat product are 100% natural and from a sustainable resource that is harvested according to Fair Trade principles.
All mattresses are made by hand in a purpose-built factory in Topsham, on the banks of the River Exe, employing 28 people.
A spokesman said: “It is with a great sense of pride that Naturalmat, whose committed team have been quietly crafting organic, beds and mattresses from sustainable and renewable materials in Devon for over 20 years now, receives this award.
“Naturalmat’s mission is to create a healthier sleep environment to benefit not only the health and well-being of those using the products, but also a greener supply, manufacture and disposal process to benefit the wider environment.”
Cornwall
Cut4Cloth Limited trading as Frugi
Double winner Frugi creates beautiful ethical and organic clothing for children, mothers and mothers-to-be. It is based in Helston and employs 80 people. The business triumphed in the International Trade and Sustainable Development categories.
Frugi styles itself as the 海角视频’s leading organic children's wear brand and uses certified organic cotton with outerwear made from recycled plastic bottles. It has been expanding operations with a recent acquisition of TotsBots, a reusable nappy brand.
True, the retail and consumer investment and innovation firm, took a majority stake in July 2018.
Celtic Sheepskin & Co Ltd trading as Celtic & Co
This Newquay-based firm designs, manufactures and sells sheepskin footwear. It also designs and sells of natural fibre clothing.
It has been honoured for International Trade. The company employs 51 people.
Email Hippo Limited
This Innovation award winner is a Launceston-based API (application programming interface) service that checks email addresses. It helps stop fraud and improves communication. Employs six people.