Winning a Queen’s Award is a great honour for companies; a highly-regarded trophy in exchange for much hard work and convincing results.
And winning an Award, says Guy Mucklow, is often a good way to demonstrate your company is reliable, professional, transparent and trustworthy in the way it transacts business.
Mucklow’s company PCA Predict secured a Queen’s Award for Enterprise Innovation this year and he himself was benefactor of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2014.
Once he provided the signed off auditor’s certificate to confirm his financials, Mucklow later received an email revealing the good news around a month before the official announcement.
‘We were told that any press had to be embargoed until April 21st, Her Majesty’s Birthday.
This was really helpful because it meant we could prepare press material and other communications well in advance,’ he says.
Many of the company’s suppliers, customers and strategic and community partners sent messages congratulating the company on its achievements, something Mucklow saw as hugely gratifying.
Buckingham Palace festivities
‘The event at the Palace itself was incredible,’ says Mucklow. ‘It was such an amazing experience which I will never forget. We got the opportunity to meet some very interesting people who, like us, are passionate about promoting innovation in the UK.
It was interesting to hear the many success stories that ultimately led people to the Palace that evening. We even got the chance to tell the Queen about what we do, and she in turn seemed keen to know that her award could make a difference!’
Just being shortlisted was cause enough for James Poyser, of accountancy service inniAccounts, to celebrate.
The company got shortlisted in December, with Poyser having submitted a very lengthy summary of his innovation in the autumn. ‘I was really pleased to get that far as I know some innovative companies try numerous times to get through,’ he says.
Winning a Queen’s Award is the ultimate accolade, due to the strict criteria and rigorous selection process, he adds. ‘It really was a moment of sheer joy, and gave us permission to reflect on how far we’ve come, and what we’ve achieved.
We’ve worked relentlessly over the last ten years to shake up an old-fashioned industry, by putting innovation at the heart of our business and winning has been the ultimate validation and recognition of our achievements.’
Effect on business
In terms of business impact, the results have been significant, with letters of congratulations from MPs, MEPs, Sajid Javid, and local dignitaries.
‘It’s great to feel that your achievements have been recognised externally,’ Poyser says. ‘Sales have been boosted as a result; we’re the first company in our industry to win this award, and that really sets us apart from our competitors and I’m sure that’s why people are choosing us.’
In terms of indirect benefits, when the company is interviewing for new team members they all comment on the award. ‘It’s really helping us attract top talent. And we’ve found ourselves in a much stronger position when negotiating with third parties,’ Poyser adds.
Clive Jones, managing director of thermal fluid specialist Global Heat Transfer, is another to find that winning a Queen’s Award has stimulated more conversations with new and existing customers about the product.
‘The validation gained from this award puts us in a stronger position to lead the way in the market of thermal fluid maintenance, leading to safer, more efficient systems, with no hidden costs.’
Fran Brosan, chairman of creative agency Omobono, applied to be considered for a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for the last three years, so was thrilled to finally achieve it in 2016.
Brosan sent all her clients a letter, signed by the CEO, to thank them for the essential part they had played in the company’s success, accompanied by chocolates and champagne.
‘Our American clients were particularly complementary about it; The Queen clearly plays well in the USA. And of course we celebrated with all our staff in our offices here in the UK and in the USA. Crowns were worn!’
For Clive Jones, managing director of thermal fluid specialist Global Heat Transfer, winning a Queen’s Award has stimulated more conversations with new and existing customers about the product.
‘This is extremely reassuring, especially when some companies are taking unnecessary risks by lacking correct maintenance for their thermal fluid systems.
‘The validation gained from this award puts us in a stronger position to lead the way in the market of thermal fluid maintenance, leading to safer, more efficient systems, with no hidden costs.’
Further reading on awards
