The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is an awards programme for British businesses and other organisations who excel in one of four categories: international trade, innovation, sustainable development or promoting opportunity through social mobility.
Promoted by the Devon Lord Lieutenant’s Office, the Award is the most prestigious award a UK based company can win and just 200 of these significant accolades are given out each year.
Plympton-based Artemis Optical Limited, were recognised in the Innovation Award category. Artemis is a world renowned company with almost 70 years’ experience in the design and application of high precision, technically differentiated, optical thin film coatings for the photonics industry involving light technology.
It is one of the UK’s largest independent coatings providers with a client portfolio that includes blue chip original equipment manufacturers in the defence, aerospace, security, photonic surgery, medical and analytical instrumentation sectors. Overseas sales grew by 65% across the three-year period with top markets including the United States, Europe, India, Australia, the Middle East and the Far East.
It positioned itself in an advisory capacity leading to new contracts and developed more complex solutions for technically challenging market requirements across a broad spectrum of commercial and defence applications. The company has won the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years.
Stonehouse-based Services Design Solution Ltd were recognised in the Sustainable Development category. The company started trading in 2004 and provides consulting engineering focused on sustainable construction, supporting the delivery of zero-carbon developments.
They design innovative, energy-efficient functional engineering systems for hospitals, schools, universities, public buildings, commercial and industrial developments. Employing 70 staff, the company has a turnover of £5.6m, with an impressive growth rate and donate one per cent ofrevenue to good causes. The business has set performance targets on social matters, including expanding sustainable sales, volunteer hours, charitable giving and training.
They are awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development through their strong strategic focus, helping drive the sector forward, and achieving results through leadership and commitment.
The awards are valid for five years and winners are invited to a royal reception at Buckingham Palace and presented with the award at their company premises by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon. In addition, winners are able to fly the Queen’s Awards flag at their main office, and use the emblem on marketing materials such as packaging and adverts.
