Fifteen Yorkshire firms have today received regal recognition for their exemplary performance.
Innovation and international trade has been acknowledged in the most prestigious of annual awards, with the Buckingham Palace list showing plenty of bloom and boom in the white rose county.
Leeds-based financial services-focused creative marketing agency OTB has been honoured in the international trade category. The past three years have seen a 560 per cent increase in export sales from 22 per cent to 52 per cent of the overall business within three years, having launched in 2006.
Mark Davies, chairman, said: “We see the award as recognition of our team’s hard work and we are truly delighted, but these are exceptional times and our thoughts are with everyone, here in the UK and around the world.”
“Our passion is innovation and we provide an invaluable resource for some of the largest financial organisations in the world as their businesses go through the biggest change in the industry’s history. We are extremely proud of our overseas work especially in the finance sector, and it is a real privilege to receive this award which recognises our work in this fast-paced global marketplace.”
According to managing partner, Jo Waddington, the company brings a “unique blend of creative expertise and cutting edge communication strategies”. OTB works with global teams for clients who manage activity relevant to all regions across the world. “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised for our international work and it will be an honour to accept the award this summer,” she added.
Joining them is Wakefield-based AES Limited, headed by James Fawkes. Launched in his garden shed in 1992. It supplies products that protect critical electrical and electronic wiring assemblies in the automotive industry. An 11-strong team serves 37 international markets, with a US office opened in 2016.
“For a small business from Wakefield to share such an achievement with the giants of British industry is staggering, and we are just thrilled to have won this award,” he said. “I started this business in my 10ft by 8ft garden shed and spotted ‘a gap in the market’ to distribute conduit systems and connector interfaces that protect critical wiring in commercial and off-highway vehicles.
“Today, we are global leaders. It’s incredible just how far we have come and is testament to the skills and expertise of AES Limited’s employees. I would like to thank all staff members, both in the UK and in our US office; it’s a wonderful accomplishment for all the team!”
Since the awards’ inception in 1965, more than 7,000 companies have won a Queen’s Award, with several multiple winners. Businesses get to use the sought-after badge for five years on all marketing and promotional activity.
Crowned in the county... the full list:
Innovation
BigChange Ltd, Leeds. Business management software for tradespeople and mobile workers.
CarnaudMetalbox Engineering, Shipley. Developer of high-performance metal forming and finishing machinery for consumer-focused production.
CPOMS Systems Ltd, Skipton. Innovative software for child protection and safeguarding concerns in education.
GBUK Banana, Selby. Product Versal provides healthcare professionals with a safer way of re-positioning or transferring patients.
Pryor Marking Technology, Sheffield. Robotic laser system developer, bringing improved marking of vehicles during manufacture.
- Teledyne Defence & Space, Shipley. Innovative frequency converter for small, low weight telecommunications satellites.
- Twinkl, Sheffield. Online educational publishing house.
International Trade
Auto Electrical Supplies Ltd, Wakefield. Distributor and exporter of systems for commercial, construction and agricultural vehicles.
- John King Chains Ltd, Sherburn in Elmet. Producer of conveyor chains and sprockets to continual process industries
BTL Group Ltd, Saltaire. Design and development of exam creation software and associated services for test delivery, training and consultation.
- Loadhog Ltd, Sheffield. Design and manufacture of returnable transit packaging solutions.
- Outside The Box, Leeds. Creative marketing agency.
- Shulmans LLP, Leeds. Law firm specialising in work with overseas companies who wish to operate in the UK.
- Techbuyer Ltd, Harrogate. Purchase, sale and refurbishment of high quality, cost-effective enterprise IT infrastructure.
- Turner & Townsend Ltd, Leeds. Global building programme management.
