King's Awards for Enterprise 2024: Timpson, Hollywood sound specialist and corduroy maker among this year's North West winners

An Oscar-winning sound recording specialist and a high street powerhouse that helps prisoners back into the workplace are among this year’s winners of King’s Awards for Enterprise in the North West.

This year 252 UK companies have been honoured by King Charles as among the best in the country. There are 26 North West winners in fields from AI to corduroy manufacturing and from eyelash extensions to titanium motorbike fittings.

The awards recognise firms for their outstanding achievement in four categories - Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity through social mobility.

Minister for Enterprise Kevin Hollinrake said: “I congratulate the incredible businesses in the North West who have received their King’s Award for Enterprise today.

“They include Timpson who’ve provided crucial employment opportunities to those in need and Digitech Oasis who are exporting British expertise in AI across the globe.

“I wish them every success and commend the invaluable contributions they make to communities both at home and overseas, helping to grow the UK economy.”

Among the winners was Manchester AI specialist Digitech Oasis, which secured an International Trade award.

Its CEO, Ayan Mohamed Ali, said: "For over four years, the team at Digitech Oasis has been on a mission to transform industries through AI, making technology more accessible for all.

"Receiving the King's Award for Enterprise is a tremendous honour and validation of our hard work to push boundaries and deliver exceptional services. It is both a humbling reminder of our responsibility to build back stronger communities and inspiration to continue our journey with renewed vigour and purpose."

The King’s Awards for Enterprise were previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and were renamed last year as King Charles vowed to continue honouring outstanding UK businesses. The programme has recognised more than 7,000 companies since it began in 1965.

Here we focus on some of the North West winners - and we list all the winners below.

Oscar-winning sound specialist renowned in Hollywood sees global sales soar

AMS Neve has already won two Oscars for its work developing sound recording equipment - and now it has won a King’s Award to celebrate its outstanding global growth.

The firm, run by founder and managing director Mark Crabtree, is famous for its sound consoles that are used by blockbuster filmmakers and rock stars.

Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins and Def Leppard are among the musicians who have used the “sound of Neve” on hit records. AMS Neve technology is also used by many filmmakers. The Oscar-winning score of blockbuster film Oppenheimer was recorded and mixed on an AMS Neve console.

AMS Neve has won two scientific and technical Academy Awards for its work on the art and science of sound production and has also won an Emmy and a Grammy as well as Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. Despite its industry recognition, the company itself says it is "better known in Hollywood than its home town of Burnley".

In the past three years, overseas revenue, total turnover and net profits at AMS Neve have doubled. The USA accounts for 55 per cent of overseas sales.

Mark Crabtree said: “To receive the King’s Award for Enterprise is a great honour for the company and our dedicated, world-class, integrated team who continue to innovate and break new ground with cutting-edge digital and analogue sound recording equipment.

“We are a proud British company with a long pedigree of manufacturing the very best quality engineered products that we export around the world.

“All our products are designed and manufactured in the UK at our factory in Burnley, against a trend for off-shoring, requiring significant investment in advanced machinery in order to compete.

“To receive the King’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of our work is really important for the company and extremely encouraging to us all.

“We have previously received three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise so to now be recognised with one of the first King’s Awards is a real honour.”

Toy firm that works with Disney and Marvel sees European success

Global toy supplier Sambro International has been honoured for its international trade success. The Manchester group employs almost 80 people and has licensor relationships with entertainment giants including Disney, Marvel, Hasbro, Paramount and Universal.

Sambro CEO Paul Blackaby said: “To be honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise is a milestone achievement for Sambro and the highest honour that we could receive for a UK business.

“Sambro has a people-led approach to business and I am beyond proud of everything our teams have accomplished in the UK, Amsterdam and Hong Kong too.

“The award recognises a period of growth for Sambro spanning the last three years and the expansion of our European business. We continue to focus on innovation, service provision and differentiation through strong design.

“Our award comes at a time when trade is challenging and is a resounding endorsement of how our business has evolved and will continue to change as we meet market demand.

“It is recognition of how we have continued to professionalise Sambro and all that we stand for – a UK based business with strong international trade.”

Timpson is proud to give second chances to former prisoners

Manchester’s Timpson Group has been commended in the Promoting Opportunity category for its work helping to rehabilitate former prisoners.

Chief executive James Timpson OBE said: “We have received this award due to being one of the largest employers of ex-offenders and others who face barriers to employment in the UK. The work that we undertake in the Timpson Foundation enables us to provide prison leavers and other marginalized groups with a second chance through the offer of employment.

“By being such an inclusive employer, not only are we able to recruit some amazing people into our business but we also help to reduce re-offending which in turn creates fewer victims of crime.

“Without doubt, none of this would be possible without the support and generosity of spirit of our wonderful colleagues who embody our culture of kindness and compassion. We are very proud to have been given this award and it reflects all our hard work and dedication to giving people second chances. We hope it inspires others to do the same.”

Pharmaceutical firm Seda hopes for more global growth

Stockport’s Seda Pharmaceutical Development Services has won an International Trade award for outstanding short-term growth in overseas sales.

It works with biotech companies to develop new drugs. It has recently invested in its team and in its premises and plans to open a “state-of-the art manufacturing facility” this year.

CEO Dr Paul Stott said: “We are absolutely delighted that Seda has been recognised with this most prestigious award. It is a testament to the exceptional service underpinned by scientific excellence that our team consistently delivers which has been the key driver of our recent growth.

“Global partnerships now account for more than half of our business and, based on our increasing global reach and enhanced service offering, we expect that share to grow significantly over the coming years.”

AI system helping to keep construction workers safe

Safety Shield Global's work developing an AI safety system for heavy machinery has seen it win a King's Award in the Innovation category.

The Cheshire firm's "human form recognition device" aims to reduce the risk of serious injury on construction sites, railways, mines, demolition sites and at other busy places of work. Its technology uses AI to identify people who are in the danger zone. It is trained to filter out all other objects apart from people and can sound an alert if a collision is imminent.

Jonathan Guest, Safety Shield Global founder and CEO, said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled that Safety Shield Global has been awarded with The King’s Award for Enterprise. This award represents recognition of the resolution, vigour and dedication of our team.

"I am infinitely grateful to everyone who has contributed to the dedication of achieving our mission of helping eliminate collisions associated with people and plant interface and help change behaviour on site.

"Artificial intelligence is booming across all industries and we are proud to be at the forefront. We were the first to bring human detection technology for collision avoidance to the construction industry and our product is still the most accurate and advanced. We will continue to push the boundaries of possibilities as we strive to enact behavioural change for onsite safety."

Here are the North West winners of The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024

International Trade

Seda Pharmaceutical Development Services, Stockport

Its citation says: “Seda enables world-class, rapid and efficient drug development through integrated pharmaceutical development and clinical pharmacology.”

Sambro International, Bury

Sambro International supplies licensed and own-brand toys around the world. Its awards citation says: “Export sales are 85 per cent of total sales and continues to represent a target rich environment.”

Cocogreen (UK), Manchester

The Manchester company specialises in Coir substrates which are derived from coconut husks and are used in agriculture. It has been recognised for its “cutting-edge sustainable substrates incorporating market-leading innovations for higher yield, low-input, sustainable farming”. It was previously honoured for International Trade in 2018.

Digitech Oasis, Manchester

The data automation specialist has been honoured for its work “revolutionizing industries with AI-driven solutions and robotics, empowering businesses worldwide to predict, improve, and automate".

Recycling Solutions (Northwest), Rochdale

This family-run recycling business has been commended for “the provision of textiles to areas of need that extends the life of those products”.

Lash House, Bolton

Lash House trades as London Lash and has been honoured as a “global e-commerce provider of professional eyelash extension products and education”. The company previously won the International Trade award in 2020.

Anacarda, Standish, Wigan

Anacarda specialises in making polymers from cashew nut shell liquid, to be used in products in areas from marine to construction. The company previously won an Innovation award in 2021 and has been commended this time for “the supply of specialist bio-based epoxy curing agents derived from sustainable feed stocks”.

Gentronix, Alderley Park, Cheshire

Life sciences group Gentronix has been recognised as a “leading provider of predictive toxicology safety assessments”.

Scott Partnership Holdings, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire

The B2B marketing and public relations agency has been recognised for its work “specialising in global life sciences markets”.

ApconiX, Alderley Park, Cheshire

Drug safety specialist ApconiX has been commended for its “services to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry to develop safer medicines”. It was also honoured in the International Trade category in 2021.

AMS Neve, Burnley

The sound engineering specialist, founded in 1961, was honoured for leading the world in audio technology for artists to create Oscar-winning films and Grammy-winning music.

Fort Vale Engineering, Burnley

The Lancashire firm was described as a “world-leading manufacturer of equipment for the safe transportation of bulk liquids, powders and gases".

Raptor Titanium, Barnoldswick, Lancashire

The Lancashire firm was honoured for its “globally recognised best competition motocross footpegs used by world champions and motorbike teams".

M. Chapman & Sons (Textiles), Lancashire

The company has been recognised for its “iconic” British heritage brand Brisbane Moss which has been making corduroy and moleskin fabrics since 1858.

2M Group, Runcorn

2M has been recognised for its work in the “distribution of specialty chemicals and industrial gases alongside value-added services in storage, blending and sampling.” 2M was previously honoured for International Trade in 2019.

JJ Smith & Co (Woodworking Machinery), Knowsley, Liverpool city region

JJ Smith’s award citation calls it: “The UK's leading independent woodworking machinery business, supplying cutting-edge technology around the world".

Richardsons Healthcare, Bootle, Liverpool city region

Richardsons Healthcare has been recognised for its work as a “world-leading contract operating table mattresses manufacturer supplying the world's largest medical device companies". It was previously honoured for International Trade in 2019.

Innovation

EA Technology, Capenhurst, Cheshire

The global energy specialist has been recognised for its Visnet low-voltage monitor “that provides valuable insight into electricity network efficiency, optimisation and fault management”.

Safety Shield Global, Winsford, Cheshire

AI specialist Safety Shield has been recognised for its “world-leading AI human detection technology designed specifically for the construction industry to eliminate onsite collisions".

Createc, Cockermouth, Cumbria

Engineering consultancy Createc has won the award for its work on “modular robotics integration services for hazardous environments”. It was previously honoured for International Trade in 2018 and Innovation 2019.

Idem Safety Switches, Wigan

The safety specialist has been recognised for its “ultra-reliable grab-wire emergency stop switch for conveyors, especially for harsh/high-load environments". It was previously honoured for Innovation in 2023 and International Trade in 2022.

Alfred H. Knight Holdings, Prescot, Liverpool city region

The 140-year-old metals and minerals testing business has been honoured for its “digital transformation of complex inspection services in the metals and minerals sector in Africa".

Sustainable Development

The Quiet Site, Penrith, Cumbria

The glamping and camping site has been honoured for “Utilising sustainable technologies to reduce, reuse and recycle water, energy and waste throughout our business".

The company previously won a Sustainable Development award in 2020.

Promoting Opportunity

Timpson Group, Wythenshawe, Manchester

The group’s Timpson Foundation has been honoured for providing training and employment opportunities to marginalised groups. The foundation, which is well-known for its work helping to rehabilitate prison leavers, previously won a Promoting Opportunity award in 2019.

Tier 1 Asset Management, Manchester

Tier1’s prison IT recycling workshop delivers training and employment opportunities which the award citation says helps promote inclusion and social mobility. The circular economy IT recycling business previously won a Promoting Opportunity award in 2019.

Rise Construction Framework, Liverpool

Rise Construction Framework, which works with more that 100 supply partners, has been honoured for “helping care leavers remove barriers to employment, gain meaningful work and reach their full potential”.

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