29 Sep Lord-Lieutenant celebrates with students over prestigious Queen’s Award
Earlier this year it was announced that four Shropshire companies had won The Queen’s Award for Enpterpise, a competition that was instituted by Royal Warrant in 1965 with the first awards being made in 1966 under the original title Queen’s Award to Industry. The awards have been known as the Queen’s Award for Enterprise since 1999.
Winners of a Queen’s Award for Enterprise receive an invitation to a Royal reception, a special crystal trophy presented by the Lord-Lieutenant, the right to fly the award flag at their headquarters and use the QAE logo in their marketing for five years as well as worldwide recognition as a winner.
There are four categories in the competition: International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through Social Mobility).
His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner, was thrilled to be able to congratulate them and present them with their awards.
Mrs Turner said that the winners demonstrated yet again that Shropshire is home to so many innovative businesses and organisations and we celebrate with them their success in acheiving this most prestigious business award.
This year’s Shropshire winners are in the categories of Innovation, International Trade and Promoting Opportunity.
The Lord-Lieutenant attended Derwen College in Gobowen to present them with their Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Promoting Opportunity Grant of Appointment and trophy at a wonderful afternoon tea attended by staff and students and invited guests.
Derwen College is a specialist college for young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Derwen College, was established in 1927 by Dame Agnes Hunt, and provides education and vocational training for young people aged 16 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The college offers students the opportunity to learn new skills in real work environments and to learn life skills which will enable them to live as independently as possible.
The college has its main site in Gobowen, near Oswestry, and has three satellite sites: Derwen College Telford; Derwen College Walford, near Shrewsbury; and Derwen College Ludlow, in south Shropshire.
The Lord-Lieutenant was also able to deliver a personal letter of congratulations from Derwen College patron Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent.
The presentation which was held in the college’s The Orangery restaurant was hosted by the Chair of Governors, Kathleen (K) Kimber and Principal and CEO, Meryl Green. The afternoon tea was served by students who are working on the college’s Hospitality and Food Pathway. The tea provided an opportunity to meet members of the Student Council as well as staff and volunteers who work in the college’s Marketplace businesses.
The college was delighted to be flying the flag for promoting opportunity, and literally raised two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise flags for the occasion. The event was particularly poignant following the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
The King’s Representative Lord-Lieutenant Anna Turner said:
“It’s such a pleasure to be part of this celebration today. When I heard that Derwen College had won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, my pride soared.
“This is a very high award for amazing businesses, a much sought-after award for high achievers. Derwen has been recognised for being exceptional at promoting opportunity.”
Derwen College is one of only a very small number of organisations recognised in this category nationally. The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is a globally recognised business excellence award and probably the best-known accolade for businesses worldwide.”
Meryl Green said: “Derwen College is having an exceptional year for awards; for our educational and care provision, and for our business ‘Marketplace’. We are very proud to receive this distinguished award, and would like to thank all our staff, students, families, and the community who support our College, our Charity and our Marketplace. None of this happens without an amazing team, and we certainly have that at Derwen!”
