Two organisations from Merseyside have been successful in this year’s Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, announced this week.
Knowsley Development Trust has won a second award for sustainable development , whilst Skelmersdale-based shoe maker Beaconsfield Footwear was successful in the international trade category.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards, given only to companies or individuals who are outstanding in their field.
This year 141 organisations have been honoured ranging from 105 businesses in the international trade category, 24 for innovation, and 12 for sustainable development.
Knowsley Development Trust converted redundant land into industrial units for start-up firms and now supports 110 businesses employing more than 750 people.
Financial surpluses from its business centre support a range of community ventures.
Four years ago the Trust’s chief executive, Steve Dumbell, received an individual Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.
Mr Dumbell said:
“To be given the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development for a second time in our 25th anniversary year is a wonderful honour.”
Beaconsfield Footwear, owned by parent company Hotter, employs more than 1,300 staff and invested £6m in a factory that can make a pair of shoes every 20 seconds.
Its key markets are the UK and US and since 2012, it has expanded from five UK stores to more than 75. Export earnings have grown by 123% in the past three years.
Managing director Peter Taylor said he delighted with their award, adding:
“From our HQ in Lancashire we design, develop and manufacture shoes for our global markets, ship over two million pairs of shoes around the world each year and support our customers with a dedicated call centre and personal shopping service that works across multiple time zones.”