Four Shropshire businesses handed Queen's Award

Landau, based in Wellington, and Telford-based Aviramp, Reconomy and Scanning Pens were among the 205 businesses in the UK to be recognised for outstanding achievement.

Charity Landau, which has provided supported employment and training services to a range of individuals for 25 years, has been handed the accolade for Promoting Opportunity (through Social Mobility) for its impressive range of employment and training programmes and for helping thousands of people to turn their lives around.

CEO Sonia Roberts said receiving the award was huge honour for the charity.

“It is an absolute privilege for us to be recognised by Her Majesty for our achievements and is a testament to the outstanding work of every single Landau employee and volunteer,” she said.

Aviramp, which designs, manufactures, installs and maintains mobile airline passenger boarding ramps, and Scanning Pens, which distributes award-winning assistive technology supporting the development of users with reading difficulties, both won an International Trade award.

Waste management firm Reconomy, which is transforming the waste industry with end-to-end digitisation, ultimately reducing waste sent to landfill, won an Innovation award.

Now in its 55th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country.

This year, 205 businesses have been honoured with an award with 18 organisations being recognised for Promoting Opportunity through social mobility, a further 48 companies recognised for their excellence in Innovation, 122 for their contribution to International Trade and 17 for demonstrating a real commitment to Sustainable Development.

Winners are invited to a royal reception, can fly the Queen’s Award flag at their main office and use the emblem on marketing material for five years, and are given a grant of appointment and a crystal trophy.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “The past year has been a tough time for many businesses across the UK, which is why it is more important than ever to celebrate the achievements of our wealth creators and recognise the contributions they make to our communities.

“In the last 12 months, British businesses showed the entrepreneurial spirit that this country is renowned for, continuing to drive social mobility, find new markets to export to and produce innovative products and services.

“I congratulate this year’s winners and I wish every business that applied for an award this year every success in the future as we build back better from the pandemic.”