Shropshire companies win King's Awards for Enterprise

A thermal product specialist and building contractor have both won King's Awards for Enterprise.

Telford-based Thermserve and Market Drayton firm Fowler & Gilbert have been handed awards for ‘international trade’ and ‘promoting opportunity through social mobility’ respectively.

Now in its 60th year, the King's Awards for Enterprise is announced every spring and details exceptional achievement among UK companies across four categories.

These are ‘international trade’, ‘innovation’, ‘sustainable development’ and ‘promoting opportunity’ and there will also be a new ‘young founder’ award for those aged 18 to 30 in 2027.

Recipients are permitted to fly the King's Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on marketing material for five years and are invited to a royal reception at Windsor Castle.

Thermserve

Thermserve provides specialist thermal solutions products to the metals industry and this latest honour marks the fourth time the company has won a King's Award for Enterprise.

It said this latest award reflected a "significant uplift" in export activity and sustained growth across key global markets, particularly the Middle East and North America.

Managing director Steven Hodgkiss said: "This is a major achievement for Thermserve. Winning the award for the fourth time - and specifically for international trade - is a testament to the strength of our global strategy and the dedication of our team.

"We've seen a significant increase in demand from overseas markets, particularly in the Middle East and North America, where we continue to build strong, long-term partnerships."

Fowler & Gilbert

Fowler & Gilbert specialises in steel-framed industrial, agricultural, equestrian and commercial buildings which are designed and built custom made and supplied nationwide.

It works in a broad range of fields including residential, commercial and industrial construction and this year celebrates its 15th birthday, having been founded by managing director Lee Gilbert in 2011.

It started life in a small cabin in Middlewich and moved to its current home in Market Drayton in 2022.

Fowler & Gilbert has won a King's Award for promoting opportunity in recognition of its commitment to widening access to engineering careers through apprenticeships, inclusive recruitment, community engagement and clear progression routes.

It has around 50 staff and said it was committed to continuous growth, alongside investment in the next generation of talent through apprenticeships, T- level placements and work experience schemes.

It said: "By delivering both social and organisational impact, our initiative secures long-term business growth while making a meaningful contribution to local economic resilience and community development. It represents a forward-thinking model of inclusive workforce development."

It has also been shortlisted in the ‘company of the year’ category at Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Awards which take place in June.

Mr Gilbert said: "To receive a King's Award in our 15th year is an incredible honour but being shortlisted for Shropshire Chamber Company of the Year means a great deal to us as a local business.

"It reflects the hard work of our team and our belief that strong businesses can have a positive impact on their communities."

Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire Anna Turner congratulated the Shropshire winners of this year's awards.

She said: "The winners demonstrated that Shropshire is home to so many innovative businesses and organisations and we celebrate with them their success in achieving this most prestigious business award.

"I am hopeful the work Deputy Lieutenant Mandy Thorn MBE has done, along with local leading industry experts, in raising the profile of the King's Awards in Shropshire will reap benefits with many more companies coming forward with a desire to open doors to new opportunities."