Unimed, Urban Apothecary, Elcom Ltd, Flexeserve and Qdos Baker.
Five Leicestershire companies have been recognised as finalists in prestigious UK business awards.
Unimed Procurement Services, Urban Apothecary, Elcom, Flexeserve and Qdos are amongst the 232 winners announced in The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
The winners of the 2022 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise have been announced today celebrating the achievements of UK businesses.
This year, 232 businesses representing every part of the United Kingdom and a range of sectors have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen on her birthday as among the best in the country.
Awards have been won in the categories of International Trade (141 winners), Innovation (51), Sustainable Development (31) and Promoting Opportunity (9).
Small Business Minister Paul Scully said: “This country is renowned for its entrepreneurial achievements and there is no greater showcase for it than The Queen’s Awards.
"It’s vital we celebrate the success of our businesses and recognise the contributions they make to communities across the country.
“I congratulate this year’s winners for their hard work and commitment over the last year and I wish them every success for the future.”
Winners’ awards are valid for 5 years. Winners are permitted to fly The Queen’s Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on their marketing materials.
Winners are also given a Grant of Appointment (an official certificate) and a commemorative crystal trophy.
Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year.
Eligible businesses are free to apply for one or more categories.
The winners pass a robust assessment process, judged by senior officials in Whitehall and experts from industry, academia and the third sector.
On that basis, the winners of The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are recommended by the Prime Minister to Her Majesty The Queen.
This year’s winners from Leicester are:
Unimed Procurement Services Ltd.
Unimed Procurement Services Ltd began trading in April 2018. With healthcare equality at its core, the company acts as a procurement agent for humanitarian relief organisations, NGOs and charities.
It is regulated and authorised by the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and holds a Wholesalers Dealers Authorisation.
With hard work and dedication, trading has grown by 1,796% over three years, with exports making up 85% of all sales.
It distributes to partners in Europe, Africa, South America, Asia and Oceania, with health products delivered to over 25 countries in 2021.
Unimed Procurement Services Ltd. has won the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years.
Urban Apothecary
Founded in 2012 and based in Billesdon, Leicestershire, Urban Apothecary Limited is an exciting British brand, manufacturing and selling luxury home fragrance and bath and body products in the UK and to thirty international markets.
Its products range from candles, diffusers, and room sprays to body products, such as cleansing gels, hand and body lotions and soaps.
Its top five markets are Germany, USA, Hong Kong, Australia, and Japan. It has a clear overseas marketing strategy, in which all distributors hold stock to maximise sales in each territory.
The company wins the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years.
Elcom Ltd
Established in 2018, has rapidly expanded to become a leading UK based manufacturer for an array of protective products for industries including automotive, aerospace, electronics and defence.
Elcom has rapidly expanded to become a successful manufacturer and distributor of static control products.
Their products are sold in the U.K, IRELAND, U.S.A and EUROPE.
Flexeserve
A brand of The Alan Nuttall Partnership Ltd, is the world expert in hot-holding, advancing how global food operators serve hot food.
For over 25 years, it has been manufacturing game-changing hot-holding units. Together with its unique all-encompassing service, Flexeserve Solution, the business has been pushing the boundaries of what hot food-to-go can be.
It has advanced hot-holding ever since, winning the Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2005.
Flexeserve continuously innovates, refining how best to use its unique technology – developing the patented, industry #1 heated display – Flexeserve Zone.
Delivering ‘true hot-holding’, Flexeserve Zone creates a consistent air temperature throughout each shelf, which can be individually controlled.
Qdos Contractor
Established in 2006, Qdos Broker & Underwriting Services Limited, trading as Qdos Contractor, provides advice and services on employment status regarding IR35 legislation and business insurance to the self-employed market.
The service Status Review ensures compliance with complex legislation and helps clients avoid potentially costly mistakes.
Initially, the company delivered IR35 advice and assistance to individual contractors responsible for their own employment status.
The service delivered via an online management platform combines expert advice and insurance.
It also ensures both the contracting party and the contractors are involved in ensuring an accurate opinion of status is identified.
Applications for the 2023 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise will open on 1 May 2022 and businesses are encouraged to apply.
Written by Emily Miller
Emily is a Senior Journalist for Niche Magazine with over a decade of journalism experience. She enjoys going to gigs, visiting galleries and walking in all weathers.
