Five Cambridge firms awarded Queen’s 2020 Award for Enterprise
Five Cambridge companies have been honoured with a 2020 Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
The quintet – Sphere Fluidics, Anglian Water, Adder Technology, Cambridge Healthcare Research and Global Graphic Software – will receive the UK’s highest accolade for business success this summer.
Sphere Fluidics, which commercialises single cell analysis systems underpinned by its patented picodroplet technology, has received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation. The company spun out from the University of Cambridge in 2010 and now employs 31 people.
Dr Frank F Craig, CEO, said: “This is a testament to the hard work and expertise of our dedicated team who have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by researchers in drug discovery, therapeutics and diagnostics.”
Anglian Water is also celebrating receiving a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development for a second time.
The award, which was announced on the Queen’s birthday (April 21), was awarded to the water company for “demonstrating excellent positive impacts across a number of initiatives such as reducing carbon and improving water quality, as well as continuing to put social and environmental prosperity for local communities at the heart of all it does”.
Two weeks ago, the company clearly demonstrated this commitment by launching its £1million ‘Positive Difference Fund’ alongside a whole package of measures to support local communities and its employees with the fight against coronavirus.
Peter Simpson, Anglian Water’s chief executive, said: “Now, with the backdrop of Covid-19, the critical nature of our work has never been clearer; keeping taps running, toilets flushing and drains clear – providing the essential services our customers need, so they can use them without a second thought. But we want to go further. Our business is built on the communities it serves, so it’s absolutely right we extend our support back to them during this time of need.
“I’m proud Anglian Water has received this award for a second time. It’s testament to everyone who works for us, within our business and throughout our supply chain. Every day they put customers, communities and the environment at the heart of their thinking.”
Now in its 54th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years.
Adder Technology, a specialist in connectivity solutions and high-performance IP KVM, has received its award for enterprise in international trade. The Cambridge-based company designs and manufacturers market-leading high-performance connectivity solutions distributed globally via an expanding network of distributors, resellers, and system integrators to more than 60 countries.
CEO Adrian Dickens, who founded Adder in 1984, said: “We are extremely proud to win another Queen’s Award – this time recognizing our international trade efforts. Earlier in the year, we were delighted to announce a multi-million dollar investment to support our global expansion, and I consider this accolade as an acknowledgement of the fantastic work undertaken by the team at Adder.”
Her Majesty also awarded Cambridge Healthcare Research (CHR) with a Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in International Trade to celebrate the 94th birthday.
One of the founding partners from its origins in 2013, Edward Cartwright, said: “We are truly delighted that the hard work of everybody at CHR has been acknowledged with this award. We have a brilliant team and this is testament to their passion and commitment.”
Incoming CEO Chris Stevenson added: “The Queen’s Award demonstrates the high regard for the work that CHR does for its global customers and provides deserved recognition to the CHR team for the standards they set themselves daily, their dedication, skill, and knowledge.”
The Cambourne-based developer of technology for digital printing, Global Graphics Software, received its Queen’s Award for Enterprise for excellence in innovation.
Global Graphics Software’s roots are in Cambridge and go back to 1986. The company sells technology to printing equipment manufacturers across the world, including HP, Kodak and Canon.
Global Graphics Software says the award recognises the development of ScreenPro, an application that dramatically improves the speed and quality of inkjet printing, making it possible for a wider number of goods – such as ceramic tiles, wall coverings and packaging – to be produced.
Justin Bailey, managing director, said: “We are humbled to receive this honour from Her Majesty the Queen. I’m extremely proud of the talent and commitment of our team, the majority of whom are based in Cambourne. This accolade recognises their innovation and creative energy. I’m sure that, among the many other benefits to the business, this award will raise our profile locally and assist in attracting new talent in the future.”
Global Graphics Software plans to celebrate its award during the royal reception for Queen’s Awards winners in the summer, and later in the year, a celebration for all employees at its Cambourne head office.
Congratulations to the winners.
Read more
AI VIVO identifies list of 31 drugs that show potential for Covid-19 treatment
