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Queen’s Award 2020

Robert Voss CBE CStJ HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire

“It gives me enormous pleasure at this difficult time to be able to share some good news in congratulating the eight successful winners of The Queens Award for Enterprise. To win any award is wonderful but the Queens Awards are the ultimate accolade and are awarded for outstanding achievement. There were 220 winning companies from the whole of the UK and only 128 winners in the International Trade Category and Hertfordshire businesses won 8 of those 128 - a quite outstanding achievement and the best ever result for the county. I am well aware how competitive these awards are with thousands of companies entering annually.

As a businessman myself, I am especially proud of what these eight companies have achieved and would add that all are SME’s many with a mere handful of employees. They demonstrate the strength and variety of successful companies in Hertfordshire -The County of Opportunity and surely The County of Entrepreneurship. Despite the current trading conditions, I hope many others will self-nominate for The Queens Awards for Enterprise in 2021 as the nominations are now being accepted and continue this fantastic success that Hertfordshire businesses have enjoyed.”

The Hertfordshire Winners: Brogan Group Holdings (Welwyn Garden City)

Website: www.brogangroup.com Twitter: @BroganGroup Contact: Wayne Smith wsmith@brogangroup.com

Buddi Limited (Rickmansworth)

Website: www.buddi.uk Contact: Rowena Murray ro@buddi.co.uk

Innovative Trials (Letchworth Garden City)

Website: www.innovativetrials.co.uk Contact: Suellen Morris suellen.morris@innovativetrials.co.uk

Peerless-AV Limited (Watford)

Website: www.peerless-av.com Twitter: @PeerlessAVEU Contact: Beky Cann bcann@peerless-av.eu.com

Prop Store (Rickmansworth)

Website: www.propstore.com Twitter: @propstore_com Contact: Felicity Beardshaw felicity@propstore.com

QHi Group Ltd (Harpenden)

Website: www.qhigroup.com Contact: Daniel Thomas dan.thomas@qhigroup.com

SA Designer Parfums Limited (Watford)

Website: www.designerparfums.com Instagram: @designerparfums Contact: Krishna Panthula info@shaneel.com

Silent Sentinel Limited (Ware)

Website: www.silentsentinel.com Twitter: @_silentsentinel Contact: Madeleine Lewis madeliene@silentsentinel.com

Silent Sentinel wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise Surveillance platform manufacturer, Silent Sentinel Ltd, is proud to announce that they have been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.

Founded in 2002 in Hertfordshire, Silent Sentinel Ltd manufacture camera platforms to meet complex surveillance requirements. Their core business is supplying thermal and visible video cameras into the defence and homeland security sectors around the world.

They have grown from strength to strength over the years, moving premises in 2017 to an 18,000ft2 manufacturing plant in Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire, which is home over 35 members of staff. More recently, in 2020 Silent Sentinel have expanded to open a new assembly facility and office in Dubai, UAE and look to do the same in the USA later this year. Since their establishment, they have exported to over 50 countries across six continents. It is due to this high level of export that they received the award for Outstanding Continuous Growth in overseas sales over the last six years. During this time, sales have grown by 2,644% with exporting becoming central to their operations and growth, exports growing year on year from 10% to 83%. “To be recognised for our continuous growth in overseas sales is just fantastic for Silent Sentinel. Exporting has been our strategy for a number of years and it is absolutely critical to what we do, so to be recognised nationally for a prestigious Queen’s Award is an absolute honour and a key milestone for our future growth.” states Paul Elsey, Managing Director. Announced annually, The Queen’s Awards are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, recognising outstanding achievement in four categories: innovation, international trade, sustainable development, promoting opportunity through social mobility. Winners can use the emblem for five years after receiving the award. “Winning this award is a huge privilege and a real testament to the fantastic work every member of the team does. We believe this will open us up to a whole new pool of customers, and we can’t wait to

keep expanding our international growth in the years to come” states James Longcroft, Business Development Director. Silent Sentinel will celebrate their award during a royal reception amongst the other Queen’s Awards winners later this year.

Congratulations to the 2020 Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards Finalists!

On Monday 6th April, after much deliberation by the judges, the Inspiring Hertfordshire 2020 Awards Finalists were announced. We would like to congratulate each finalist, and thank every entrant for their effort in filling out the form and applying.

There was an increase in entries this year, including some really strong applications, making the judging a tough job!

However, the shortlists are now available and we look forward to celebrating with all those who made the list, plus the winners, the sponsors, the judges and everybody involved in the making of this truly inspiring event.

Bookings for the Gala Dinner are now open and we are delighted to be returning to the magnificent St Albans Cathedral for this wonderful event – known as the Oscars of Hertfordshire!

Please note, due to the current situation with regard to the Covid-19 virus, we have decided to reschedule the IHA Gala Dinner to this year take place on Thursday 1st October 2020.

We would also like to thank all of our sponsors and external judges for taking their time to carefully score each entry!

Congratulations to the 2020 Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards Finalists!

Outstanding Contribution to Business Sponsored by:

To be announced at the Gala Dinner on 1st October

Inspiring Business of the Year Sponsored by:

Business of the Year North Herts Sponsored by:

Finalists: • BestStart HR • CHQ Architects • Hart Learning & Development • Support UK • The Living Room

To be announced at the Gala Dinner on 1st October

Business of the Year East Herts Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Beyond Governance • CHEXS • Croft Communications • The Property Presenters

Business of the Year South Herts Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Alliance Intelligent Scaffolding • Aubrey Park Hotel • AVS VAT • Kane International • Rayden Solicitors

Business of the Year West Herts

Finalists: • Alliance Intelligent Scaffolding • Aubrey Park Hotel • Castaway Cottage • ManAlive Fitness

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Alliance Intelligent Scaffolding • HBC Logistics • IBC Simply • JPA Workspaces • Kestronics • Silent Sentinel • Support UK • Wagada

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Kane International • Morgan Sindall • Quanta Consultancy Services • Rayden Solicitors • TYSERS

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • BCM Agency • CHQ Architects • HBC Logistics • Optima-Life • PayByPhone • Wagada

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Age UK Hertfordshire • Barratt Homes (nominated by Keech Hospice) • Home-Start Hertfordshire • MetroBank • North Hertfordshire College • Resolve • University of Hertfordshire

Law School

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Keech Hospice Care • Silent Sentinel • Sonovision • Wagada

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Hart Learning & Development • SETPOINT Hertfordshire • Wagada

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Archie Major, Castaway Cottage • Cheryl Luzet, Wagada • Diane Lee, DLRC • James Longcroft, Silent Sentinel • Beyond Governance • Sharp-AX

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • HBC Logistics • IBC Simply • Kane International • Lumina Technologies • MetroBank • Sonovision

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Chasebridge Wealth

Management • CHEXS • DLRC • Hertfordshire Building Control • Quanta Consultancy Services • VolkerWessels UK • Sonovision

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Kestronics • Silent Sentinel

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Castaway Cottage • Gatwards of Hitchin • JHP Electrical • JPA Workspaces • Kane International • Kestronics • Taylor Heating

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Beyond Governance • BB Business Group Consultancy • Castaway Cottage • HBC Logistics • KM4HR • Snide London

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Hertfordshire Building Control with J & L Build Ltd • Jarvis Contracting (Maiden Park Project) • Jarvis Contracting (Watford

Health Campus Project) • The Property Presenters

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Emmaus Hertfordshire • Henkel • JPA Workspaces • Origins of Beauty • PayByPhone

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • Harrisons Research and

Genealogy • Kestronics • Quanta Consultancy Services • Sonovision • Wagada

Sponsored by:

Finalists: • YC Hertfordshire • Herts Visual Arts Forum • Trestle Theatre Company • University of Hertfordshire

Pendley Manor - Harcourt Ballroom

Makeover for Pendley Manor Set in 35 acres of beautifully landscaped and wooded parkland, Pendley Manor Hotel in Hertfordshire is the perfect country retreat for leisure breaks, weddings and conferences.

Located near the picturesque town of Tring, the venue benefits from excellent transport links, a little more than an hour from central London and very close to the M1 and M25 motorways. The train station is just a short ten-minute stroll away, with direct links to London Euston, and there’s also a regular bus service from the station for journeys into Tring and Aylesbury.

Put simply, it’s not too difficult to see why Pendley Manor attracts customers, both locally and from afar. Aside from its great location, it has a rich and unique history; In 1987, the manor was purchased by an independent hotelier and two years later was restored to its original grandeur and re-opened as a country house hotel. Business customers can benefit from a host of modern, flexible facilities including the Harcourt Ballroom that caters for up to 200 people and more intimate spaces for smaller meetings – making it one of the finest events and conference venues in Hertfordshire. Pendley Manor is now benefiting from a refurbishment programme that has seen major upgrades to its 84 bedrooms, spa area, meeting and banqueting spaces and leisure facilities. The new design accentuates Pendley’s historic character as a beautiful country manor, yet adds a dash of twenty-first century modernity to the mix, with luxurious finishes, rich fabrics, patterns and modern amenities. Helen Rowe, business development manager at Pendley Manor, says: “The refurbishment has helped to strengthen our position as one of the best hotels in Hertfordshire. We’ve worked really hard to get the team very focused on providing great customer service. Not only is our hotel set in a beautiful location with excellent facilities, it also represents great value for money for individuals and business customers who walk through our doors.”

Aubrey Park offers the personal touch

At Aubrey Park our aim is to create a personal experience far beyond the realms of just booking a package or meeting room.

Whether we’re hosting 2 or 200 delegates, we take pride in accommodating all styles and sizes of conferences and meetings. We take a consultative approach with all of our clients to ensure we really meet their brief and consider all requirements in a bespoke way.

Our newest build, The Oak Suite, was designed to tick all the boxes. It features large glass walls allowing for streams

of natural daylight, an integrated sophisticated audio-visual sound system and lighting, all within a private self-contained venue with terrace, exclusive entrance and its own bar. Our highly experienced conference team will work with you to offer the flexibility and personal touch you need, which is why our clients come back time and time again.

For more information visit https://aubreypark.co.uk

The Month of May at Paradise Wildlife Park

Although Paradise Wildlife Park remains closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the park still continues to engage with the visitors and local communities. Through live streams and CCTV content, Paradise Wildlife Park has given exclusive insight into the animals and zoo keepers while it stays closed to the general public.

Over the month of May, the park will continue this amazing content and engagement through the website, but mainly through the social media platforms.

Expect animal live streams including a feature on our primate collection! Get the perfect view and good feels from watching their lovely lemurs interact with the keepers and enjoy their lunch. After a successful test run, the bird team will reappear with their brilliant birds of prey collection so tune in for lots of tricks, dives and cuteness! The 23rd and 24th of May is also the annual Otter Weekend at Paradise Wildlife Park. However, the closure is not disheartening the wonderful keeper teams. The park will bring all the adorable otter content you could ever wish for, straight to your screen! Gather your loved ones to watch amazing footage of our otter family like never before! Please keep an eye out for competitions running on our social media, online resources to use at home and exaiciting video and photograph footage coming straight from the zoo.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pwlpk/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/paradisewildlifepark/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParadiseWLPark

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCDUNKr1hbm8wSDzQfQabCng

Tik Tok: @paradiswildlifepark Paradise Wildlife Park would like to take this chance to also share the Emergency Animal Fun, hosted on Just Giving:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ animalsupportfund

If you would like to continue to see these amazing animal moments, please consider donating whatever you can to the Just Giving page. All the funds raised will go directly to the upkeep of our animals, which includes vet and healthcare bills, food, enrichment, husbandry; anything that the animals’ welfare require.

Everyone here at Paradise Wildlife Park hopes that you are staying safe and well. We can get through this difficult time with love, laughter and generosity.

Thank you

Given the current turmoil in the industry and the challenges faced by the global community, UH Venues would like to take this pre-booked space to thank the incredible fortitude of the nation’s key workers.

The NHS staff, HGV drivers, store assistants, teachers, carers, social workers, delivery drivers, scientists and all the other key workers that are keeping life moving forward in this difficult time.

Please use the blank space below to rest your eyes, think of and thank these vital services and the people behind them.

UH Venues has two modern University campuses and a bespoke day-conference centre with carparking and kitchen facilities. We have already donated our PPE to Isabel Hospice. If you are working to support the Covid-19 response or looking for ways to ensure your business can continue to function and feel our venues or experience may be useful to your planning please get in touch via venues@herts.ac.uk or phone 01707 284841

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