1. Biz Network June 2025 1-34.qxp_Chamberlink 29/05/2025 11:06 Page 33
CHAMBER NEWS
AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE CASE STUDIES UPBEAT CLEAN
the boundaries of performance, sustainability and safety in adhesive technologies. Managing director Angela Orton said: “Receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise is a tremendous honour for our team. It recognises not only our commitment to technical innovation, but also our passion for making a meaningful impact across the industries we serve. “As a female-led micro business with an all-female technical team, we are especially proud of this significant achievement. It stands as a powerful recognition of the expertise, ambition, and contribution that small businesses and diverse teams bring to the future of UK manufacturing.” Structural Adhesives will formally receive its Award at a ceremony later this year.
A commercial cleaning firm which helps maintain some of Derby’s best-known buildings picked up its King’s Award for helping refugee women get back into work and rebuild their lives. Upbeat Clean, based in St Chad’s Road, won in the category of Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility – one of the rarest King’s Awards to win, recognising organisations which help people from disadvantaged backgrounds improve their employment opportunities and job skills. The business was founded as a social enterprise by city charity Upbeat Communities in 2020, as part of its work helping refugees and asylum seekers settle and rebuild their lives in the UK. Managing director Michael Gladwell said it provides meaningful employment for refugee women in the city who have fled war or persecution, giving them the chance to earn money for themselves and their families and access training. In recent years it has increased its remit to make
a positive impact on the cleaning sector, having taken on people who were already working in the industry but were not being given their full employment entitlements, including annual leave and pension contributions. It currently employs 40 people and clients include well-known city firms such as Getinge in Pride Park, Derby Museums, Derby County Community Trust and QUAD. New contracts mean it expects to employ 60 people by the end of the year. Michael said: “Our team are delighted to be recognised by the King for combining excellent cleaning with life-changing employment. “We knew before we started that there was huge potential in partnering with refugee women who have fled horrific situations with their children, giving them an opportunity not only to work, but to realise their full potential and take on management and leadership roles. They’ve done that amazingly, thanks to the incredible support from over 40 Derby companies who are using their budgets to get excellent cleaning and change lives.”
L-R: Upbeat Clean general manager Paul Gray, cleaning manager Paule Akre, managing director Michael Gladwell and operations lead Tanya Sharma
Liz Kendall MP (centre right) with Sean Smith, Emily Smith and apprentices at Michael Smith Switchgear in Leicester (Credit Beth Walsh)
area in which we really want to lead change.” The King’s Award recognition comes as Michael Smith Switchgear marks its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1985, it manufactures, installs and
maintains quality low-voltage assemblies for clients across the UK, and it has gone from a small yard behind a Leicester terrace to a purpose-built site that sets the standard for sustainable manufacturing. It began its
sustainability journey soon after operations and finance director Emily Smith, a chartered accountant, joined the company in 2013. Emily said: “Lots of companies want to move towards Net Zero
but don’t know where to start – this award shows that making a series of small steps over a period of time enables anyone to help protect future generations.” As well as sustainability, the business focuses closely on standards and safety, having recently renewed its four ISO certifications – including ISO 14001 for Environmental Management Systems – and recording nine consecutive years of RoSPA Gold Medal Awards. Minister Liz Kendall MP recently visited the manufacturer’s site on the Braunstone Frith Industrial Estate, in her Leicester West constituency, meeting team members and seeing at first-hand the innovative measures underpinning its sustainability success. She said: “Michael Smith Switchgear is a brilliant example of how manufacturing growth does not need to compromise Net Zero ambitions while also creating fantastic roles for apprentices.”
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