Tribute

In thoughtful REMEMBRANCE

Queen Elizabeth II touched many aspects of our lives, both personal and professional. Industry peers fondly recall their memories

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Aged 96, she had spent an unprecedented 70 years on the British throne, during that time witnessing an incredible amount of change in all corners of the world she visited.

As people from around the globe and of course the UK paid tribute remotely or in person in the aftermath of her death, our industry too looks back on its involvement with the monarch.

From obtaining Queen’s Awards, British Honours or Royal Warrants (see also Final Word, page 54), the memories and reflections OPI received were heartwarming and clearly much cherished. OPI CEO Steve Hilleard had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace in 1998, shortly after OPI was named a recipient of the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement.

He describes it as an “unforgettable experience”, a sentiment shared by many who had the opportunity.

Simone Hindmarch, co-founder and Managing Director, Commercial Group

It was a surreal moment walking with my brother Arthur into Buckingham Palace in 2018 for a reception held by Her Majesty in recognition of winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category.

Commercial was founded in a one-room office in 1991 and there we were, less than 30 years later, about to be recognised on behalf of our amazing team.

We grew up with parents who were staunch royalists, so Arthur and I looked at each other as we walked through the gates and said in teary-eyed unison: “We hope they can see us right now.”

To win an award with the Queen’s insignia on it meant so much to us personally, but also to every one of our colleagues. We take great pride in the fact we were the first organisation in Gloucestershire to win in the Sustainable Development category.

Our story is minuscule in the grand scheme of all Queen Elizabeth II did, but it has meant the absolute world for our whole organisation to display an award in her name with such pride for the past four years.

Graeme Chapman MBE, formerly with ACCO Brands, Kingfield Heath and Office Friendly

Several of my friends had often joked that if I carried on my yearly charity fundraising, I would get a ‘royal gong’. So when I received a letter from Buckingham Palace asking me if I would accept an Honour from Her Majesty, I thought it was a joke engineered by one of them. Fortunately, my wife convinced me it was genuine.

I had the privilege of receiving an MBE in the millennium Honours, amid all the wonderful pomp and pageantry of Buckingham Palace.

The Queen was friendly, charming and gracious, putting me at ease during our conversation. She said we had something in common in that we had both recently been to Japan. She asked me for my reflections and whether I had enjoyed it.

It made me smile to imagine the contrasting settings. The Queen and her entourage residing in a Japanese

Former Lord-Lieutenant Dame Janet Trotter presenting the Queen’s Award to Simone Hindmarch

palace while I was sleeping in a tent in the snow in -10̊C on Mount Fuji, being sponsored by the Pilot Pen Corporation to climb the sacred Japanese mountain for BBC Children in Need in the depth of winter.

My wife Ruthy and two sons Phil and Tim were able to witness me receiving this honour from our longest-serving monarch, and afterwards wander around parts of Buckingham Palace not open to the public. The 29 February 2000 is a day I will never forget and I count myself extremely lucky to have experienced it.

Steve Bull, CEO, Floortex

The passing of Her Majesty is a tragic loss for the UK, the Commonwealth and the world. We received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade in 2015 as a result of outstanding overseas sales over the previous three years. We were and still are so proud and excited to have gained this unique recognition as it was a testament to the huge effort the whole company had put in for many years. It has spurred us on even more to further consolidate our global position. To be invited to a prestigious reception at Buckingham Palace was an honour, as was meeting The Queen and other members of the Royal Family. It was certainly a day we will always remember.

Mark Wilkinson, Regional VP, UK & Ireland, ACCO Brands EMEA

We are honoured as a company to be able to look back on a number of cherished memories with Her Majesty over the years. The first was in 1976 when George Drexler, Rexel’s founder (back in 1939), was awarded an OBE for his services to export.

Then, in 2008, Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by his Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, officially opened our Derwent factory – the new premises for The Cumberland Pencil Company which had been manufacturing pencils in Cumbria for over 180 years. Rest in peace, Your Majesty.

Margaux Lefaucheux, Brand Manager, AF International

In 2016, HK Wentworth Group, which comprises the Electrolube and AF International brands, received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade in recognition of its outstanding global exporting success.

It was a fantastic moment for every employee when a ceremony was held at our Leicestershire head office. A crystal bowl marked the occasion which was presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, the Queen’s local representative.

I personally was very proud to win the Queen’s Award; it spoke volumes about our success in export and other areas of the business. As many employees as possible were included in the presentation event, and the Queen’s Award has since played a part in the further growth of our business.

The Queen was a much-loved figurehead who clearly devoted her life to the service of others. AF International and Electrolube wish to express their deep sadness at this great loss.

Queen Elizabeth II with David Sharrock, former Managing Director of The Cumberland Pencil Company

Phil Jones MBE, Managing Director, Brother UK

I was fortunate to meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 when Brother UK won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development.

It was a great honour to visit Buckingham Palace alongside other winners to receive the award and meet The Queen.

Editor’s note: In 2016, Phil Jones was awarded an MBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours list, recognising his services to business.

Top: The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh photo with a black ribbon in Stationers’ Hall Left: The flag with the black cravat outside Stationers’ Hall