‘Incredibly proud’: Winners celebrate their King’s Awards

Outstanding achievements of businesses across Northamptonshire have been recognised in the first King’s Awards for Enterprise. The awards recognise achievements in innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Four companies based in Northamptonshire will welcome the county’s HM Lord-Lieutenant James Saunders Watson to their premises to receive the award, which is valid for five years. The Alternative Pallet Company, known as Pallite Group and based in Wellingborough, has been awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its innovative paperbased storage and racking warehousing system PIX which uses 80 per cent recycled materials.

Enterprise Minister hails the entrepreneurial spirit of UK firms

James, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive one of the first King’s Award. It has been a tough few years with the pandemic, the extraordinary cost increase of raw materials and energy as well as export shipping costs but despite this, and thanks to our colleagues and business partners, we have ended up successfully navigating these choppy waters.” that we have been presented an award of this magnitude that recognises and celebrates our commitment to providing vital quality, health, safety and environmental services globally.

“We are honoured to have been personally approved for this award by His Majesty The King following a recommendation from the Prime Minister. We are delighted to have been recognised alongside so many fantastic businesses.”

Daventry-based Brian James Trailers, which has a global reputation for its car transport and commercial trailers, is celebrating after receiving a King’s Awards for Enterprise in International Trade.

Chief executive Lewis James, grandson of business founder Brian

Fulkrum Technical Services, based in Corby, supplies staffing and services to support complex projects in the energy, engineering and construction industries. It also won a King’s Award in the International Trade category.

Co-founder and commercial director Owen Gibbons said: “I am thrilled

Viridian International in Daventry is a family run company specialising in the manufacture and sale of ‘effective, ethical and pure’ health supplements.

It is the third Northamptonshire company to receive an International Trade award.

The company’s founder and managing director Cheryl Thallon said: “It is a great honour

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Careers fair bids to help employers to fill their vacancies

More than 80 jobseekers took steps towards finding employment when they attended a free careers fair in Northampton.

West Northamptonshire Council partnered with employability organisation

Jobs 22 to host the fair at The Guildhall.

Jobs 22 participants who have been unemployed for more than nine months met prospective employers including Elysium Healthcare, GeoAmey, Goodwill Solutions, Dr Martens and Northampton BID and discuss employment and apprenticeship opportunities.

“Supporting local residents to secure sustainable, local employment is a top priority for the council,” said Cllr Daniel Lister, cabinet member for economic development, town centre regeneration and growth. “We want to ensure employers can fill their vacancies by utilising the local labour market resulting in a greater economic benefit for everyone in West Northants.”

The council’s West Northants Employment Service contains free employment support and advice.

Jo Fensome-Peak, employer services consultant at Jobs 22, said: “Jobs 22 was formed to support people in getting back to work, giving them access to all the tools, advice, training and guidance they need to thrive. The event was a great success and gave our candidates an opportunity to engage with potential employers offering support for those wanting to gain new skills and start a new career journey.” n Find free employment support on the West Northamptonshire Council website or subscribe to the monthly employment e-newsletter to learn more about job vacancies, upcoming events, training opportunities and more. www.westnorthants.gov.uk