The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious awards for businesses, recognising and celebrating business excellence across the UK. The recipients of the awards demonstrate outstanding success in their respective fields of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity (through social mobility).
Chamber member, HWM-Water Ltd in Cwmbran, have been named as Innovation Award recipients for 2023. In 2017 they were recipients of a Queen’s Award in the Innovation category for PermaNET+, a remote water leak monitoring system.
Their current innovation, SpillSens, is a digital float sensor providing remote early warning of sewer blockages to prevent pollution spills. Created for the domestic drain market SpillSens, offers utility companies effective and efficient ways to meet customer and regulatory requirements. The system is smaller than a traditional float switch, has no moving parts, and is thus more reliable.
Commenting on their win, Kelly Macfarlane, Managing Director of HWM-Water Ltd, said:
“HWM is honoured to be awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation 2023 for our multi-alarm digital float sensor, SpillSens.
“As a previous winner of the Queen’s Award, we are delighted to be recognised for innovation once again with one of the most prestigious awards for UK businesses.
“SpillSens was specifically designed to reduce the number of polluting spills from blockages in small diameter (domestic) sewers. We designed a low-cost, simple to install product suitable for mass deployment across the sewer network, to maximise its impact for water companies and the customers they serve.
” SpillSens tells the water company when a sewer is about to spill, helping them to deploy ground teams to proactively tackle the blockage before the environment becomes polluted.
“Recognition for excellence in innovating to solve real problems comes at a time when our Wastewater product portfolio has an urgent and critical role to play in supporting our water industry customers commitment to improve river and bathing water quality.”
His Majesty The King personally approves the Awards and the Department for Business and Trade publicly announced the recipients on 21st April. This year, 148 businesses have been recognised by His Majesty The King as among the best in the country, including three based in Wales.
Award recipients often state that their achievement has opened new doors for them in terms of securing new contracts, venturing into new markets, and further developing their business. If successful in receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise, the organisation receives a Grant of Appointment, and is able to display the award emblem for up to 5 years, and have access to a thriving alumni network of previous award recipients.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise was previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, and the new name reflects His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 57th year, has awarded over 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965.
His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year and from 2024, recipients will be announced on 6th May, to mark His Majesty The King’s Coronation.
Applications for the 2024 round open on 6th May (2023) and close midday 12th September. Eligible businesses are free to apply for one or more categories. Recipients pass a robust assessment process, judged by experts from industry, academia, the voluntary sector and senior officials in Whitehall.
The Awards are open to all UK based organisations with two or more employees. 90% of the recipients are SMEs.
Now, more than ever, is a vital time for great UK businesses to be celebrated and recognised.
Read about eligibility and how to apply at gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise
Email The King’s Awards Office for further details kingsawards@beis.gov.uk
Ring The King’s Awards Helpline: 020 7 215 6880
