Gary Stevens receives Made in Britain Impact Award
Our MD Gary Stevens is delighted to win the ‘Rising Star’ category in the Made in Britain Impact Awards presented on 1st December by the organisation’s board chairman Professor Chris Harrop and an esteemed panel of expert judges. Also shortlisted were Essence of Hartland’s owner Joe Brady and Moot’s owner Jules Parker.
Winners of the seven categories, ‘centred around sustainability, and green and good business’, were revealed at a virtual ceremony held to recognise the individuals, teams, projects and initiatives proving that British manufacturing businesses including SMEs can lead the way on sustainability.
‘The Rising Star award recognises an individual creating new pathways and piloting change, especially through innovative grassroots sustainable initiatives.’
Let Me Play’s director of LMP Action Mona Vadher was the lead judge in this category, and said: “This award highlights the individual who shows clear passion and commitment to sustainability in their organisation. The judges looked for examples of how this person has shown initiative and led change from within [and] evidence of them building support for their ideas and gaining traction amongst their co-workers.”
Over the moon to receive the award Gary congratulated fellow competitors and thanked the Made in Britain judges: “I genuinely didn’t expect to win! At Focus SB we’re proud to be members of Made in Britain and associated with all the good work they do for British SMEs in particular, championing sustainability as a core driver. Here at Focus SB we’ve put a lot of measures in place in terms of sustainability and training the workforce because they are the future and I believe they go hand in hand. We’re doing this really not because we want to win awards or tick boxes but because we feel they’re the right things to do. It’s my goal and my determination to continue on this path and if winning awards is an endorsement for the work we’re doing and in some way raises sustainability further up the agenda for other SMEs who may be at the start of their journey then we can feel satisfied that we’re collectively contributing to UK Plc’s journey towards net zero.
“Thank you to the panel for the recognition and thank you and well done to Joe from Essence of Hartland and also Jules from Moot, we’re all winners - I know it sounds a bit of a cliche but we are! Keep up the brilliant work you’re all doing because together we can make a difference. Finally I’d like to thank and give some recognition to Richard Hagan of Crystal Doors because he is, in my opinion, ‘Mr Sustainability’ and he took the time and effort to travel all the way down to us in Hastings and gave us some really valuable advice, and I know his door is always open to other people who may be starting their journey - so a big thank you to Richard and thank you again to the panel and all the competitors!”
Commenting on the Awards, Made in Britain’s chief executive John Pearce said: “During Made in Britain’s tenth year, we are delighted to have launched the Impact Awards to recognise and celebrate the remarkable achievements of British manufacturers. Our community of members is made up of companies that have innovation, creativity and resilience in their DNA, and I’m excited for those who have been picked out for special recognition by our esteemed panel of judges.”
The Made in Britain Impact Award winners are to receive unique glass bowl trophies created by iconic British brand, and Made in Britain member, Dartington Crystal.
