The MMTA and its membership are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned as Monarch of the United Kingdom for almost 70 years.
The Association pays tribute to Her Majesty and offers its heartfelt sympathies to the Royal Family and to His Majesty King Charles III. Long live the King!
The MMTA includes many past Queen’s Award winners – Avon Specialty Metals, Wogen, SJM Alloys, RJH Trading, Metal Events & ICD Europe, to name a few. Here our Queen’s Award holders reflect on what winning Her Majesty’s prestigious award meant to them.
ICD Europe, award winner 2022
ICD Europe Ltd, experts in the procurement, processing and supply of a wide range of minor metals and superalloys, have enjoyed rapid growth since their incorporation in November 2016. The company has received numerous recognitions and awards as a result of their success. However, in April 2022, ICD Europe received their most prestigious honour yet – the Queen’s Award for International Trade.
Established in 1965, the Queen’s Awards are the highest official UK awards for British businesses. Granted annually on the Queen’s birthday, the awards recognise the ‘highest levels of excellence’ and ‘outstanding achievement’ in UK business. Winners of the International Trade category must display three consecutive years of export sales growth. Winners of the awards, which are valid for five years, may fly the Queen’s Awards flag at their main premises and use the awards logo on their marketing materials. A representative from each winning company is invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace, which is hosted by a senior member of the Royal Family.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Wayne Hawkes, Managing Director of ICD Europe Ltd, commented:
“All of us at ICD Europe feel a real sense of loss and sadness at the passing of Her Majesty. We also have huge respect for the way in which His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family have led the nation in mourning.
“Over the years, our team has travelled all around the world, developing working relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Wherever we have travelled, we have always been greeted with open arms and a genuine respect for UK businesses. So much of that can be attributed to the influence of Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family, who have done so much for our country’s global reputation.
‘’We all felt incredibly honoured to have been recognised in the Queen’s Awards this year, and we are proud and saddened in equal measure to have been among the last recipients of the awards during her lifetime. We will honour her memory by continuing to fly the flag for UK business around the world.”
Avon Specialty Metals, multiple award winner
Between 2007 and 2019, Avon Metals Group won 4 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in the International Trade and Sustainable Development Categories.
These UK Awards are always a special occasion, involving a presentation ceremony by the Lord Lieutenant of the county, which includes a citation reading from the sitting Prime Minister.
For each award, a company representative is invited to attend Buckingham Palace for a reception.
Winning an Award gives a huge morale boost to all employees. Customers and suppliers from all over the world recognise the award as evidence of an outstanding British business.”
Steven Munnoch, CEO said: “Personally speaking, winning these awards and meeting The Queen will remain one of the highlights of my business career and a memory I will cherish for as long as I live. Her Majesty will be deeply missed by millions of people around the world. The awards have helped to boost our business profile overseas. I would encourage other UK-based MMTA members to enter the awards – Royal approval from our new King awaits you.”