Ant Group presented with highest accolade for business

Ant Group Limited, trading as Antistat and Integrity Cleanroom, received their Queen’s Award from Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant during a presentation ceremony at their UK headquarters in Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday 13th October.

The announcement in April 2020 that the company had been awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade came as the county was in lockdown at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The subsequent restrictions delayed the company’s plans for the presentation ceremony until now so that the whole company was able to come together to celebrate.

The Award was announced by Mr. Mark Pendlington, Deputy Lieutenant, Chair of the Lieutenancy Business & Enterprise Group and the presentation was made by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, Lady Clare, Countess of Euston to CEO, John Hensley at the company’s headquarters in Bury St Edmunds. The ceremony marked the first all staff event since the start of the pandemic.

On presenting the Award, HM’s Lord Lieutenant praised the company’s innovation and creativity that drove their growth and success as well as their work supporting the NHS during the Covid crisis, remaining open and fully operational, helping PPE suppliers deliver essential PPE equipment to key workers. Addressing the whole company Lady Clare said ‘In presenting this Award to you today on behalf of Her Majesty, please may I reciprocate and say just how proud we are of you all, and how we are in awe of the work you have all done and continue to do.’

‘It is an Award that carries immense national and international prestige and one that is acknowledged to boost reputation and to help with business development. It is also one in which everyone who works here can take personal as well as corporate pride. You have each contributed to this Award, and you will each contribute to the next phases of business success – and hopefully more Queen’s Awards!’

On receiving the Award on behalf of the company, CEO John Hensley said ‘I would like to thank Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, Lady Clare and her Deputy Lieutenant Mark Pendlington for all of their support and kind words over the last year despite the ongoing pandemic. It has been a fabulous journey over the last 34 years for us from the Cold War the PC revolution, mobile phones and now Captain Kirk is finally in Space! We now are a truly global company and have grown into a mature and successful business. Our achievements as a team over the last two years in particular are testament to all of your hard work and endeavour. The whole team have made me so very proud.’

After the presentation Mr. Hensley escorted Lady Clare and Mr. Pendlington on a tour of the offices and warehouse who enjoyed meeting and chatting to members of staff on their way round.

Now in its 55th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years. This year, 205 Queen’s Awards have been announced for outstanding business achievement in the fields of International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility).

Ant Group will also celebrate its award during a royal reception for Queen’s Awards winners later this year.