Four Bradford district firms win prestigious Queen’s Award

Four firms in the Bradford district are amongst 205 businesses across the country to be recognised for winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Bradford-based housing association Incommunities was honoured in the promoting opportunity through social mobility category.  The company’s employability team was recognised for its work with local residents providing skills development, training and career opportunities for jobseekers in the Bradford district.

Julie Stanworth, employability manager at Incommunities, said: “The team creates opportunities for social mobility by helping provide people with the skills, knowledge and qualifications they need to gain sustainable employment or upskill to a new role.  I am proud the team’s efforts in supporting local residents have been recognised by this prestigious award.”

Brighouse-based Lattitude7 was also recognised for its excellence in promoting opportunity through social mobility.  Lattitude7 was set up in 2010 and provides training in personal development, teamwork, leadership and business improvement.  A large part of their work is focused on helping disadvantaged individuals and groups.  Founder and owner of Lattitude7, Dr Martin Haigh MBE, said: “It is an absolute honour for our business to be recognised with a Queen’s Award.  We have worked hard to support the disadvantaged, especially in the Calderdale community, and it is especially pleasing to see young people gain the confidence and skills to enter the world of work.”

Silsden-based EthOss Regeneration Ltd was honoured in the international trade category.  EthOss was set up in 2013 by Dr Peter Fairbairn and Dr Paul Harrison, who created the innovative EthOss® – a synthetic biomaterial used during dental implant surgery to encourage new bone to grow and support the implant.  Dr Harrison, Managing director of EthOss said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been recognised with the prestigious Queen’s Award in international trade.  The continued hard work of our team has seen us continue to grow year on year, and we’re extremely honoured that this has been celebrated with such a renowned award.”

Family-run Batley-based furniture manufacturer and retailer HSL was honoured in the innovation category.  HSL was recognised for its patented innovative frame design, which allows the attachment of a wooden knuckle (armchair handle) using a different technique to the methodology used historically by other furniture manufacturers.  William Burrows, HSL chairman, said : “I am delighted and hugely proud, as is my mother who founded HSL with my father 53 years ago, to win a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.  It not only reflects the skill, passion and commitment of our team, but is a testimony to our craftsmen and women.”