“All good things must come to an end”
This is the phrase that comes to mind on my last day at The Queen’s Awards Office. Over the past year I have been given the wonderful opportunity to work on The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and had a great time getting involved with its Media, Marketing & PR.
A big part of what makes working at The Queen’s Awards so great is being witness to so many success stories of British business as well as the inspiring individuals you meet along the way. My work has seen me travel round Scotland and Wales and has even allowed me the privilege of stepping inside Buckingham Palace to meet The Queen. Our small team here, which I will be sad to leave and who have made my time here so enjoyable, will continue to do great and exciting things for the Awards for years to come.
I could ramble on about my own experience of The Buckingham Palace reception, but really who better to hear an account of the events of 14 July than from Angela Davis, the nominator of Enterprise Promotion winner Guy Mucklow.
Kieran Lawrence
Visiting a very Royal postcode – CEO acknowledged for his efforts in promoting Enterprise
On 14 July Postcode Anywhere’s chief executive officer Guy Mucklow was delighted to receive his Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion. It was presented to him by the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business Innovation & Skills and President of the Board of Trade at the BIS headquarters in Westminster.
I was lucky enough to tag along as the invitation was also extended to me as the person that nominated Guy. The award is given to individuals who encourage and nurture entrepreneurial skills, abilities and values in others.
It was a very exciting day, although exhausting as the sun shone relentlessly and the temperature soared. We got the opportunity to meet some very interesting people who, similar to Guy, are passionate about promoting enterprise within the UK. In the presence of the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, every single award winner, 8 in total, was asked to present an abridged history on how and why they were selected for a prestigious Queen’s Award.
The award for Enterprise Promotion is a lifetime award conferred upon the winners by Her Majesty the Queen. Recipients receive a scroll signed by Queen Elizabeth II and the Prime Minster David Cameron. They also receive an engraved crystal chalice.
Once the bestowal presentations concluded at BIS award winners and their nominees left to join other recipients at a Queen’s Award reception at Buckingham Palace. After the security checks on the Palace gates, guests were told to make their way over the gravel courtyard to access the inner sanctum. From there we entered the palatial interior and our incredible journey began.
As we stepped across the threshold into the Grand Hall and ascended the curving marble stairs of the Grand Staircase you immediately got a flavour of the imposing grandeur of the Palace.
We were ushered upstairs into the State Rooms where we entered The Gallery. The room was full of an array of stunning paintings attributed to the most revered artists in the world including Rubens, Canaletto and Rembrandt. There were also priceless sculptures and rare and exquisite pieces of porcelain on display that just took your breath away.
After we were given the opportunity to look around we were asked to form a line to meet the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. It was pretty daunting and even nerve wracking in parts but nevertheless very exciting.
As our champagne flutes were replenished regularly and canapés were in plentiful supply we were given the opportunity to network with other award-winners. It was interesting to hear the many success stories that ultimately led people to the Palace that evening.
What an amazing experience it was and how proud we were to meet our Monarch Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Buckingham Palace has a staggering 775 rooms, including 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. It was interesting to think of the many distinguished Heads of State representing all parts of the Commonwealth and the rest of the world have been entertained at the Palace. It really is a national treasure and one of the most prestigious postcodes in the world!
Angela Davis
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