I recently had the pleasure of being part of a panel event at the University of Derby International Business School, focused on The King’s Awards for Enterprise. Expertly chaired by the Derbyshire King’s Awards panel, the discussion flowed really well and brought together a great mix of perspectives. Listening to the other speakers, I was reminded just how much innovation, international growth and fantastic work is happening across Derbyshire business, often hidden behind the scenes.
It was also really nice to hear from HM the Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire and the genuine passion she has for the awards. Hearing how much she enjoys visiting recipients across the county and seeing first-hand the work businesses are doing gave a really personal perspective to it all. It’s clear it’s something she truly cares about, which came across in the way she spoke.
Our Experience and the Impact of Winning
For me, it was a genuine privilege to speak about our own experience as a winner. Having the chance to reflect on the journey, share the reality behind the application process, and talk honestly about what the award has meant to us was incredibly rewarding. Awards like this can feel intimidating, a lot of businesses assume they wont be ready but its really about explaining what you’ve already achieved as a business and putting that into words (and keeping in the word count!)
I ended up chatting to quite a few people afterwards about what winning has meant for us, from the boost it’s given the team through to how it’s changed how people view the business. Having spent years building the business, having that hard work externally recognised means a lot. It’s also led to opportunities and conversations that might not have happened otherwise.
A great example of this was at a recent exhibition we attended, which had a global audience. The King’s Award stood out straight away. People walked over specifically because they had spotted the King’s Award for Enterprise logo on our stand and wanted to know more. We had visitors from all over the world who recognised the award, understood its significance, and wanted to know more about our business because of it. It was one of those moments where you realise just how much recognition the award carries internationally.
Shared Stories and Honest Conversations
Being part of the panel also gave me the chance to listen to other businesses share their journeys, and that was just as valuable. Listening to the other panel members was genuinely inspiring. You could really feel the passion behind what everyone was saying, and at times it was quite emotional to hear. Even though every business was different, the same core theme came through in all of them.
There was also a bit of laughter around just how difficult it is to keep something like that under wraps. Finding out you’ve won is such a big moment, and naturally your instinct is to want to share it with everyone straight away. Having to keep it quiet during the embargo period definitely takes some self-control, especially when you’re so proud of what your team has achieved. It was something we all recognised and quietly related to, that mix of excitement and patience while waiting for the right moment to finally make it public. Its harder than you think to sit on news like that!
One thing I really enjoyed was how honest everyone was about the process. Nobody was holding anything back or treating the process as a secret. From practical tips about the application itself to honest reflections on what judges are really looking for, the session felt grounded and useful for anyone considering putting themselves forward.
It was also really nice to see people properly engaged and asking questions. That kind of interaction is what makes events like this worthwhile, it becomes less about a panel talking to people and more about a shared conversation.
Looking Ahead
Walking away from the day, it really made me reflect on what we’ve achieved and the business community we’re part of. It was also great to see so many businesses there supporting each other, with fantastic support from the Derbyshire King’s Awards panel.
If there’s one takeaway I’d share, it’s this: if you’re even slightly considering applying for The King’s Awards for Enterprise, go for it. Even just putting the application together makes you stop and properly look at everything you’re doing. .And If you’re fortunate enough to win, the benefits keep showing up in ways you don’t necessarily expect, whether that’s a boost for the team, opening doors to new conversations, or simply giving people confidence in who you are and what you do.
It was a real honour to be part of the discussion and to share our story. It’s not something you always stop and think about, so having that time to reflect on it properly meant a lot. There’s so much across Derbyshire to recognise, and hopefully we’ll see even more businesses on the 2027 winners list.
Contact West Special Fasteners
King’s Award for Enterprise – Derbyshire Lieutenancy
The King’s Awards for Enterprise: About the awards – GOV.UK
