Three Shropshire companies have been named in the latest King's Awards for Enterprise which celebrate British businesses.
Thermserve, Fowler & Gilbert, and Pave Aways are among the 186 recipients announced today as the UK's most prestigious business awards mark their 60th anniversary.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise celebrate outstanding UK business excellence and in this milestone year, the Awards are expanding to champion the next generation with the launch of The King’s Award for Enterprise – Young Founder.
His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants – The King’s representatives in each county – will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year. One representative from each successful business will also be invited to a special Royal reception event. 
Pave Aways, which is headquartered in Knocking and has offices in Newtown and Wrexham, has received its first ever King's Award for Enterprise.
The company has been recognised for ‘Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility’ to mark the overwhelming success of its ‘Looking After Our Workforce’ initiative.
Introduced in late 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, the company chose to focus on regional projects, reducing travel and increasing investment in staff wellbeing, training and career development.
It was a firm commitment made by Steven Owen and fellow Directors Victoria Lawson, Jamie Evans, and Charlotte Davies and has boosted the career prospects of nearly 500 people, 288 of whom were from disadvantaged backgrounds or not in employment, education or training.
The King’s Award for Enterprise highlighted the tangible difference this policy has made since 2021, with 70 new careers created, 94 internal promotions, and the average length of service for Pave Aways staff increasing to over 10 years.
“Receiving the email confirming the King’s Award for Enterprise was a proud moment, not just personally but for everyone who has contributed to the journey,” said Steven Owen, who joined the business as a site engineer in 1997 before taking over as managing director in 2011 following a management buyout.
“We’ve always been clear that opportunity is not just about entry into work; it is about progression, upskilling and actively supporting people to move forward. We support our team to develop and progress, particularly those who may have had less access to progression, and we also look to make a positive difference in the communities where we deliver our projects.
“This approach has so far supported nearly 500 people and the King’s Award is in recognition of each and every one of those success stories."
Nearly three quarters of the firm’s expected £20m turnover is also redirected into the local supply chain, with some of the contractors now run by former employees who have benefitted from the programme.
Pave Aways has also committed to taking on another five apprentices this year, taking its current total of people completing vocational learning to sixteen.
Steven said: “I didn’t know it at the time, but my last conversation I had with my dad was to tell him we were having a little girl and that I was planning on buying the business. He told me the latter was going to be a mistak - I just hope he’s looking down now and seeing the King’s Award as proof that it was probably one of the best mistakes I ever made.”
Shropshire‑based engineering company Fowler and Gilbert is celebrating a landmark year after receiving a King’s Award for Promoting Opportunity while also being shortlisted for Shropshire Chamber Company of the Year.
The company, which designs and manufactures agricultural and industrial steel‑framed buildings, is marking its 15th anniversary with national and regional recognition for both its business success and social impact.
Managing director Lee Gilbert said: “To receive a King’s Award in our 15th year is an incredible honour and being shortlisted for Shropshire Chamber Company of the Year means a great deal to us as a local business. It reflects the hard work of our team and our belief that strong businesses can have a positive impact on their communities.”
With a team of over fifty skilled professionals, Fowler and Gilbert ltd is committed to continuous growth, driven by both experience and technological expertise. Central to this commitment is their investment in the next generation of talent. It represents a forward thinking model of inclusive workforce development- one that others in their sector are now beginning to look to as an example of best practise.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating 60 years since the first Awards were conferred in 1966. Formerly known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, the programme was renamed four years ago to reflect His Majesty The King’s wish to continue the remarkable legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising the very best of UK business. Since their inception, over 8000 British businesses have been recognised with this royal accolade.
