Celebrating Queen’s Award success in style

At Bondholder Spotlight, Marketing Derby was finally able to celebrate its Queen’s Award success.

The Queen’s Awards are regarded as the highest business accolade any company can win.

But those companies and organisations who won awards during the pandemic were never able to properly celebrate because of restrictions.

Among them was Marketing Derby who was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2020, at the height of the coronavirus crisis.

That year, the inward investment agency received its award virtually during a ‘Zoom’ meeting.

However, Bondholder Spotlight provided Marketing Derby the perfect opportunity for a physical presentation of the award, in the company of its Bondholders.

Speaking at Spotlight, John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “We established Bondholders almost 15 years ago, which has since developed into a vibrant and diverse community, supporting the development of place and raising profile.

“One of the main reasons why we won a Queen’s Award was because of our Bondholders.”

At Spotlight, Mr Forkin was joined on stage by Marketing Derby chairman Bob Betts and a presentation committee consisting of HM Lord-Lieutenant and High Sheriff for Derbyshire, Liz Fothergill CBE, Michael Copestake, High Sheriff of Derbyshire and Tony Walker CBE.

Mrs Fothergill said: “I was delighted to finally be able celebrate together and present in person the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation to Marketing Derby.”

Mr Copestake, who was instrumental in starting Marketing Derby, spoke of his pride at the organisation’s achievement.

He said: “To be the only inward investment agency in the UK to receive a Queen’s Award is an enormous achievement for Marketing Derby.”

Receiving the Queen’s Award, Mr Betts said: “We have shown everyone what innovation means.

“An example is this event today, where we have all the support of our Bondholder community.”