News
Andy Thorne is Honoured to Meet HM Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
This outstanding achievement was celebrated at the prestigious reception hosted at Buckingham Palace. Andy Thorne attended along with Nicola Gilbert, and words fail to express the honour this represents.
To be received in such grandeur and to have the opportunity of a lifetime to enter the Palace as a guest, and be presented to HM The Queen, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is a phenomenal achievement. All attendees were individually introduced at the start of the evening, and during the evening HM Queen Elizabeth circulated and greeted guests, taking time to talk to them about their companies and the categories that they had been successful in.
The Reception was attended by the achievers of the Queen’s Award across all categories – Innovation, Sustainable Development, Enterprise and International Trade. Approximately 11,000 companies start this process, and were whittled down to a shortlist of approximately 1200, with 95 companies being successful.
Business Secretary Vince Cable was in attendance and said, quote, “I want to see a whole new generation of entrepreneurs”, which echoes the philosophy of all those present and their achievements regardless of category.
Kestrel is hugely supportive of these Awards and the benefits that they bring to one’s company. Especially for a relatively young company in shipping terms, this Award is a true testament to the strength of the company and acts as an extremely strong recommendation to any business or individual considering dealing with us. It has already been instrumental in bringing on board many large new corporate accounts, who feel that the due to the incredibly stringent demands that The Queen’s Award’s Office require, that Kestrel is the Only company for them to work with because it so thoroughly endorses all aspects of a quality company.
Much has happened since the Award was first announced, not least an increasing bond between the Parliamentary Select Committee with responsibility for the Commonwealth Countries, as led by MP Andrew Rosindell. The value of commercial knowledge in these areas, combined with the Governmental knowledge required to set policy and lead the way to a stronger future is clearly an opportunity that will benefit the members of the Commonwealth Countries Kestrel is so heavily involved in. Again, this is an example of the strength of Kestrel’s Corporate Responsibility to the areas where it trades.
If anyone has any queries about the Queen’s Award please contact Nicki Gilbert on Tel +44 7917 094752 or ngilbert@kestrel-liner.com
National Business Awards finalists announced - July 28th, 2010
~ Shortlisted entries demonstrate energy, bravery and determination ~
Over 150 of the UK’s most innovative and resilient public and private sector businesses have been announced today, Wednesday 28th July, as finalists in the National Business Awards in partnership with Orange. Organisations shortlisted this year range from the well-known – Unilever, Camelot, Marks & Spencer, American Express, Coca Cola, The Co-Operative Group and Kwik Fit – through to the rising stars of Ella’s Kitchen, Freesat, Coffee Nation, Naked Wines, and Cheapflights.
“Orange has sponsored the National Business Awards for the past nine years and I am delighted that the calibre of entrants keeps on improving. It's been a tough couple of years for business but the UK's organisations have not let this stop them from delivering success. I'd like to congratulate all the finalists for being a real inspiration for what is possible in business”, said Martin Stiven, Vice President, Orange UK.
The total number of organisations entering the National Business Awards in 2010 increased by over 40 percent compared to last year despite the challenging market conditions. From eco breweries to family-run medical recruitment companies, the diversity of the finalists is staggering, while competition for the big prizes is red hot.
Commenting on the encouraging figures and the calibre of entries, Philip Forrest, Chairman of Judges, the National Business Awards, said: “The economic climate continues to present UK businesses with an unprecedented challenge and it is therefore encouraging that the entries in this year’s National Business Awards have shown no drop in quality or performance. Congratulations to all finalists for demonstrating great strength in the ability to adapt and innovate quickly which no doubt reflects the resilience and optimism that are the hallmarks of UK enterprise.”
Finalists will as of today prepare to make their presentations in person before an independent, expert judging panel from 20th September – 6th October.
2010 winners will be unveiled at a glittering award ceremony on 9th November at the Grosvenor House hotel in London. Current title holders include Peter Marks, Group CEO, the Co-op, who won The Orange Leader of the Year in 2009 and Tristram Mayhew, CEO, Go Ape, who won The Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award 2009.
“Applying for the National Business Awards was in itself a good business discipline since it required a rigorous assessment of our strengths and weakness as an organisation. Going on to win an award has been a great boost for all the 350 people who have dedicated themselves to making Go Ape a success. It has given us fantastic PR opportunities right across the country and provided a small company with added commercial credibility”, said last year’s winner of the 2009 Santander SME Award and Go Ape Founder, Tristram Mayhew.
Hoping to mirror the success of fellow SME, Go Ape,
in this year’s Awards, is Naked Wines, a finalist in the Orange Innovation Award. Naked Wines is an online wine market,
which was very bravely created by 17 “deranged and passionate” friends during the
height of the recession. The company
supports independent winemakers from around the world, investing in them in return
for preferential prices which are then passed onto customers.
It's proving to be a highly successful business model with huge potential
for profitable growth - hence their nomination today alongside all the other finalists
who so richly deserve to be named and celebrated. In today’s uncertain market, bravery,
energy and creativity are needed more than ever.
Kestrel Liner Agencies has become established as a leading logistics provider with the ongoing relief efforts. To date Samaritan Purse has sent over $6 million in heavy equipment and shelter materials on 4 roll on/off voyages. Ongoing shipments are scheduled on a 3 week interval for the next several months. As Samaritan Purse intends to build over 7500 semi-permanent shelters near the Cite Soleil community.
Kestrel is also providing logistics support to Habitat for Humanity who are shipping over 36 x 40ft of shelters. Kestrel has begun to move commercial shipments from Asia and South America as the Haitian business community begins restocking.
Port conditions have improved with a temporary pier set up in Port Au Prince. Geared operations are up and running. Effective this week the Port Authority is applying a new surcharge ( not applicable to Ro/Ro shipments discharged at other private terminals):
"TEMPORARY FLOATING PIER SURCHARGE"
$300 per equipment (any size) - commercial cargo
$150 per equipment (any size) - humanitarian cargo
$5 per cubic meter - breakbulk and machinery
The fees for COMMERCIAL and HUMANITARIAN cargoes will be collected locally in Haiti and directly from each Importer prior to releasing any shipment.
"HUMANITARIAN" cargo fee will be considered for only the cargoes sent to the Institutions recognized by APN as such.
Kestrel is also continuing to provide multi-modal service between world ports and USA via Ports in the Dominican Republic where we have established land bridge services across the border.
In the coming months and years, the international community has pledged to provide funds for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Haiti’s infrastructure. And Kestrel Liner Agencies is well positioned to serve the needs of relief and commercial shippers.
GREEN ACHIEVER AWARD
Kestrel is pleased to announce that we have taken the first steps in the Green Achiever Award scheme. A scheme that helps us demonstrate to you our suppliers and customers that we are doing our bit to control our environmental impacts within our business.
