Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire presents Commercial's Queen's Award

The Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Dame Janet Trotter, visited the Cheltenham head office of business services specialist Commercial to present its Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.

Upon arrival, Dame Janet was given a tour of Commercial by the brother and sister at the helm of the business, Arthur and Simone Hindmarch. She learnt about the technology behind the company’s hydrogen-enabled delivery fleet from Head of CSR Andrew McKenzie. And she found out about employee-led sustainability initiatives, such as the living wall, solar powered bike shed and volunteering scheme, from individuals who played a part in bringing these projects to life.

Dame Janet also visited Commercial’s social enterprise, Commercial Foundation, which focuses on empowering disadvantaged young people with work readiness skills. Here, she met Matt Bachelor who previously took part in Commercial Foundation’s NoLimits programme before taking on a permanent role at Commercial. Matt talked to Dame Janet about this life-changing opportunity, explaining how the young people generate income to help fund Commercial Foundation through its We Do. Print offering. 

Presenting the award, Dame Janet said: “This is the first time a Gloucestershire business has won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainability category. I’m so pleased that this has been achieved at last. Success like this depends upon great leadership – Simone and her brother Arthur are inspirational.”

Simone and Arthur, who recently attended a reception at Buckingham Palace in recognition of the award, say the head office team were delighted to be involved in the official presentation.

“Dame Janet was wonderful. She really took the time to find out about our business and engaged very warmly with everyone she spoke to on the tour,” Simone explains. “Winning the Queen’s Award was very much a team effort, so it is fitting that so many of our staff were able to enjoy the moment.”