Kenilworth business wins national award

Martin Hawkswood, the director of Proserve, was presented with a trophy for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category by the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Timothy Cox.

Before presenting the award, Lord Lt Cox said: “There is no higher accolade that a business can receive.

“Her Majesty sets these awards, and through working together as a team you have earned something very special.

“My congratulations to you all.”

Mr Hawkswood was delighted to receive the award.

He said: “It is an honour to be recognised by Her Majesty the Queen for the work the company has done over the last 50 years.

“This award highlights the work of all members of staff who have dedicated themselves relentlessly to the pursuit of excellence for which I am glad they are receiving the recognition that they truly deserve.”

The awards are presented annually to companies who are outstanding in their field, and Proserve was one of just 24 businesses nationwide who received an award for innovation.

James Hawkswood, son of Martin and Proserve’s Business Manager, was equally thrilled that the company had received the award, which the company can display for five years.

He said: “It’s a big, big thing for the business.

“This company has been around for a very long time, and this award is the culmination of all those years.

“We’d like to thank our staff - it wouldn’t be possible without their hard work.”

The ceremony took place inside Proserve’s manufacturing room at the Princes Drive site, where they moved to from their old headquarters on Priory Road last May.

Also present was Izzi Seccombe, the Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Michael Doody, the Chairman of Warwick District Council, and Michael Coker, the Mayor of Kenilworth.

The Mayor was full of praise for the company, which has been based in Kenilworth for 20 years.

He said: “It’s really tremendous that we have a company like this in our midst.

“It’s an extremely prestigious national award for a Kenilworth company to win.”

Proserve won the award due to their unique underwater grouting systems, which create concrete foundations and seals for underwater construction projects all over the world.

Most notably, their designs will be used in Venice as part of the Venice Barrage, a huge barrier designed to prevent the Italian city from flooding.

Additionally, their innovations were used to help repair some of the damage caused to the coastline of Haiti by the earthquake which struck the Caribbean country in 2010.

The company was founded 50 years ago by Ernest Cannon, and was bought by Martin Hawkswood in 1996.

They employ many people from Kenilworth as well as engineers from across the country and the rest of the world.