A Derbyshire company that has been breaking down barriers into engineering for more than 10 years has today won a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise – the UK’s highest business honour.
Buckingham Palace has announced that Acres Engineering has won the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category.
This year only 186 businesses in the UK, including four in Derbyshire, received the Royal honour – and Acres was the only company in the county to be awarded in the Promoting Opportunity category. The Melbourne company has received the award for its ‘People’s First Pledge’ – a deep commitment to maximising staff potential whilst helping those who encounter challenges to employment in engineering.
Acres Engineering has now provided apprenticeships to more than 100 people and continues to provide continual professional development (CPD) across the workforce. It has helped many gain employment in the skilled metal fabrication sector through its expansive outreach programmes which include work experience opportunities, school factory tours and activity days.
The business equivalent of an MBE, the King’s Awards for Enterprise celebrate outstanding achievement in business and are awarded in four categories: sustainability, innovation, promoting opportunity and international trade.
Alice Parker, who founded and leads the People’s First Pledge at Acres Engineering, said: “There aren’t words to describe what an honour it is for us all at Acres Engineering to have won the King’s Award. Our People’s First Pledge and the care taken at Acres over developing our apprentices and staff has been recognised with the highest accolade this country can bestow.”
The People’s First pledge at Acres Engineering is a long-term, values-led commitment to supporting all the company’s staff in their careers and lives.
Acres pledges to identify, support and progress people from disadvantaged, non-traditional or under – represented backgrounds into meaningful engineering careers.
The company openly supports candidates who may have limited academic achievement or exposure to industry and working with schools in disadvantaged areas.
Alice said: “We understand that circumstances shouldn’t define a person’s future, and we create space for talent to thrive.
“The pledge is embedded across recruitment, onboarding, training, and daily operations – championed from managers through to directors.
“Our leadership takes a personal interest in every staff member’s journey, understanding their individual needs, goals, and potential.
“Together we have helped transform entry-level staff into confident, qualified professionals working not just in fabrication, but also in CAD, design, marketing, finance and business strategy. We’ve steadied lives, unlocked potential, and fostered loyalty that surpasses industry norms.
“We’re proud to retain apprentices and staff even when competitors offer more money, because our people know they matter here.
“We’re also proud Gold Award holders of the Armed Forces Covenant, supporting veterans, reservists, and military families in tangible ways.”
One member of staff originally employed as an apprentice at Acres was supported into completing an engineering degree despite being dyslexic.
A former workplace student enjoyed his school placement so much that he returned for additional work experience during his summer holidays. After completing his Acres work placements, he now runs his own engineering firm despite no-one from his family ever having worked in industry.
HR Director Alice said that Acres recognised that due to the skills shortage within the sector, it would need to develop talent from within. A main aim of the People First Pledge is to help Acres retain staff in the metal fabrication sector where recruitment can be tough.
She said: “Despite Derby’s reputation as a world-class engineering city, it is officially recognised as a ‘cold spot’ in the Social Mobility Index. That means too many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds still have limited access to real opportunities and clear routes into skilled careers.
“At Acres, we’ve made it our mission to change that. We believe talent is everywhere, opportunity isn’t. This King’s Award means a huge amount to us because it recognises the difference we’re making in opening doors and giving people a genuine chance to succeed.”
Acres Managing Director Luke Parker said: “This King’s Award is both a proud and humbling recognition of the years of hard work we’ve invested in our people. Achievements like this don’t happen by chance, they come from real commitment, day in, day out.
“We’ll wear this award with pride, and more importantly, use it to keep driving forward, continuing to support our team, just as they support us.”
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