Royal visit to celebrate Belling's 100 years of trading

Chief executive of Belling Denver Hewlett
recieves the Queen's Award for Enterprise
from His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent

As part of Belling's centennial celebrations, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent visited the appliance manufacturer and presented its parent company GDHA with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The Duke was given a tour of Belling’s headquarters and factory to see how its cooking appliances are manufactured in the UK. In addition, he was given a presentation about Belling’s commitment to British manufacture.

Celebrity chef and Belling brand ambassador Brian Turner also gave a cookery demonstration, using the company’s appliances.

Concluding the visit, the Duke officially presented Belling’s parent company, Glen Dimplex Home Appliances with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. It was given to the manufacturing group, earlier this year, after overseas sales of its British-made products increased by 880%. 

The Queen's Award for Enterprise is an accolade for business performance, and recognises and rewards outstanding achievement. They are made each year by Her Majesty the Queen, on the recommendation of an advisory committee, including representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and trade unions.

Speaking at the ceremony the Vice Lord Lieutenant said: “You have built a reputation for excellence and I want to congratulate you all on your success, for the Queen’s Award is a great honour to all the people involved in every aspect of the business.

“It is the result of vision, commitment, application and sheer hard work by you all. The award recognises the results of teamwork under positive leadership and it certainly sets a standard of achievement that will be hard to beat. I’m sure Glen Dimplex will continue to prosper to the benefit of those you employ, the county of Merseyside and, indeed, the whole United Kingdom.”

Denver Hewlett, chief executive of Belling, said: “It is a hugely significant year for Great Britain, the Royal Family and Belling and it was a real honour to welcome the Duke to our headquarters to help mark our centenary celebrations.

“Belling has a rich heritage and has played an important role in British manufacture for the past century. It was fantastic to be able to commemorate this by showing the Duke how our appliances are made right here in Liverpool and give our dedicated and hardworking staff the opportunity to be part of this momentous day.

“Being officially presented with the Queen’s Award from the Duke rounded off a wonderful occasion – it is an accolade that we are extremely proud of and marks many years of hard work by people across the business.”

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