Queen’s Award-winner Cosy urges others to aim for accolade
A DERBYSHIRE company awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise earlier this year is encouraging others to submit entries on behalf of their organisation – and has funded a website which it hopes will help others with their entries.
Cosy Direct is one of 226 organisations nationally recognised back in May, winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise – Sustainable Development 2022 during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.
Cosy, which sells ethical educational supplies to primary schools, councils and nurseries from its 45,000sq ft warehouse near Tutbury, says receiving special recognition for its business is “a significant and coveted honour”.
The website – derbyshireqae.co.uk – features testimonials from members of the Derbyshire business community who have previously won a Queen’s Award, plus words of encouragement from LordLieutenant of Derbyshire Elizabeth Fothergill and Tony Walker, chair of the Derbyshire Queen’s Award for Enterprise panel.
Derby-based videography and photography company Goldbox Productions is also involved in the project. It has created a winner’s film showcasing the talent across Derby and Derbyshire.
The lieutenancy is running three open days for organisations interested in applying for a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. These sessions will take place next month in Buxton, Chesterfield and Derby.
Peter Ellse, who set up Cosy Direct with wife Amanda in 2011 said: “Winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise – Sustainable Development is some achievement. It is awarded for commercially successful products, services and management that benefit the environment, society and the economy. To get the royal seal of approval from Her Majesty as one of the best companies in the UK is significant for our business and a coveted honour. It is also great for the city and county.
During 2022, a record eight Queen’s Awards were awarded to Derbyshire companies and organisations, which was the fourth highest of any region in the UK.
Peter said: “For Cosy, it has helped to elevate our business and it is great to be able to use the official emblem on our website. Buyers and the suppliers who we work with at Cosy have an even greater confidence in working with us, knowing that we have royal recognition of our growth, success, and ethos. In our city and county, there are some pretty brilliant organisations who should consider applying for a Queen’s Award for Enterprise this year.”
Employing more than 100 people in the Midlands, Cosy Direct was set up after Peter and Amanda recognised a need for ethical, imaginative play equipment which would encourage outdoor learning.
Cosy prides itself on its sustainable approach to business – which is why this award in particular is important.
It has also recently been shortlisted for a Staffordshire Chamber Business Award for Sustainable Development.
Peter said: “Cosy is one of the UK’s most exciting prospects when it comes to the educational resources industry – we’ve more than doubled in size over the last three years – and our communityminded ethos is something which we take great pride in.
“Sustainability and an ethical approach to business is important to us; we’re also proud to support charities and grassroots projects around the world – including right here in Derby and Derbyshire.
“In 2002, we set up the Cosy Fund – now known as the Cosy Foundation – which sees a minimum of 10 per cent of profit made from the business donated to small table-top charities and voluntary organisations. It is the Cosy Foundation that has funded the Derbyshire Queen’s Award for Enterprise website.
Now in its 56th year, the Queen’s Award for Enterprise are the most prestigious business award in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Award Emblem for the next five years. Applications for Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2023 are now open. For more information and to enquire about attending one of the information evenings, visit derbyshireqae.co.uk.