Vistair Systems, the world leader in the provision of leading edge management software to the global airline industry, has joined an “elite group” of the UK’s most prestigious companies.
That’s after the Bristol-based business formally received its Queen’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of its outstanding performance trading overseas.
Dame Janet Trotter, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire and Her Majesty the Queen’s representative in the county, visited Vistair’s head office in Almondsbury to present the award to the company and find out more about its operations, successes to date and future growth plans.
“By receiving this Queen’s Award you are joining an elite group made up of the most prestigious and successful companies in the UK,” Dame Janet told Vistair’s founders, Ian Herbert and David Hedley, and its more than 100 employees.
“Only those businesses that demonstrate excellence throughout their operations can even be considered for such an honour,” she continued. “So to actually win the award is the highest accolade UK companies can achieve,” she added.
Now in their fiftieth year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise were first introduced in 1966 and are designed to recognise excellent performance in the areas of innovation, international trade and sustainability.
Judging of the awards is rigorous and conducted by a specially selected, independent and international panel who look for commitment to quality, excellence in customer service, strong growth performance and dedication to innovation.
“I like to think of these awards as the business Oscars,” said Dame Janet. “When you see how many are awarded each year, and then look closely at the calibre of those winners and their successes, you see what a great achievement it is.”
Receiving the Queen’s Award Vistair’s CEO and co-founder, Ian Herbert, said: “This huge honour is especially satisfying because everything we have achieved to date is down to the professionalism and creativity of the whole team here at Vistair.”
