Crown Estate Announce Winners of Their Business Awards 2013 (UK)

The Crown Estate have announced the winners of their business awards 2013.

Now in their seventh year, the awards recognise organisations that successfully adopt innovative approaches to meet their business objectives, make a stand-out contribution to the communities in which they operate and make significant efforts to reduce their impact on the environment.

The winners were presented with their awards at annual results reception at the Café Royal in London. The prize for each of the winners is a £5,000 grant from The Crown Estate towards a research or community project of the winning organisations’ choice.

 Alison Nimmo, Chief Executive, said: “The Crown Estate business awards, now in their seventh year, recognise some of the remarkable work businesses are doing across our portfolios. For the first time this year we have four categories – energy and infrastructure, urban, rural and coastal. This year’s winners have demonstrated innovation and forward-thinking, making a positive impact in their local communities and in the environments in which they operate. Their commitment to sustainability is exemplary. I congratulate them, thank them and wish them every success in the coming year.”

The winner of the 2013 energy and infrastructure business award is DONG Energy, which received the prize for the contribution its Gunfleet Sands demonstration project is making towards cost reduction and growth in the offshore wind industry. DONG Energy was also commended for exemplary management of the project, which saw the company move the scheme from conception to delivery in record time.

The project is the first in the world to test the new, next generation Siemens 6 MW direct drive offshore wind turbines. Demonstrating the reliability, functionality and performance of new larger capacity technology, which allows schemes to reach consenting capacities using fewer turbines and foundations, is a crucial component to driving cost reduction in the industry and minimising the effect development has on the marine environment.

As managers of the seabed to 12 nautical miles they awarded DONG Energy an agreement for the lease for the demonstration site in 2010. In the last few weeks they have also announced another leasing round for test and demonstration projects, including for floating technology, to further facilitate cost reduction and encourage investment in commercial offshore wind energy projects.

The winner of the 2013 urban business award is Hobbycraft, a leading UK art and craft retailer, which was singled out by the judges for its inspiring approach to community engagement, as well as its commitment to cutting energy consumption.

Lymington Harbour Commissioners were the winners of the 2013 coastal business award, recognising the organisation’s work to regenerate the significant intertidal saltmarsh habitats in the area, as part of its longer term plans to safeguard the future of Lymington Harbour.

The winner of the 2013 rural business award is Albion Stone, which has this year delivered a strong commercial performance despite operating in a fiercely competitive market.

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Press release, June 27, 2013; Image: thecrownestate