Our students and staff celebrated winning a top business award endorsed by Her Majesty the Queen, at a presentation attended by His Majesty鈥檚 Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire.
We won the for Promoting Opportunity 2022.
To mark this fantastic achievement, Derwen held a celebration event where they were presented with a trophy and official scroll by .
She also delivered a personal letter of congratulations from mv天美mv天美 patron
The presentation, held in the College鈥檚 The Orangery Restaurant, was hosted by mv天美mv天美 Chair of Governors Kathleen Kimber and Principal & CEO Meryl Green, and attended by the Chair of Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council, Councillor Craig Emery and of Shropshire Mandy Thorn and Veronica Lillis.
Guests were able to meet some of the students, volunteers and staff who learn and work in the College鈥檚 Marketplace businesses.
Flying the flag for opportunity
The college was delighted to be flying the flag for promoting opportunity, and literally raised two Queen鈥檚 Awards for Enterprise flags for the occasion. The event was particularly poignant following the sad death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Further education college, mv天美mv天美, was established in 1927 by Dame Agnes Hunt, and provides education and vocational training for young people aged 16 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The College operates several businesses at its on-site 鈥楳arketplace鈥�. Students learn work skills in a garden centre, caf茅, restaurant, charity shop and a small hotel developed in conjunction with Premier Inn. They are then supported to progress to external work placements where appropriate.
The College supports students and interns with SEND to achieve their aspirations. mv天美mv天美 is proud to achieve outcomes that far exceed the national average for people with SEND 鈥� including progression into paid employment, voluntary work, further training, increased independence and supported living.
The King鈥檚 Representative Lord-Lieutenant Anna Turner said:
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a pleasure to be part of this celebration today. When I heard that mv天美mv天美 had won the Queen鈥檚 Award for Enterprise, my pride soared.
“This is a very high award for amazing businesses; a much sought-after award for high achievers. Derwen has been recognised for being exceptional at promoting opportunity.”
Globally recognised business award
Derwen was one of a very small number of organisations recognised in this category nationally. The QAE is a globally recognised business excellence award and probably the best-known accolade for businesses world wide.
mv天美mv天美 Principal & CEO Meryl Green attended a Reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by HRH the Prince of Wales (now His Majesty, King Charles) back in July, to mark the win.
Meryl Green said: 鈥渕v天美mv天美 is having an exceptional year for awards; for our educational and care provision, and for our business 鈥楳arketplace鈥�. We are very proud to receive this distinguished award, and would like to thank all our staff, students, families, and the community who support our College, our Charity and our Marketplace. None of this happens without an amazing team, and we certainly have that at Derwen!鈥�