Derby’s best-known family business clocks up triple awards success

There was A triple celebration at the Family Business of the Year Awards for Smith of Derby Ltd, who scooped no fewer than three awards – including the top award.

The awards are a celebration of British family-owned businesses across the UK, recognising the contribution they make to the economy, as well as the thousands of jobs they support. This year a virtual awards ceremony was held live across the internet.

Midlands-based Smith of Derby Ltd was awarded Manufacturer of the Year, Regional Winner for the Midlands and Supreme Champion – Family Business of the Year 2020. It was the first ‘treble’ award ever recorded and for Smith of Derby, in family ownership since its beginning in 1856, the evening was filled with emotion.

A short film, Who We Are, was made by one of the 6th generation of family owners. It can be viewed at www.smithofderby.com/smith-of-derby-a-family-company.

The video celebrates the life and times of the family company and is a fitting tribute to its past leader for many decades, Mr Nicholas Smith. He was fondly known at the works as ‘Mr Nick’, following the Midlands manufacturing tradition. Nick died just over two years ago, having served the family company since childhood, and the awards are a fitting recognition of all of his hard work in bringing the company safely into the 21st century.

In July one of the company clockmakers, Jon Lee, celebrated 50 years of continuous service with the company, from school-leaver to the present. That makes him one of the company’s most experienced clockmakers. In addition to keeping hundreds of public clocks to time, he helps to coach an enthusiastic and growing band of talented young clockmakers as part of an award-winning apprenticeship programme.

Standing proud and together on the podium, alongside many incredible family businesses, Smith of Derby offered their congratulations to all the worthy winners and runners-up.

Speaking on the achievement of winning the treble, Mr Nick’s daughter, director Heather Whitworth, said: “This is such a special moment for the company. It is a fitting tribute to the whole team, who have worked incredibly hard not just in 2020 but over decades.

“The team have worked tirelessly to maintain and develop the company, and to continue to cherish our customers and win new friends across the world. These awards are accepted on behalf of the whole team who deserve all the recognition and our thanks.”

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