HM The Queen honours Lakehouse with award for enterprise

21 Apr 2011

There was much excitement when news broke of the winners of The Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2011. The prestigious awards are made annually by HM The Queen, and are only given to those companies that demonstrate the highest levels of excellence. Lakehouse is privileged to have received an award for 'Sustainable Development', on the basis of its exemplary performance in contributing to the social and economic sustainability of the communities it work within. The awards citation highlights Lakehouse's leadership role in raising the profile of the industry in terms of how it can progress the sustainability of its operations, and in particular the Building Lives and Lakehouse Legacy projects.

Chief Executive Steve Rawlings commented; "Winning the Queen's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development is a real mark of quality and excellence. It's a massive morale boost for everyone at Lakehouse, and proof of our sustainable credentials. Recognition at this level will provide our clients and suppliers with added confidence in our ability to deliver - you can't beat that."

Steve hopes that the announcement will act as a catalyst for more change and improvement, adding "The awards process itself has been a useful learning opportunity. It's reminded everyone how far we've come, and has highlighted just how many advances we have made in sustainable development." Lakehouse plans to use the award as a stepping stone to further develop its approach to sustainability.

The company has gone from strength to strength over the past few years, and successfully achieved a 51% increase in turnover last year. The award couldn't have come at a better time, following Lakehouse's success at the Building Awards where the company was announced 'Diversity Champion of the Year', and highly commended for 'Contractor of the Year', which it secured in 2010.

Steve Rawlings joined other winners at Her Majesty The Queen's Reception at Buckingham Palace on 14 July 2011. HM The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh greeted guests in the State Rooms, which form the nucleus of the working Palace, Her Majesty's official London residence. Each year HM The Queen makes the Awards on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee that includes representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions.

On 21 July the Queen's representative, Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Havering, Colonel Mark Bryant, attended Lakehouse's headquarters in Romford to present Steve Rawlings with the prestigious award. The Colonel was accompanied by the Deputy Mayor of Havering, Councillor Lynden Thorpe, who was thrilled to see local business Lakehouse recognised and honoured by HM The Queen. Guests at the celebratory reception included partners who have helped Lakehouse to set up its first Building Lives Training Academy - One Housing Group, Arlington, Acton College, and some long term supply chain partners. The most important guests of all were Building Lives trainees, all of whom were invited, together with Richard Kirwan who has successfully come through the academy and is now working in full time paid employment on Lakehouse's largest social housing framework.