A Derbyshire company that has been breaking down barriers into engineering for more than a decade has won a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise, the UK’s highest business honour.
Buckingham Palace has announced that Acres Engineering has received the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category. This year, only 185 businesses across the UK, including four in Derbyshire, were granted the Royal honour, and Acres was the only company in the county to be recognised in this category.
The Melbourne-based firm earned the award for its ‘People’s First Pledge’, a deep commitment to maximising staff potential while helping those who face challenges in gaining employment in engineering. Acres Engineering has now provided apprenticeships to more than 100 people and continues to offer continuous professional development across its workforce. Through extensive outreach programmes—including work experience opportunities, school factory tours, and activity days—the company has helped many secure jobs in the skilled metal fabrication sector.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, the business equivalent of an MBE, celebrate outstanding business achievement in four categories: sustainability, innovation, promoting opportunity, and international trade.
Alice Parker, who founded and leads the People’s First Pledge at Acres Engineering, said: “There aren’t words to describe what an honour it is for us all at Acres Engineering to have won the King’s Award. Our People’s First Pledge and the care taken at Acres over developing our apprentices and staff has been recognised with the highest accolade this country can bestow.”
The People’s First Pledge is a long-term, values-led commitment to supporting all staff in their careers and lives. Acres pledges to identify, support, and progress people from disadvantaged, non-traditional, or underrepresented backgrounds into meaningful engineering careers. The company openly supports candidates who may have limited academic achievement or exposure to industry and works with schools in disadvantaged areas.
Alice said: “We understand that circumstances shouldn’t define a person’s future, and we create space for talent to thrive. The pledge is embedded across recruitment, onboarding, training, and daily operations—championed from managers through to directors. Our leadership takes a personal interest in every staff member’s journey, understanding their individual needs, goals, and potential.”
She added: “Together we have helped transform entry-level staff into confident, qualified professionals working not just in fabrication, but also in CAD, design, marketing, finance, and business strategy. We’ve steadied lives, unlocked potential, and fostered loyalty that surpasses industry norms. We’re proud to retain apprentices and staff even when competitors offer more money, because our people know they matter here. We're also proud Gold Award holders of the Armed Forces Covenant, supporting veterans, reservists, and military families in tangible ways.”
One staff member, originally employed as an apprentice at Acres, was supported to complete an engineering degree despite having dyslexia. A former workplace student enjoyed his school placement so much that he returned for additional work experience during his summer holidays. After completing his placements, he now runs his own engineering firm, even though no one from his family had ever worked in industry.
HR Director Alice noted that due to the skills shortage in the sector, Acres recognised it would need to develop talent from within. A main aim of the People First Pledge is to help retain staff in the metal fabrication sector, where recruitment can be tough.
She said: “Despite Derby’s reputation as a world-class engineering city, it is officially recognised as a ‘cold spot’ in the Social Mobility Index. That means too many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds still have limited access to real opportunities and clear routes into skilled careers. At Acres, we’ve made it our mission to change that. We believe talent is everywhere, opportunity isn’t. This King’s Award means a huge amount to us because it recognises the difference we’re making in opening doors and giving people a genuine chance to succeed.”
Acres Managing Director Luke Parker said: “This King’s Award is both a proud and humbling recognition of the years of hard work we’ve invested in our people. Achievements like this don’t happen by chance; they come from real commitment, day in, day out. We’ll wear this award with pride, and more importantly, use it to keep driving forward, continuing to support our team, just as they support us.”
