A Brighton firm of headhunters has been given a royal seal of approval on the Queen’s 90th birthday.
The pharmaceutical search firm Stelfox has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its outstanding contribution to international trade.
The award, announced today (Thursday 23 April), recognises outstanding international growth and commercial success.
The Queen’s Awards scheme is regarded by many as the most prestigious business accolade in the country and 2016 marks its 51st anniversary.
Stelfox recorded an increase in international turnover last year of almost a third (29 per cent), exceeding the industry average by more than 20 per cent.
The company said that its overseas expansion had also helped fuel its overall turnover, which last year grew by 44 per cent. The company’s accounts show a profit of more than £330,000.
This year’s award organisers also recognised Stelfox’s continuing commitment to international development. The business has opened an office in the Swiss city of Basel and is expanding its operations into Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Over the past eight years Stelfox has transformed from a British business, with three staff concentrating largely on the domestic market, to an international concern with more than 20 employees.
Stelfox said that it was now the staffing partner of choice for more than 20 top international pharmaceutical and biotech companies with a highly tailored service.
It has been finding chief scientific officers for start-up biotechs in Europe and executives for senior commercial roles in pharmaceutical companies in America.
Accolade
Stelfox managing director Steve Kerassitis said: “The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is a huge accolade and I’m incredibly proud of the team for receiving such prestigious recognition in the international trade category.
“Stelfox is a thoroughly international brand – UK headquartered, run by two Aussies, employing a largely multilingual workforce and recently launching our new branch in Basel, Switzerland.
“This international focus is a significant factor in our success, coupled with our commitment to developing close industry and academic ties and working hard to forecast and stay ahead of the biggest market trends and, ultimately, our clients’ needs.
“But it’s safe to say we won’t be resting on our laurels. Over the next four years we plan to launch offices in Germany, New York and Madrid, and by 2019 aim to establish bases in the Asia Pacific region.”
In recognition of the award, the Stelfox management team, including managing director Steve Kerassitis and director Anna Pak Poy have been invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in July.
Stelfox will be formally presented with their award when a representative of the Queen visits their Brighton offices in – perhaps appropriately – Queen’s Road later this year.
