HM The Queen personally approved the award in her Jubilee year after Procure Plus helped more than 2,500 people into long-term employment.
As the nation recovers from street parties and packs away the bunting, representatives from the company are continuing their Jubilee celebrations today as they head to Buckingham Palace to collect the accolade. They will be joined by other award-winning business leaders from across the country at an exclusive Royal reception.
After helping thousands of people from disadvantaged communities into sustainable and meaningful employment, Manchester-based Procure Plus Holdings is being recognised by one of the most prestigious business awards in the UK. Her Majesty the Queen personally approves the winners, granting the company what is thought of as the ‘Knighthood for business’.
The Manchester-based company specialises in procurement within the social housing sector, enabling housing associations to purchase goods and services together, delivering savings of between 10 and 20%. The surplus generated from procurement business is used to train and develop people who find themselves at a disadvantage in the employment market.
Over the last five years, 2,534 people have been supported with over 90% having considerable barriers to the labour market. To support employment sustainability, on-going support is provided which has led over 87% of candidates remaining in work for longer than six months.
Procure Plus was one of just nine businesses to receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility).
The award recognises the social value PPH uses in its business model. Its support to disadvantaged communities stretches as far as ex-offenders in and around the Manchester area, helping to reduce reoffending rates and offering support to wider communities.
Gwen Beeken (pictured above), Managing Director of Procure Plus said: “I am incredibly proud of the work Procure Plus do and we are delighted to receive this award from Her Majesty the Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year.”
“This award is a great reflection of all the hard work the team have put in over the past five years. I am incredibly proud to share this award today with our employees, clients, and everyone we have been able to work with along the way.”
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are among the most revered awards for UK business. They recognise and encourage outstanding achievements in the fields of Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility).
More details on how Procure Plus has helped over 2,500 people into long-term employment here.
