Blackpool lighting firm wins coveted Queen's Award

Lighting and furniture design specialists Chelsom, based at Heritage House in Clifton Road, has won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

The award is given only to the best export companies in the country each year to encourage excellence in trade.

Chelsom won the 2017 award after demonstrating “outstanding results”, achieving 131 per cent growth in international sales over the period.

Chelsom specialises in designing and making decorative lighting for the global hotel and marine industries and has provided lighting for some of the biggest cruise liners on the seas, including the biggest, the Harmony of the Seas.

Company chairman Robert Chelsom said: “I am extremely proud that Chelsom is one of only 102 companies across all industries to be honoured with the award for International Trade this year because it acknowledges the hard work, dedication and passion that every employee has shown in helping to drive the business forward.

“The award comes in Chelsom’s 70th anniversary year making it fitting recognition that a third generation family business is continuing to expand and develop.”Will Chelsom, managing director, has been instrumental in driving the export division and diversifying into the marine sector.

He said: “We have achieved remarkable export growth particularly in North America, the Middle East and Europe. Major investments in our international sales team, our branding and overseas exhibitions have raised our international profile and have all been critical to our success.

“I am pleased to say, however, that we have maintained equal focus on the UK market which has also grown by almost 45 per cent over the same period.

“Winning this export award is a great honour but it is also confirmation that our product design, overseas sales strategies and all the accompanying hard work are taking us to the forefront of our global industry.”

Chelsom’s customers include major hotel operators such as Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Starwood, Hilton, Accor, Marriott, Crystal Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for whom Chelsom supplied 600 fittings designed to cope with maritime conditions for the Harmony of the Seas.