STRATFORD jeweller Pragnell has won a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
The family run firm picked-up the award – the highest award for British business performance, recognising and rewarding outstanding achievement by UK companies – for exceptional growth in international trade.
The awards are presented each year by the Queen, on the advice of the prime minister, who is assisted by an advisory committee including representatives of government, industry and commerce, and trade unions.
Established in 1954, Pragnell is a purveyor of rare natural gemstones handcrafted into jewellery, period jewellery and silver, luxury watches and clocks.
Its clientele ranges from African tribal leaders to Middle Eastern sheikhs, entrepreneurs, celebrities and European royalty.
In 2014, under the leadership of managing director Charlie Pragnell, the company implemented an international growth strategy. This included investing in training for existing staff, taking on new multi-lingual staff, expanding stock of rare gemstones and creating new product lines, introducing an annual exclusive client event, investing in marketing including a website redesign with multi-lingual and video content, extending opening hours and implementing new payment systems.
Pragnell has focused on emphasising its links with Shakespeare which is also important for ttracting international customers. This has seen the firm secure the rights to develop Shakespeare inspired pieces such as a unique Patek Philippe clock and a silver inkwell and quill sculpture, which was created to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s passing and was presented on behalf of the town of Stratford to HRH Prince Charles.
The development strategy has resulted in outstanding year on year growth for the business.
Charlie Pragnell, grandson of the company’s founder, said of the award: “This is a tremendous honour for us. We set out our ambitions to become an international brand in 2014, and with the help of a carefully designed international growth strategy, we’ve achieved some success.
“Our investment in our people and in new technology has been particularly effective in helping us become a leading exporter of the finest handcrafted British jewellery. I’m very proud of our team and am excited for the next chapter in the Pragnell story.”
