A Sturminster Newton business received the royal seal of approval after winning the UK’s most prestigious business award.
JPL Telecom Ltd secured the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade for outstanding short-term growth in overseas sales over the last three years.
It was among 232 businesses across the UK, and in a range of sectors, recognised by The Queen on her birthday as among the best in the country.
JPL Telecom is a global innovator in the design and engineering of wired and wireless professional headsets as well as related USB/specialist phone cords for contact centres and unified communications.
Founded by James Clarke, CEO, in 2004, its main customer base includes call centres, government services, banks and offices.
The pandemic, and the rise of working from home, led to a big boost in sales with annual turnover in the region of £17m.
Over three years overseas sales have grown by 737% and now account for just under half of all sales.
The company has exported to more than 50 countries worldwide and its top markets are currently the USA, Germany, India and Philippines.
Recently it has entered new markets in Europe and Egypt with JPL now having local offices in the USA and Europe.
It employs ten people in Sturminster Newton and has manufacturing plants overseas including South Korea and China.
James said he was “surprised and delighted” at the award.
Three Dorset businesses, including JPL Telecom, were honoured in this year’s Queen’s Awards.
Portland-based HeliOperations also received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade while Tops Day Nurseries won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development.
The nursery group was founded in 1990 by Managing Director Cheryl Hadland.
From its humble beginnings, when a small nursery was opened in Poole for four children, it’s now grown to 32 day nurseries across the South providing early education and care for pre-school children.
The company employs 700 staff and has an annual turnover of £15m.
Its locations include Gillingham Nursery and Topsie Gillingham.
The Queen’s Awards are valid for five years.
Winners are permitted to fly The Queen’s Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on their marketing materials.
Winners are also given a Grant of Appointment (an official certificate) and a commemorative crystal trophy.

By Andrew Diprose