Michael Smith Switchgear (MSSL) has been presented with The King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development at a ceremony held at its carbon neutral Leicester facility.
The Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Michael Kapur OBE CStJ, made the presentation on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III, formally handing over the award to managing director Sean Smith and operations and finance director Emily Smith.
Employees and company partners gathered on the shopfloor to mark the occasion, celebrating what is widely regarded as the UK’s highest business accolade. MSSL is one of only 27 businesses nationwide to receive the King’s Award for Sustainable Development in 2025 and one of just two firms in the East Midlands to be honoured.
The award coincides with a milestone year for the company, which is marking its 40th anniversary.
“Being told as we marked our 40th year that we were also to receive the King’s Award was a huge moment for the team,” said Emily Smith, who attended a reception at Windsor Castle last year after being invited by the King. “It shows that you can grow a manufacturing business, invest in skilled jobs, and still cut your environmental impact year after year.”
The King’s Award recognises MSSL’s long-term commitment to embedding sustainability across its operations. During the ceremony, the Lord Lieutenant highlighted the company’s growth and environmental leadership over the past 13 years. Deputy Lieutenant Rob Nixon CBE QPM DL assisted by reading the official grant of appointment.
MSSL achieved carbon neutral status in 2022 and is currently seven years ahead of the Make UK Net Zero carbon reduction roadmap. Over the same period, the company has doubled both its revenue and workforce.
Emily Smith began leading the company’s sustainability strategy in 2013, introducing a series of measures that have reduced carbon emissions by 60% since 2018. Initiatives include rooftop solar panels that now generate more than 35% of the site’s electricity and waste management improvements that have diverted more than 17 tonnes of waste from landfill since 2021. The company also tracks full Scope 1–3 emissions, exceeding Make UK’s Net Zero standard.
Future plans include acting on the findings of a recent water audit, exploring rainwater harvesting at the Leicester site, and implementing further energy-saving measures.
Sean Smith said the award reflects the company’s long-standing values. “Engineering quality and safety have always been non-negotiable for us. The King’s Award shows that the same discipline and agility we apply to building reliable switchgear can also deliver real progress on carbon, waste and resource reduction across the whole business.”
Founded in 1985, MSSL has grown from a small yard behind a Leicester terraced house into a purpose-built facility supplying low-voltage switchgear and control panels to hospitals, logistics hubs, universities and other critical infrastructure across the UK.
Alongside the King’s Award, the company holds multiple RoSPA Gold Medal Awards and a range of ISO certifications, including ISO 14001 for environmental management, reinforcing its reputation for safe, responsible and sustainable growth.
