IT WAS a red letter day for staff at Basingstoke firm Leverton Clarke as the company received its Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The speciality chemicals manufacturer, based on Lister Road Industrial Estate, received the highly sought after accolade from the newly-appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson.

He was accompanied by deputy lieutenant Andrew Kent, who read out a citation, which said the award was for the International Trade category for the company’s impressive growth in overseas sales for its range of Lithium based chemicals, which it exports to 28 countries.

Over the past five years, the company has grown sales by an average of 30 per cent. Last year, its turnover was around £3.1million and it is likely to hit around £4m this year.

Mr Atkinson, who was given a tour of the firm’s Sherrington Way site, was very impressed with what he saw, and he was full of admiration for Leverton Clarke’s success.

Addressing staff at the award ceremony, Mr Atkinson, who was chief executive of Horndean-based Gales Brewery, which was bought by Fuller’s in 2005, spoke of the “amazing progress” the company has made since it was formed in 1975.

Noting the company exports to 28 countries, Mr Atkinson said: “I know from my own business experience how difficult it is to get into certain countries, and also to fulfil their logistic requirements and currency issues, so I think what you have achieved is quite superb, and I have absolutely full understanding as to why you’ve won this award.”

Chief executive David Hicks said: “We are a small company, working under the radar most of the time and so to be recognised in this way is fantastic. This will make a real difference to us.”

Mr Hicks paid tribute and thanked the 18 people employed at Leverton Clarke in Basingstoke.

“Everybody is committed to the company and they do fantastic work,” he said.

“I would like to say particular thanks to Pam Lynch, who is our longest serving employee who has worked with us for 19 years now. Her contribution over the years has been tremendous.”

Leverton Clarke’s products are used in a wide range of industries from the nuclear and pharmaceutical industries, to ceramics, air conditioning and the batteries used in mobile phones and laptops.