Corporate Social Responsibility
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Sharing our passion, and giving back to the world
One of the key things that helps to drive our teams forward is our passion to help and serve the communities local to us. We pride ourselves on open communication, breaking down barriers in both community and industry, treating everyone with the same values of quality of service and respect.
We feel it is vital to put back into the communities where we operate, this takes many forms from larger formal organisations such as The Princes Trust, through to low key direct action such as shipping clothing to children in Grenada, a life boat to Tortola, play equipment to Bequia, and much needed aid in the aftermath of disasters.
UK Caribbean shipping agency receives prestigious Queen’s Award
Kestrel Liner Agencies, the Caribbean region’s go-to shipping agency and gateway to the rest of the world, has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award For International Trade 2018.
The Award recognises Kestrel’s rapid growth over the past three years, both in the Caribbean market as well as its short sea services from the UK to Spain, Portugal and Morocco; East and West Africa plus global vehicle transportation (RORO) services. Kestrel, which has global revenues of USD 80 million, saw its UK remitted annual revenues leap by 37% to GBP 33 million over the past three years.
Commenting on the Award, Kestrel Liner Agencies Chief Executive, Andy Thorne said:
“This is a huge honour for Kestrel and a testament to the hard work of our teams, the loyalty of our customers and the support of the many shipping lines we represent. We connect the Caribbean with global market place and are proud of our charitable work across the islands. This is the second time which we have been named a recipient of a Queen’s Award and we are delighted to once again be recognised for our efforts at the highest level.”
The Queen’s Awards are the highest official awards for British business and are awarded to businesses for outstanding achievement in International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and also for Promoting Opportunity.
Kestrel provides support to numerous charities and organisations across the Caribbean including the successful “Get into Logistics” Prince’s Trust programmes in Barbados which has seen 36 Barbadians gain qualifications; sponsorship of a football youth team in Grenada and the Pure Grenada Cup 2018, and ships charity goods to help underprivileged children play football. In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Kestrel paid for the charter of seven ships carrying relief cargo to the islands and provided financial support to communities in the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Dominica and Barbuda. The company will be running its “Get into Logistics” programme in Jamaica later this year and hopes to expand the programme into St Vincent and Guyana.
Kestrel Liner Agencies has grown from a two-man operation and now has offices in London, Felixstowe, Warrington, Hull, Dover, Dublin, Miami, Los Angeles, Guyana, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica, Namibia and South Africa.
Andy Thorne is honoured to meet HM Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2010 to recieve Kestrels first Queens Award.
This outstanding achievement was celebrated at the prestigious reception hosted at Buckingham Palace. Andy Thorne attended along with Nicola Gilbert, and words fail to express the honour this represents.
To be received in such grandeur and to have the opportunity of a lifetime to enter the Palace as a guest, and be presented to HM The Queen, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is a phenomenal achievement. All attendees were individually introduced at the start of the evening, and during the evening HM Queen Elizabeth circulated and greeted guests, taking time to talk to them about their companies and the categories that they had been successful in.
The Reception was attended by the achievers of the Queen’s Award across all categories— Innovation, Sustainable Development, Enterprise and International Trade. Approximately 11,000 companies start this process, and were whittled down to a shortlist of approximately 1200, with 95 companies being successful.
Business Secretary Vince Cable was in attendance and said, quote, “I want to see a whole new generation of entrepreneurs”, which echoes the philosophy of all those present and their achievements regardless of category.
Kestrel is hugely supportive of these Awards and the benefits that they bring to one’s company. Especially for a relatively young company in shipping terms, this Award is a true testament to the strength of the company and acts as an extremely strong recommendation to any business or individual considering dealing with us. It has already been instrumental in bringing on board many large new corporate accounts, who feel that the due to the incredibly stringent demands that The Queen’s Award’s Office require, that Kestrel is the Only company for them to work with because it so thoroughly endorses all aspects of a quality company.
Much has happened since the Award was first announced, not least an increasing bond between the Parliamentary Select Committee with responsibility for the Commonwealth Countries, as led by MP Andrew Rosindell. The value of commercial knowledge in these areas, combined with the Governmental knowledge required to set policy and lead the way to a stronger future is clearly an opportunity that will benefit the members of the Commonwealth Countries Kestrel is so heavily involved in. Again, this is an example of the strength of Kestrel’s Corporate Responsibility to the areas where it trades.
The Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust, founded in 1976, is one of the United Kingdom's most successful funding organisations. We at Kestrel never fail to be inspired by their ongoing efforts to uplift the younger generations.
In January 2017, we partnered with the Prince's Trust International, a new International arm launched in 2015, to deliver their 'Get into Logistics' programme. The 'Get into' is an employability scheme in Barbados with the aim of helping disadvantaged young people on the island gain vital sector-specific skills. Our first wave of students on the 'Get into Logistics' programme all graduated with flying colours.
Mark Davidian from Kestrel had the pleasure of giving the participants of 'Get into Logistics' their graduation certificates. He heard first-hand the benefits of the programme to the young people involved.
I was very honoured to attend the Prince's Trust International Event and to meet this first wave of students – an inspiring group of enthusiastic, energetic young people looking to find a start and hopefully building a career in logistics. As the future of their industry they need to be given a chance. The benefits from this programme are already being realised in Barbados and we look forward to seeing the programme expand across the Caribbean region.
Mark Davidian
One of the biggest success stories of the 'Get into Logistics' programme was our trainee Orian. We were so impressed with her commitment and enthusiasm, we offered her a job in our offices in Barbados. We're pleased to report that she accepted, saying:
Six weeks ago I knew nothing about shipping! In five weeks I have learnt so much. I am looking forward to finding out so much more about the shipping and logistics industry. I am particularly looking forward to seeing a product on the shelves in Barbados knowing that I played a part in importing it.
We have also had the pleasure of working with the Prince's Trust International to sponsor their very successful 'Get into Hospitality' programme. This is an intensive 12-week programme which supports 15 young people who are not yet ready to enter employment and works with them to develop not only their confidence but also other key skills they will require through a residential week, community project and work placements. This programme also boasts a high degree of success with helping young people to find opportunities within the hospitality industry.
Here at Kestrel, we owe our success to the many different communities around the globe, so we are proud to support those who support us. We remain aware of the many different issues that these communities face, and are eager to help them however we can as it is part of the Mission Statement that Kestrel is built upon.