Kestrel
Awarded The 1st King’s Awards for Enterprise: International Trade 2024
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King's Award

King's award

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Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd awarded the King's Awards for Enterprise: International Trade 2024

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Queens Award 2010
Queens Award 2018
Queens Award 2022
King's Award 2024

We are delighted to share with you that His Majesty The King has awarded Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd with a King's Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category this year, 2024.

Already a recipient of 3 Queen's Award for International trade spanning two decades, we are so proud to have been named in the King's Birthday Honours with a King's Award for International Trade 2024. This demonstrates the strength of the business and Kestrel brand.

The King's and Queen's Awards are the most prestigious awards for any Company in The United Kingdom, conveying a Royal Warrant allowing the recipient to display the emblems, and fly the flags of the grant.

On receiving our Queen's award in 2022, the Queens Awards office said, "It has been an exceptionally hard few years for businesses and this achievement is testament to the resilience Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd and her valued Partners have shown through these unprecedented times.

Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd is one of 226 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise. Announced today (Thursday 21st April 2022) Her Majesty's birthday, Kestrel has been recognised for its excellence in International Trade. "

Kestrel's business is 100% international, and overseas sales have grown over three years by 50%. Andy Thorne, CEO and Founder established the company in Romford, Essex in 1994. With management offices in the USA, Hong Kong, South Africa, Namibia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica and Guyana and Agency offices everywhere else globally. The company has won the Queen's Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years.

Andy Thorne comments, “I am absolutely thrilled to have received this accolade and what it represents for me, my family, and our incredible global team who make Kestrel what it is. When I founded the company, I never imagined I would receive a Queen's Award, let alone three—an unimaginable lifetime achievement. Now, receiving the first King's Award fills me with immense pride. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone we work with and for, and to His Majesty The King”

Kestrel is the only Liner Agent to have been a recipient of a Queen's Award and is part of a very small number of Companies to receive three Queen's Awards for International Trade (2010, 2018 and 2022) and a King's Awards for International Trade 2024.

Recognised as The market leader, Kestrel is known for its excellence of service and commitment to both customers and principles (ship owners) alike and holds the market share of the UK's liner agency business to a diverse range of global destinations.

What makes Kestrel unique is the thorough depth of knowledge in house, in Containerised, Conventional and RoRo cargo, across all aspects of trade, from Oil and Gas to renewable cargo and small shipments.

Combining the strengths of the Shipping Lines it represents has enabled Kestrel to provide global coverage, allowing the group to compete against international operators. Each Shipping Line is a specialist in its market.

On the occasion of this great Achievement, Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd would like to extend his heartfelt gratitude for the faith extended to us by the Shipping Lines we represent, our customers, colleagues and employees and the hard work and partnership of these relationships which has made this possible.