Cheque Specialist Company Boss Pushes Top Award

Cheque security specialists Checkprint played host to officials from the Queen's Awards office as they toured to encourage companies to apply for the equivalent of a corporate knighthood.

Cheque security specialists Checkprint played host to officials from the Queen's Awards office as they toured the East Midlands (UK) to encourage companies to apply for the equivalent of a corporate knighthood.

During their hour and a visit to Checkprint in Hinckley, Leicester, the officials were taken on a tour of the premises viewed the company's call centre, cheque printing machines and IT departments.

Martin Ruda, managing director of Checkprint, which won the Queen's Award for Innovation last year, also showed the two men how the company's software products help to prevent cheque fraud.

Watching a Checkprint system in use, the officials saw how company cheques are scanned in, figures and a full image recorded and the information linked to a database.

Later Ruda told the visitors about the difference winning a Queen's Award has made to the company.

He said: "We are not a large company by any means but winning the Queen's Award for Innovation has made the financial industry sit up and take notice.

The award enabled us to gain credibility and we have seen business increase considerably.

Since winning our award turnover has gone up by about GBP0.75 million.

Without a doubt the award has made a big difference to the company." Commenting after the tour, Stephen Brice, secretary to the Queen's Awards Office, praised Checkprint.

He said: "We could sense the enthusiasm and 'can do' attitude as soon as we walked through the door." Ruda later attended a Queen's Awards promotional seminar where local businessmen were encouraged to apply for this year's awards.

Ruda told delegates that they had nothing to lose by applying.

He added: "Even a first-attempt disappointment can help you win an award later.

Checkprint was once an unsuccessful applicant but we learned from that.

We sought feedback, took that on board, applied again and we were successful second-time around.

It's the ultimate business accolade - a corporate knighthood - and I urge you to go for it.".

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