Duke of Gloucester Presents Queen’s Award to Surrey Robotics Company
Royalty Visits MRMC HQ
The Duke of Gloucester representing Her Majesty the Queen, visited robotics company, Mark Roberts Motion Control Ltd (MRMC), to officially present The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade.
Awarded annually, The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is the most prestigious business accolade in the UK in recognition of a company’s continued achievements in the UK trade and export of British products, goods and services.
Dignitaries touring the company offices and factory was HRH Duke of Gloucester, The High Sherriff of Surrey Mr Robert Napier CBE, The Lord-Lieutenant Mr Michael More-Molyneux, Chairman of Surrey County Council Mr Peter Martin, Chairman of Tandridge District Council Gill Black, Police & Crime Commissioner Mr David Munro, local councillors and East Grinstead Mayor Julie Mockford, accompanied by MRMC CEO Assaff Rawner.
MRMC is a company in the Nikon group of companies and travelling across the world from Tokyo to MRMC in Blindley Heath, was Nikon Corporation President Kazuo Ushida, with Corporate Vice President Toru Iwaoka from Nikon Europe headquarters in Amsterdam, also in attendance.
Throughout the morning, the guests toured the MRMC offices and works. The Duke was profoundly interested and impressed with the advanced technology and impressive robotic engineering developed and manufactured behind the seemingly placid frontage of the MRMC premises.
Of particular interest to the entourage of dignitaries was the giant robotic camera cranes, the high-speed cinebot rig and wide array of robots carrying cameras for cinema film-making, TV broadcasts, live sports events, security, retail photography and including an underwater robotic camera pod. MRMC camera robots have been involved in the making of movie blockbusters MRMC camera robots such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Mission Impossible, pop music videos.
Also, TV commercials for Nike, Samsung, Apple, BMW, Aston Martin with countless many other films, advertising and pop music videos. Addressing honoured guests, the MRMC company management and staff of 80, The Duke of Gloucester presented the Queens Award to CEO Assaff Rawner, expressing his pleasure and honour to present this Queens Award to a company that is a pioneer, innovator and stands as a world leader in its business against all competition in highly competitive business environments. The Duke’s presentation of Queen’s Award was then followed by individual speeches from The Lord-Lieutenant and Nikon President, Kazuo Ushida.
Responding and speaking on behalf of the company, MRMC’s CEO Assaff Rawner said:
The Duke of Gloucester supports The Queen in her role as Head of State by representing Her Majesty at events in the UK and abroad, as well as attending state and ceremonial occasions alongside other members of the Royal Family. His Royal Highness also continues to take on some of The Queen’s duties, such as the presentation of The Queen’s Award prizes.
The Lord Lieutenant, Mr Michael More-Molyneux based in Surrey and President of the Surrey County Agricultural Society and main board member of the Historic Houses Association (HHA), The Lord- Lieutenant is the Queen’s personal representative in each county of the United Kingdom supporting a number of voluntary causes and charities.