Prince Edward Duke of Kent granted Zed Tunnel Guidance with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the international trade category. Presented at a ceremony on Thursday, the cut glass commemorative rose bowl recognised Zed Tunnel’s value in the global market, based on a combination of the growth and proportion of exports from a total value of trade.

Prince Edward remarked that Zed’s team of seven was possibly the smallest to receive a Queen’s Award, although he added that this made the recognition more impressive. The Duke was then presented, Lord Lieutenant and Royal Clergy in tow, to the assembled guests including foreign clients, the Zed team and local councillors.

Speaking prior to the award, Prince Phillip said, “The Queen’s Awards were initiated to draw attention to the most successful industrial and commercial enterprises; to bring to public notice those enterprises which have succeeded in world markets, and which have made a significant contribution to our national prosperity.”

The Duke of Kent added, “Winning an Award is not a matter of luck. An Award reflects the quality of the whole company, from the boardroom to the shop floor, and its single minded ambition to succeed.”

Peter Zollman, founder of Zed Instruments as it was known in the mid 70s, himself accepted Queen’s Awards in 1986 for technology, 1987 for export and 1991 for the same, was present at this ceremony in Zed’s Surrey office and added, “It is of course uplifting to be recognised in this way, but it is a shame that we have not registered as much domestic interest over the years. Still, this shows Zed’s value on the world stage.”

Following the ceremony, departure of the Duke and likewise, departure of some appropriately chosen Kentish Champagne, T&TI was shown a timeline display of guidance systems through the ages, some of which were still in use, and only in house for refurbishment.

A Zed Tunnel Guidance spokesman concluded, “Since a company is the sum total of its employees, it is these people who must be duly recognised and thanked for their efforts in producing equipment that has allowed Zed to have an established pedigree within the global tunnelling community and who are responsible for Zed receiving the honour of a Queen’s Award for International Trade.”


Zed Tunnel director Mick Lowe (right), receiving the award scroll from Prince Edward Duke of Kent. Photo credit: Trish Grant