David’s enterprise earns a royal award

David Benstead . . . passion for enterprise

A MAN committed to supporting manufacturing and encouraging young people into business in Oldham has been rewarded with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

David Benstead, a director at Diodes Zetex in Chadderton, has had to keep the award secret since he first knew he was nominated on March 21.

But on July 14 he will travel to London for a ceremony at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, followed by a reception at Buckingham Palace when he will meet the Queen.

The award, a crystal chalice, is recognition for his work with business start-ups and with young people, some from disadvantaged or deprived backgrounds.

He joined the world famous company, formerly Zetex Semiconductors, in 1996 and is now the director of HR, IT and quality.

He is on the Greater Manchester Young Enterprise Board and is chairman of the Oldham Business Leadership Group — he was also chairman of its economy and enterprise board from 2004 to 2009, bringing the public and private sectors together.

The board directs funding into community projects which will have the greatest benefit to Oldham.

He has encouraged businesses to work with young people and he works with schools.

He was a founder member of the Enterprise Engineers Programme in Oldham, and has judged local Dragons’ Den style competitions.

Through the NorthWest Manufacturing Forum and EEF, formerly the Engineering Employers Federation, he mixes with companies such as Jaguar Land Rover and Bentleys.

He said: “We try to work as best we can in the North-West to raise the profile of manufacturing and encourage manufacturing.

“I have been involved with the EEF for many years as treasurer and president, and with the national employment policy committee, through which we meet ministers and discuss issues such as employment law.”

He added: “Anything I can do to promote manufacturing I will. I get a lot of satisfaction from what I do.”

Charlie Parker, chief executive of Oldham Council, said: “This award is testimony to David’s passion for enterprise.”

“David has been doing outstanding work as chairman of the Oldham Business Leadership Group and his contribution has been key in bringing together the local authority, our partners and the private sector to actively stimulate economic growth and activity in our borough.”