A royal accolade has been awarded to Dartmouth boat builders Ribeye.

The family business received a Queens’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade and was officially granted the award by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Devon at a ceremony in their Dartmouth HQ.

Managing Director James Burroughs said: “This award is a real testament to our talented team, loyal Ribeye community and the excellence that we strive for on a daily basis to design and manufacture world-class boats. Today was a special day for Ribeye and we are truly honoured.”

As he presented the award, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Devon said: “One of the best things I get to do as Her Majesty’s representative in Devon is occasions like these when we can celebrate companies who can demonstrate what is happening here in Devon and the fact that your business is international and doing so well is fantastic.

“International trade has always been at the core of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and recognising companies that have put on rapid growth is very much a part of that. What I have really enjoyed talking and hearing about here is how you’ve weathered Covid-19.”

James added: “It’s been a really incredible ten-year journey seeing us go from a small family business to a world-renowned boat builder and I‘m just really excited about what the next ten years is going to look like.”

“Everyone works really, really hard, but we love it and this award is just awesome for everyone, everyone is always working so hard.”

Peta Chivers, who started the business in 1998 with her husband Charles, said:

“Being in Dartmouth and part of the community is very important to us. We are proud to be of Dartmouth and it works to our advantage too. Our location means that often clients come down and spend the night in the town and enjoy the beautiful setting.”