Badgemaster is a British-based business that manufactures badges, based near Nottingham, United Kingdom. The company was founded and is owned by John Bancroft.[2]

Badgemaster
Company typePrivate
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1992
FoundersJohn Bancroft
Victoria Bancroft
Headquarters,
United Kingdom
ProductsBadges
Number of employees
105 (2015)[1]
WebsiteBadgemaster.co.uk

History edit

The company was founded in 1992 by John and Vicky Bancroft.[3] In the first year of operation, it was reported that the company operated from a portacabin in Nottinghamshire.[2] The company was founded after Bancroft spent a number of years in the corporate clothing industry.[4]

In 1993, the company moved to a purpose built factory on the site of the former Newstead Colliery. The company have remained on this site and have extended the factory to its present 12,500 square feet.[5]

In 1997, Badgemaster received an award from Nottinghamshire County Council following its job creation and staff training in the area. At the time, it was quoted that a number of the staff members lived within the local community of Newstead, Nottinghamshire. Nottinghamshire County Council quoted that the company had become an integral part of the community and awarded Badgemaster with the inaugural "Bridge to Work" Award.[6] Before the establishment of Badgemaster in the area, it was widely reported that job opportunities were lacking in Newstead, Nottinghamshire. Newstead was formerly known as Newstead Colliery Village and suffered large scale Unemployment following the closure of the mines during the 1980s, which were widespread throughout in the United Kingdom.[4]

The company began to work with the British Royal Family in 2006.[3] Badgemaster expanded over the following years, working with a number of major brands, becoming one of the largest badge manufactures and providers in Europe.[7]

In 2013, the company founder was awarded a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, otherwise known as an MBE.[8] The announcement had come a number of months prior.[9]

Badgemaster announced a takeover of the Scottish-based Akorn Badge Company, one of their major UK competitors in 2014.[10][11] Following the takeover of the company, the operations were moved to Badgemaster's Nottinghamshire headquarters. Akorn had been part of the badge market for over 30 years, before the Badgemaster acquisition.[12]

Royal appointments and honours edit

Their association with the British Royals started in 2006, when Badgemaster received a Royal warrant of appointment.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Baker, Richard (10 September 2015). "Badge-makers Happy to Make a Top Name". Nottingham Post. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  2. ^ a b Baker, Richard (23 July 2013). "Wearing the Badge with Pride". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 22 September 2016.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b c Johnson, Robin (5 October 2013). "Badge of honour at Palace for John". Derby Telegraph. Archived from the original on 9 March 2015.
  4. ^ a b Critcher, Paul (June 2013). "John Bancroft, Director of Badgemaster, the industry's leading name badge provider, appointed an MBE". No. 27. Director-e magazine. p. 3.
  5. ^ "About Us". Badgemasters. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  6. ^ Beighton, Helen (20 August 2014). "Badge Firm take-over deal brings jobs boost". Mansfield Chad. p. 25.
  7. ^ Toulson, Gemma (28 June 2016). "Badge of Honour For Notts Firm". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 22 September 2016.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "The Queen's Birthday Honours for Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire". ITV. 15 June 2013.
  9. ^ Williams, Rob (14 June 2013). "The Queen's Birthday Honours list – in full". The Independent.
  10. ^ Hipwell, Deirdre (21 August 2014). "Badgemaster pins its name on Scottish Rival". The Times.
  11. ^ "Jobs go in badge firm takeover". The Herald. 21 August 2014.
  12. ^ "Badge boss pins hopes on growth with takeover". Derby Telegraph. 20 August 2014.