A WORLD leading equine reproduction company in Whitchurch has the most prestigious award for a UK business bestowed upon them.

Stallion AI Services Ltd, which is based in Ash Lane in Whitchurch, has joined 226 business across the UK in winning the Queen's Award for Enterprise.

Chief executive, Tullis Matson, praised the team at Stallion AI Services for the success and said the award from the Queen helps the company both in the UK and on the global stage.

He said: "Myself and all the team at Stallion AI Services are hugely proud to win the most prestigious award in the business world.

"The Queen’s Award Emblem is recognised globally, and the Royal Seal of approval helps to legitimise our work not only in the UK, but on the world stage.

"I simply could not be prouder of the wonderful team who have achieved this."

He added: "Our dedicated team who have a passionate commitment to excellence, and what we do for the international sport as well as for the preservation of some of our rarest and most valuable gene pools."

Stallion AI has had Royal assent before with Princess Anne opening the new facility and famously helped clone the famous horse Arko.

General manager, Kate Ashmore, said the company's investment in research and development put them at the forefront of technological innovation and discovery.

She said: "Reflected in our ongoing investment in research and development that put us at the forefront of technological innovation and scientific discovery, we continuously push the boundaries, to make the impossible possible.

"Our semen collection and treatment process is the best in the world.

"To us, every stallion is a VIP and receives outstanding care and treatment from our passionate and hard-working team who lead the way in equine welfare."

Tullis founded a charity, Nature's Safe, which is one of Europe's first living bio-banks to save animals from extinction by preserving life cells from endangered species.

He has worked closely with Chester Zoo and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust to help conserve rare and endangered species.

Tullis added: "We passionately believe our genetic preservation service is highly innovative, a vital resource to long-term species’ wellness and protection from damaging population loss and irreversible extinction."

For more information of the Queen's Business Awards for Enterprise visit https://www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise