The Active Hands Company MD Rob Smith with his family
The Active Hands Company MD Rob Smith with his family

Rob Smith, founder and Managing Director of The Active Hands Company, has been included in the Queen’s New Year 2020 Honours List and been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

After a cliff fall accident resulted in tetraplegia for Rob back in 1996, he found there were a lack of functional gripping aids on the market that would enable him to rehabilitate and continue to take part in the active lifestyle interests he had enjoyed before his injury.

Designing and creating a gripping aid for his own personal use, he quickly found that others shared his frustrations and wanted their own pair of his aids, resulting in the launch of The Active Hands Company.

Since its inception, the company has gone from strength-to-strength, winning awards, launching new products and exporting to markets across the globe.

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Recognising his sustained services to international business and disability, Rob now joins this year’s illustrious list of individuals across the country celebrated for their achievements and endeavours.

“The news of this award took me completely by surprise.  Unknown to me, things had been going on behind the scenes for some time before I received a letter from the cabinet office informing me of the news in mid-November,” explained Rob.

“I am surprised, yet hugely honoured, to be included in the Queens New Year Honours list for 2020.”

The MBE follows Rob’s inclusion in Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list in October 2019 for the second year in a row, which identifies the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK.

“I have always loved what I do for Active Hands and the other projects I have been involved in, yet I have always done these things for my own enjoyment and interest,” he continued.

“Much as I may seem confident in what I do, I’m not someone who looks for, or relishes, praise or recognition for it.  If anything, I feel slightly embarrassed as I am not sure I feel like I have done enough at this point in my life to deserve an award like this.

“However, I am truly grateful and appreciative of those behind the scenes who do feel that I have, and the honour of being recognised in this way is something I will remember always.”

The Active Hand’s MD will be invited to an investiture later in the year where, alongside other recipients, a member of the Royal family will award Rob his MBE.

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https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Rob-and-family.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Rob-and-family-150x150.jpgCalvin BarnettAwards & AchievementsNewsroomTrade NewsActive Hands,MBE,Member of the Order of the British Empire,New Year Honours List,Products,Queen,Rob Smith,Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 List,The Active hands CompanyRob Smith, founder and Managing Director of The Active Hands Company, has been included in the Queen’s New Year 2020 Honours List and been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). After a cliff fall accident resulted in tetraplegia for Rob back in 1996, he found...News, views & products for mobility, access and independent living professionals