A BURY business boss has received royal recognition.

Mr Andrew Roberts, managing director of Pennine Telecom Group, received a highly commended certificate from City & Guilds’ President, the Duke of Edinburgh.

He presented Mr Roberts with his certificate at a special ceremony at the annual Prince Philip Medal ceremony at Buckingham Palace. He then joined Prince Philip for lunch at The Ritz. Mr Roberts was recognised for his outstanding contribution, commitment and dedication to the telecommunications industry. After completing his City & Guilds certification in radio and television servicing in 1976 at Bolton College, the college then arranged his first interview at Pennine Telecom Group, presently based in Salford Street, Bury.

From repairing radios, he worked his way up, ultimately leading a management buy-out to acquire the company in 2008. Now, he leads a £8 million turnover business employing more than 60 staff.

The Prince Philip Medal, first established in 1962, is held every year where an overall winner is chosen and two people are highly commended.

Mr Roberts said: ‘It’s very rewarding to receive personal recognition, but more importantly awards of this nature highlight the contribution that vocational skills and qualifications bring to the UK economy.

“Pennine Telecom has always recognised the value of these types of skills and training, as my own career demonstrates, and it continues today in our current recruitment policy, apprenticeships and company wide training programmes.”