BUSINESSMAN Rob Hanson, who runs Wellington firm John Packer Musical Instruments, has chatted with Royalty during a reception following the company being recognised with the King’s Award for Enterprise.

The award was given last month in the international trade category and recognised the company’s outstanding worldwide growth.

Mr Hanson was invited to a reception in Windsor Castle, where he met King Charles, the Princess Royal, and Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

It was the second time the firm had won the award, having received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the international trade category in 2018.

Mr Hanson is managing director of the firm, which is based on the Chelston Business Park and makes, distributes, and retails brass and woodwind musical instruments across the world.

He said: “Attending the royal reception at Windsor Castle was a huge honour, and it was a pleasure to chat with the King and other members of the Royal family about the work of John Packer Musical Instruments.

“The King showed great interest in the growth of the company, and took time to discuss its continued progress in what is a fast-paced and continually-evolving international trading landscape.”

John Packer Musical Instruments celebrated its 50th anniversary last year with a series of milestones.

It acquired Rath Trombones, in Yorkshire, and Taylor Trumpets, in Norfolk, to ensure what it said was ‘sustained UK manufacturing of high-end, hand-crafted musical instruments played the world over’.

The firm also purchased historic brands in Sterling Musical Instruments and the Rudall Carte woodwind range to strengthen and build on the legacy of the treasured UK brands.

The King’s Award programme, which will mark its 60th year in 2026, is the UK’s most prestigious business award, with successful businesses able to use the emblem for the next five years.