A WORLD-leading equine reproduction company near Whitchurch has received one of the country's top business accolades for its work helping preserve endangered animal species.
Stallion AI Services Ltd managing director Tullis Matson was handed the Queen's Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category by the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Anna Turner, in a ceremony at its headquarters in Chapel Field Stud on Friday, April 28.
Stallion AI was founded in 2000 and is one of the most successful stallion collection centres in Europe and Mr Matson set up the charity Nature's SAFE to preserve the cells of endangered species.
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He said receiving such a prestigious award was a highlight for the business.
Mr Matson said: "We think it is the last Queen's award ever to be given out which makes it extra special.
"He found it fascinating what we do at Stallion AI."
The Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire praised Stallion AI for its success.
She said: "These awards are the MBEs in business.
"The process people go through is very rigorous.
"There are highly committed assessors and judges."
Mr Matson spoke about the team effort which he credited for his success.
He said: "We are so excited about this award and it is very much a team effort.
"A lot of the team have been here for many years.
"What they love about working here is what they can do for the equine industry.
"We are getting these new technologies and seeing how they can be transferred onto saving species which are going extinct.
"There are 50 species a day which are going extinct and we have to do something."
Mr Matson was pleased with how Nature's SAFE is going.
The Stallion AI managing director added: "It is really taking off now.
"We realise Nature's SAFE could be the last ditch attempt for many of our species which risk going extinct."
Mr Matson spoke about the importance of biodiversity for the planet.
He said: "We need those species as much as they need us.
"If we lose our biodiversity, we will suffer.
"We need the bees and pollinators.
"We need all of that to survive in this biodiverse planet."
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