Suffolk-based Harrod Horticultural was among the winners at the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) National Landscape Awards.

The Lowestoft company, part of Harrod UK which this year celebrated its 60th anniversary, received a BALI Principal Award in the Affiliate Exceptional Service category in recognition of its high levels of customer satisfaction during a year in which it also achieved Gold status under the Investors in People standard for training and development.

Stephanie Harrod, managing director, and Andrew Barringer, trade manager, from Harrod Horticultural were presented with the award during a ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London’s Park Lane hosted by former MP and cabinet minister Michael Portillo, now a broadcaster and political commentator.

Stephanie Harrod said: “It is a great accolade to receive such a prestigious award and it gives us great exposure among the 850 industry professionals that attended. It is a true reflection on how hard the company has worked; overall a great team effort!

“We have come a long way from our humble beginnings in 1954, constantly striving to improve our company and our culture and it is certainly fitting to have achieved this in our 60th year,” she added.

“Well done to Andrew Barringer for putting the hard work into the submission and upholding the standard as well as all those that help us to provide a truly 100% professional end-to-end service. It’s a fantastic way to end 2014.”

Jonathan Couch, marketing director at Harrod Horticultural, said of the award: “It goes a long way to ensuring that we are the preferred supplier to garden landscapers and designers, the original aim that we had when we started the journey for trade business.

“Our reputation has grown hugely in recent years and proves we are a company that does what is says and is a stayer in the market place for the long term. Onwards and upwards!”

Harrod Horticultural supplies a wide range of horticultural structures including fruit cages, greenhouses, arches and raised beds. It was launched in 2000 as an offshoot of Harrod’s sports equipment business which has supplied goals and other equipment to many leading venues.