December 15, 2025
MSSL directors invited to East Midland chamber's AGM conference to share Kings Award for Enterprise success.
Emily Smith, Finance and Operations Director, and Sean Smith, Managing Director, made a joint presentation at an East Midlands Chamber event to showcase the company's King's Award-winning sustainability achievements.
The presentation was significant as it represented the first time both executives have appeared together on stage.
Their shared commitment to the environment has evolved into a structured strategy that shapes decisions across MSSL’s carbon-neutral, Leicester-based manufacturing operations.
MSSL was one of only 27 businesses to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, recognising the company’s leadership in sustainable manufacturing and innovation in low voltage switchgear.
Emily said: “We have built our sustainability journey around partnership, and our team is absolutely central to that.
“If we look after our people, they look after our customers and our business, and that culture is what makes it possible to deliver real, long-term change.
“We are very proud to be recognised with the King’s Award and to share how our team, culture, and investment in sustainability are helping us grow responsibly as a UK manufacturer.”
She then explained how MSSL’s apprenticeship programmes, growing representation of women in the business, and CPD framework ensure continuous improvement in skills, safety, and efficiency.
In 2018, MSSL worked with Carbon Neutral Britain to calculate its baseline Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Verified offsetting through this partnership supports the company’s ongoing carbon neutral status alongside its reduction measures.
Sean Smith reflected on how shared experiences reinforce that commitment.
Sean said: “Both Emily and I are grateful to have seen first-hand how fragile the natural world is, whether that is underwater on a dive or working with wildlife in Africa.”
“It reinforces why we focus so much on sustainable innovation - designing switchboards that use fewer raw materials, investing in cleaner energy across our site, and running operations that genuinely support the sustainability commitments our customers are making.”
MSSL has reduced its emissions by around 60% since 2018 - supported by a programme of operational changes including:
- Replacing gas heating with electric systems
- Installing 284 south-facing solar panels
- Upgrading to LED lighting
- Deploying electric vehicles
- Switching to more sustainable packaging
The company also owns and maintains 17 acres of ancient woodland in Leicestershire, managed for biodiversity and community benefit, further demonstrating its environmental responsibility.
Product innovation has cut copper use in each switchboard by more than 25% and replaced plastic insulating components with paper-based resin that meets British Standards, lowering the embedded impact of critical LV infrastructure.
These steps led to MSSL securing the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2025, alongside multiple RoSPA health and safety awards and Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Impact Award.
A dedicated culture committee, alongside a strong focus on safety and standards, ensures sustainability is embedded in day-to-day operations.
With clear sustainability objectives, ongoing innovation, and a strong team culture, Emily and Sean explained how MSSL will stay ahead of Make UK Net Zero roadmaps while delivering high-quality LV switchgear and control panels for critical sites nationwide.
