A TECH company that helps victims of violent crime and terrorism obtain compensation has been invited to a private reception at Buckingham Palace after winning a prestigious business award.

Altrincham-based Informed Solutions was awarded a Queen's Award for Innovation in recognition of their work on high-profile government projects.

The IT firm is the only tech and digital company in the North West to win the illustrious Queen's Award, which will be presented to the firm by Lord-Lieutenant of the County, on behalf of the Queen.

The award is in recognition of the company's contribution to improving the management and delivery of complex government services, by moving them online and making them more user friendly.

Founder and CEO Elizabeth Vega set up Informed Solutions 25 years ago and still operates the internationally respected consultancy from their headquarters at The Old Bank in Old Market Place, Altrincham.

She said everyone at the firm "was absolutely thrilled with the news" and said "the award was a major landmark in the company’s history".

"It is a fantastic honour to be recognised for innovation at this level, making the Queen’s Award particularly satisfying,” she said.

“We’ve worked really hard to create a strong workplace culture that enshrines the values of creating innovative solutions, producing work to the highest possible standard, and being trusted and ethical professionals that only take on innovation projects that we believe we can deliver.

"From modest beginnings some 25 years ago, we’ve weathered numerous economic challenges and scaled up the business to work globally with blue chip clients and governments.

“Our talented and committed people have helped us achieve lots of digital firsts along the way – from being the first company to commercially put maps on mobile phones which changed the way people navigate their world, to being the first to deliver a secure cloud-based service for UK government."

The company has helped accelerate the government's drive towards a digital future by large scale innovation projects that have had make it easier for people to access government services.

Examples of their digital transformation work include making it simpler for innocent victims of violent crime and acts of terrorism to obtain compensation, as well as helping British citizens abroad with identity checks and authenticating important documents (e.g. birth certificates and professional qualifications) through a secure online service.

The company has also analysed and mapped crime incidents to support police services in targeting crime hot spots.

Elizabeth Vega said: "Our aim is to reimagine what’s possible, manage the risks of delivering large scale innovation projects, and deliver transformational business change through smart, collaborative working. We haven’t stopped pushing boundaries and this Award is down to the incredible hard work and talent of our people.”

Among those to congratulate Informed Solutions on the Queen’s Award was the Altrincham and Sale West MP, Sir Graham Brady.

He said: "The Queen's Awards are the highest and most prestigious official awards given to British business for excellence and reputation and I'm delighted that Informed Solutions, an Altrincham-based company in my constituency, has received this honour.

“Informed Solutions is a fine example of a Greater Manchester company that's remained true to its roots whilst successfully growing the business across the UK and now exporting globally.

"It recruits a diverse workforce, invests in research and development, and is committed to up-skilling its staff, all of which contribute to a culture which encourages innovation and excellence.

"The Queen’s Award for Innovation is richly deserved by everyone at Informed Solutions and I'd like to sincerely congratulate them on this wonderful achievement."