It’s been a fruitful partnership.

Elland-based Orchard Energy is celebrating 10 years of trading – after being helped on the road to success by a Queen’s Award-winning business adviser.

In 2004, Orchard’s managing director Gareth Henderson sought advice from Eric Binns, who was an adviser with Business Link West Yorkshire at the time, about starting his own business.

A decade on, Orchard is marking its 10th year in business and Eric, now Calderdale Council’s principal officer for enterprise support, has been to Buckingham Palace and received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.

“It has been wonderful to observe Gareth’s progress and follow the remarkable growth of his business, which is now a major employer in the region,” said Eric, who was presented with an engraved crystal chalice and a Grant of Appointment by Business Secretary Vince Cable at a special ceremony in Westminster followed by a reception at the palace in July.

“Gareth’s is an amazing success story and I am pleased that he continues to base his business here in Calderdale and contribute to the local community in so many ways.”

Eric had regular meetings with Gareth in the early days and recalls that he very quickly recognised that Gareth had all of the essential knowledge, experience and personal attributes to create a successful business.

“He was ambitious and confident, although understandably cautious as he had never been self-employed before, but he took my advice about networking with local businesses and this is where he really shone,” Eric said.

“His strength was in building relationships and I believe this is still the case today. He worked diligently to research his industry and his market as he connected with people in Kirklees, Calderdale, Bradford and beyond.”

Eric’s work at Calderdale Council involves offering advice, guidance and encouragement in self-employment. He believes that his own career history across many business sectors – being self-employed and experiencing redundancy four times in 14 years – has helped him to empathise and offer appropriate support to others through difficult times.

“Many people have lost their jobs over the past few years as a result of the recession and a lot of them had never considered working for themselves,” said Eric. “It has been extremely rewarding to show those people that as well as employment and unemployment there is another way – self-employment.

“The advice offered by Calderdale Council is free and available to everyone and I never turn anyone away. I feel very fortunate to have a job that I enjoy so much and success stories like Gareth’s make it even more worthwhile.”

Gareth said Orchard, which now employs more than 90 people across the UK, had gone into its 10th year “on a high”.

He said: “This has been a landmark year for Orchard Energy in terms of growth, profile and strategic positioning. We have enjoyed record sales, signing 356 new clients in the past 12 months, and have created new jobs at all levels of the business, appointing a senior management team to drive the business forward.

“As we look ahead, we are preparing to open another base in Northampton in addition to our existing regional offices in Newcastle, Glasgow and Bristol to enable us to fulfil our aim to be within easy reach of all our clients to facilitate regular face-to-face contact.”

Gareth said Eric’s advice had been invaluable as he had prepared to become a business owner for the first time.

“Eric supported me with practical advice and information as well as providing moral support in those first few years, which is hugely important for anyone starting out in business,” he said.

“He is approachable, inspiring and knowledgeable and I am delighted that the gift he has for empowering entrepreneurs has been recognised with a Queen’s Award.

“There is no doubt that his advice in those early days has helped Orchard Energy achieve the level of success it enjoys today as the business celebrates its 10th anniversary.”