Petrel, the Birmingham-based specialist in hazardous area lighting, has won the Investment Award at the West Midlands Business of the Year Awards 2026.
The prestigious black-tie ceremony took place on 26th February 2026, bringing together organisations driving growth, innovation and investment across the region.
Petrel was selected from a final shortlist of three in the Investment category, with judges recognising the company’s major programme of investment to strengthen operational performance, expand capability and create long-term regional impact.
Founded in the 1930s and operating under the Petrel brand since 1984, Petrel is a leading British manufacturer of ATEX, UKCA and IECEx-certified lighting solutions for hazardous and industrial environments. Operating from its 3,650 sq m manufacturing facility in Birmingham, the company delivers end-to-end design, engineering, testing and production for safety-critical sectors including renewables, chemical processing, distilleries, manufacturing and heavy industry.
The award follows a significant period of transformation after Petrel became part of Pioneer Safety Group (PSG) in early 2024. Phase one of a multi-stage investment programme has included refurbishment of its Birmingham site, upgrades to IT and supply chain infrastructure and expansion of research, development and testing capability.
Investment has also extended to Petrel’s people, with enhanced benefits, wellbeing initiatives and clear progression opportunities reinforcing the company’s commitment to being a responsible employer. Together, these improvements have supported productivity gains, reduced lead times and strengthened Petrel’s platform for sustainable growth in both UK and international markets.
Mark Pemberton, Managing Director of Petrel, said: “Winning this award is a proud moment for everyone at Petrel. The investment we’ve made over the last two years has been focused on building a stronger, more capable business, from our facility and systems to our R&D and, most importantly, our people. To have that recognised at such a prestigious event is a real testament to the team and to what advanced manufacturing in the West Midlands can achieve.”
Mark also congratulated fellow nominees Debrett’s and Likewise Group and thanked the West Midlands Business of the Year Awards organisers and judges for recognising the impact of investment in British manufacturing and innovation.
