Shadbolt set up Zeta Specialist Lighting, a research and development-led company which has a strong heritage in designing and developing innovative LED and solar powered lighting solutions, from scratch. The company, which marked its 25th anniversary in 2014 with a £3.5 million investment in its UK manufacturing facility, champions its ‘made in the UK’ mantra and strives to play a key role in ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

Zeta was one of only eight firms selected to set-up a display stand and exhibit its products to The Queen and Prince Philip at an event organised by Prince Andrew in conjunction with the Technology Strategy Board which was attended by 350 fast moving technology companies last year. The company was also selected to showcase its offer at Innovate 2015 the multi-sector technology showcase with global reach. This event, co-hosted by Innovate UK and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), is a two-day global spotlight on innovation which brings together some of the UK’s high growth, high potential businesses – each of which have to apply to secure a place.

Under Shadbolt’s stewardship, Zeta has received a number of prestigious awards recognising its success in innovation, including five DTI SMART Awards. In its silver anniversary year, the company picked up The Integration Technology Export Award at the 2014 Cherwell Valley Business Awards, and a Silver Scoot Headline Award, which recognises and rewards the successes and achievements of British businesses, large and small.