A fast-growing Malvern technology company last week visited the Houses of Parliament to collect a prestigious award made by the Institute of Physics. And staff from Metrasens – based at the Enigma Business Park - were joined by West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin to help celebrate the achievement Metrasens was one of five companies picking up awards to recognise novel and practical applications of physics in commerce. The Malvern company has developed a high-tech metal detection system which is used in prisons to prevent smuggling and in hospitals to prevent damage or injury in MRI scanners. Harriett said: “Metrasens is a highly-regarded organisation and this award is proof of its growing reputation at home and abroad. “The team updated me on their continuing plans for growth and the future is clearly very bright for Metrasens. “This is yet more evidence of how the brilliant brains of Malvern are turning their inventions into world-class products and creating high-end manufacturing jobs. “I congratulated Mark and Simon on this great accolade and have offered them my support as they take their detection products all over the world.” Professor Roy Sambles (crct), president of the Institute of Physics added: “The winners of the 2015 IoP Innovation Awards are excellent examples of how innovative physics can address national challenges. “The success of these companies drives not only employment, economic growth and productivity, but also advances in such disparate sectors as energy, quantum technologies and national security. “I congratulate all of the winners for their outstanding achievements and I wish them every success in the future.” Dr Mark Keene, from Metrasens, added: “It was a great honour to receive such a prestigious award from one of the oldest and most highly respected institutions for physical sciences in the world. There is a critical link between scientific research and economic strength that we must never lose sight of. “I am delighted that Metrasens has been recognised as an example of this. We would like to thank the Institute of Physics for the award, and Harriett Baldwin MP for her practical support on several occasions helping us along the way.” Photo: (l-r) Institute of Physics’s Professor Roy Sambles, Dr Mark Keene, Harriett Baldwin MP and Dr Simon Goodyear.