We have been privileged to receive the Investment Award from the prestigious II Santander SME Award, which recognises the key role of SMEs in the Spanish and the United Kingdom economies. It is a wonderful recognition of our innovative model of mobile dental care services, which has contributed to improving the health, wellbeing and quality of life of thousands of dependent people in Europe.
14/02/2015
Yesterday the Lura Care United Kingdom team had the honour of attending as finalists at the ceremony of the II Santander SME Award, held at the Spanish Ambassador’s Residence in London and hosted by H.E. Ambassador of Spain, Mr. José Pascual Marco.
This prestigious award aims to recognise the key role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the economies of Spain and the United Kingdom in two categories. The Export Award recognises a company for its export activities between Spain and the United Kingdom, while the Investment Award recognises recent investments between the two countries with significant links.
At Lura Care we were privileged to be selected as winners of the Investment Award in recognition of our company’s international expansion process. Our company started its operations in Spain in 2015, in 2023 we began expansion into new European markets with entry into Italy, and in the first third of 2024 we launched our first dental hub in Hampton Hill, London, starting to serve the British market. And soon we will open new dental hubs in other locations, from which we will expand our care coverage in the country.
From these lines we want to thank the jury for this outstanding award that recognises our innovative mobile dental care services, and dedicate this great honour to our extraordinary team who give their best every day to improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of thousands of dependent people.
Breaking the mobility barrier across Europe
In less than a year, the Lura Care UK team has managed to reach agreements with several groups of elderly and disabled people’s care homes in the United Kingdom, to whom we provide our dental care services to treat their patients in the centres themselves.
As a result, we have already served more than 1,300 patients from around eighty care homes with a single aim: to break down the mobility barrier to bring oral health care to care homes for all those who are dependent and unable to receive the care they need because of their condition.
Today, Lura Care has become Europe’s leading company in home dentistry, where we have cared for more than 120,000 people and collaborate with more than 1,000 care homes and day care centres in the three countries in which we operate.
A recognition to the key role of SMEs
The II Santander SME Award, organised by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and supported by Banco Santander, recognises the entrepreneurial efforts of SMEs in key areas such as innovation, investment, digitalisation, internationalisation, training and job creation, sustainability and diversity.
The jury, chaired by Mr. Gonzalo García, Chief Counsellor of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain in the United Kingdom, includes prominent representatives of business organisations and media from both countries.
The jury members select the winners based on all these contributions that have a significant impact on the economic growth of both countries. The winning companies receive a one-year membership in the Chamber’s Sponsors Club, a diploma and a trophy, as well as a communication kit to showcase this prestigious recognition.
Outstanding institutional and business support
The gala of the II Santander SME Award had an illustrious representation from the governments of both countries, as well as from the business world. Speakers during the event included Mr. Eduardo Barrachina, President of the Spanish Chamber; Mr. Juan Gañán, Head of International Desk at Santander Spain; and Mr. Gonzalo García, who welcomed the members of the Jury to the stage and opened the round table.
The guest of honour of this second edition was Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Europe, Mr. Chris Barton CMG, who in addition to his speech was in charge of presenting this distinguished award to the winning companies.