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Satnews Daily
December 1st, 2014

Denise Anderson Award For Outstanding Achievement Goes to a Darling at AST


[SatNews] Today there are 60 worldwide companies and more than 1,700 employees. 

Gregory Darling, Chairman and Managing Director of Applied Satellite Technology Ltd., and Chairman of the Great Yarmouth-based Gardline Group is the proud winner of the Denise Anderson Award for Outstanding Achievement at the EDP Business Awards this month.

Gregory Darling who founded Applied Satellite Technology Ltd. in 1992 and in 2007 took over the reins at Gardline from his late father, George, has continued to expand the multifaceted global business.  Today there are 60 worldwide companies and more than 1,700 employees.  “We are Yarmouth’s biggest employer” Gregory Darling said proudly, “Competing on a world stage we are contributing to the economy in the best possible way in terms of employment, tax and foreign exchange”.


Gregory Darling, Chairman and Managing Director of Applied Satellite Technology Ltd., and Chairman of the Great Yarmouth-based Gardline Group

Applied Satellite Technology Ltd was launched in 1992, when satellite phones cost £22,000 compared to some hand held devices now costing as little as £500 today.  The Yarmouth-based business now employ over 160 people in 10 countries worldwide providing the technology for satellite communication “anywhere a cell phone does not work”, or secure communications are required.  Internet and data communication play a large part of today’s satellite communication capabilities and Applied Satellite Technology are taking the ‘Internet of Things’ to every corner of the globe.

Gardline Group’s turnover has risen to £220m and Mr Darling believes the outlook is for further “steady” growth. He said: “Growth is never constant, you have good years and bad years, but it has always been our policy to use our own money for investment rather than borrowing it.”

The AST Group consists of ten individual companies each possessing individual specialist abilities, serving both direct and indirect channels throughout the United Kingdom, Africa, America, Asia and Australia.

AST is a Tier 1 provider of satellite airtime and a Distribution Partner for satellite and radio equipment throughout the world. AST is positioned to offer independent, unbiased advice to ensure customers receive the right communication solution to meet their business needs, and at a competitive price.

The business operates a Quality Management System that meets the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 to ensure that quality standards are constantly met and improved. A recent addition to this accreditation is ISO 14001, an internationally accepted standard awarded to companies that can demonstrate a proven Environmental Management System.

There is more information at this website.