A BUSINESSMAN met Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a Downing Street reception to celebrate his firm s success. Mark Hammond, chief executive of Melbourn Scientific, was one of several business leaders recently invited to attend a Downing Street reception to

A BUSINESSMAN met Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a Downing Street reception to celebrate his firm's success.

Mark Hammond, chief executive of Melbourn Scientific, was one of several business leaders recently invited to attend a Downing Street reception to Mr Brown and Lord Mandelson, the government's business secretary.

The event was held to recognise businesses that have enjoyed success exporting to other countries during the recession.

Mr Hammond said: "Our plan over the last year has been to invest in both our staff and the latest equipment so that we can offer new services that are complimentary to the existing services."

Melbourn Scientific, who are based in Saxon Way, Melbourn, provide analytical services to firms in pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.