All of this year’s (2015) winners are UK businesses leading the way in international trade, innovation and sustainable development in a broad range of sectors including car manufacturing, education, software design and fashion.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) unveiled the 141 winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and 6 individual recipients of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion 21 April 2015.
The Queen’s Awards scheme is regarded as the most prestigious business awards in the country and 2015 marks its 50th anniversary.
This year, 105 businesses received awards for international trade; 24 for innovation and 12 for sustainable development. Two small companies, Wavestore Ltd and Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging Ltd, achieved double recognition, receiving awards for both innovation and international trade. In addition, 6 people who were nominated by their peers have been recognised for their efforts to encourage entrepreneurship in the UK with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion. Winners include entrepreneurs, a professor of creative entrepreneurship and the founder of the Creative Innovation Centre in Somerset.
Winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are visited by a Royal representative and are presented with a crystal bowl as a mark of their achievement. They are also invited to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace in July 2015. Businesses are also able to use the Queen’s Award emblem in advertising, marketing and on packaging for 5 years.
Firms that won a Queen’s Award for international trade showed they have benefited from substantial international growth in overseas earnings and commercial success within their sector.
Awards for innovation are given to businesses that can demonstrate that their innovative products or services are commercially successful.
Sustainable development winners have to show they are involved in activity that ensures a better quality of life for everyone, now and in the future.
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion is for individuals who have played an important role in promoting enterprise skills and supporting entrepreneurs.
Entries to the 2016 Awards close on Wednesday 30 September 2015. To apply and for more information, go to www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise/overview