Welcome to another year of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. Let me start by offering my warmest congratulations to all the 2014 Queen’s Award winners that were unveiled on Easter Monday. I have been really pleased with the news stories in the press and on TV, profiling some of the successful business winners from this year’s Awards.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the highest recognition that any UK business can achieve. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, said:
One of Britain’s strengths is its enterprise and I think it is important that we celebrate it. That’s why I am delighted to congratulate the 162 UK companies on winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
In recognising their outstanding and innovative achievements, and their contribution to our economy, I hope other business and entrepreneurs will be inspired to follow their lead.
2014 has been another terrific year for the Awards, with the judges again reporting that the overall standard of entries was extremely high. There were 796 entries for the business Award, of which 162 businesses were successful and their number includes 80 small firms (2 to 49 employees) and 55 medium-sized (50 to 249).
Of the 46 nominations for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion, there were 8 individual Award winners, including one for Lifetime Achievement.
Have a look at this year’s winners – it really is open to everyone. We had entries from a wider variety of sectors this year, as well as strong representation from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I’d still love to see even more of you next time!
If you weren’t one of the winners this year, I hope that the feedback on your entry will help, particularly if you would like to try again – several of our winners were not successful the first, second or even third time they entered!
The team will be using this blog to bring you updates about this year's competition as well as advice from our judges and previous winners so watch this space. We’ve also launched a brand new campaign page. Please have a look and let me know what you think.
My usual advice, although the end of September seems like a long way in the distance ... don't leave everything until the last moment. It’s not the most prestigious Award for nothing so do start thinking now about what you need to do to put in your strongest entry – use the blank and editable pdf forms as well as the latest guidance notes to help you. Or contact the team if you’ve any questions.
2015 is a big year for us as it marks the 50th Anniversary of the Awards. Be part of the story and put your business or that inspirational someone forward – now!
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