Achieving prestigious recognition for your business with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Businesses of all sizes and types are encouraged to apply, providing they meet the criteria:

• Be based in the UK (incl. the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man)
• File its Company Tax Returns with HM Revenue and Customs
• Be a self-contained enterprise that markets its own products or services and is under its own management
• Have at least two full-time UK employees or part-time equivalents
• Demonstrate strong corporate social responsibility
• and Organisations can be a business or non-profit.

Each year hundreds of businesses apply for an award under one of more of four categories; International Trade; Innovation; Sustainable Development; and Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility.

In Hull and East Yorkshire, businesses are encouraged and can be supported through the process by the Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Jim Dick, OBE, and his team of Deputy Lieutenants.Many of these are previous leaders of businesses and organisations in the region and have experience of supporting successful applications.As the Lord-Lieutenant explains, “Winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise is a major achievement and we encourage all businesses to consider submitting an entry if they feel they have strong evidence of achievement and success in one or more of the categories. Winners of the Award, like the Sewell Group in 2021 achieve global recognition for their business, as well as for the Hull and East Yorkshire region.”

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise Emblem is a trusted mark that provides immediate and long-term business benefits. The use of the prestigious Queen’s Awards Emblem is a recognised Royal endorsement that will get your business noticed, above and beyond the competition, both at home and overseas. Winning businesses are permitted to fly The Queen’s Awards flag at their main office, and use the esteemed Queen’s Awards for Enterprise emblem on products and stationery for the next 5 years.

Feedback from previous winners suggests that winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise can benefit businesses with; excellent marketing opportunities and press coverage; worldwide recognition as an outstanding British company; increased turnover and international trade; and a boost to staff morale, and also to partners and stakeholders.

Each winning company is presented with a Grant of Appointment scroll and a commemorative crystal bowl by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, The Queen’s personal representative, at their premises or other selected location at a time suitable to both. Representatives of the winning organisations are also invited to attend a Royal Reception.

Businesses who enter and unfortunately don’t win can still find the experience of entering beneficial. Unsuccessful entrants receive feedback, providing targets to work towards and outlining where they may need to focus to be successful next time around. This feedback isn’t just beneficial for re-entering but is often sound business advice to take forward and improve.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the Queen’s Award for Enterprise can do so at The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise or can contact the East Riding Lieutenancy at erlieutenancy@eastriding.gov.uk.