120 outstanding companies, large and small, are celebrating today (21st April) after being awarded the UK’s highest honour for business success – a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

This year’s winners include the architects behind The London Eye, the company that designed the interior of President Putin’s presidential aeroplane, the television producers behind Robot Wars and Question Time, the manufacturers of an anti-snoring remedy, the developers of a machine-washable duvet and a palliative care hospice, recognised for its approach to social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable development.

In total, Her Majesty the Queen announced 123 Awards: 62 Awards for International Trade, 51 for Innovation and 10 for Sustainable Development (three companies won Awards in two categories for their achievements). This year’s total of 123 Awards compares with 131 announced in 2002. Overall, 1008 entries were received for this year’s Awards, the highest for five years.

As always with The Queen’s Awards, winners are drawn from all sectors of business and industry, including finance, pharmaceuticals, computing, telecommunications, logistics, engineering and consumer goods. They range in size from a company employing just 4 people to an organisation with a workforce of 108,600. 41% of this year’s winners employ less than 50 people, and 32% of winners are drawn from the service sector.

Commenting on this year's winners, Alan Johnson, Minister of State for Employment Relations, Industry and the Regions, said:

"To win a Queen's Award for Enterprise is a significant business achievement. Successful companies can be justifiably proud of their success - they have proved they are leaders in their field and among the most innovative and enterprising businesses in the country. As such, they represent powerful role models to aspiring firms throughout Britain and around the world."

The most visible benefit of winning a Queen’s Award is the right to use the coveted Queen’s Award Emblem for five years, symbolising success and good business practice. Other key benefits include national and regional publicity, increased recognition in the UK and overseas and boosts to staff morale. Winners are also invited to a special reception at Buckingham Palace.

To find out more about The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise or to obtain an entry form for next year’s awards, phone 0870 5 13 44 86 or visit the website at http://www.queensawards.org.uk­­

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