A nationwide tour to urge businesses to bid for ‘corporate knighthoods’ takes Queen’s Awards officials from the South West to Scotland.

Stephen Brice, Secretary to The Queen’s Awards Office, and David Moore, Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee, set off this week to encourage firms large and small to enter for The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2007.

This year 145 companies won Queen’s Awards, the highest total for 11 years, but Stephen Brice is convinced that the number could be higher.  He said:

“Wherever we go, previous winners tell us how much they have benefited from their Queen’s Awards.  One said, ‘It’s ‘just like a corporate knighthood’, and another that ‘it’s the ultimate business accolade’.  Businesses described the Award as ‘prestigious’, ‘a quality standard’ and ‘symbolic of success’.  Many claimed it gave them an edge over their competitors, while exporting companies found it invaluable as an overseas marketing tool.” 

During the tour he and Mr Moore, backed by previous winners, will explain to prospective applicants how to apply for Awards, and more importantly what the benefits are of winning.  They will also invite nominations for The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion, a relatively-new Award for individuals.

Mr Brice added:

“Any firm of merit can enter – and size is irrelevant. It’s a popular misconception that only big companies can win a Queen’s Award, but there have been several winners with only a handful of staff.  More than 60 of this year’s winners have fewer than 50 employees – and four companies have only three each.

“In addition to the business Awards, nominations are also being invited for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion, an Award for individuals introduced two years ago, for people making outstanding contributions to the promotion of enterprise skills and attitudes in others.” 

Unlike the business Awards, for which a direct application can be made, people must be nominated for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion, for instance by colleagues, associates or beneficiaries of their work. 

The deadline for this year’s Awards is 31 October 2006.  Winners and recipients will be announced on 21 April 2007.

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