A History of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise
Following the announcement of our delight at being awarded the prestigious Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and International Trade, we wanted to share with you a history of the Queen’s Awards.
When where the Queen’s Awards established?
The Queen's Awards for Enterprise is an awards programme for British businesses and other organisations who excel at international trade, innovation or sustainable development. It’s the highest official UK award a British business can be awarded.
The scheme was established as The Queen’s Awards to Industry in 1965 and included The Queen's Awards for Export, Export Achievement, Technology, Technological Achievement and Environmental Achievement. Until 2017, when it was rested, the scheme also included an award for individuals known as the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.
The Queen's Award to Industry became the Queen's Awards for Export and Technology in 1975, with Environmental Achievement added in 1992. In 1999, the scheme became the Queen's Awards for Enterprise with International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development as the categories. In 2017, a fourth category was introduced, Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility).
Eligibility to enter the Queen’s Award for Enterprise
To apply for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise your organisation must:
● Your organisation can be a business or non-profit and be based in the UK (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man)
● Tile its Company Tax Returns with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
● Be a self-contained enterprise that markets its own products or services and is under its own management
● Have at least 2 full-time UK employees or part-time equivalents
● Demonstrate strong corporate social responsibility
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2020
Since the awards were first established over 7000 companies have achieved a Queen’s Awards, including Orthoplastics who were awarded the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and International Trade 2020.
Now in its 54th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise remain the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards emblem for a five year period. Bringing with it more recognition, nationally and internationally and greater opportunities.
This year 220 UK businesses have been recognised for their contribution to International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through Social Mobility).
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2020 include:
● 128 awards for International Trade
● 66 awards for Innovation
● 19 awards for Sustainable Development
● 7 awards for Promoting Opportunity (through Social Mobility)
What happens if your company wins?
The Queen’s Award is valid for five years and winning organisations will benefit from being able to fly the Queen’s Award flag at their principal premises, use of the emblem on their stationery, advertising and goods and Global recognition and commercial value for your business.
Winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise will also help your company gain a competitive edge and will open up new business opportunities. In addition, winning the highest UK business award can provide a great boost to staff morale.
Winning businesses will be presented with the award at the winners’ premises by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County as HM The Queen’s representative. The Awards consist of a Grant of Appointment and a presentational item bearing the Emblem. Representatives of the winning businesses will also be invited to a celebratory Royal Reception.
We are extremely proud to be awarded our first Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and International trade. The award was confirmed on Tuesday 21st April and is an outstanding achievement for the company.
Managing Director Mark Allen says “this is a fantastic achievement for the whole team at Orthoplastics and is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone here. Being awarded such a prestigious award is a great morale boost and will open the door to many new opportunities. We’re looking forward to the award presentation and attending the Royal Reception.”
The award is recognition of Orthoplastics being the leading manufacturer of medical-grade plastics, which has been achieved through our unsurpassed dedication to quality and excellence. Investing both time and resources into developing our knowledge of medical plastics and advanced manufacturing techniques has enabled us to continually surpass our customers exacting standards.