The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise have been in existence for over 45 years now and offer businesses across the UK the opportunity to enter for the highest possible business accolade. 

This year saw more businesses than ever before win an award and the standard just keeps on getting better and better. That is a great testament to the fantastic businesses that we have in the UK and their desire to succeed and support our economic growth.

The great appeal of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is that they can be won by businesses of all sizes. From small startup firms, to companies that are exporting abroad and growing their numbers of staff, there really is no limit to who can be successful. 

This year, 151 companies won awards for International Trade alone, which highlights the growing nature of UK businesses as they look to tap into new markets and extend their reach across the world. A further 50 businesses have won awards for Innovation, and eight for Sustainable Development.

The winning companies cover a range of sectors. These include architecture and design, building and construction, motoring and transport, electronics and technology, manufacturing and engineering, law and finance, tourism and leisure, medical and pharmaceuticals, food and drink, oil and gas, media and marketing, metals, plastics and packaging, safety and surveillance, printing, recycling, logistics, utilities and more. This wide range of winners shows just how diverse and thriving the business community is in the UK.

Throughout 2012, there are some great opportunities for entrepreneurs to start and grow a business. We are running the “Business in You” campaign alongside the private sector to showcase success stories of businesses that have been able to make use of the opportunities already available. For example, we are creating a network of thousands of business mentors as well as supporting high growth potential businesses through our business coaching for growth programme.

We want to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business, and the quality of winners from this year’s Queen’s Awards for Enterprise shows that we are heading in the right direction. I’m encouraged to see so many businesses win this year and hope that we can exceed our expectations next year and beyond.

Mark Prisk is Business and Enterprise Minister.

The closing date for entries for next year’s awards is September 28, 2012. For more information visit the Queen’s Awards website.

Share this story