Press release

Over 170 British businesses recognised for enterprise excellence on Her Majesty鈥檚 91st birthday

Business Secretary names the winners of the Queen鈥檚 Awards for Enterprise 2017.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government
Queen's Awards bowl. (credit: Geraint Lewis)
  • established in 1965, the Queen鈥檚 Awards for Enterprise celebrates the UK鈥檚 small and medium sized businesses
  • this year鈥檚 winners include the first group for the Promoting Opportunity category
  • research shows nearly 75% of past winners attribute the Queen鈥檚 Awards to increased international sales
  • entries are open as of today for the 2018 awards

Business Secretary Greg Clark today (21 April) named the in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen鈥檚 91st birthday.

One hundred and seventy-six businesses from across the UK have been recognised for their contribution to international trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting opportunity.

This year鈥檚 winners include UK businesses leading the way in a broad range of industries - from green energy solutions and medical healthcare, to laser technology and digital marketing.

Now in its 51st year, the Queen鈥檚 Awards for Enterprise are one of the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen鈥檚 Awards emblem for the next 5 years.

Successful businesses included:

  • 11 winners of the sustainable business award
  • 57 winners of the innovation award
  • 102 winners for the international trade award
  • 6 winners for the promoting opportunity award

Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

The Queen鈥檚 Awards for Enterprise highlights everything that鈥檚 great about UK business today.

We have some of the best entrepreneurs and innovative minds in the world who are at the heart of small start-ups providing excellent customer service to larger businesses developing global solutions. Over 1 million new businesses have been created since 2010, all playing a vital role in creating jobs and driving growth across the UK.

I鈥檓 extremely proud to see such a wealth of businesses being recognised today. Through our Industrial Strategy we will be building on the successes of these award winning businesses, helping to build a stronger, more outward looking and prosperous global Britain.

Five small and medium sized companies 鈥� , , , , and 鈥� received awards for both International Trade and Innovation, with Oakland International Ltd getting the double for International Trade and Sustainable Development.

Six businesses have also been named winners of the new Promoting Opportunity category. This new area was introduced to recognise the important work of social mobility initiatives and programmes that specifically reach out and support people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Winners include Allen & Overy LLP, its Smart Start programme has supported over 770 young people in gaining high quality work experience and Procurement Plus Holdings Ltd which has helped 354 people into employment.

According to research by the University of Strathclyde, 73% of International Trade winners between 2012 and 2015 directly attributed increased international sales to winning a Queen鈥檚 Award for Enterprise.

Entry to the 2018 Awards opens on 21 April 2017 and closes on Friday 1 September 2017. To apply and for more information, go to: www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise.

Updates to this page

Published 21 April 2017