A campaign is being launched across Suffolk to encourage businesses to apply to the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, to give entrepreneurs a chance of gaining royal recognition of their business success.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is a prestigious award given for outstanding achievement by UK businesses.
But unfortunately, of the 230 Queen’s Awards winners honoured across the UK in 2018, none came from Suffolk.
The lord-lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston, who is Her Majesty The Queen’s personal representative in Suffolk, explained that the reason Suffolk has no current winners is not because the county lacks the talent and expertise. “It is more about the need to encourage greater awareness of the Awards and guide people through the applications process,” she said.
The deputy lieutenant of Suffolk, Mark Pendlington, is spearheading the campaign to encourage Suffolk businesses to apply this year. “We know a lot of businesses who deserve it, and the more tha Suffolk is seen as successful, the more businesses will want to come and stay here,” he explained. “A lot of the former winners say they have had better opportunities promoting their business as a result, because they get to use our logo, brand and the prestige of the award. They see an increase in turnover and sales. You get involved with a network of prestigious businesses.”
The Queen’s Award to Industry, the scheme’s original title, has been running since 1965, and winners are honoured at Buckingham Palace.
Applicants can apply in the categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility via the Queen’s Award for Entrepreneurs website.
Mr Pendlington says he will be organising small group seminars to help people understand the application process better. “The application process in quite in-depth, but you get a lot of feedback from the Queen’s Award team in London, and that really helps with applicants with their business development and strategy.”
At an event next Tuesday evening in Ipswich, more than 120 senior leaders from business, education and local government will be urged to back the campaign that already has the active support of organisations such as Adnams, Anglian Water, AB Ports, Birketts and Suffolk County Council.
“Celebrating business excellence in Suffolk shines a spotlight on all those who are leading the way, and by working better together we will be celebrating many more winners in years to come,” said the Countess of Euston. “We are all immensely proud of Suffolk. It is one of the best places in the country to live, work and learn.
“The county is full of innovation, entrepreneurship and ideas, and our international economy is one of the fastest growing and best-connected in the UK.”
People interested in putting their business forward for the award should apply here.
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