Queen to host Enterprise Awards at Buckingham Palace
THE QUEEN and the Duke of Edinburgh are to join business leaders and Government ministers for the Queen's Awards for Enterprise.
The Queen and Prince Philip will join business leaders and ministers for the Enterprise Awards
A reception will be held at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday night for more than 150 companies to be recognised for their contribution to business in the UK.
The awards were created in the Queen's name in 1965, and have since celebrated the achievements of almost 7,000 recipients.
This year's 176 winning businesses, announced on the Queen's 91st birthday in April, are recognised for excellence in international trade (102 firms), innovation (57) and sustainable development (11).
Six businesses have been awarded the Queen's Award for promoting opportunity (through social mobility), to recognise the work of social mobility initiatives and programmes that specifically support people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
I'd encourage businesses of all sizes to apply for these prestigious awards
This year's businesses are from a wide variety of sectors, with work ranging from pioneering healthcare and green energy solutions to digital marketing and laser technology.
The winners range from pest control to companies that specialise in hand-made hairbrushes.
Small business minister Margot James said: “It's great to see a wealth of UK business talent being recognised and celebrated today.
The awards were created in the Queen's name in 1965
Queen appoints Ghanaian-born officer as first black equerry
“Over 85 per cent of this year's Queen's Award winners are small businesses and this is testament to the fundamental role they play in growing our economy.
“I'd encourage businesses of all sizes to apply for these prestigious awards, in recognition of their achievements in international trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting opportunity.”
Recipients can display the Queen's Awards emblem for five years.