Nearly 200 businesses from across the UK have received The King’s Awards for Enterprise – the UK’s most prestigious recognition for outstanding business achievement.

This year, 197 firms were honoured for their success in international trade, innovation, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Out of the 197 winners, 176 are small or medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and 27 are micro-businesses with 10 employees or fewer. This reflects the vital role that smaller firms play in driving UK growth. It is estimated that just a 1% increase in SME productivity each year for the next 5 years would add £94 billion to the UK economy.

Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports, Gareth Thomas said the awards celebrate “the very best of British business talent,” and praised winners for helping to boost the UK economy.

Examples of winners include:

  • Sonardyne International – recognised for both International Trade and Sustainable Development in the engineering and manufacturing of their underwater equipment.
  • Delta Fire – awarded for Innovation and Sustainability in its manufacture of specialist front-line firefighting products.
  • Mixergy, based in Oxford – recognised for their energy-efficient smart hot water tanks.

Now in its 59th year, the awards (formerly The Queen’s Awards) will be presented locally by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants, with representatives from winners also invited to a Royal reception later in the year.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-businesses-celebrated-in-third-year-of-the-kings-awards-for-enterprise