Apply for royal approval (From The Argus)

Apply for royal approval

4:22pm Tuesday 18th September 2007

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Businesses are being encouraged to apply for a prestigious prize - by royal appointment.

The Queen's Award for Enterprise recognises high-achieving and innovative companies and has been described as the equivalent of a "corporate knighthood".

On Wednesday, David Moore, the secretary to the committee advising the Prime Minister on the awards, and Zahir Sachak, Queen's Award office director, visited two previous winners as part of a promotional tour to encourage others to get involved.

They dropped in on Brighton-based health insurer Bupa International and Doyle and Tratt Products in Horsham.

Mr Moore said: "Over the years, Sussex has produced worthy winners but I know there are many more goodquality companies in the county that could win a Queen's Award next year.

"I urge them to put themselves forward. They can now apply online, making the process much simpler.

"The Queen's Award gives firms a crucial promotional and marketing tool in a competitive business world.

"It is an internationally recognised mark of a high-class business, which opens doors to new customers and suppliers.

"Many of our winners report increased turnover following their award."

The awards are not just for corporate giants, however.

Mr Moore said: "That is a common misconception. Half this year's winners were companies with fewer than 50 employees.

"Three of those companies only had three employees and every year we have winners with less than ten employees.

"Doyle and Tratt contrasts nicely with Bupa, which is a household name.

"It has 23 employees and the award can do a great deal to raise the profile of a small company like that."

Electrical light switch manufacturer Doyle and Tratt won the award for innovation in 2006.

Managing director Anthony Doyle said: "When we were announced as winners it did two things.

"It cemented the whole company together.

"We are a small company and it made everybody feel like part of the team.

"From a personal point of view, it strengthened our heart to carry on and invent things.

"It is almost impossible to say the award has resulted in this much more business' but it has given us heart to carry on trying to give the service we have in the past."

Bupa International's 2005 award for continuous achievement in international trade was its second.

John Headley, finance director, said: "Winning a Queen's Award in 1999 and then again in 2005 was a great reflection of the hard work undertaken by the team at Bupa International.

"This royal seal of approval was a huge motivational boost for our people, while displaying the logo on our literature is well received by our distributors and corporate customers."

How to earn your 'knighthood'
The Queen's Award is open to any UK-based company that employs at least two full-time staff or part-time equivalents and can demonstrate commercial success and high achievement in its field.

It is free to apply and all entrants are given detailed feedback, whether they gain an award or not.

More than 5,000 firms have won a Queen's Award in the three categories - international trade, innovation and sustainable development - since its inauguration in 1966.

There is also an award for individuals - the Queen's Award for enterprise promotion, which was introduced in 2004.

It rewards people who have played outstanding and significant roles in promoting the growth of business enterprise and entrepreneurial skills and attitudes in others Ten standard awards are granted each year, as well as a single lifetime achievement award, provided a suitable candidate is nominated.

Companies and individuals have until October 31 to enter for the 2008 awards.

Winners will be announced on the Queen's birthday - April 21 next year.

For more information, or to apply online, visit www.queensawards.

org.uk

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