Does Your Caithness or Sutherland Business Deserve A Queens Award?

4th September 2005

Midnight on 31 October 2005 is the deadline for companies to apply for the ultimate business accolade - The Queen's Award for Enterprise, for outstanding achievement in international trade, innovation and sustainable development.

And for individuals it is also the closing date for nominations for the new Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, which will reward those inspirational people who encourage enterprise skills and attitudes in others.

Scores of organisations large and small throughout the UK have already applied for details of the business Award – but Stephen Brice, Acting Secretary at The Queen's Awards Office, believes there are many more who can show they are among the business elite.

"A Queen's Award recognises the contribution made by everyone involved in an organisation, and the benefits to be gained are wide ranging. Winners say that the Award has given a tremendous boost to staff morale.

"Unlike many business awards, The Queen's Awards for Enterprise recognise the contribution made by the whole workforce and research shows that winning such a coveted award gives an unparalleled opportunity for a company to shine both in the national and international markets.

"In today's competitive markets, anything that gives a business an edge over the competition is to be welcomed so we urge the many outstanding companies out there to take the first step to emulate the success for previous Scottish winners. Size is irrelevant. If a company employs at least two people, is UK based and a high achiever in its field it can enter. Almost half of the 137 Awards granted in 2005 were made to companies with fewer than 50 employees and 14 had fewer than 10. And even if a company doesn't win, applying is still good for business as it provides a benchmark against business peers.

"And the feedback report details the strengths and weakness of the application - a valuable tool towards future success."

Would-be Queen's Awards winners should phone 0870 513 4486 or visit Queens Award, for an entry pack.