Firms in Scotland urged to apply for Queen’s Awards 2010

Outstanding firms of all sizes from across Scotland are being urged to apply for the 2010 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, and gain royal recognition for their achievements.

Out of a total of 194 Queen’s Awards announced in April 2009, just 9 were won by firms from Scotland. 

Now organisers of The Queen’s Awards are calling on more successful firms from Scotland to apply for the 2010 Awards.   Entry is free and open to any firm with two or more employees.  Application forms can be completed online at www.queensawards.org.uk.   The deadline for entries is 2pm on 30th October 2009.

This year’s call for entries in Scotland is backed by Scottish Enterprise.  Linda Hanna, Director of Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, said: 

“It’s good to see businesses from Scotland being recognised in this year’s Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and I know there are many more worthy Queen’s Award contenders from Scotland waiting in the wings.  Now’s the perfect time to step forward and gain widespread regional, national and international recognition for your achievements.”

One of this year’s winners from Scotland was Aberdeen-based Woollard and Henry, which manufactures equipment for the paper industry and light engineering products for the oil and gas sector.  It won a Queen’s Award for International Trade in April this year.  

Managing Director Fred Bowden, said: “One of the biggest benefits of winning The Award is the fact that our profile has greatly improved at home and abroad. We have real credibility thanks to The Award and despite the recession we are still busy, which is a good sign, and in fact we are breaking into new markets abroad.  

“That is where The Queen’s Award is really showing its benefit as it gives us the credibility we need to help break those markets, and to open doors in a way we couldn’t before. It has also been a great boost to the morale of everybody working here.” 

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious Awards for business success, and the equivalent of a company knighthood.  There are three categories of business Award: International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development.  There is also one individual category – The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion (QAEP) – for people working in inspiring ways to encourage UK entrepreneurship.   

Businesses that win a Queen’s Award receive extensive benefits. A survey of last year’s winners found that in the first year alone, three quarters experienced extra press coverage; 82% saw an increase in employee engagement; and nearly two thirds of winners in the International Trade category either increased their recognition abroad or generated new business.