The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious awards for businesses, recognising and celebrating business excellence across the UK. The recipients of the awards demonstrate outstanding success in their respective fields of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity (through social mobility).
His Majesty The King personally approves the awards and the Department for Business and Trade publicly announce the recipients on 21 April. From 2024, recipients will be announced on 6 May, to mark His Majesty The King’s Coronation.
Award recipients often state that their achievement has opened new doors for them in terms of securing new contracts, venturing into new markets and further developing their business. If successful in receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise, the organisation receives a Grant of Appointment, and is able to display the award emblem for up to five years and access to a thriving alumni network of previous award recipients.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise was previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, and the new name reflects His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The award programme, now in its 57th year, has awarded over 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965. The first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise were announced on 21 April 2023, celebrating the achievements of UK businesses.
This year, 148 businesses representing every part of the United Kingdom and a diverse range of sectors have been recognised by His Majesty The King as among the best in the country, with one company receiving two awards.
This year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise are given for outstanding achievement in:
- Innovation (47)
- International trade (78)
- Sustainable development (15)
- Promoting opportunity (through social mobility) (9)
His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants will be presenting the awards to businesses locally throughout the year. Applications for the 2024 round open on 6 May and close at midday 1on 2 September.
Eligible businesses are free to apply for one or more categories. Recipients pass a robust assessment process, judged by experts from industry, academia, the voluntary sector and senior officials in Whitehall.
The Awards are open to all UK-based organisations with two or more employees. 90% of the recipients are SMEs but big businesses like KPMG, The Co-op, Holland and Barrett and JCB also recognise the importance and the benefits of these awards.
Now, more than ever, is a vital time for great UK businesses to be celebrated and recognised.
Find out more on The King's Awards and enter the 2024 awards
