With creative industries accounting for around £1 in every £10 of the UK’s exports and worth more than £36 billion a year to the national economy, Lesley is urging them to take part so their significant contribution can be recognised.
As a judge in The Queen’s Awards’ International Trade category, Lesley wants to see greater representation from creative companies: “The UK’s creative sectors generate £70,000 every minute for the British economy and it’s vital their success is reflected in the awards, which are the UK’s highest accolade for global business success.
“These awards are the gold standard for businesses across all sectors and an acknowledged mark of excellence. The UK’s heritage fashion brands, cutting edge young designers, film visual effect companies and gaming technology sector are world leaders so let’s celebrate their powerful success stories. The timing is perfect as we mark a global resurgence of all things Britannia – driven partly by the legacy of the successful London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
High end fashion brands such as Mulberry and Burberry as well as emerging new labels are enjoying international success with many fashion manufactures saying that exports make up a quarter of their business, according to a report in The Huffington Post last year. The UK’s film industry contributed over £4.6 billion to the UK economy in 2011 and its visual effects industry, centred around London, is a leading player in global blockbusters such as Skyfall and the Harry Potter films.
Britain’s game development sector is the third largest in the world. On average, 45 per cent of a UK games business’s turnover is generated from the export of games.
Linda Stephens, The Secretary of The Queen’s Awards, adds: “The Queen’s Awards are only granted to the very best UK companies so to win one is a fantastic recognition of corporate success. The benefits of winning are great, from enhancing a business’ profile to increasing its sales, from a wealth of PR opportunities to boosting staff morale. Only a select few businesses are successful, which make The Queen’s Awards very sought-after accolades indeed”.
Established in 1935, The Institute of Export is the only professional body in the UK offering recognised, formal qualifications in international trade.
Entries to this year’s Queen’s Awards for Enterprise open on 21 April and close on 30 September Representatives of winning firms are invited to a reception with HM The Queen at Buckingham Palace. For more information go to: www.queensawards.org.uk.