The winners of the 2021 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise were revealed today, with 122 companies cited in the international trade category, one of four in the prestigious competition.
The Queen's Awards are given for the "highest levels of excellence" and “outstanding achievement”.
A total of 205 businesses have been cited for this year’s awards:
- International Trade: 122 winners
- Innovation: 48 winners
- Promoting Opportunity: 18 winners
- Sustainable Development: 17 winners
Winners of the International Trade section, the category supported by the IOE&IT, must display three consecutive years of export sales growth.
Tough year
Announcing the winners, business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said that in a tough year for companies, it was more important than ever to celebrate their achievements.
“In the last 12 months, British businesses showed the entrepreneurial spirit that this country is renowned for, continuing to drive social mobility, find new markets to export to and produce innovative products and services,” he said.
The awards, now in their 55th year, are hosted annually and are usually announced on or around HM Queen’s birthday on 21 April. The announcement this year was delayed to today (29 April) due to the Court mourning period following the death of HRH Prince Philip.
IOE&IT membership for winners
As partner on the International Trade category, the IOE&IT helps promote entries and offers the winners one year’s membership of the Institute free of charge.
IOE&IT director general Marco Forgione also acts as one of 17 judges.
Congratulating this year’s International Trade winners, Forgione said:
“It’s clear that these businesses have taken very certain steps to develop international trade – by understanding their products, their markets while building the necessary customs and trade knowledge and expertise in-house.”
He noted that winning companies this year had exported “way beyond the expected markets of the US and Europe, into Asia and other continents. It’s proof that this competition is truly global, reflecting Brand Britain’s global prospects in our new trading environment.”
Winning benefits
Winners of the awards, which are valid for five years, may fly the Queen’s Awards flag at their main office and use the awards logo on marketing materials.
A representative from each winning company will be invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace this year, Covid restrictions permitting, to be hosted by a senior member of the Royal Family.
The awards were first established in 1965 and since then more than 7,000 companies have been recognised.
