This year’s winners of the King’s Award for Enterprise in the international trade category include musical instrument makers and luxury knitting firms, as well as logistics and air travel specialists, as announced today (6 May).
‘Outstanding achievement’
The awards recognise “outstanding achievement by UK businesses” across a range of categories that include innovation, international trade, sustainable development and “promoting opportunity through social mobility”.
Winners are invited to a royal reception, where they are presented with an award by a Lord-Lieutenant of the King. Successful firms are then able to use the King’s Awards logo and to fly a flag bearing its emblem outside their business.
Kestrel Liner Agencies, a global logistics specialist, took home an award, as did Percussion Play, which designs and manufactures musical instruments designed especially to be used outdoors.
The Albion Global Knitting Company, which is “pioneering the renaissance of luxury knitting in the UK”, was also among those selected.
‘Look at trade again for growth’
Director general of the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT), Marco Forgione, said:
“I’d like to congratulate all 161 winners of the King’s Awards in the International Trade category this year.
“Against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty – due to inflation, international conflicts and various supply chain disruptions – these businesses show that it remains possible to thrive globally and that demand for British exports is high. Businesses that trade internationally have repeatedly been found to be more profitable, more sustainable and to create more jobs, and these winners are testament to that.
“In this challenging period, it’s right that we celebrate them and showcase their achievements to the wider business community to encourage and inspire more firms – particularly SMEs – to look at trade again for growth.”
Variety
There was high variety among the award winners.
Endomagnetics, based in Cambridgeshire, provides a minimally-invasive surgical guidance system for use in breast cancer care, for instance, while AMS Neve provides audio technology used in the production of “Oscar-winning films and Grammy-winning music”.
Awards remain valid for five years and firms receive an official Grant of Appointment marking their win.
To be eligible, they must be based in the UK and have a “good compliance record with HMRC”. They must also be a “self-contained enterprise” that markets its own products or services under its own management, with at least two full-time employees, and be able to demonstrate commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.