With King Charles III now on the throne what was the Queen’s Award for Enterprise is now the King’s Award for Enterprise and Liverpool city region firms are being urged to apply. Tony McDonough reports
A call has gone out from the Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside Mark Blundell for city region firms to apply to the King’s Award for Enterprise (KAE).
Formerly known as the Queen’s Award for Enterprise the accolade has, for many years, recognised the outstanding achievements of UK businesses. A KAE offers significant prestige, particularly for exporters.
Winning firms are entitled and encouraged to make full use of this distinctive award by featuring the Kings Emblem on social media, their stationery, packaging, vehicles and website for a period of five years.
However, in recent years, the volume of KAE applications from Liverpool city region companies has been “disappointing”. Now Mr Blundell is keen to get the message out to the thousands of SMEs across the region.
The KAE recognises the outstanding achievements of UK businesses across four operating categories:
- International Trade
- Innovation
- Sustainable Development
- Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility
Mr Blundell has now appointed a panel from his office to encourage businesses in the region to get involved.
Panel member John Mohin, a Liverpool academic, Deputy Lieutenant for Merseyside and an Honorary Fellow of Liverpool John Moore’s University, said: “Liverpool is recognised worldwide as a leading centre for business and trade.
“And the wider Merseyside region has a multitude of outstanding and innovative businesses across a range of sectors.
“We have organisations conducting cutting-edge research in the fields of science, medicine and technology to leading businesses in retail, construction, finance, logistics, entertainment and so much more.
“These awards recognise the exceptional contribution that winning businesses have made to the UK.
“They are well supported by many regions around the UK but unfortunately the application numbers from Merseyside companies have in the past been somewhat disappointing. This is a situation we are anxious to rectify.”
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Businesses are being invited to a special KAE launch from 10am to 12noon on Wednesday, July, 12 at the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool.
Nichola Bruno, head of the King’s Award Office, will be attending along with previous winners who will offer advice on what is required to make a successful application.
Mr Mohin added: “Liverpool has been recognised as European Capital of Culture and this year received further global recognition through hosting Eurovision 2023.
“Now we can bring even more attention to our region by demonstrating our remarkable business acumen through applying for a KAE.
Anyone wishing to attend this event can contact: Helen Tanzey, Clerk to the Lieutenancy of Merseyside – msl.clerk@lieutenancy.info
All businesses based in the UK are eligible to apply providing they meet the simple criteria of having at least two years trading history and employ two people or part-time equivalents. Click here to apply or for more information.