When a business award comes from the King himself, it’s recognition on an entirely different level.
And in the King’s Awards for Enterprise, our region produced the joint highest number of UK recipients, with 89% of the total recipients being small and medium enterprises (SMEs), 36 of which had fewer than 10 employees.
In short, you could be in the running – so here’s what you need to know, and what to do next.
What is the value of the Awards?
Winners are allowed to use the Royal Emblem in their communications and marketing materials for five years. It’s an instantly recognisable symbol that helps businesses get noticed above and beyond the competition.
Awards winners also receive extensive local and regional media coverage, boosted by the fact that the Awards are presented by the region’s Lord Lieutenant and sometimes by a member of the Royal Family. A Royal Reception, hosted by the King himself or other senior Royal, is also part of the proceedings.
And past recipients have indicated that receiving an Award increases sales and growth, improves access to new clients and markets, creates greater recognition of their business on the global stage, and makes it easier to attract and retain talent.
Awards categories, and who can enter
The Awards cover four categories: innovation, international trade, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility, as this short video explains.
You can enter more than one category, but to enter, your business or organisation must:
- be based in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man
- have a good compliance record with HMRC
- be a self-contained enterprise that markets its own products or services under its own management
- have at least two full-time UK employees or part-time equivalents
- demonstrate strong corporate social responsibility
Entries can be from both businesses and non-profit organisations, and you can read about category-specific criteria in this guide.
So, thinking of entering? Here’s how.
How to enter the King’s Awards for Enterprise
The Awards are free to enter. All entries must be completed and submitted online (you first need to create an account).
If your marketing agency or consultant is applying on your behalf, or colleagues are helping you complete the entry, you should create an account for yourself, then add the others as collaborators.
The Awards are highly respected, so the entry process is necessarily rigorous, taking up to 20 hours.
But the King’s Award Helpline offers guidance (kingsawards@beis.gov.uk / 020 7215 6880), and Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce members can also contact the Chamber team for support.
Key King’s Awards dates
The entry period closes at midday on 12 September 2024. Shortlisted organisations will be notified in October, with a deadline to provide verified commercial figures by November.
The judging panels take place in January and February 2025. The Awards are approved (and winners notified) in March, and winners are then announced in the London Gazette in May.
In the summer, representatives from the winning organisations are invited to attend the Royal reception.
Your connection to the Awards – and more
Communicating reputation-enhancing opportunities like this to our members, and supporting them to take advantage of them, is an important part of what we do.
But Bedfordshire Chamber members also benefit from networking opportunities throughout the year, targeted Meet the Buyer events, webinars, online resources, and tools for everything from export to carbon reduction.
And in addition, we represent local businesses at the top table of Government, and ensure your views are heard and acted on.
For more information on how to join Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, visit www.chamber-business.com, or call our friendly team on 01582 522448.
