Lieutenancy & University of Northampton
Queen’s Awards - recognising corporate excellence
We all love a good story, especially a ‘good news’ story. So, at a time when the economy has suff ered an unparalleled shock and many businesses are facing considerable challenges, it is inspiring to see companies in the region fi nding a way to survive against all the odds, positively contribute to wider society, or make the best of straitened times and achieve outstanding success. Whether this is by vision, creativity, skills, perseverance, plain graft
or a combination of these qualities, they are a great example to us all. Such eff ort is deserving of reward or at least, award, and that is where the UK’s Queen’s Awards scheme comes in. Instituted by Royal Warrant in 1965, the Queen’s Awards to Industry
scheme was recommended by a committee chaired by HRH T e Duke of Edinburgh, and the fi rst awards were made in 1966. A Queen’s Award for Enterprise (QAE) off ers recognition for an
organisation’s achievements and validation for the whole workforce as well as the innovation, initiatives, products or services it has been delivering. Such validation can be a real fi llip to staff morale, act as a powerful selling tool and provide reassuring confi dence for commer- cial partners. All Queen’s Awards have a currency of fi ve years and, when made,
are presented by HM Lord-Lieutenant of the county on behalf of the Sovereign. T e categories of award are: - -
Innovation International Trade
- Sustainable Development - Promoting Opportunity
T e last of the categories (Promoting Opportunity) has just been re- launched with an emphasis on recognising organisations that support people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds in improving their job skills and chances of fi nding work. T e focus is to encourage busi- nesses to help improve social mobility. To be eligible for a Queen’s Award a company must be based in
the UK, have at least two full-time UK employees or part-time equiv- alents and fi le its company tax returns with HMRC and be a self-con- tained enterprise that markets its own products or services under its own management, as well as demonstrating strong corporate social responsibility.
56 ALL THINGS BUSINESS
Dominic Hopkins, DL Solicitor with
Hewitsons LLP and the Under Sheriff of Northamptonshire, is also a Deputy Lieutenant for the County and assists HM Lord-Lieutenant, Mr James Saunders Watson, as a member of the County’s Honours Committee
T e awards are free to enter and applications
are submitted online. Winners are announced on 21 April (HM T e Queen’s birthday) and the new application round opens on 1 May. T e benefi ts of winning include the following: - Winners are invited to a Royal Reception at Buck- ingham Palace - T e Grant of Appointment and a commemora- tive crystal trophy are presented to winners at their company by their local Lord-Lieutenant - Winners are permitted to fl y the Queen’s Award fl ag at their main offi ce, and use the emblem on their products and marketing materials for fi ve years
To date nearly 7,000 companies have won a Queen’s Award. Last year 90% of the winners were SMEs. T ere were 665 applications, with 220 awards grant- ed to 216 winners (there were four double award win- ners) with 66 Innovation awards, 128 International Trade awards, 7 Promoting Opportunity awards and 19 Sustainable Development awards. Four Northamptonshire companies won an
Award in 2020: - Bambino Mio: International Trade - James and James Fulfi lment: International Trade - Blue Skies Holdings Ltd : Sustainable Development - Goodwill Solutions CIC: Promoting Opportunity
Congratulations go to those award winners. T eir success is an encouragement to others to apply, for even greater representation of the region among award winners next year and beyond. Unlike that part of the honours system that recognises the contributions of individuals, a business can self-nominate. So, if there is something that might encourage
your team by recognising their eff orts and give your organisation a bit of an edge, or if you have some- thing to shout about, why not consider applying for a Queen’s Award? T ere is plenty of time until next summer’s deadline, so now is a good time to start building your case and preparing your application.
If you would like further information or guidance on the Queen’s Awards, contact the Lord-Lieutenant’s Offi ce via
Lord-Lieutenant@northamptonshire.gov.uk
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