When somebody else blows your trumpet, the music sounds sweeter, goes the saying. And it’s why, since the dawn of business, the winning of awards has been highly prized. An award is the ultimate in third-party endorsement.
But when that award comes from the King himself, it’s recognition on an entirely different level – and this is what the King’s Awards for Enterprise, which have now opened for 2025 entries, are all about.
If you think they sound like too grand a forum for a business like yours to distinguish itself in, think again. In the 2024 awards, our region produced the joint highest number of recipients in the UK, and 89% of the total recipients were small and medium enterprises (SMEs), 36 of which had fewer than 10 employees.
In short, whilst the awards attract all the publicity, respect, admiration and kudos you’d expect of a kingly institution, they’re awaiting your entry (or indeed entries, as you can enter multiple categories) right now.
Here’s what you need to know, what to expect, and what to do next.
What is the value of the awards?
First of all, it’s important to understand the exceptional prestige winning a King’s Award for Enterprise will bring to your business.
Winners are allowed to use the Royal Emblem on their website, and in print and electronic communications, as well as on vehicles, buildings, trade show stands and other assets, for five years. It’s a distinctive and instantly recognisable symbol that helps businesses get noticed above and beyond the competition and conveys unquestionable credibility.
The award win process also includes 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. Attendance at a Royal Reception, hosted by the King himself or other senior Royal, is also part of the proceedings.
And past recipients’ testimonials 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 highly skilled staff.
Awards categories, and who can enter
The King’s Awards for Enterprise exist to give public recognition for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in four categories: innovation, international trade, sustainable development, and pro- moting opportunity through social mobility.
You can enter more than one category, and – importantly – there is no limit on the number of award recipients, so you are not competing for a finite number of places. Last year, 257 awards were won in total.
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 orservices under its own management
- have at least two full-time UK employees or part-time equivalents
- demonstrate strong corporate social responsibilityEntries can be from both businesses and non-profit organisations, and each category has its own specific requirements and conditions.So, thinking of entering? Here’s how.
How to enter the King’s Awards for Enterprise
The awards are free to enter, and you can apply for more than one award.
All entries must be completed and submitted online. You first need to create an account, which will enable you to submit your entry, as well as receive awards-related updates.
If your marketing agency or consultant is applying on your behalf, you should create an account yourself first, then add your agency or consultancy as a collaborator. You can also add colleagues as collaborators, and ask them to complete specific sections, enabling you to spread the work.
The awards are highly respected in both the UK and abroad, and so the entry process is necessarily rigorous – it can take up to 20 hours to complete.
The King’s Award Helpline on 020 7215 6880 offers guidance on completing entries, and Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce members are also able to contact the Chamber team for support and guidance.
Key dates
In submitting your entry, you need to be aware that the entry period closes at midday on 12 September 2024. After that, 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, and the awards are then approved (and the winners notified) in March, and announced in May.
Winners are announced in the London Gazette, and in the summer the awards reach their crescendo as 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 just one in a long list of value-adds we bring to our membership.
Bedfordshire Chamber members also benefit from networking opportunities throughout the year, targeted Meet the Buyer events, webinars, online resources, and tools to help you get to grips with 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 the website or call the team on 01582 522448.
Find out more about the King’s Awards for Enterprise by clicking here
Justin Richardson
CEO Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce
