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South West firms urged to apply for Queen's Awards 2010
18 September 2009
South West RDA backs call for entries following region's
record-breaking success in 2009 awards.
Outstanding firms of all sizes from across the South West are
being urged to apply for the 2010 Queen's Awards for Enterprise,
following the region's record-breaking success in the 2009
Awards.
A total of 20 Queen's Awards were won by firms from the South
West in April 2009 - the highest total for 10 years. Overall, the
South West was joint third most successful region in terms of
Awards won, level with the East of England and just behind London
and the South East.
Now organisers of The Queen's Awards are calling on other
successful firms from the South West to apply for the 2010 Awards.
Entry is free and open to any firm with two or more employees.
Application forms can be completed online at www.queensawards.org.uk. The
deadline for entries is 2pm on 30th October 2009.
This year's call for entries in the South West is backed by the
South West Regional Development Agency (RDA). Stephen Peacock,
Executive Director of Enterprise & Innovation at the South West
RDA, comments:
"It's fantastic to see the South West so well represented in
this year's Queen's Awards for Enterprise. We've long known that
the South West has some of the most enterprising, creative and
sustainable businesses in the UK, and this is further proof. But
I'm convinced there must be many more worthy Queen's Award
contenders from our region waiting in the wings. Now's the perfect
time to step forward and gain widespread regional, national and
international recognition for your achievements."
One company from the South West which can point to the benefits
of winning The Queens's Award is Nailsea-based Metryx Ltd, which
provides technology to improve the manufacturing of semiconductors
used in a range of electronic devices. It won a Queen's Award for
Innovation in 2008.
Dr Adrian Kiermasz, Chief Executive Officer for Metryx, said
that after a difficult recession, business is starting to pick up
again and that is in part down to the credibility of being a
Queen's Award winner.
He said: "Being a small growing company, winning the Award added
credibility to both the organisation and the technology. When we
explain to customers overseas that it is an award given by The
Queen, it adds a huge seal of approval. It is clearly understood
that a person such as The Queen does not give awards like this
lightly and it is immediately recognised in a gasp of approval.
Japan and the USA are two countries where I have personally
experienced this several times. Business is beginning to take off
again after the terrible recession, with key orders in Japan and we
were also extremely honoured to receive a visit from HRH Duke of
York."
The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are the UK's most prestigious
Awards for business success, and the equivalent of a company
knighthood. There are three categories of business Award:
International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development. There
is also one individual category - The Queen's Award for Enterprise
Promotion (QAEP) - for people working in inspiring ways to
encourage UK entrepreneurship.
Businesses that win a Queen's Award receive extensive benefits.
A survey of last year's winners found that in the first year alone,
three quarters experienced extra press coverage; 82% saw an
increase in employee engagement; and nearly two thirds of winners
in the International Trade category either increased their
recognition abroad or generated new business.
Ends
Issued by Highlight PR on behalf of The Queen's Awards for
Enterprise.
For further information and photos please contact:
Nick Vellacott
Highlight PR
Tel: 012245 444268
Email: nick@highlightpr.co.uk
Third Party Issuer
The Queen's Awards for Enterprise