28/09/06   Every business wants to gain an edge over their competitors.  That’s why now is the time to enter The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2007.  Companies are being invited to apply for a chance to win a Queen’s Awards for Enterprise – the UK’s most prestigious business accolade.

There is no entry fee and the Awards Scheme is open to any UK-based organisation with two full time employees (or part time equivalent), which has excelled in any of the following three categories:

Innovation
- granted to businesses that have demonstrated commercial success through outstanding or continuous development of innovative products or services over two or five years respectively. 

International Trade
- recognises companies that have demonstrated outstanding or continuous growth in overseas earnings over three years or six years respectively.

Sustainable Development
- awarded to companies that have achieved commercial success through the outstanding or continuous integration of environmental, social, economic and management aspects of SD into their business, over two or five years respectively.  

The Awards are made each year by The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee.  The Awards are announced on 21 April, The Queen’s birthday. 

If an application is unsuccessful then the applicant will receive feedback about the strengths and weaknesses of their case, which often help applicants to succeed with a further application.    Alternatively, do you have a colleague enthused with the spirit of enterprise?  If so, then why not nominate him or her for a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion?  QAEP recognises individuals who have played an outstanding role in promoting the growth of business enterprise and entrepreneurial skills and attitudes in others. Individuals nominated could be working in business, education, training or youth work.   To find out more visit www.queensawards.org.uk   The deadline for submission of applications (for businesses) or nominations (for individuals) is 31 October 2006.  PICTURED:  Charlotte Hughes from Aston Science Park with Stephen Brice and David Moore from The Queens Awards Office.