The 2010 Queen's Awards for Enterprise will officially open for entries on 20 July 2009, organisers announced today.

Outstanding UK businesses of all sizes and from any industry sector are being urged to apply for The Queen's Awards - widely regarded as the UK's highest honour for business success, and the equivalent of a company knighthood.

Businesses who 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.

-- Advertisement --

It costs nothing to enter The Queen's Awards, and companies have until 2pm on 30 October 2009 to submit their application. Entry forms can be downloaded from The Queen’s Awards website (www.queensawards.org.uk). Winners will be announced on The Queen's Birthday, 21st April 2010.

Any UK-based business with two or more employees which can demonstrate outstanding and sustained commercial success in its field has a chance of winning a Queen's Award. There are three categories of Award: International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, said: "The UK has some of the most enterprising companies in the world, from large multinationals to dynamic small businesses. The Queen's Awards exist to give national and international recognition to the achievements of those firms. A Queen's Award is the ultimate standard of business excellence, and something I believe all firms should aspire to."

In April this year, a record number of 194 Queen's Awards were announced by Her Majesty The Queen.

(GK/JM)