Next in line! Hampshire businesses can now apply for the second King’s Awards for Enterprise

The King’s Awards for Enterprise got off to a great start this year, with three Hampshire businesses earning royal recognition for their impressive innovations.

But it seems that Charles is keen to keep the business flowing, as no sooner have this year’s awards been announced than entries for next year have opened.

These awards offer a great opportunity for companies to earn worldwide recognition and boost their commercial value with the Crown’s seal of approval.

Winners are invited to a royal reception and hand-delivered their award by one of the King’s Lord Lieutenants, along with an official certificate and a commemorative crystal trophy.

The Queen’s Awards 2020 trophy. Credit: GOV.UK

They can also fly The King’s Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on their website and any packaging or advertisements for a period of five years.

Awards are available for outstanding achievement in the categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Businesses hoping to be recognised next year must:

• be based in the UK (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man)
• have a good compliance record with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) – for example, showing you pay the right amount of tax on time
• be a self-contained enterprise that markets its own products or services and is under its own management
• have at least 2 full-time UK employees or part-time equivalents
• demonstrate strong corporate social responsibility

There are also additional eligibility requirements for each of the four categories, available to view here.

If your business is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Hampshire’s own Care Friends, find out more about what winning the inaugural King’s Award has meant for the company in our interview with CEO Neil Eastwood, here.