Royal recognition on offer with the King’s Awards for Enterprise

If you’ve at least two full time UK employees, or part-time equivalents, and can demonstrate strong environmental, social and governance practices, you could be eligible for a truly royal reward.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, first awarded in 1966 as the Queen’s Award to Industry, are awards given to UK organisations who demonstrate exceptional innovation, international trade, sustainability, or promotion of opportunities through social mobility.

For 2027, there is a new category for Young Founder. This looks to celebrate and promote flourishing UK businesses founded by the next generation of entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 years old.

All businesses, non-profit and public sector organisations who fit the bill are encouraged to apply, with award winners invited to a Royal reception, and separately presented with an award at their company by the Lord-Lieutenant for Lincolnshire, the King’s representative in the county.

Recipients are also able to fly the King's Awards flag at their office and use the emblem on marketing materials.

Roughly 200 awards are given each year, with Greater Lincolnshire seeing six businesses awarded since 2020 across the International Trade and Innovation categories.

Wrendale Designs, of Brigg, received the King’s Award for International Trade in 2025 following a previous award in 2019 (then the Queen’s Award for Export).

The awards were momentous occasions for founder Hannah Dale and served as recognition of the hard work that went into growing her business from a small range of greeting cards in 2012 to fully developed licensing agreements with industry giants like Portmeirion and Bothy Threads.

Ursula Lidbetter, Deputy Lieutenant for Lincolnshire, said: “The King’s Awards looks to recognise businesses who are excelling, and there are many in our county who could be missing out on royal recognition and the benefits that brings.

“It’s not just an opportunity for local and national praise or a reception with the King, it’s a trusted, time-honoured stamp of authority that is recognisable and respected around the world.

“Alongside the local praise, previous winners, like Hannah at Wrendale, often note that the royal recognition helps to boost staff morale, build profile on a national and international level, and can even increase their commercial value.”

Applications should be in before the deadline on September 9.

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise.

For advice and help surrounding the application process, contact [email protected].