Businesses urged to fly the flag for enterprise by entering Queen's Awards

May 18, 2020

Enterprising and innovative businesses in Shropshire are being urged to apply for one of the country’s most prestigious honours – the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Shropshire’s Lord Lieutenant Anna Turner, who is the Queen’s Representative in the county, presenting the 2019 winner Protolabs Europe with its award
Shropshire’s Lord Lieutenant Anna Turner, who is the Queen’s Representative in the county, presenting the 2019 winner Protolabs Europe with its award

The awards are designed to mark and encourage outstanding achievements in the fields of international trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting opportunity (through social mobility).
This year two businesses in Shropshire were given the award – automotive casting specialist Grainger & Worrall won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category whilst i2r Packaging Solutions won in the International Trade category for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years.
The winners are invited to a Royal reception at Buckingham Palace and are entitled to fly the Queen’s Award flag at their main office and use the emblem on their products and marketing materials for five years.
Shropshire’s Lord Lieutenant Anna Turner, who is the Queen’s Representative in the county, will also present the businesses with a crystal trophy.
Chair of the Marches LEP Mandy Thorn MBE said: “As the Queen’s Award is judged solely on merit, it is open to a wide variety of enterprises with winners varying from large international companies to small businesses with just a handful of employees. These honours are a real chance for all our companies to shout about their success.”
Lord Lieutenant Anna Turner, said: “I am so proud of the innovative and enterprising work that is going on in Shropshire. Winning a Queen’s Award is recognition of high standards being achieved.
“The aim of the awards is to promote business excellence and drive growth. The Queen makes the awards on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an advisory committee that includes representatives of government, industry and commerce.”
To be eligible for a Queen’s Award, a company must be based in the UK, have at least two full time UK employees or part-time equivalents, file its company tax returns with HMRC, be a self-contained enterprise that markets its own products or services under its own management and demonstrate strong corporate social responsibility.
The 2020/21 round is now open for applications. To enter, go to www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise.

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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