The winners of the 2022 Queen’s Award for Enterprise – which celebrates the achievements of businesses across the United Kingdom – have been announced, with five of the recipients having Leicestershire connections.
The award is one of the highest honours in business, providing a royal seal of approval for the best companies in the UK and recognising businesses which have performed exceptionally well in four categories; Innovation, International trade, sustainable development and social mobility.
A total of 232 businesses were honoured by Her Majesty The Queen to coincide with her 96th birthday last week. In the East Midlands, a total of 22 businesses have been recognised, with five of them based in Leicestershire. The awards have been won in the categories of innovation and international trade.
Each business will now be presented with a crystal trophy by Mike Kapur, the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, later in the year.
Mr Kapur said: “Recognition as a Queen’s Enterprise Award winner only happens following the most stringent of reviews by business experts. Our 2022 Leicestershire winners join an elite group which should be congratulated for having shown they are among the best in class in their respective categories.”
The Leicestershire winners are:
Elcom Ltd recognised in the innovation category for its wide range of protective products which are used by industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and defence.
Flexeserve (part of the Alan Nuttall Partnership Ltd.) also won an award in the innovation category for developing the Flexeserve Zone, a patented heated display for hot food.
For their advice on employment status as well as their service status review and online management platform, Qdos Broker and Underwriting Services Limited, trading as Qdos Contractor, were also rewarded in the innovation category.
As a procurement agent for humanitarian relief organisations, non-government organisations, and charities, Unimed Procurement Service Limited has won an award for their outstanding short-term growth over three years in the international trade category. In 2021, health products were delivered in 21 countries.
Urban Apothecary Limited has also been honoured with an award in the international trade category for its outstanding short-term growth in producing luxury home fragrance products, bath and body products. The company exports to 30 international markets, as well as selling products in the UK.
Ian Borley, Deputy Lieutenant who leads the Queen’s Enterprise Award work in Leicestershire, said: “It is wonderful to see these really exciting and successful Leicestershire companies recognised for their tremendous achievements.
“These are undoubtedly tough times for many businesses, so winning one of these prestigious awards will, I’m sure, be of tremendous benefit to these winners.
“It will help them in improving relationships with customers and suppliers, open new overseas markets, boost staff morale and as a way of raising their profile
“As we strive to become a more productive, highly-skilled and innovative economy in Leicestershire, I hope that exemplar companies such as these inspire other local businesses to follow their lead – to grow, to create jobs, to invest in our communities and to put Leicestershire on the business map. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Applications for next year’s awards will open shortly. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise
