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Cumbrian firms encouraged to enter Queen’s Awards

Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership is encouraging local firms to apply for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Since their inception in 1965, over 7,000 companies have won a Queen’s Award. Billed as the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, this year’s winners from Cumbria include Cockermouth based Createc (Create Technologies Ltd) for international trade and the Lakes Free Range Egg Co Ltd in Penrith for sustainable development.

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise recognise and encourage the outstanding achievements of UK businesses in the fields of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Whether a small business with a great innovative product or service, or a larger company running an impressive social mobility programme, the awards are seen as a highly prestigious way to recognise a contribution to enterprise.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Mrs Claire Hensman, who is actively involved in the awards said: “The two Cumbrian winners of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise this year – The Lakes Free Range Egg Company and Createc – are two success stories, but it would be good for the Cumbrian economy to show that there are more!

“We have in the county some extremely innovative companies and some very successful exporters and several are leading the way for sustainability and social mobility.

“All these businesses would benefit from a higher profile. The publicity and prestige from winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise can make a tangible difference: 73% of previous award winners in international trade directly attributed increased sales to winning a Queen’s Award.

“I would strongly encourage companies to explore whether they are eligible to apply and then go for it, if not this September then next. 88% of the winners in 2018 were SMEs. Among my Deputy Lieutenants in Cumbria there are several who may be able to advise on the application process, so please feel free to make contact with the Lieutenancy Office in case we can help.”

Cumbria LEP Chief Executive Jo Lappin added: “Cumbria is full of exciting and innovative businesses and the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are a great way of recognising business success. The Lord Lieutenant has outlined why the awards matter and can make a real difference to businesses and I would strongly encourage our businesses to apply.

“Winning an award offers businesses multiple benefits, including global recognition of outstanding performance, the chance to recognise the excellent contribution that its people are making to the business and increasing opportunities for growth through sales and exports.”

The application process for the 2019 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise closes at midday on Wednesday 12 September 2018. Almost all UK businesses (including non-profit) can apply and the online application process is free. Firms may also apply for more than one category.

All entry forms, eligibility criteria and information on how to apply is available at https://goo.gl/L4LhJp Tips for success at can be found at https://queensawards.blog.gov.uk/

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