Apply for The King’s Awards for Enterprise

Recognising the achievements of businesses

Great achievements in business deserve top-level recognition. The King’s Award for Enterprise is the highest award for outstanding achievement in business and recognised globally as a mark of excellence.

This award specifically seeks to reward the qualities that lie at the heart of progressive organisations that push the country forwards and embrace a responsible approach to business.

To that end, the award can be given to companies that have forged new pathways through innovation, made a contribution to international trade, demonstrated sustainable development, or have opened up opportunities by promoting social mobility.

See Shropshire's previous winners

Entries for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026 open in May 2025, further information to follow shortly.

What are the benefits of receiving a King's Award for Enterprise?

A King’s Award for Enterprise serves as a quality mark that provides the company with the highest level of recognition for excellence within business. Flying The King’s Award flag and carrying the mark on promotional literature and product packaging is incredibly special and demonstrates that the business is outstanding and world leading.

On receipt of The King’s Award for Enterprise, winners will be presented with the award at their premises by the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire and invited to a Royal reception. In addition, the company will receive a Grant of Appointment certificate and a trophy.

Lasting for five years, The King’s Award for Enterprise offers a unique promotional opportunity, delivers a boost to staff morale, and can bring increased recognition and an associated rise in value.

Any business or not-for-profit organisation that is based in the United Kingdom can apply for the award as long as they have at least two full-time employees (or equivalent), submit returns to HM Revenue and Customs, and show a commitment to social responsibility.

The awards are broken down into sectors to recognise innovation, international trade, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social development.

Which companies can apply for a King's Award for Enterprise?

The awards seek to reward those companies showing excellence in everything they do.

Your company could be eligible for a King’s Award for Enterprise if it has: seen significant, documented, growth in overseas trade; has a genuinely innovative and viable product; can demonstrate positive outcomes from sustainable development; or has proven examples of opening up opportunities through social mobility.

A strong application will show a commitment to good practices across the board, alongside providing evidence of achievements and a blueprint for future success.

The benefits of receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise

From previous winners of the awards 77% have reported that winning The Queen’s Award for Enterprise (now known as the King’s Award for Enterprise) increased the commercial value of their company, while 73% enjoyed greater press coverage and employee engagement.

A number of businesses in Shropshire have previously been recognised with the award, including Protolabs of Telford, Grainger and Worrall, Landau, Aviramp, i2r, Reconomy, Stallion AI, Jesmonite and Willogame.

The Shropshire Lieutenancy are pleased to offer support to businesses considering entering the KAE Awards – for more information do contact us here

For Further information Click here

King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026 open in May 2025