Queen's Awards for Enterprise
Rural businesses are being urged to enter for this year’s Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, which recognise innovation, sustainable development and excellence in international trade.
Photo by Sue Rowlands
Alison Webster, Rural Development Director at the Rural Payments Agency, said:
“Every day we see outstanding examples of innovation and enterprise in the farms and food producers we support. The Queen’s Awards for Excellence are a great opportunity to gain recognition and build profile, as well as being a great honour for the winners.
“The 2013 awards include businesses that have a strong influence on the rural economy, and one of those winners- the South West Lakes Trust - has made good use of Rural Development Programme funding to develop and promote inland reservoirs and lakes as a tourist destination. At a number of sites across the South West the funding has provided a range of facilities such as a cable ski system, high wire course and wakeboarding. I’m hoping that 2014 will be the year that other innovative and enterprising businesses within the rural economy make a big impact on these awards.”
Entries for the 2014 awards have now opened and will be accepted until the end of September. There are three categories – International Trade, Sustainable Development and Innovation.
Award winners are visited by a Royal representative and presented with a crystal bowl to mark their achievement. They also attend a celebratory reception at Buckingham Palace. They can use the Queen’s Award Emblem in advertising, marketing and on packaging for a period of five years, as a symbol of their quality and success. For further information on entering the awards see https://www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise.