King’s Awards for Enterprise are awarded to companies in the United Kingdom in recognition of outstanding commercial achievement. Awards are presented in four categories: for International Trade; for Innovation (either for technological innovation or for managerial or marketing initiative); for Sustainable Development; and for Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility. The awards can be won by any branch of industry, including agriculture, and are open to any business with a minimum of two full-time employees.
Companies may apply for the awards themselves, or a third party can nominate them. The awards are given by the king on the advice of the prime minister, who is assisted by an advisory committee. There are no set numbers of awards presented each year. Awards are valid for five years. Holders may display the award emblem on goods, stationery, packaging, and advertising.
The awards were established in 1966 as the Queen’s Award to Industry. In 1976, the name was changed to the Queen’s Awards for Export and Technology, with a third category, Environment, added in 1993. The awards were renamed the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in 2000. Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, and her eldest son became King Charles III. In 2023, the awards were renamed the King’s Awards for Enterprise.
