UK Trade & Investment has teamed up with The Queen's Awards Office to host a special event at Middlesbrough Football Club on Wednesday, 3 September, 4-6pm, when companies will be encouraged to apply for the ultimate business accolade - The Queen's Award for Enterprise - to recognise their outstanding achievements.
Five North East firms were among this year's winners of the prestigious Award while two individuals received The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion (QAEP), for individuals - one of them a Lifetime Achievement Award.
And two special guests - Caroline Theobald, a QAEP recipient in 2007 and Andy Hurst, Managing Director of business Award winner Tracerco - will join Steve Brice, Secretary of The Queen's Awards Office and David Moore, Secretary to the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee (Queen's Awards), to outline the numerous benefits that can be derived from holding the Award and to highlight how the Award can help open doors to overseas markets.
Companies will also be able to learn valuable hints and tips on making a successful application.
Caroline Theobald, Managing Director of Bridge Club Ltd, who received an individual Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, said:
"I was overwhelmed when I received the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion because of its recognition of enterprise endeavour at the highest level. We all know of people doing exceptional work in enterprise - QAEP gives us the opportunity to celebrate this nationally, give the region a feather in its cap and make an individual feel truly valued for their activity."
Andy Hurst, Managing Director, at Tracerco, which has received a Queen's Awards twice, for Innovation in 2003 and in the International Trade category in 2005, said:
"The Queen's Award is something we are very proud of and epitomises the innovation and creativity that exists in our region.
"Winning is a tremendous achievement - a royal seal of approval for our business and employees. It positions us as one of the top performing technology businesses in the UK and we will continue to strengthen our resources to develop further international sales.
"I would like to encourage all companies in our region to attend the event on 3 September to discover more about The Queen's Award for Enterprise and to hear from previous winners about the benefits of receiving one."
Steve Brice, Secretary of the Queen's Awards Office, added:
"The Queen's Awards honour outstanding UK companies. They are respected as a mark of quality and success by the national and international business community and can help give businesses, especially small businesses, instant credibility.
"During the event we will be highlighting how a Queen's Award can benefit a company and will be offering advice on how to make a successful application."
The event is free but places are limited and must be booked beforehand. To book your place, please contact the North East Regional International Trade Hotline on 0845 05 05 054 or email enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk. For more information about the Queen's Awards and how to apply log onto the website: www.queensawards.org.uk. The deadline for applications and nominations for the 2009 Queen's Awards is 31 October 2008.
