As Leicester endures a prolonged Covid-19 lockdown, there’s a call for businesses in the city and across Leicestershire to celebrate their success and reignite confidence in the local economy.
Arguably, there’s no better way to do that than by winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE, said: “It’s rare for me to come across a local organisation that knows about the Queens Award for Enterprise and yet we have some incredible businesses here.
"Now more than never, we need Leicestershire to start to feel good about itself and for our businesses to be properly rewarded for their great achievements by gaining the highest accolade in the UK and I’m committed to making this happen.”
The Lord Lieutenant has established a workstream to promote the Awards to local businesses and has appointed as its Chair Ian Borley, recently retired Senior Partner of KPMG’s East Midlands practice.
Mr Borley said: “I’m very pleased, and honoured, to be asked to lead this group of some of Leicestershire’s best-known business leaders in the task of encouraging the County’s successful businesses to apply for a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
"As befits the pre-eminent business award in the UK, a Queen’s Award is not easy to win – but well worth the effort to those who succeed. For example, 73% of past winners have directly attributed increased sales to holding the Queen’s Award and 79% said it gave a boost to staff morale. This is a great way to give your business a real competitive edge.”
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise comprises four categories: International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility.
Working with Mr Borley on the workstream to promote the Awards are:
Richard Brucciani OBE DL – Chairman of PAL International
Mehmooda Duke MBE DL – Managing Director of Moosa-Duke Solicitors, President of Leicester Law Society and Chair of Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Priyesh Patel MBE DL – Managing Director of Cofresh
Rory Underwood MBE DL – Managing Director of Wingman and Non-Executive Director of Leicester Tigers
Susan Whelan DL – CEO of Leicester City Football Club
Rick Blackmore – Regional Director of the CBI
Kevin Harris – Chairman of LLEP and Senior Partner of RSM Leicester
Scott Knowles – Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber of Commerce
Mr Borley added: “I fully understand that most businesses have a huge amount on their plates right now and feel that business awards may not be top of their priority list presently. However, I would urge them to re-think. This is not a nice-to-have: winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise adds real and long-lasting value to your business and would give you a competitive advantage just when you need it most.”
Any business wanting to know more should contact the Lieutenancy Office for information and tips about the application process and eligibility criteria.
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