Enterprise: The King’s Award
The King’s Award for Enterprise is the most prestigious UK business award.
There are four categories: International Trade, Innovation, Promoting Opportunity and Sustainable Development. Twenty-four companies from Essex have won one of these awards in the past five years, some more than once. Winners are invited to a royal reception and an award presentation, after which they can use the emblem in their emails and fly the flag.
Wins mean business
As well as the pride and recognition, there are solid business reasons to apply.
Daniel King of Foxway (which includes Global Resale, a winner in 2021) said the award had been “key in winning multi-million-pound bids and tenders”. Foxway is a circular IT company, extending the life of computers and other hardware.
Exporters report particular benefits from winning the Award for International Trade. Martin Blackwell, the owner of Direct Meats (which has won twice), said the accolade lent “huge credibility” when selling overseas. The company sells meat in 15 markets, including India.
Stuart Hall, Managing Director of Road Safety Support, is another enthusiast, having won in 2024. He said: “Around the world it is seen as a very prestigious achievement and that has certainly helped us with some of the contracts and the work we have got.” He mentioned contracts with the World Bank and Bloomberg as well as local police forces.
Another Essex winner is Dura Composites which won the Award for Innovation in 2020 and 2024. Stuart Burns, Managing Director, said: “Our primary driver as a business is to solve client challenges through sustainable innovation, so this award is particularly meaningful.”
Ashley Nichols, the Founder and CEO of Atlantic Pacific Global Logistics, a winner last year, said he had set his sights on winning from early on in his career, adding: “It is the highest business award you can win. The recognition it gives you, not just with customers, suppliers and partners, but also with your staff, employees – it really makes you stand out.”
Range of winners
Essex winners are a mixed group, and last year came from a range of sectors including shipping, freight, marketing and walkway products.
In terms of size, the biggest last year was Ipeco with 652 employees (some pictured). The company manufactures and designs aircraft products, and it received an Award for Promoting Opportunity, reflecting the success of its recruitment programme.
The smallest was Select Tech, which won the Award for International Trade with just eight employees at the time. It provides consultant solutions for cloud-based projects.
It could be you
On April 30 at 2pm there will be an online seminar where past winers will talk about their experiences and give hints on how to apply successfully. A member of the King’s Award central team will also be there to provide guidance. Companies that might apply either now or in the future are welcome, as are their advisers. Joining instructions will be publicised on the Ambitious Essex LinkedIn feed. The webinar is being held before applications for next year’s Awards open in May.
On the 30 April 2025 at 2.00pm there will be a free online seminar on The King’s Award for Enterprise. Past Essex winners will share their experiences of applying and winning; you will hear about the benefits they have seen in terms of new business, improved profile and staffing. A representative of the central King’s Awards office will provide guidance on how to apply. Find out more about the benefits of winning The King’s Award for Enterprise and the application process by joining the webinar. Companies which might apply, whether this year or in the future, are welcome, as are their advisers. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-kings-awards-for-enterprise-how-to-win-in-2026-tickets-1241922075359?aff=oddtdtcreator
For more information go to: www.essex-lieutenancy.org.uk/honours-and-awards/kae
Main image taken by Ipeco
