The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026

The King’s Awards for Enterprise (KAE) are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, given  for outstanding achievement in the categories of:

• innovation
• international trade
• sustainable development
• promoting opportunity through social mobility

KAE recipients exemplify the finest talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of British business.

To be eligible to apply, organisations must be based in the UK with at least two full-time UK employees (or part-time equivalents) and be a self-contained enterprise under its own management arrangements with its own accounts.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are free to enter and open to organisations from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Organisations can apply for more than one category of the Award.

Full eligibility criteria for each category, and details of how to apply can be found at:

The King’s Awards for Enterprise: About the awards – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

A small Lieutenancy committee can provide further advice and support to prospective applicants  from Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde contactable through Mrs Linda Hutchison, Clerk to the Renfrewshire Lieutenancy at:

linda.hutchison@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

The King’s Awards for Enterprise was previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. The new name reflects His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses.

The Award programme has recognised over 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965. Last year 252 UK businesses received the Award across all four categories, with 89% of recipients being SMEs.

Applications for the 2026 Awards open on 6 May 2025, with a closing date to be confirmed in mid-September. Successful organisations will be announced on Coronation Day, 6 May 2026.

Peter T McCarthy

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Renfrewshire