The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, formerly known as The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, represent the most prestigious official recognition for UK businesses. This esteemed awards programme celebrates outstanding achievements in four key areas: international trade, innovation, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Who can apply?

To apply for the King’s Awards for Enterprise, an organisation must:

• Be based in the UK (incl. the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man)
• Have a good compliance record with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) –for example, showing you pay the right amount of tax on time
• Be a self-contained enterprise that markets its own products or services and is under its own management
• Have at least 2 full-time UK employees or part-time equivalents
• Demonstrate strong corporate social responsibility
• Organisations can be a business or non-profit

Award Categories

• Innovation
• International Trade
• Sustainable Development
• Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility

Each of the award categories has additional entry criteria. Visit the GOV.UK website for more details about the eligibility criteria for each category.

What happens if your organisation gets an award?

If you get an award, you’ll be:

• Invited to a Royal reception
• Presented with the award at your company by one of The King’s representatives, a Lord-Lieutenant
• Able to fly The King’s Awards flag at your main office, and use the emblem on your marketing materials (for example, on your packaging, advertisements, stationery, and website)
• Given a Grant of Appointment (an official certificate) and a commemorative crystal trophy

The awards are valid for 5 years.

Why apply for the King’s Awards for Enterprise?

There are many benefits to applying for the King’s Awards for Enterprise. Here are just some of the benefits that previous winners have reported:

• Worldwide recognition
• Increased commercial value
• Greater press coverage
• A boost to staff morale

When’s the application deadline?

Application forms for 2026 are now available, with the final submission date being 1 pm on 9th September 2025.
The Lieutenancy will be able to support you through the application process. There is nothing to lose, but a lot to gain in winning an Award, so please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss it further.

Email: Lord-LieutenantSY@barnsley.gov.uk

To apply, head over to the King’s Awards for Enterprise website to begin your application.

A few words from Professor Dame Hilary A Chapman DBE RN:

Dear members of the business community,

It is my pleasure as the Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire to draw your attention to the King’s Awards for Enterprise. These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of businesses nationwide, recognising their excellence in innovation, international trade, sustainable development, and promotion of opportunity.

Applications are now open, and we invite all eligible organisations to consider taking part, for the benefit of themselves and our County. 

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the highest society-to-industry awards available in the United Kingdom, and are not easily won. We are searching for the very special organisations that can meet their stringent criteria and I appeal to you as business leaders, to study the attached document and assess your company. Even if you don’t qualify now, it is time well spent, as having an ongoing knowledge of the awards is important if you are to recognise what may be only a window of opportunity to apply for King’s Awards for Enterprise successfully.

For further details, please review the PDF document. The Lieutenancy of South Yorkshire is here to encourage, support, and celebrate your King’s Award journey, and we would be delighted to help you navigate the initial stages of understanding.  We can also put you in touch with previous winners who are happy to share their experience.

With best wishes for your continued success, may it include a King’s Award!

Professor Dame Hilary A Chapman DBE RN,
HM Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire