The Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Lorimer, has encouraged island businesses to nominate themselves for a prestigious award given by the King.
Applications for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025 opened earlier this month.
The awards are designed to mark outstanding achievement by businesses in the UK and Crown Dependencies in the categories of innovation; international trade; sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.
Businesses that receive an award are invited to a royal reception; presented with the award at their company by one of The King’s representatives (in the case of the Isle of Man, this would be His Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer); able to fly The King’s Awards flag at their main office, and use the emblem on their marketing materials (for example, on their packaging, advertisements, stationery and website) and are given a Grant of Appointment (an official certificate) and a commemorative crystal trophy.
The awards are valid for five years.
The application process closes on September 12.
His Excellency said: ‘I would encourage eligible businesses in the Isle of Man to put themselves forward for the King’s Awards for Enterprise.
‘There are so many benefits of being given one of these awards, and it is wonderful way to celebrate the achievements of your company and the people who make them happen.’
Department for Enterprise, Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce and the Isle of Man Branch of the Institute of Directors are also encouraging local businesses to apply for an award.
Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise, said: ‘At the Department for Enterprise, we are fortunate to work with many local businesses which embody the very accolades celebrated by this award, and I would absolutely encourage all Isle of Man businesses to seize the opportunity to nominate themselves.
‘Being recognised by the King’s Award for Enterprise is not only an achievement for those businesses, but also presents an opportunity to showcase the important work they are doing on a national scale.’
Rebecca George, chief executive of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce added: ‘The Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce would like to encourage its members and the wider business community to participate in The King’s Awards for Enterprise.
‘These prestigious awards offer a unique platform for island companies to gain international recognition.
‘Winning such an award can significantly enhance a business’s profile, opening doors to new trade opportunities and investment.
‘The recognition and exposure from The King’s Awards can serve as a catalyst for further economic growth and elevate the global stature of our local enterprises’.
Steve Billinghurst, chair of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Isle of Man, said: ‘The Institute of Directors' (IoD) membership represents a broad cross section of the Isle of Man business community and recognition of the international success, innovation and sustainability of Manx businesses with the King's Award for Enterprise would be fitting celebration.
‘With more than 7,000 companies awarded to date in the programme's 56 years, recipients are truly outstanding in their own fields and I am certain that we have such outstanding firms here in the island.
‘I and the local IoD ambassadors will work with our members to encourage and support their application for these awards.’
To apply for the King’s Award for Enterprise your organisation must: be based in the UK or the Crown Dependencies; 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 two full-time employees or part-time equivalents; demonstrate strong environmental, social and governance practices; your organisation can be a business, non-profit or in the public sector.
Each of the award categories has additional entry criteria.
Further information can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise