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Nominations sought for Queen’s Award for Enterprise

16/ 7/2008

NOMINATIONS are now being invited for the 2009 Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion (QAEP) – a prestigious Royal Award for inspirational individuals working to encourage UK entrepreneurship.

This year’s eleven QAEP recipients, announced in April 2008, were officially presented with their Award by HRH The Princess Royal at a special reception at Buckingham Palace.

Each recipient was accompanied to the Palace by their respective nominator and guest.

Amongst those who attended the reception was QAEP recipient Zulf Ali, Chairman of web design firm Reach BCS, who has been a keen supporter and promoter of ethnic enterprise in deprived areas of Rochdale, notably through his involvement with the Kashmir Youth Project.

He played a key role in developing and launching the Unique Enterprise Centre in 2007 – a converted former cotton mill which offers workspace units for entrepreneurs, plus training, nursery and crèche facilities.

"Giving other entrepreneurs the confidence, support and tools to succeed is something I’ve always been passionate about," said Mr Ali.

"I believe enterprise is much more of an art than a science, but start-ups often need practical guidance and grounding in business basics to turn their ideas into reality. It’s tremendously satisfying to see companies I’ve advised grow from small acorns into mighty oaks, and to receive this Royal Award for my efforts is the icing on the cake."

Steve Brice, Secretary of The Queen’s Awards Office, added: "Like Zulf, there are many selfless individuals out there, giving their time and energy in inspirational ways to help unlock Britain’s entrepreneurial talent. This prestigious Royal Award exists to honour these unsung heroes of our enterprise culture. If you know someone worthy of recognition, I urge you to nominate them and inspire them further in their efforts to encourage entrepreneurship."

Other previous recipients of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion range from teachers and business people to heads of charities, social enterprises and national enterprise bodies. All have personally gone beyond the boundaries of their paid work to inspire budding entrepreneurs, ranging from schoolchildren to ethnic entrepreneurs, as well as people with disabilities or from disadvantaged communities.

For more information, and to download a nomination form, please visit www.queensawards.org.uk/individual. The deadline for nominations is midnight on 31 October 2008.