Entries to the The King’s Award for Enterprise are now being welcomed from businesses across Surrey looking for royal approval for their work.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards. They enable winners to help consolidate market presence, strengthen their competitive position and to generate new business. 

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, visited Surrey Research Park last week to encourage companies of all sizes to take advantage of the unique opportunity to showcase their excellence. 

Entries for the 2025 are now open. Apply online via the government website by 1pm on September 12, 2024.

The categories for nomination are:

• Innovation
• International trade
• Sustainable development
• Promoting opportunity through social mobility 

Winners attend a Royal reception. They will also have a trophy presented at their business by the Surrey Lord Lieutenancy.

Awards are valid for five years.

King’s Award winner case study: ipTEST

ipTEST, which operates from Surrey Research Park, specialises in cutting-edge semiconductor testing.

It won a King’s Award for innovation in 2023 followed by a 2024 King’s Award for international trade.

Speaking at the event, Conor McCarthy the Chief Executive of two-time King’s Awards winner ipTEST, said: “The King’s Award has significantly raised the company’s profile, leading to new business opportunities and increased credibility in our field. Most importantly though, it recognises the hard work and dedication put in by everyone at ipTEST. This has been a true team effort across our entire company.”

Caroline Fleming, Director of the Surrey Innovation District, based at Surrey Research Park, said: “The King’s Award is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on Surrey’s pioneering businesses and to ensure the county’s expert teams are recognised for their amazing contributions. We look forward to more of our Park community members joining ipTEST in the hall of fame of King’s Award winners.”

Learn more about the King’s Award for Enterprise

There’s lots of help for businesses in Surrey interested in applying for the King’s Award for Enterprise.

A webinar will take place on Wednesday 17th July at 11am. Hear from Founder of Enterprise Nation Emma Jones CBE and Chairman of the British Business Bank, Stephen Welton CBE.

Or you can contact the King’s Award team direct on 020 7215 6880 or by email kingsawards@beis.gov.uk.

Find out more about the next round of awards on the The King’s Awards for Enterprise web page.

Business Surrey – a new Surrey County Council service offering free and accessible support to businesses across the county – has officially been launched by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt.

From start-ups to longstanding SMEs, Surrey companies of all sizes, sectors and stages of their business journey can access expert support for no cost via the new Business Surrey website.

The Council developed the offer to coincide with the transfer of strategic powers to grow the economy previously held by the county’s two Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).

It means for the first time there is a single, co-ordinated business support offer for the whole of Surrey – something which is welcomed by local leaders.

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: “Surrey has a fantastic economic story to tell – with more than 100,000 businesses, a highly-skilled workforce and world-leading sectors helping generate more than £50 billion a year to the UK economy.

“But we know there’s more that we can do – which is why I am delighted we have developed Business Surrey, providing a simple and easy way for companies of all sizes to access the support they need to grow.

“By being in a position to support businesses from day one of being handed these functions from LEPs, we are ahead of the national curve – something which can only be positive for our 1.2 million residents and 110,000 businesses.”

Business Surrey provides free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey – such as targeted bespoke support for high growth companies, highlighting networking events, promoting the county’s innovative sectors, and hosting a live directory of more than 100 national and local initiatives.

The new website also brings together of the business-facing aspects of the Council’s work, including trading standards, Greener Futures and Surrey Fire & Rescue.

Business Surrey went live in April and was officially launched at Huskins in Godalming by the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt last week (Friday May 17).

Also speaking was Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council; Shahid Azeem, the High Sheriff of Surrey; and local tech entrepreneur Terence Naidu.

Representatives from Surrey County Council, business groups, universities and the county’s 11 district and borough authorities were among those attending.

Business Surrey launch – what they said

Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer and MP for South West Surrey, said: “Surrey is a fantastic place to do business. The innovation and ideas of its residents, combined with sector strengths in creative industries, and tech and life sciences, make it a pivotal region in driving growth for the whole of the UK.

“That’s why it’s great to see Surrey County Council using the newly transferred powers formally held by LEPs to develop a clear offer to support businesses.

“I would urge businesses at all stages of their journey to contact the Business Surrey team to access expert help and support.”

Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: “Growing the economy in a sustainable way is a priority for the Council, which can only be achieved by working and engaging with our fantastic business community. Growth is not only good for business; it also generates opportunities for local people, supports investment in our communities, and improves the lives and wellbeing of our 1.2 million residents.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with our universities, businesses, and local authority partners to capitalise on our enhanced strategic economic role, as it is only through shared expertise that we stand the best chance of growing our economies.”

Business Surrey roadshow

As part of the Business Surrey launch, Surrey County Council has teamed up with Surrey Chambers of Commerce to hold a series of Business Surrey Roadshow events next month.

The sessions will include practical ways for business owners to access support to grow their enterprises, as well as opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals.

The events take place on:

• June 4 in Camberley – Login Lounge from 8am
• June 6 in Egham – Royal Holloway, University of London from 6pm
• June 13 in Horley – Langshott Manor Hotel from 8am
• June 21 in Leatherhead – Fetcham Park House from 8am

Pre-booking for the events is essential. Secure your space via the Business Surrey events page.

The Surrey Women’s Entrepreneurship Network (SWEN) is a burgeoning network which fosters innovation and investment-readiness through mentoring programmes, expert business support and links with the local ecosystem of funders, policy makers, investors and other stakeholders.

It is a collaboration between Surrey Research Park, SETsquared Surrey & University of Surrey, aiming to improve opportunities for business growth and innovation.

This includes access to information and support for women entrepreneurs, creating positive impact locally and beyond.

In addition to bringing people together, its focus is on:

• Championing women
  • Spotlighting and promoting the contribution of women in the innovation ecosystem, raising the profile of entrepreneurs and companies across all sectors who are underrepresented
• Investor-readiness
  • Supporting women to access funding for their businesses and source and prepare for investment raises and grant applications
• Growth opportunities
  • Creating opportunities for women to grow their networks, build interest in their ideas and receive expert business advice

The network launched in December 2023 at the Surrey Research Park in Guildford.

The audience heard a keynote by Nathalie Hinds delivered beautifully by Monique Raats on “Three Powerful Words”, before two inspiring panels took to the stage.

The panelists – Tobi Eyinade, Fiona Sweny, Shelley Coleman – Marsh, Susannah McClintock, Dr Alison Callwood and Matthew McCann – brought a wealth of experience and were incredibly generous with their advice and guidance for the women entrepreneurs in the network.

Kathy Slack OBE closed the event with great energy and a clear message to the audience to “feel that buzz in your belly” and keep the momentum going forward.

SWEN Co-founder Kat Mack says, “It was wonderful to see so many people in the room committed to the support and pursuit of women’s entrepreneurship. The community is vibrant and poised! I can’t wait to see the network flourish!”

To apply to join the SWEN network click here.