The Queen's Awards for Enterprise honour outstanding UK companies and encourage the development of British business.

There are two types of award - for businesses and for individuals.

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are awarded to businesses in three categories: international trade, innovation and sustainable development.

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise Promotion are intended to recognise individuals who make outstanding contributions to enterprise culture in the UK.

The Awards are the UK’s highest accolade for business success. They are made each year by The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee that includes representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions.

Winners are announced each year on 21 April, Her Majesty's birthday.

Winners receive a range of benefits including worldwide recognition and extensive press coverage. The Queen also invites winners to a reception at Buckingham Palace.

The awards began life as The Queen's Award to Industry, instituted by Royal Warrant in 1966.

In the 1970s the scheme became The Queen's Awards for Export and Technology, with separate awards for outstanding achievement in export or technology. The Queen's Award for Environmental Achievement was added in 1992.

Following a review in 1999, the three separate schemes were replaced by a single scheme known as 'The Queen's Awards for Enterprise'.

An introduction to the awards can be found at www.businesslink.gov.uk/queensawards

To find out more about next year's awards visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/queensawards2012