Prime minister Gordon Brown says the winners ‘embody the spirit of enterprise and innovation that is so vital to the future of Britain’s economy’.
The winners are divided into three categories: international trade, innovation and sustainable development.
The international trade category includes companies such as financial media group Euromoney Institutional Investor, Sheffield-based tool manufacturer Gripple and 2007 Business XL Rising Star Powerlase, which supplies several global manufacturers of consumer appliances.
Recognised for innovation were 41 companies including Land Rover, wound care product developer Activa Healthcare and frozen breads supplier Eurobuns; while 12 organisations including BT and Wessex Water were praised for sustainable development.
Alongside the business award winners, 11 individuals have been granted the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.
