Seven enterprising and inspirational companies in the West Midlands are celebrating today as they learn they have received the King’s Award for Enterprise 2024.

The prize is awarded annually for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility following a tough and strict assessment process.
 
Announced today, each of the seven recipients in the West Midlands has been congratulated by The Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree OBE who said their achievements were “significant” and that “they serve as a role model to business both in the West Midlands and nationally”. Sir John added:

“I am delighted that these businesses have received what is widely acknowledged to be the ultimate business accolade – an award recognised worldwide as personifying the best in commerce.
 
“Each of the recipients of the King’s Award for Enterprise has their own story but share a common denominator which is that they all demonstrate the very highest standards.

"The judging process is truly rigorous, and their achievements are both a testimony to their own skills and determination and an endorsement to the skills and enterprise of business throughout our great region.

"This is great news for the West Midlands and for the staff and suppliers of the successful companies."
 
Recipients of the 2024 King’s Award for Enterprise in the West Midlands are:

• Birmingham County Football Association for sustainable development; transforming wider social behaviour change by creating decarbonised football at the community grassroots level.
• C Brandauer & Co Ltd, Birmingham for innovation; an evolution in Micron Precision Tooling that is boosting reshoring and supporting the UK's electrification drive.
• Fortress Interlocks Ltd, Wolverhampton for international trade; the experts in machinery safety and interlocking, protecting people and equipment in hazardous situations globally.
• The Lawton Tube Company Ltd, Coventry for international trade; copper tube manufacture and supplier to the HVAC, Medical, Plumbing & Heating and Engineering sectors.
• Protective Sportswear Ltd, Walsall for international trade; innovative sports protection company, improving access to desirable sports mouthguards for all level athletes.
• Unity Trust Bank PLC, Birmingham for sustainable development; Unity provides lending to socially-minded organisations across the UK with 100% supporting UN SDGs.
• Webster and Horsfall Holdings Ltd, Birmingham for sustainable development - Tyseley Energy Park delivers sustainable power, transport, heat, waste and recycling solutions.

Each of the companies receives a Grant of Appointment and a commemorative crystal trophy as well as being invited to a Royal reception and being presented with the award by the Lord-Lieutenant.

Recipients are also able to fly The King’s Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on stationery and marketing materials. The awards are valid for five-years.

Previous winners have reported benefiting from worldwide recognition, increased commercial value, greater press coverage and a boost to staff morale.