Britain’s most enterprising individuals and businesses will today attend an evening reception at Buckingham Palace after they were announced as this year’s winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2011.

The 156 winners, who have already received their awards, will have the opportunity to meet Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family: the ultimate recognition of their commitment to enterprise and innovation.

Before the reception, Business Secretary Vince Cable will present some of Britain’s most enterprising individuals with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion rewards people who have played an outstanding and significant role in promoting the growth of business enterprise and entrepreneurial skills and attitudes in others – for example amongst young people or those in disadvantaged groups.

The Government wants to promote a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship, to make sure Britain’s businesses are able to drive forward the economic recovery.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“It’s wonderful to see that even with a difficult economic climate, individuals continue to find enterprising ways of working and helping others to establish their businesses.

“The people receiving awards today are an inspiration and I congratulate them on their hard work and their achievement. The opportunity for them to join the business winners and to go to the Palace to celebrate their hard work is well deserved and I hope they have a wonderful time.

“It’s important we create the right conditions for Britain’s new and up- and-coming entrepreneurs to succeed and I strongly encourage businesses to start thinking about nominations for next year.”

Anyone who has helped individuals to develop entrepreneurial approaches and achievements with a view to starting or building a business can be nominated for The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion. These activities can be both at national or local level.

Recipients will receive an engraved chalice and a Grant of Appointment. Business Secretary Vince Cable will present these before he, the recipients and their nominators make their way to Buckingham Palace for a reception given by Her Majesty The Queen. Representatives from each winning business will also be attending the reception.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Ronald Batty, former Chief Executive at CDC Enterprise Agency in Durham. Mr Batty will receive the award for his work in establishing an enterprise culture in an area of social, commercial and economic disadvantage. Mr Batty was chief executive for 25 years and in that time saw over 3000 new businesses established with a 70 per cent first year survival rate. He organises and mentors the Durham Future Business Magnates and organises the Durham Retail Business Awards.

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion is one of four awards under the umbrella title of The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. There are three awards for outstanding achievement by businesses in the categories of Innovation, International Trade and Sustainable Development.

The awards are made annually by Her Majesty The Queen and are only given for the highest levels of excellence demonstrated in each category. They are judged to a demanding level and winners receive a number of benefits and worldwide recognition.

Previous winners of the Innovation, International Trade and Sustainable Development awards have come from a diverse selection of business sectors, including large and small businesses.

The application/nomination period for The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2012 is now open and closes on October 31. Entry is free and forms can be completed and submitted online at www.businesslink.gov.uk/queensawards. Winners will be announced on April 21 2012.