Enterprise champions

A new Queen's Award will recognise those who play a significant role in encouraging or developing entrepreneurial skills and attitudes in others, to benefit the UK economy.

The Award will reward successful enterprise champions -- just as other

schemes reward success in sport and the arts.

The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion will go to outstanding individuals who promote entrepreneurship either by their own efforts or by encouraging enterprise and innovation in others by mentoring or

networking.

It complements the well-established Queen's Awards for Enterprise that reward collective efforts by top performing businesses in international trade, innovation and sustainable development.

Up to ten Awards will be given annually for enterprise champions. In addition, a single Lifetime Achievement Award may go each year to an individual judged to have made a truly outstanding contribution to the promotion of enterprise culture over a substantial period of time.

Welcoming the Award, the Queen's Greater Manchester representative, Lord

Lieutenant Col Sir John Timmins said: "I have visited many outstanding companies where teamwork has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise, the ultimate business accolade. I am sure that Greater Manchester will provide equally deserving individuals who would merit the honour of the new Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion."

People must be nominated for the Award and the closing date is October 31. Nomination forms are available on the Queen's

Awards website at www.queensawards.org.uk or from the Awards Office, (tel 0207 222 2277).