Businesses across Solihull are being encouraged to put themselves forward for the King’s Awards for Enterprise, widely regarded as one of the UK’s most prestigious business honours.
A new category has been added for 2026: Young Founder, which will celebrate entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 30 who are already running successful companies.
It sits alongside the established categories of Innovation, International Trade, Sustainability, and Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility.
Winners are invited to a reception with the Royal family, receive their award from the Lord-Lieutenant, and can use the King’s Awards emblem across their branding, packaging and marketing for the following five years. Past winners have credited the accolade with boosting their commercial standing, strengthening their reputation overseas, opening up new business relationships, generating press coverage and lifting staff morale.
This year marks 60 years since the awards were first introduced in 1965, during which time more than 8,000 UK businesses have been recognised for outstanding achievement, innovation and impact.
The awards are open to organisations of any size or sector that meet the eligibility rules, applications are free, and companies may apply in more than one category at once.
Steve Whitmarsh, chief executive of Solihull firm Multifleet Vehicle Management — which operates under the name runyourfleet and won the Innovation award in 2024 — said the recognition had made a tangible difference to his business.
“The King’s Awards for Enterprise is recognised across the UK and internationally as the gold standard,” he said. “For us as a business, it’s the benchmark award for quality that can open doors to further opportunities and start conversations locally, nationally and across the world.
“Since we won two years ago, it has enabled us to access opportunities that ordinarily might not be available – and to win business. It’s been great for staff morale and recruitment and created a real buzz about the place. Going to Windsor Castle to meet the King was a memorable moment, and it was a privilege to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant to our premises.
“I’d love to see more Solihull businesses applying. We’ve got some great enterprises in the borough and I really want to see their success and achievements honoured in this way.”
Paul Thandi, Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands and former chairman and chief executive of the NEC Group, backed the call for more local entries.
He said the application process was demanding but valuable in itself, with even unsuccessful applicants often saying they learned a great deal about their business and what it takes to compete effectively. He described the introduction of the Young Founder category as timely, adding that it would help shine a light on some of the borough’s most promising young entrepreneurs.
Businesses interested in applying are advised to check the eligibility criteria and start pulling together the necessary financial and supporting information ahead of the September 8 deadline.
Support is available locally from the Solihull Investment Team at Solihull MBC ([email protected]) and Solihull Chamber of Commerce ([email protected]), both of which can offer guidance and put applicants in touch with previous winners. The West Midlands Lieutenancy office can also be contacted on 0121 222 5040 or by email at [email protected].
Full details and eligibility criteria are available at https://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise.
