Half a century of the Queen's Awards

British business has changed almost beyond recognition in the 50 years since the Queen's Awards scheme was created - and the awards have adapted too. Services have ousted manufacturing as the economy's driving force, while technology and social culture have altered massively.

Originally known as the Queen's Award to Industry, it was instituted by royal warrant in 1965 at the instigation of Harold Wilson, Labour prime minister, then attempting to ignite the "white heat" of a scientific revolution.

"I hope that the award will encourage industry in its efforts to achieve the improvements in exports and the technological advance on which our national future so much depends," he said.

The aim remains to promote business excellence and drive growth, though the scope has widened. Now known as the Queen's Awards for Enterprise, they are granted for innovation, international trade and sustainable development and are announced on April 21, the Queen's birthday. Awards for Enterprise Promotion are also made to individuals.

The first winners in 1966 included titans that no longer exist, such as Imperial Chemical Industries, General Electric Company and Distillers. Yet several of the initial recipients are still around in some form, including Rolls-Royce, Vauxhall Motors and De La Rue.

The awards' strength, though, lies more in their recognition of smaller companies. And while manufacturing accounts for 40 per cent of this year's list, others are from sectors reflecting the modern economy such as recruitment, tourism and digital marketing.

Companies say the awards help them to stand out in a competitive global market, add commercial value, boost staff morale and win media coverage.

JCB, the heavy equipment maker, has won a record 27 Queen's Awards since its first in 1969.

"The pride that the whole team feels at winning never diminishes," says Lord Bamford, JCB's chairman.

Oxford Instruments, the maker of industrial and research tools, said winning the awards 13 times had "opened many doors all over the world". Caterpillar, the US heavy equipment company, has been recognised six times - most recently in 2014 - for its UK operation's export growth.

The Queen's Award to Industry was established to recognise achievements in exports or technological innovation. It was devised by a committee that included industry representatives and was chaired by Prince Philip. Following reviews, it was replaced in 1976 by the Queen's Award for Export Achievement and the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement. The Queen's Award for Environmental Achievement was added in 1993.

After a further review in 1999 by a committee chaired by Prince Charles, the honours were renamed the Queen's Awards for Enterprise in 2000, with categories for international trade, innovation and environmental achievement. A year later the latter became the award for sustainable development, defined as any activity that "ensures a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come".

Prince Charles said: "It is particularly encouraging that so many companies, having won a Queen's Award and experienced the benefits, decide to reapply."

Winners attend a reception at Buckingham Palace and can use the awards' emblem for five years.

Fifty years on, the accolades are still relevant. Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, calls them "testament to the renewed entrepreneurial spirit taking shape in the United Kingdom".

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