Scotland-based M Squared Lasers, London-based TestPlant and Condeco are among the 92 companies named in the innovation category of this year’s Queen’s Awards for Enterprise list.
The Queen’s Awards are given to UK businesses who have made outstanding contributions in the categories of innovation, international trade and sustainable development.
This year’s list is made up of more than 240 UK businesses leading the way in a broad range of industries – from cloud computing and medical device manufacture, to pet health and sports broadcasting.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said in a statement:
“The Queen’s Awards are a great way of celebrating the best of British business. Whether you’re a disruptive startup making life easier for your customers or a large company with a blockbuster product, these awards recognise your contribution to enterprise.”
“We are a country full of exciting and innovative businesses that deserve to be celebrated. I’d like to commend all the winners for their hard work in creating jobs for people and driving our growing economy,” he continued.
Quantum technology
Dr Graeme Malcolm OBE, founder and CEO of M Squared Lasers, spoke about his company’s inclusion in the list.
“In the same way digital displaced analogue, quantum technology will be the catalyst for an entirely new generation of applications. Britain is well placed to progress as a world leader in the quantum technology sector. The early adoption and innovation of new scientific applications is a longstanding feature in British culture and we are proud to continue that tradition through our work.
“We are delighted to feature as a winner of this year’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation. The accolade is a strong endorsement of the technology we are developing and recognition of its disruptive impact across multiple sectors,” he added.
Software development
George Mackintosh, TestPlant CEO, commented on the firm’s inclusion in this year’s awards whilst commenting on the possibility that the UK could eventually become a world leader in software development.
“Third time – and a very special thrill for everyone at TestPlant in a very special year,” he said, adding: “We are honoured to have won the innovation award on The Queen’s 90th birthday. Our engineers and sales people have taken invention to commercial achievement and we’re proud that eggPlant tools are helping our customers succeed by achieving higher levels of software quality and productivity.”
“Let’s establish the UK as the world’s most productive developer of software!” he concluded.
Workplace management
Paul Statham, the founder and CEO of workplace management company Condeco, commented: “We are honoured to receive The Queen’s Award, and delighted that our contribution to the business community is being recognised in this way.
“Since the beginning of Condeco in 2005, we have always prioritised investment in R&D and innovation, since we believed that managing workplaces was going to become a greater challenge for businesses as they faced up to the digital revolution and all the changes it has brought.”
A full list of companies named in the awards list can be seen here.