1284 joined regional business leaders at HORIBA MIRA in Nuneaton for a King’s Award for Enterprise launch event on Tuesday 28 April.

The event hosted by the Leicestershire and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, introduced delegates to the UK’s most prestigious business honour - the King’s Award for Enterprise.  

The morning covered categories, application timelines and the benefits of winning. 

But the strongest message was clear: the story behind your numbers matters as much as the numbers themselves.

What is the King's Award for Enterprise?

The King’s Award is the benchmark of excellence for UK business. 

It recognises outstanding achievements in Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity, shining a global spotlight on organisations that deliver economic and social impact. 

Marking the 60th anniversary, this year introduces a fifth category: Young Founder, for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 actively leading growing businesses.

Winners receive a royal Grant of Appointment signed by His Majesty The King and the right to display the King's Emblem for five years. It is a quality signal that opens doors - with clients, investors and export markets.

89% of King’s Awards for 2026 went to SMEs. These awards are not just for large corporations, it's built for ambitious smaller businesses with a genuine story to tell. 

How to write a successful King's Award application

A panel of previous winners reinforced the point. They spoke about moving beyond data to show the journey behind achievements - the problem they set out to solve, the decisions they made along the way and the outcomes for customers, communities or the climate.

Their advice was to start capturing evidence early, write in plain language and let the impact speak for itself.

1284 has worked directly with a King's Award winner to craft that narrative. If you are considering entering for 2027, the most important thing you can bring is a story worth telling, backed by impact.