The cream of Suffolk’s business community attended an event last night, which was intended to encourage local companies to apply for royal status.

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is a prestigious award given for outstanding achievement by UK businesses.

But unfortunately, of the 230 Queen’s Awards winners honoured across the UK in 2018, none came from Suffolk.

The lord-lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston, who is Her Majesty The Queen’s personal representative in Suffolk, explained that the reason Suffolk has no current winners is not because the county lacks the talent and expertise. “It is more about the need to encourage greater awareness of the Awards, and guide people through the applications process,” she said.

The event was attended by Andy Wood, chief executive of Adnams, who revealed how winning the award twice in the past had helped him to grow his brewery business.

Another former winner is Superyachts Tenders and Toys, an Ipswich-based company which supplies tenders and toys to yachts around the world. He told how winning the award had helped his business: “It really gives first-time clients the confidence to use us. It’s like having the ultimate testimonial to call on. There are some countries, in particular, where a Queen’s Award counts for a great deal in terms of credibility and recognition.

“One of our large growth areas is the Middle East and I think this is a key award for future orders from that region.”

At the event, which took place at the Willis building in Ipswich, more than 120 senior leaders from business, education and local government were urged to back the campaign, which already has the active support of Adnams, EDF, Anglian Water, AB Ports, Birketts, New Anglia LEP, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Suffolk County Council.

People interested in putting their business forward for the award should apply here.