The King’s Award for Enterprise

Instituted by Royal Warrant in 1965, the King’s Awards to Industry scheme was recommended by a committee chaired by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and the first Awards were made in 1966. Following a review in 1999, led by the then HRH The Prince of Wales, the scheme became the Queen's Awards for Enterprise, with three categories: Innovation, International Trade, and Sustainable Development. A new category, Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility) was introduced in 2016. The award name changed to The King’s Award for Enterprise following the death of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. From 2026, awards are made in five categories:

• young founder

• innovation

• international trade

• sustainability

• promoting opportunity through social mobility

The awards celebrate the strength, innovation and excellence of UK businesses and more than 8,000 have been recognised since their foundation, demonstrating the tremendous depth of ambition and ingenuity of British enterprise.

2026 winners of the KAE in Oxfordshire:

The Lord-Lieutenant is delighted to celebrate the Oxfordshire businesses who will be presented with their awards this year.

For innovation:

• 3Keel Group Ltd, Long Hanborough

• Airdri Ltd, Eynsham

For Sustainable Development:

• Webmart Ltd, Bicester