ESSEX broke records at the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 as local businesses won in every category.

Essex County Council and the Essex Lieutenancy celebrated when 11 Essex-based businesses won in the four categories:

• Innovation
• International Trade
• Sustainable Development
• Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility

It gave Greater Essex the second highest number of wins, coming second only to Greater London. Essex also represented almost one third of wins across the East of England region.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise represents the highest quality and level of business acumen.

Previous winners have reported increased sales, boosted morale and greater marketing potential as a result of securing one of the highly respected awards.

The county council and Essex Lieutenancy brought together the 2024 winners and past recipients of the awards at a networking event in County Hall, Chelmsford.

Attendees were encouraged to apply for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025 and motivate other businesses to as well. 

The full list of Greater Essex winners at the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 is as follows:

• Innovation: Dura Composites Ltd, Clacton-on-Sea
• International trade: Select Tech Limited, Billericay
• International trade: RSS International Ltd, Stanford-le-Hope
• International trade: Skysmart MRO Ltd, Great Dunmow
• International trade: Atlantic Pacific Global Logistics Ltd, Basildon
• International trade: Airline Component Services Ltd, Braintree
• International trade: Kestrel Liner Agencies Ltd, Stansted
• International trade: Direct Meats (Knights Farm) Ltd, Colchester
• International trade: Titan Airways Ltd, Stansted
• Promoting opportunity through social mobility: Ipeco Holdings Ltd, Rochford
• Sustainable development: Climbing Trees Online Marketing Limited, Colchester

Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability at Essex County Council, said: “It was an honour to meet with this year’s winners of the King’s Awards for Enterprise – the highest accolade a UK business can achieve.

“This year’s increase in Essex winners evidences the hard work and determination of our local businesses. Receiving an award in any of the categories is an enormous achievement, but the fact the county saw one of only eight winners in the ‘Promoting opportunity through social mobility’ category is particularly impressive.

“We’d like to thank the Lord-Lieutenant’s Office for their support in hosting a really exciting and rewarding event, and for continuing to support our business community. We encourage businesses across the county to consider applying for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025, and we hope to see another impressive winners list next year.”

Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, said: “It has been fantastic to work with Essex County Council to celebrate the county’s King’s Awards winners. It was brilliant to have so many winners under one roof and to hear from the businesses about exciting updates and achievements since receiving their awards.

“The increase in Essex winners demonstrates the tenacity of our local businesses. The county’s achievement within the International Trade category also evidences our businesses’ global impact.

“This is also testament to the hard work of key partners, including the BEST Growth Hub, Essex Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses. We are extremely grateful for their support in promoting the awards.”