Innovators honoured with Queen's Awards

Two companies in the ophthalmic industry are celebrating being honoured in the Queen's Awards for Enterprise today (April 21).

Details of the achievements of the businesses, James Robinson and UltraVision CLPL, are highlighted on this page, and they join the other winners on this, the Queen's 80th birthday.

A spokeswoman for the Queen's Awards Office said: 'Winning companies benefit from extensive publicity, boosts to staff morale and use of the Queen's Award Emblem for five years as a symbol of their commercial success.

They are also invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace and enjoy an Award presentation at their own premises by a representative of the Queen.'

Winning companies range in size from three-people micro-businesses up to an international retail group employing nearly 30,000.

Almost half of this year's 145 winners employ fewer than 50 people, and both James Robinson and UltraVision repectively employ roughly that number of employees.

Sir Digby Jones, director general of the CBI, said: 'The Queen's Awards have been a benchmark of business success for 40 years, helping thousands of firms to open up new markets, improve sales, enhance the commercial value of products and services, and boost staff morale and motivation.

'This prestigious business award rewards the commercial acumen of Britain's leading companies, large and small, and I congratulate all the winners on their achievement.'

Businesses interested in applying for next year's Queen's Awards, or individuals wanting to nominate someone for a Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, should visit www.queensawards.org.uk. The deadline for the 2007 Awards is October 31 2006.