ASIAN ENTERPRISE TRIUMPHS AT QUEEN'S AWARDS
(21 April 2005)

An enterprise founded by an Asian family- and an Asian mentor who encourages enterprise amongst black and minority ethnic (BME) businesses are both being honoured with Royal Awards. Her Majesty the Queen today (21 April 2005) announced the 2005 winners of The Queen's Awards for Enterprise, the UK's leading accolade for business success that is now in its fortieth year.

Amongst the winning companies is Noah's Ark Chemicals, which wins a Queen's Award in the International Trade category for their commendable export achievement. Noah's Ark Chemicals, founded by Dr Bharat Bhardwaj, a British national of Indian origin, began life in a bedroom at the family home in 2001. Today, it has offices in Cambridge and Antwerp, a turnover of £5m and a multi-national team of staff busy exporting chemicals around the globe.

Dr Bhardwaj said: "To win a Queen's Award after just the first three years is noted to be an unusual feat. This is a great honour for our company and we are all delighted and proud to have our achievements officially recognised. My parents invested the start up capital and my wife, brothers and sisters all take an active part in making the company grow."

This anniversary year is also marked by the announcement of the first ten recipients of the new annual Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion. These awards are for individuals who have played an outstanding role in promoting the growth of enterprise and/or entrepreneurial skills and attitudes in others.

Amongst the inaugural winners is Sikander Badat of Bolton, who was nominated for his long and effective service to the communities of the North West.

In 1987 Mr Badat set up the Ethnic Minorities Business Service, with a mission to reduce the economic disadvantage faced by BME communities through enterprise and entrepreneurialism. Ninety per cent of the companies he supported have survived for over two years.

Mr Badat has also set up a BME Youth Network and a Women's Network and has been instrumental in establishing the BME North West Business Forum, which advises the Regional Development Agency on BME policy and strategy.

Martin Wyn Griffith, Chief Executive of the Small Business Service, said "It is vital to see that entrepreneurs from minority ethnic backgrounds have an equal opportunity to succeed. Of the 4 million businesses in the UK, about 7 per cent are owned by ethnic minorities which equates to about 250,000 businesses. I am pleased to see that a number of today's recipients of the new Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion are involved in the very important task of helping Black and Ethnic Minority Enterprises to start and grow."

THE QUEEN'S AWARDS

This year marks the 40th anniversary of The Queen's Awards for Enterprise - the UK's most prestigious Awards for business-related achievement. There are three categories of business Award - International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development, and one Award for individuals encouraging the growth of enterprise and/or entrepreneurial skills and attitudes in others - The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion. Nearly 5,000 Business Awards have been bestowed since the scheme launched in 1965.

To apply for a Queen's Award, or to nominate an individual for The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, visit www.queensawards.org.uk or call 0870 5 13 44 86. The deadline for all 2006 business Award applications and QAEP nominations is 31 October 2005.