The winners of the 2020 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise were revealed today, with 128 companies cited in the international trade category, one of four in the prestigious competition.

The awards, now in their 54th year, are made annually and are announced on the Queen’s birthday on 21 April.

They are given for the "highest levels of excellence" demonstrated in categories that include international trade, innovation and sustainable development.

A total of 220 UK companies have been cited for this year’s awards, the 54th edition of the competition, including 66 winners for innovation and 19 winners of the sustainable development award.

The Institute of Export & International Trade partners with the Queen’s Awards for the international trade element of the competition.

Director general of the IOE&IT, Marco Forgione, said the announcement of the winners had come at a critical time for the UK economy.

“Our warmest congratulations to all the winners of this years’ Queen’s Awards. It is wonderful to have this opportunity to celebrate success, positivity and achievement against the current backdrop,” Forgione said.

“These fantastic companies are standard bearers for the UK. As the nation deals with the impact of Covid-19 and formal and practical exit from the EU, the example set by Queen’s Award winners show how we can rebuild and restructure the UK economy.”

Winners would, under normal circumstances, attend a reception at Buckingham Palace in July. International Trade category winners are also invited to the Institute’s annual gala dinner, which is held to honour the winners and celebrate their achievements.

A date for this year’s event has yet to be confirmed.

Winners may fly the Queen’s Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on marketing materials. The awards are valid for five years.

The awards were first established in 1965 and since then more than 7,000 companies have been recognised.