Hampshire IT Firm Presented With Queen's Award for Enterprise
Fleet, Hampshire, July 18th, 2005: Retail Logic of Fleet, Hampshire will receive its Queen's Award for Enterprise in a ceremony with the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire today.
Retail Logic won the honour for its easily installable chip-and-PIN software to combat credit card fraud. The software, which validates credit cards through identifying cardholders by their Personal Identification Number, is installed on tills rather than PIN pads. It means there is no need for a costly replacement of existing equipment.
The software has significantly reduced transaction times, not only benefiting the banking and retail sectors, but also reducing delays for shoppers.
The Lord-Lieutenant, Mary Fagan, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, will present the award at Logic House, Fleet on Monday July 18 2005. Joining Mary Fagan for the presentation will be Anthony Barrell, Chairman of Hart District Council and Stephen Gorys, Leader of Hart District Council.
Antony E. Jones, Logic Group's Chief Executive said: "We are honoured that our dedication to innovation has been recognised with such a prestigious award. As a company, we are dedicated to fighting card fraud in all its forms and are determined not to rest on our laurels - we'll continue to develop new technology to protect both retailers and shoppers."
Stephen Brice, Secretary of the Queen's Award said: "Unlike many business awards, The Queen's Awards for Enterprise recognize the contribution made by the whole workforce and presentations such as this give management, staff, customers and suppliers an opportunity to celebrate this most prestigious business accolade.
"We are looking for entrepreneurs, business men and women, inventors and innovators who give their time and, possibly, financial support to other potential entrepreneurs whether or not they are still in education or at the business start-up stage.
"Companies wishing to emulate Retail Logic success can enter for The Queen's Award 2006. The closing date is 31 October and winners will be announced on Her Majesty's birthday next April."
Notes to editors:
1. Companies can apply for The Queen's Awards for Enterprise in one or more of three categories - International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development. Full details of the criteria under each category, as well as information on how to apply, can be found on The Queen's Awards website at www.queensawards.org.uk
2. The Queen's Award to Industry (the scheme's original title) was introduced in 1965. Its purpose was to recognise outstanding achievement by industry. The operation of the Awards was formally reviewed in 1970, 1975 and 1999. A recommendation of the 1999 review was that the Awards should be known generically as 'The Queen's Awards for Enterprise'.
3. The Queen's Awards emblem and other relevant images can be downloaded in hi-res Jpeg format from The Queen's Awards image archive at www.queensawards.org.uk
4. On 14 July 2004 it was announced that The Queen had approved an additional Award for Enterprise. This is for individuals and is called The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, to recognise outstanding contributions to the development and promotion of an enterprise culture.
5. There will be up to 10 Awards each year plus one Lifetime Achievement Award if there is an appropriate candidate. Recipients will be presented with an engraved crystal glass commemorative item and a Grant of Appointment and will be invited to a Reception at Buckingham Palace.
6. The Queen will make the Awards on the advice of the Prime Minister who is assisted by an Enterprise Promotion Assessment Committee. Membership includes representatives of Government Departments and Agencies including the Small Business Service, the Department for Education and Skills, and the Department of Trade and Industry as well as the Small Business Council and other business organisations.
7. Nominations may be made from 21 April up to midnight on 31 October each year in order to be considered for Awards, which will be announced on 21 April (The Queen's birthday) in the following year. The names of those receiving Awards will be published in the London Gazette. Nomination forms together with background and guidance notes are available on The Queen's Awards Office website on www.queensawards.org.uk
10. In addition, the Committee will consider whether the individual's activity relates to particular target groups who are likely to benefit e.g. young people (whether or not in full-time education); and/or disadvantaged communities and under-represented groups and will take this into account.
11. The Lifetime Achievement Award would be given for consistent and high quality promotion of an enterprise culture over a substantial period of time. This Award will only be given for an outstanding record of achievement and may not be granted every year.
