18 Millennium Products companies were among 116 firms awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise today. The Award, which recognises outstanding achievement in the areas of international trade, innovation and the environment, provides a further boost to the companies given Millennium Product status by the Design Council for their innovative products and services.

Design Council Chief Executive, Andrew Summers, one of the Queen’s Awards judges, today welcomed the doubling in the number of firms recognised this year for their achievements in technology and innovation.

‘It is clear that this is now one of the key forces behind our new knowledge-driven economy. Coupled with advances in technology and excellence in design, innovation can provide the ingredient for success in any firm, whether small, large, technology-driven or traditional.’

Among the firms recognised in the Queens Awards and previously selected by the Design Council for demonstrating creativity and brilliant design are:

• Pfizer Limited, makers of the groundbreaking impotence drug, Viagra
  
• Renewable Energy Company Limited, Europe’s first and largest supplier of "green" electricity derived from renewable resources such as sun, wind and water
  
• Marks & Spencer Plc, the company which has developed the most Millennium Products including secret support clothing, a seamless bra and tights which adapt to your body heat
  
• Zychem Limited, producers of an innovative printing system which enables blind people to read diagrams
  

Innovation is a key element of success among many of the Queen’s Awards winners announced today. Latest research from the Design Council also reveals that 53% of UK businesses believe that an innovation culture has led to an increase in their profits over the last 3 years.

Further facts and figures on companies featured in this release are available at www.sharinginnovation.org.uk.
High resolution images are available at at our picture desk.

ends

Notes to editors

1. Andrew Summers, Chief Executive of the Design Council is available for interviews. For media enquiries contact:

Helen Obi 020 7420 5241
Nell Cozens 020 7420 5273 or 07803 945260

2. A separate press release has been issued by the Queen’s Awards Office. For media enquires contact: 020 7215 6409/5977.