Surrey Research Park celebrates 40 years of innovation in 2025. And 600 people including businesses, staff and students came together to celebrate the achievements.
Surrey Research Park is a vibrant innovative business community of more than 200 companies across a 70 acre site.
It was established in 1985 by the University of Surrey. And businesses on the park are estimated to contribute ยฃ660 million a year to the Surrey economy.
Surrey Research Park 40 years celebration saw a community festival taking place earlier this month (June 17, 2025).
Surrey Research Park 40 years celebration
About 600 people โ including Guildford MP Zรถe Franklin โ gathered to mark 40 years of innovation in Surrey.
Employees from 60 companies and partner organisations took part in a dynamic expo, showcasing their sector-leading innovation, research, and company stories.
Several guest speakers also shared fond memories of their time at the park, including:
Dr Malcolm Parry OBE, one of the Parkโs visionary founders
The celebrations also provided students from the Universityโs Department for Hospitality and Events to gain hands-on experience in event management.
Meanwhile, over in the Surrey Technology Centre, the Space Enterprise Lab was temporarily converted into a high-tech TV studio, livestreaming a two-hour innovation and technology show to viewers around the world.
Caroline Fleming, Director of Surrey Innovation District and Innovation Lead for Surrey Research Park, said:
โI think everyone really felt the vibe of a strong community thatโs been built here. We heard from companies proud to call it their home, and from researchers excited to do more with those businesses. For me, itโs been a fantastic event.โ
About Surrey Research Park
Surrey Research Park offersย versatile office spaceย in aย vibrant innovative community. It helps meet the needs of pioneering tech and research-led companies โ fromย solopreneursย andย entrepreneurs,ย ambitious startupsย andย microbusinessesย toย SMEs,ย large companies, multinationalsย andย primes.
By joining the Surrey Research Park community, your business can benefit from:
Access to top-tier talent, expert collaborations, and world-class facilitiesย that span disciplines and sectors.
Spaces for every business need, from workstations in our incubator and small offices to expansive units up to 40,000 sq ft, designed to support your growth and innovation.
Exceptional connectivityย with on-site parking and a strategic location near London and major international hubs.
Looking for more bespoke support to grow your Surrey business? Contact our team of experts for a free consultation via our Business Support Form.
The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy revealed
Published 26 June 2025
Business news, Innovation, Skills and workforce
The UK’s modern Industrial Strategy has been revealed by government this week. It sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment, create good skilled jobs and make Britain the best place to do business.
The government says the UK’s Industrial Strategy provides long-term clarity and stability to grow the UK economy.
It will include targeted support for the areas of the country and economy that have the greatest potential to grow. Ministers also promise reforms that will make it easier for all businesses to get ahead.
There’s a focus on eight key high-growth sectors. Some of these sectors – such as creative industries, digital and technologies, and professional and business services – are real sector strengths for Surrey.
Ministers say future funding will focus on driving growth in these high-growth sectors. Investment will also focus on funding for SMEs, upskilling the UK’s workforce and redeveloping strategic sites.
Not all of this funding will be immediately available to Surrey. Some will only be available to those areas with directly-elected mayors, such as West Midlands and Greater Manchester. Surrey is currently on the fast-track programme to devolution – but will not have an elected mayor until after local government reorganisation is completed.
The plan will have a direct impact on Surrey’s economy both now and in the future. It aligns closely with the priorities in the Surrey Economic Growth Strategy.
And we – as part of Surrey County Council – will work with government, businesses and partners to make sure Surrey makes the most of the opportunities – ensuring we meet the demands of our 110,000 businesses while ensuring no one is left behind.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“This Industrial Strategy marks a turning point for Britainโs economy and a clear break from the short-termism and sticking plasters of the past.
“In an era of global economic instability, it delivers the long term certainty and direction British businesses need to invest, innovate and create good jobs that put more money in peopleโs pockets as part of the plan for change.
“This is how we power Britainโs future – by backing the sectors where we lead, removing the barriers that hold us back, and setting out a clear path to build a stronger economy that works for working people. Our message is clear – Britain is back and open for business.”
What is the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy?
The Governmentโs Industrial Strategy 2025 is also known as Invest 2035. It is a 10-year plan to drive economic growth by supporting eight high-growth sectors.
The sectors – known as the IS-8 – are advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, defence, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, and professional and business services.
The Strategyโs plan of action includes:
Unlocking billions in finance for innovative business, especially for SMEs. Increasing British Business Bank financial capacity to ยฃ25.6 billion, crowding in tens of billions of pounds more in private capital. Additional ยฃ4bn for Industrial Strategy Sectors.
Upskilling the nation with an extra ยฃ1.2 billion each year for skills by 2028-29. Delivering more opportunities to learn and earn in our high-growth sectors including new short courses.
Reducing regulatory burdens by cutting the administrative costs of regulation for business by 25% and reduce the number of regulators.
Supporting 5,500 more SMEs to adopt new technology through the Made Smarter programme while centralising government support in one place through the Business Growth Service.
Boosting R&D spending to ยฃ22.6bn per year by 2029-30 to drive innovation across the IS-8. Allocated more than ยฃ2bn for AI and ยฃ2.8bn for advanced manufacturing over the next ten years. This will leverage in billions more from private investors.
Attracting elite global talent to our key sectors, via visa and migration reforms and the new Global Talent Taskforce.
Slash electricity costs by up to 25% from 2027 for electricity-intensive manufacturers in our growth sectors and foundational industries.
Deepening economic and industrial collaboration with our partners, building on agreements with Japan, the US, India, and the EU.
Reducing planning timelines and cutting costs for developers, by hiring more planners, streamlining pre-application requirements and combining environmental obligations.
Revolutionising public procurement and reducing barriers for new entrants and SMEs to bolster domestic competitiveness.
Supporting the UKโs city regions and clusters by increasing the supply of investible sites through a new ยฃ600m Strategic Sites Accelerator.
Industrial Strategy – sector focus
The plan focuses on 8 sectors where the UK is already strong and thereโs potential for faster growth. These are:
Advanced Manufacturing
Clean Energy Industries
Creative Industries
Defence
Digital and Technologies
Financial Services
Life Sciences
Professional and Business Services
Each growth sector has a bespoke 10-year plan that will attract investment, enable growth and create high-quality, well-paid jobs.
Five sector plans have been published this week:
Advanced Manufacturing – up to ยฃ4.3 billion in funding, including up to ยฃ2.8 billion in R&D over the next five years. Aim of anchoring supply chains in the UK – from increasing vehicle production to 1.35 million, to leading the next generation of technologies for zero emission flight.
Clean Energy Industries – Doubling investment in Clean Energy Industries by 2035. Total funding for the Great British Energy Supply Chain fund to ยฃ1 billion.
Creative Industries – Maximizing the value of our Creative Industries through a ยฃ380 million boost for film and TV, video games, advertising and marketing, music and visual and performing arts. This will improve access to finance for scale-ups and increase R&D, skills and exports.
Digital and Technologies – Making the UK the European leader for creating and scaling Digital and Technology businesses. More than ยฃ2 billion allocated to drive the AI Action Plan. ยฃ187 million for training one million young people in tech skills. Targeting R&D investment at frontier technologies.
Professional and Business Services – Ensuring our Professional and Business Services becomes the worldโs most trusted adviser to global industry. Plan to revolutionise the sector across the world through adoption of UK-grown AI. Also working to secure mutual recognition of professional qualifications agreements overseas.
How will the UK’s Industrial Strategy impact Surrey?
The industrial strategy provides a long-term vision for growing the UK economy.
Surrey has very strong local sector specialisms in some of the key high-growth sectors. This includes professional services, finance, creative and digital. We also have well-established clusters and innovation assets across most of the IS-8 sectors.
We also have demonstrated a commitment to unlocking local economic growth via:
strategic partnerships, such as the Civic Agreement for Surrey with Surreyโs three leading universities,
New National Biosecurity Centre receives ยฃ1 billion government investment
Published 24 June 2025
Business news, Innovation
A new National Biosecurity Centre will begin to take shape in a matter of months after government pledged ยฃ1 billion to the cutting-edge scientific campus in Surrey. When complete, the Animal and Plant Health Agency centre in Weybridge will serve as the UKโs foremost animal biosecurity facility.
Animal disease outbreaks represent a serious and increasing risk to public health, food security, and the UK economy.
The UK’s high containment laboratories for animal health are run by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at Weybridge. They urgently need renewal to handle escalating disease risks, which is growing due to climate change.
The new facility will join a network of national centres set up by the Cabinet Office under the UK Biological Security Strategy. It will keep the public safe and is essential to responding to biological security risks.
Preparatory work at the Weybridge site is already underway. Planning Consent has been secured, and a contractor appointed to build the main new facilities.
The first interim labs to support critical science while we transform the site will be ready in 2027 and 2028. The main construction works start in 2027. And the full new National Biosecurity Centre will be live and operational in 2033/34.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said:
“We very much welcome this government investment into our region which strengthens Surrey’s reputation as a leading UK region for innovation and research.
“This cutting-edge facility will not only play a key role in protecting the nation’s health, it will also create jobs for residents and broader prosperity in our communities.
“As government looks to drive growth across the UK, our aim is to ensure that Surrey is a major part of that story โ and weโll continue to work with partners like the Animal and Plant Health Agency to make the most of opportunities, ensuring we meet the demands of our 110,000 businesses while ensuring no one is left behind.”
Why is a National Biosecurity Centre needed?
Approximately 60% of all known human infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans. And about 75% of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals. This makes the fight against these diseases about human health and security too.
Without strong and modernised biosecurity infrastructure, disease incursions could severely impact the UK’s farmers, agricultural production, devastate rural communities and disrupt key supply chains.
The export of livestock, meat and meat products, dairy and animal by-products is worth ยฃ16 billion per year to the UK economy.
The funding will now enhance the countryโs detection, surveillance and control capabilities for high-risk animal diseases. These include avian influenza, foot and mouth disease and African swine fever. It will also enhance the UK’s ability to manage concurrent disease outbreaks.
Jenny Stewart, Senior Science Director at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, said:
“This funding is a vital milestone in the delivery of a world-leading facility that will protect the UK from animal disease threats for decades to come.
“Our scientists and specialists at Weybridge are at the heart of the UKโs disease surveillance and response capability and provide a global centre of expertise.
“Investment on this scale will enable them to continue their critical work in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities, supported by the very latest technologies.”
What is the Animal and Plant Health Agency?
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has its headquarters in Weybridge. It works to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy.
APHAโs central laboratory has been in Weybridge since 1917, when it was known as the Addlestone Institute.
It has a long history of work of national and international importance. This has contributed to Surrey being animal health being a key sector for Surrey’s economy.
In 1939 it began an urgent programme for the mass production of anthrax vaccine and antiserum. This was so the country would be able to respond to the threat of a biological warfare emergency.
More recent past achievements include eradicating swine fever in the 1960s. And characterising the first case of BSE in the 1980s. It also developed the first licensed vaccine for TB in badgers in 2009.
APHA was formed in 2014 by merging the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency with parts of the Food and Environment Research Agency.
The network of national centres announced by government this week marks a new chapter for APHA. It will ensure the UK is better prepared for a crisis, responding more effectively to incidents and delivering a more holistic approach to biological research.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said:
“Farmers and food producers will now be better protected from diseases, our food security strengthened, and public health better safeguarded against future pandemics. This government is getting on with delivering on our Plan for Change.
“The new National Biosecurity Centre will play an essential role in addressing the full range of biological threats we face, including from hostile nations, and will ensure that the UK retains the scientific capability, infrastructure and expertise needed to lead international efforts to identify, manage, and mitigate disease threats in the years ahead.”
Local Government Reorganisation consultation now live
Published 18 June 2025
Business news
Have your say on the future of public services in Surrey via the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation consultation. This is part of the governmentโs devolution plans for transferring more powers from Whitehall to local or regional authorities.
It will help government to understand what residents, businesses and other stakeholders think about the changes in Surrey. They’ll use the results to help them make a final decision on which option is best for Surrey.
What is Local Government Reorganisation?
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is the process where all areas with two-tiers of councils are reorganised into fewer, unitary councils.
The new authorities would have responsibility for all local government services in their area. This includes refuse collection, highways, parks and open spaces, libraries, social care, education and planning. They would replace the current two-tier system of one county and 11 district / borough councils.
The creation of new unitary authorities would also unlock further devolved responsibilities for Surrey. These would sit with a directly elected mayor representing the whole of Surrey. And the mayor would provide strategic oversight for economic development, skills, transport and housing.
Other areas, such as Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, already operate successfully this way. It sees the strategic authority working with employers to drive growth. It also improves employment opportunities for residents and brings investment into their regions.
Surrey County Council, Elmbridge Borough Council and Mole Valley District Council are recommending Surrey is arranged into two new unitary councils, East Surrey and West Surrey.
A resident information event takes place on 7 July to explain LGR and the proposal. Anyone can sign up on the external LGR event page.
Tim Oliver OBE, Leader of Surrey County Council said:โWe urge everyone in Surrey to take part in this government consultation to help us build a stronger future for Surrey. Two unitary councils will simplify services, save money and strengthen communities. This is an important opportunity for people to have their say.
โThis is an exciting time, and Iโm confident that residents will feel the benefit of a new system of local government and community engagement in Surrey, with the proposal for two unitary councils supported by multiple partners who share an ambition to make this county stronger and fit for the future.โ
Other proposals were put forward to government. This includes a plan for three unitary councils supported by other district and borough councils in Surrey.
Ministers will make a final decision in the early Autumn.
LGR โ view from a business leader
Chris Hurren, chair of Surrey Business Leadersโ Forum, wrote an individual letter of support for the two unitary council proposal. He writes:
โWhile we recognise that LGR in itself is a matter for our local authority leaders to discuss directly with [government], on behalf of businesses across Surrey I want to reemphasise the importance of delivering strategic economic functions on a single county footprint.
โOur belief โ supported by examples of devolution elsewhere, such as Greater Manchester and the West Midlands โ is that business growth is dependent upon opportunities to maximise and leverage economies of scale, supporting cross-county collaboration between high-growth clusters and innovation assets.โ
He says: โWhichever path is taken through the Local Government Reorganisation and devolution in Surrey, future success will require collaborative working with strong and independent unitary authorities operating on functional economic areas with a fair and reasonable split of innovation assets and strategic towns.
โWe trust government and our local elected representatives to agree on the best way forward for the businesses, residents and communities of Surrey, ensuring that these authorities are well-placed to provide crucial, efficient and effective public services in the short and long term.โ
The Surrey Economic Growth Fund round one has now closed – with hundreds of businesses and organisations expressing interest in funding for innovative ideas to drive growth in Surrey.
The Surrey Economic Growth Fund is overseen by Surrey County Council. It will see millions of pounds invested to drive growth, creating jobs, improving infrastructure, increasing productivity and upskilling our workforce.
This single pot is made up of a range of public and investment streams, such as UK Shared Prosperity Funding from government.
The idea is to make it as simple and easy-as-possible for those looking to drive growth to apply for funding.
Round one launched in April 2025, and closed at the end of May. Other rounds are expected to follow.
Up to ยฃ7 million is available in round one, and we’ve received more than 300 expressions of interest totalling nearly ยฃ35 million of funding.
What happens next?
We want to say a big thank you to everyone who submitted an expression of interest in round one of the Surrey Economic Growth Fund.
Due to the high volume and quality of initial submissions, not every application will be funded.
Those who have expressed interest will receive a unique online link in the coming days. This will have an invitation to submit further information to support their application. The deadline is the end of June.
Our Investment Panel will meet throughout July to review full applications and make funding decisions.
A320 improvements underway to unlock housing and growth in Surrey
Published 11 June 2025
Business news
A320 improvements are underway between Ottersham and Chertsey, running until 2026. The ยฃ41.8 million project overseen by Surrey County Council will increase capacity on this busy stretch north of Woking. This will unlock new housing and support economic growth in the region.
The A320 improvements is a partnership between Surrey County Council, Runnymede Borough Council and Homes England, which is funding the work.
Runnymede needs to deliver 500 homes every year until 2030 to meet demand. And the A320, as the key link road between the M25 and communities including Woking, Ottershaw and Chertsey, is able to cope with increased numbers of vehicles.
So improvements to the road – including new cycling and pedestrian routes – will support development in the area. It will also improve access to St Peter’s Hospital.
A320 and unlocking local growth
The works will ensure there is extra capacity on the busy stretch of road between Chertsey and Ottershaw to support delivery of the Runnymede 2030 local plan.
It will make sure all the junctions and roads work well together to improve traffic flow. There will also be improvements for walkers and cyclists, including new crossing points and wider foot and cycle paths, and improved access to public transport.
The Runnymede 2030 Local Plan is a blueprint to guide development in the area. It was approved in 2020.
The plan commits to delivering 7,507 high quality additional homes in Runnymede in the period 2015-2030, an average of 500 homes a year.
There is also a commitment to ensuring a mix of employment, retail, leisure, community uses and activities and infrastructure. Plus, protection for the environment and improving accessibility to a range of sustainable and active travel choices.
Of the sites allocated for housing, a large number are reliant on the A320 improvements.
This includes a new Longcross Garden Village, a sustainable settlement of at least 1,700 residential units. And a further 400 homes on St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey.
What will the A320 improvements deliver?
There will be roadworks on the A320 between Chertsey and Ottershaw from early 2025 until 2026.
Works include:
Improvements to traffic lane facilities and full signalisation of St Peters Roundabout
Provision of an additional, third traffic lane eastbound on St Peters Way East
Provision of a new and improved Ottershaw roundabout with greater circulatory capacity with widened approaches and exits providing additional traffic lanes
Improvements to the M25 junction 11 interchange, including full circulatory signalisation and widened northbound and southbound exit slip roads with new dedicated left turn lanes
Provision of a new roundabout at the Holloway Hill/ Green Lane junction, with flood reduction initiatives, including the construction of attenuation ponds and shallow swales
Provision of shared use footway/cycleways where possible
Improvements to Guildford Road, near Salesian School, include installation of a dedicated drop-off layby / bus bays on the east side of Guildford Road along the front of the school
Improved lighting for all road users and provision of safe crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the whole scheme
Contractors started phase one of the A320 improvements in April 2025.
The initial ten week phase will see lane closures on St Peter’s Way between the St Peter’s Way roundabout and the M25 junction 11 roundabout. A westbound lane closure is also in place on St Peter’s Way.
Works will include:
an extra lane constructed from the St Peter’s Way roundabout towards the M25 on the A320 eastbound
widening of the approach onto the St Peter’s Way roundabout from the M25 on the A320 westbound
widening of the northbound approach onto the St Peter’s Way roundabout from Guildford Road
widening of the footpath from the St Peter’s Way roundabout towards St Peter’s Hospital
resurfacing of the entire St Peter’s Way roundabout
The A320โฏGuildford Road will be closing in both directions, between the Ottershaw and St Peterโs Way roundabouts from 5am on Saturday 14 June to 5am Monday 16 June. The closures are needed to divert the underground services that lie beneath Guildford Road.
The next phase of works in the autumn will see works commence at the Green Lane / Holloway Hill junction.
Surrey Business Awards 2025 now open for nominations
Published 4 June 2025
Business news, Events and awards
The Surrey Business Awards 2025 is back. This annual event, in association with Surrey Chambers of Commerce, is the largest and most prestigious business event in the county. Entries are now being welcomed with all Surrey businesses invited to apply.
Each year, this highly anticipated annual event celebrates the incredible achievements and contributions of businesses and individuals across Surrey. The calibre of entries is consistently outstanding, both in volume and in the exceptional quality of the submissions.
With a wide range of categories, this yearโs event offers something for every business – regardless of size or industry. Whether you’re a startup or an established leader, there’s a category for you.
Business Surrey is a sponsor of the event once again, overseeing the Best New Business Award.
Donโt miss the chance to showcase your business and join the ranks of Surreyโs most successful and innovative companies. Enter today for the opportunity to be recognised as one of the regionโs top performers.
Business Surrey, as part of Surrey County Council, is a proud sponsor of the Surrey Business Awards 2025.
We’re sponsoring the Best New Business Award. This award recognises a business with entrepreneurial aptitude, vision, ambition, drive and commercial acumen to build a successful enterprise from start-up.
It is open to any business with an office based in Surrey.ย The business must haveย started to trade no earlier thanย April 2022 and no later thanย September 2024.
Winning an award is not just about how great your business is. Itโs about how effectively you can present your case to the judges.
Creating a winning entry takes time, careful consideration and the ability to get straight to the point. You will also need to back up your claims with evidence.
Not sure where to start? Here are some helpful tips to ensure your entry for the Surrey Business Awards 2025 stands out.
Give yourself enough time. Judges can easily tell who has invested time in preparing a thoughtful submission and who hasnโt!
Stay on point. Ensure your answers directly address the questions and stay focused on the topic.
Donโt skip questions. It may seem obvious, but many people skip questions. Leaving questions unanswered or lacking detail will cost you points with the judges.
Stick to the 1,500-word limit. Be conciseโremember, you have limited space to grab the judges’ attention. (Thatโs 1,500 words for the entire submission.)
Quantify your results. Always provide facts and figures. Winning entries back up their claims with solid proof.
Get your staff and colleagues involved. Gather evidence, metrics, examples, testimonials – anything that strengthens your application.
Add the finishing touch. Include achievements or activities like community involvement, staff training and health and wellbeing initiatives.
Choose your best writer. Tell a compelling story. Ensure your submission is free of spelling errors and grammar mistakes and avoid overuse of exclamation marks, fluff, or marketing jargon.
Mark the deadline – July 9th 2025 – in your calendar. This might sound obvious but set reminders and avoid leaving it until the last minute.
Looking for further advice?
Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing expert support and advice to all businesses in Surrey. Our aim is to help you start, grow and thrive.
Rural England Prosperity Fund 2025 now open to Surrey farmers
Published 21 May 2025
Advice and support, Funding and grants
The Rural England Prosperity Fund 2025 is now open. It means farmers in parts of Surrey can secure a six-figure cash injection as part of wider efforts to boost growth in the county.
Surrey County Council is offering capital grants of up to ยฃ120,000 to support innovative ideas to drive diversification in agriculture.
The aim is to help farmers in the districts of Tandridge, Guildford and Waverley to generate new income streams while increasing the long-term sustainability of their estates.
Ideas could include establishing farm shops, developing agritourism, generating sustainable energy or cultivating new crops and livestock.
Applications can be made direct via the Business Surrey website, and close at the end of June 2025. .
It will be a competitive process. And the focus is on supporting a small number of large-scale, high-impact projects in eligible areas. Match funding is encouraged though not mandatory.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Councilโs Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, said: โAs committed custodians of much of Surreyโs fantastic countryside, farmers play a key role in everyoneโs way of life, producing the food we eat, managing our unique landscapes and creating employment in our rural communities.
โThis fund is intended to support a small number of farmers to diversify and explore new commercial opportunities, supporting them to generate more income while supporting broader prosperity in our rural communities.
โIt forms part of our wider commitment to drive sustainable growth across Surrey while ensuring no one is left behind.โ
What is the Rural England Prosperity Fund?
The Rural England Prosperity Fund 2025 is integrated into the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is government funding which supports productivity and prosperity in places that need it most.
In Surrey, this means the Rural England funding is only available in three of the 11 districts. These are Guildford, Tandridge and Waverley.
The Rural Fund is a rural top-up to UKSPF allocations. And it supports activities that specifically address the particular challenges rural areas face.
The Rural Fund sits alongside existing Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) schemes, including the:
The Surrey element of the Rural England Prosperity Fund is a great opportunity for farmers and landowners to progress plans to drive growth. If you have any questions then contact the Business Surrey team.
But we recognise that some rural business owners may not be eligible. Or they may need additional help, either via email, phone or face-to-face.
King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025 winners announced
Published 14 May 2025
Business news, Events and awards
The Kingโs Awards for Enterprise recipients for 2025 have been announced with six Surrey businesses receiving a royal seal of approval. Want to join this elite group? Applications for 2026 can now be submitted.
The Kingโs Awards for Enterprise are among the most prestigious awards for UK organisations. They recognise and reward outstanding business achievements in Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity.
Six Surrey businesses are receiving The Kingโs Award for Enterprise in 2025. Three in Innovation, two in International Trade and one in Sustainable Development.ย Scroll down to view the list.
His Majestyโs Lord Lieutenant Michael More-Molyneuxย โ the Kingโs representatives in Surrey – will present the awards throughout the year. One representative from each winning business will also be invited to a special Royal reception event.
Want to join the winners of the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025? You can now apply for the 2026 awards until 9 September 2025.
His Majestyโs Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey said: โAs the most prestigious business award in the UK, winning the esteemed Kingโs Award Emblem is an incredible honour. Itโs an internationally recognised symbol of excellence โ one that sets your business apart and gets you noticed.
“These Surrey companies exemplify the talent and entrepreneurial spirit of British business, and it will be a great honour to present them with their Kingโs Award for Enterprise over the coming months. They are all truly outstanding representatives of Surrey business, leading the way in technological development and thoroughly deserving this recognition.”
King’s Awards for Enterprise – 2025 Surrey winners
Gordon Murray Group โ Innovation
Gordon Murray Group is an iconic Surrey-based firm, renowned around the world for exclusive lightweight supercars.
The King’s Award for Innovation is for the T.50. This is the lightest, best packaged, least environmentally impactful, highest revving, and best driving supercar globally.
Professor Gordon Murray CBE, founder and executive chairman of Gordon Murray Group, said: โAs a proud British business, it is such an immense honour for the team at Gordon Murray Group to receive The Kingโs Award for Enterprise.
โThe fact that the award specifically recognises innovation is a source of great pride as we aspire to deliver Driving Perfection through our innovative, highly exclusive supercars. ย
โIt is through the collective skills and creative minds of our entire team that we have built a brand that is recognised around the world as the pinnacle of automotive engineering excellence.
โWe will wear our Kingโs Award with pride, using it as yet more motivation to strive for ever higher levels of innovation in the unique supercars we create.โย
RENOURISH Limited โ Innovation
Renourish Limited was established in 2019 in Surrey. It is the worldโs first fresh soup in a microwaveable, fully recyclable, grab-and-go bottle.
The founder is a former critical care nurse and nutritional therapist. It makes soups from 100% fresh ingredients, with no additives or preservatives.
Designed for busy health-conscious consumers, the soup can be heated and consumed directly from the bottle. At its core is RE:NOURISHโs patented soup bottle, which is a global first.
It combines hot-fill compatibility, blast-chill durability, BPA-free microwave safety, and thermal insulation that keeps soup warm for 40 minutes. No other bottle globally meets these combined demands.
As a result, this innovative packaging is protected by international patents and design registered intellectual property.
Guildford-based RE:NOURISH is not only shaking up the UKโs fresh soup market. It is gaining international recognition as a disruptive force in the global health food sector.
Sirius Constellation Limited โ Innovation
Sirius, which is based near Godalming, is a highly entrepreneurial SME that has developed and deployed next generation maritime domain awareness technology. This promotes and enhances security, safety and sustainability at sea in the UK and in overseas markets.
Siriusโs technology provides maritime authorities with real-time information and autonomous alerts about unusual or suspicious activity at sea. It supports their work tackling modern maritime challenges across defence, environmental damage, illegal fishing, and security.
Malcolm Glaister, Chief Executive Officer of Sirius Insight, said:“It is the greatest possible honour to receive a Kingโs Award for Enterprise. This is a proud day for Sirius Insight and a marvellous accolade for the business and the journey that Sirius Insight has been on since we set up the Company in 2016.
“It is a wonderful tribute to the brilliant and tireless work of our amazing team, and our clients in the UK and overseas whose support and custom have played such a pivotal role in making Sirius the world-class AI maritime surveillance technology business that it has become today, recognised in markets around the world.”
Penta Consulting Limited โ International Trade
Penta Consulting is an Epsom based business. It is a global leader in delivering Technology Resource Solutions across the Information Communication Technology sector.
Penta’s unwavering focus on nurturing its workforce organically has been a cornerstone of its success.
By prioritising local recruitment, comprehensive training, and professional development the “Penta way,” the company boasts an impressive average tenure, defying industry norms.
In 2024, it was ranked among the top 60 UK Technology companies.
Stanhope-Seta Limited โ International Trade
Stanhope-Seta’s King’s Award for Enterprise 2025 is the fifth time it has received the honour. It follows previous Queenโsย Awards for International Trade in 2012 and 2022, and Innovation in 2014 andย 2019.
The manufacturing company in Chertsey creates laboratory quality control instruments across a range of applications. This ranges from jet fuel to lipstick.
Giles Verity, director and owner, said: โReceiving the Kingโs Award is a tremendousย honour and a testament to our teamโs passion, commitment and technical excellence. ย
“The Kings Awards celebrate the very best in British companies. They are internationallyย recognized as a trusted symbol of excellence worldwide. ย We continue to fly the flag for British manufacturing and innovation.”
Denbies Wine Estate Ltd โย Sustainable Development
Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking is one of Englandโs largest single estate vineyards. The estate, independently owned and run, comprises of 380 acres with 265 acres currently under vine. It has a production capacity of 1 million bottles. The first vines were planted on the estate in 1986.
The owner for the last 20 years is Christopher White.ย Under his leadership, Denbies has become one of the largest and most successful wineries in England.
It has been recognised for being a leading light in sustainable and ethical wine tourism. It is also the first vineyard in UK to be certified UKCCC Net Zero.
What are the Kingโs Awards for Enterprise?
The Kingโs Awards for Enterprise were previously known as The Queenโs Awards for Enterprise.
The awards are now in its 59th year. And it has awarded over 8,000 companies since its inception in 1965.ย The awards are valid for 5 years.
Almost all UK businesses can apply, and the application process is free and straightforward.
If you get an award youโll be:
invited to a Royal reception
presented with the award at your company by one of The Kingโs representatives, a Lord-Lieutenant
able to fly The Kingโs Awards flag at your main office, and use the emblem on your marketing materials
given a Grant of Appointment (an official certificate) and commemorative crystal trophy
Organisations that got an award have reported benefiting from:
Interested in applying to the Surrey Economic Growth Fund? A webinar providing top tips to support your bid is now available to watch.
Businesses, employer representative groups and partner organisations are all invited to apply for investment from the new Economic Growth Fund.
Up to ยฃ7 million is available for this financial year. Grants will be awarded to those demonstrating how they will boost economic outcomes for the people, places and businesses of the county.
More than 110 people attended the Economic Growth Fund webinar held today (8 May, 2025).
Applications for the first round are now open, closing at the end of May. Apply via the formย on the Business Surrey website.
Watch the Economic Growth Fund webinar
Watch the webinar in full by clicking on the play button below.
Business Growth Grantsย support companies of all sizes to scale up and create jobs. Match funding of between ยฃ10,000 and ยฃ50,000, covering 50% of project costsย is available.
Theย Innovation Spaces Fundย focuses on physical infrastructure, such as training hubs, collaborative workspaces, and testing facilities. Minimum bid of ยฃ50,000.
Theย Future Surrey Fundย is open to anyone, including partners โ such as employer representative groups, local authorities, research institutions and schools. Applications should focus on innovative ideas that can scale while delivering economic impact in Surrey.
To apply, youโll need to demonstrate how your bid delivers against the three priorities in the refreshed economic strategy. These are workforce and skills; business growth; and economic infrastructure in Surreyโs communities.
Thereโs a two step process for all three areas, starting with an expression of interest.
