APPG Hosts King’s Award for Enterprise Outreach Event in Leeds
12 May 2026
Following the success of its Parliamentary Outreach event in London in April, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Ethnic Minority Business Owners hosted an event in Leeds in collaboration with the King’s Award for Enterprise Office at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST). The regional outreach reception and afternoon tea in Leeds was chaired by Dr Rupa Huq MP, Chair of the APPG. The event brought together a diverse range of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic business owners from Yorkshire and across the wider northern region to learn more about the King’s Award for Enterprise and opportunities for national recognition.
Previous King’s Award recipients Katharine Barnett of Fuel Storage Solutions, Ashley Bolser, Founder and CEO of Bolser Digital Agency, and Jay Shen of Transreport shared their experiences of winning the Award and the benefits for their businesses.
Barney Mynott of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) also addressed the reception, highlighting the FSB's strategy for supporting Ethnic Minority Business Owners and a wider recognition of their contribution to economic growth.
Representatives of the King’s Award for Enterprise Office provided guidance on the Award and application process, generating considerable interest among participants, many of whom expressed an interest in applying.
Supporting Inclusive Enterprise and Recognition
The London and Leeds events reflect the APPG's commitment to widening participation in national business recognition programmes, removing barriers and opening up opportunities for Ethnic Minority Business Owners to showcase their achievements and contribute to UK economic growth.
The APPG extends its appreciation to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST), the King’s Award for Enterprise Office, Womble Bond Dickinson, the Federation of Small Businesses, Karl Oxford and Dionne Edwards for their support and contributions to the success of the Leeds event.
Related article: The Leeds reception followed the APPG's Parliamentary Outreach Breakfast, held at the House of Commons on 30 April 2026.
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