In 2006 Her Majesty The Queen, graciously conferred her award for Enterprise Promotion upon Derek Browne, the CEO of Entrepreneurs in Action.
In 2003 Derek Browne gave up a lucrative career in the City to launch Entrepreneurs in Action, an organisation aimed at teaching young people about the approach needed for entrepreneurial success. His aim has been to develop a new generation of entrepreneurs who, irrespective of their background, can build a secure future through enterprise.
Derek has worked with a range of partners in industry and education to give young people, including those at risk of exclusion, the opportunity to gain experience of real-life business challenges. Following the success of EiA and the impact his programmes have had on the lives of many young people, Derek was awarded The Queens Award for Enterprise.
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion (QAEP) celebrates and recognises the activities of individuals who have played an outstanding and significant role in promoting enterprise skills and attitudes in others in the UK. Encouraging or facilitating the sort of skills and attitudes found in an enterprise environment, whether in a commercial business or a social enterprise, is the essence of ‘Enterprise Promotion’.