Oxfordshire anti-virus developer praised for exceptional
innovation and international trade
Sophos, a world leader in corporate anti-virus protection, has
today been awarded two prestigious Queen's Awards for Enterprise,
the UK's top awards for business performance. The Oxfordshire-based
company has been rewarded for both its technical excellence and
business acumen by receiving awards in two separate categories -
'Innovation' and 'International Trade'.
"Everyone at Sophos is thrilled to receive not one but two of
the Queen's Awards for Enterprise," said Peter Lammer, co-founder
and CEO at Sophos Anti-Virus. "It is immensely satisfying to be
recognised for our technical innovation as well as our business
performance. It shows that all parts of the company are working
well together."
In the category of International Trade, the Queen's Award for
Enterprise has been awarded for Sophos's outstanding achievement in
increasing overseas earnings. During the past three years, the
company's earnings from international trade have increased by 168%
to more than £11 million. The judges also praised Sophos's
successful establishment of subsidiary companies in the USA,
Germany, Australia, France, Singapore, Italy and Japan.
In the category of Innovation, the judges chose Sophos for its
achievement in continuously developing and updating anti-virus
software specifically designed to protect business networks from
malicious attack.
This double achievement follows an outstanding year for Sophos.
During the period ending March 2001, Sophos's turnover grew 54% ,
more than double the average anti-virus industry growth rate*. In
December 2001, Sophos was also named Company of the Year
at the CBI's annual Growing Business Awards. Continuing this
growth, the company is currently constructing a new £32 million
high-security research and development centre at its headquarters
in Abingdon.
Today's award winners have been announced to mark Her Majesty
The Queen's birthday. Sophos's two awards will be formally
conferred later in the year and representatives of the company have
been invited to attend a reception at the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) in the presence of His Royal Highness The Duke of
York.
* IDC Research's "Worldwide Anti-virus Software Market Forecast
and Analysis, 2001-2005" estimated the anti-virus industry grew at
24% for the period 1999/2000.
You can read more about the Queen's Awards for Enterprise at
www.queensawards.org.uk.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.