A pharmaceutical company which has the largest legal cannabis farm in Kent and a firm specialising in email security based in Kings Hill have been named as winners of the Queen's Awards for Enterprise.

GW Pharmaceuticals, which conducts extensive research into cannabis at its base on Kent Science Park near Sittingbourne, and Spambrella, which operates in West Malling both were named among 205 winners in this year's prestigious list.

Spambrella specialises in helping firms tackle issues such as malware and ransomware as well as encryption and archiving. It won for international trade.

GW Pharmaceuticals won for innovation.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “The past year has been a tough time for many businesses across the UK, which is why it is more important than ever to celebrate the achievements of our wealth creators and recognise the contributions they make to our communities.

“In the last 12 months, British businesses showed the entrepreneurial spirit that this country is renowned for, continuing to drive social mobility, find new markets to export to and produce innovative products and services.

“I congratulate this year’s winners and I wish every business that applied for an award this year every success in the future as we build back better from the pandemic.”

First awarded in 1966, the winners are permitted to fly the Queen's Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on marketing materials for five years. Winners also picked up a certificate and trophy.

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