Outstanding growth recognised
Electricals retailer DSG has been awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise, for outstanding growth in international trade. The award is viewed as the UK's highest accolade for business-related success.

DSG group chief executive John Clare said: 'To win this award is a great achievement and marks a period in our business in which we have generated unprecedented international growth. Six years ago, we were a UK retailer with four chains - now we are Europe's leading specialist electricals retailing group and we continue to grow organically and through acquisition. No other retailer can match this track record of success.'

The retailer operates under numerous fascias and has more than 1,450 stores across Europe.

CBI director-general Sir Digby Jones said: 'The Queen's Awards have been a benchmark of success for 40 years, helping thousands of firms to open up new markets, improve sales, enhance the commercial value of products and services, and boost staff morale and motivation.'

Winners of the award are invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace and can use the Queen's emblem for five years.

Earlier this month, DSG announced it intends to acquire a controlling 75 per cent share in European electricals retailer Fotovista, which owns Pixmania, a leading European online retailer of digital photographic and consumer electronic products.