So what is meant by 'Continuous Improvement' and how does this relate to 'Business Excellence'..?

Terms such as continuous 'improvement' have only really recently come to prominence over the past 10 years or so, and some are closely associated with the Excellence Model itself.

Whereas the term 'Quality' did not really imply any particular level of service or output, and indeed could just as well apply to mediocre quality, continuous improvement, as the term suggests, implies a continuing cycle of improvement, as in fact was the intention of Deming's PDCA cycle, with objectives or targets being continually set, reviewed and raised as a means of attaining 'excellence'.