Promoting Opportunity (Through Social Mobility)
Sustainability
Innovation
International Trade
Award Holders 2022 - 2025
We tender the loyal greetings of all King’s Awards recipients to His Majesty The King
Proud Recipients of the King’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2026.
At IDEM Safety Switches, we are committed to delivering the highest standards of quality, reliability and innovation in machine safety. Every product we design and manufacture reflects our dedication to protecting people, improving safety and providing solutions that industries around the world can trust. Specialists in machine safety products and solutions.
Winners of Four Royal Awards for International Trade and Innovation:
info@idemsafety.com www.idemsafety.com +44 (0)1942 257070 All products are designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom and distributed worldwide.
It is our pleasure to bring you this, the 2026 edition of The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine. We are delighted to extend our congratulations to every company honoured in the 2026 Awards. You have demonstrated excellence in the fields of International Trade, Innovation, Sustainability (formerly the Sustainable Development category), and Promoting Social Mobility on a global stage, and now join an elite list of King’s Award winners – and we salute your incredible achievements. This year, we also bring exciting news of the launch of a new award category, ‘Young Founder’. As we join our monarch in marking another year of challenges on the global stage, it is especially poignant to celebrate Britain’s best companies: those businesses, large and small, that lead the world in a number of fields. The King’s Awards continue to constitute the highest honour to be bestowed on a UK company, and are increasingly relevant in this fast-changing, highly competitive landscape where businesses of today need to be ever more resourceful. Any business carrying the King’s Awards logo receives a warm welcome internationally, and the relevance of the Awards has never been clearer. It was the late Duke of Edinburgh who helped launch the Awards in 1966, and we at The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine, as well as the hundreds of companies who’ve experienced the honour of receiving an Award since then, would like to mark the late Duke of Edinburgh’s contribution and recognise his, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s and The King’s steadfast support for the awards. We wish all of this year’s King’s Award holders continued success. Richard Stoppard Chief Executive Officer Nexus Media Events CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME
4 Letters of acknowledgement for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 6 About the King’s Awards for Enterprise 7 A breakdown of King’s Awards recipients 2026 8 The benefits of winning an award 10 The category icon holders 12 The King’s Awards Reception 2025 14 Interview with the Lord-Lieutenant 16 Sustainability: Celebrating a holistic approach 18 Calling all Young Entrepreneurs 20 Opening the door to excellence 24 Meet the judges behind the awards 47 International Trade category award recipients 83 Innovation category award recipients 107 Promoting Opportunity(Through Social Mobility) category award recipients 121 Sustainability category award recipients 131 Award holders 2022 - 2025 142 Index of contributors
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The King’s Awards for Enterprise Magazine would like to thank The King’s Awards Office and all of the businesses awarded in 2026, who have kindly given their assistance in the preparation of this magazine.
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I am delighted to send this message to the winners of The 2026 King’s Awards for Enterprise.
You are all a testament to your outstanding achievements in businesses and organisations across the UK. your innovative achievements, your dedication to global commerce, your focus on sustainable development, and your initiatives to foster opportunity through social mobility are outstanding. The recognition bestowed by The King’s Awards for Enterprise celebrates not only individual accomplishments, but also the collective impact these enterprises have on economic growth and society at large. You all exemplify what it means to strive for distinction, setting a benchmark for others and inspiring positive change within your industries and communities. These awards both acknowledge the remarkable journey each of you has been on and encourage others to pursue meaningful contributions to society.
Please accept my sincere congratulations to every one of you.
Sir Keir Starmer The Prime Minister
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I would like to recognise and congratulate this year’s recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise. Their success is a powerful testament to the skill, commitment and leadership found across UK business, particularly at a time of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. This year, the Institute is reflecting on the role of business as a force for good in society. The accomplishments of this year’s winners bring this principle to life. These organisations show that commercial achievement and positive societal impact are not competing objectives. Through good governance, responsible decision-making, and the way they conduct business every day, they contribute not only to economic growth and innovation, but also to employment, skills and local communities. Under our Royal Charter, the Institute remains committed to supporting entrepreneurs and business leaders who contribute to a thriving economy. We are therefore proud to continue our support for The King’s Awards for Enterprise.
I commend this year’s winners and wish them every success as they build on this well‑deserved recognition.
John Browett Chair of the Institute of Directors
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The King’s Awards FOR ENTERPRISE
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are considered the UK’s most prestigious business awards, designed to acknowledge and encourage outstanding achievements demonstrated by British businesses. Instituted by Royal Warrant in 1965, and first awarded in 1966, the Awards’ format has evolved to encompass four categories: International Trade, Innovation, Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility) and, newly renamed for this year, Sustainability. In the past, individuals have been recognised within the King’s Awards for Enterprise but, as of 2017, this individual award was rested. His Majesty The King makes the awards on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an advisory committee, including representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions. The King’s Awards for Enterprise are free to enter and you may apply for more than one award. Organisations of any size operating regularly as a business unit in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and which meet the criteria, may enter. The Awards are made to businesses as a whole rather than to individuals. Applicants who are unsuccessful receive feedback about their strengths and are offered guidance about how to improve their entry for future applications. Presentation ceremonies are conducted at each winner’s premises, usually by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County, who is the designated representative of His Majesty The King. The Awards consist of a Grant of Appointment and a commemorative crystal bowl. Successful organisations may
fly the King’s Award flag at their principal premises and are entitled to use the emblem on marketing materials, such as on packaging, advertisements, stationery and websites. This information was correct at the time of going to press. For the latest information visit www.gov.uk/kings-awards- for-enterprise
THE KING’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE: ELIGIBILITY To apply for a King’s Award for Enterprise your
organisation must meet the following minimum criteria: Be based in the UK (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man); File its Company Tax Returns with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC); Be a self-contained enterprise that markets its own products or services and is under its own management; Have at least two full-time UK employees or part-time equivalents; and Demonstrate strong corporate social responsibility. Your organisation may be a business or non-profit. Each Award has additional entry criteria, which can be found at the start of each relevant section in this magazine as well as on the website www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise/eligibility
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Entries for The King’s Awards for Enterprise come from all corners of the UK including the outlying islands. The companies’ activities, however, are international with many businesses exporting and negotiating with countless countries around the world. King’s Awards winners 2026: a breakdown
STATISTICS
The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026 Total number of awarded businesses: 89 % of 2026 winners are SMEs 13 % are micro-businesses with 10 employees or less The graphic shows the distribution of these 2026 Award recipients across the United Kingdom. 184
2026 Awards by category The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026 include: 75 awards for International Trade 52 awards for Innovation 36 awards for Sustainability 22 awards for Promoting Opportunity 1 business was recognised for two awards: Tailfin Ltd
SCOTLAND Winners 8
NORTH EAST Winners 5
NORTHERN IRELAND Winners 1
YORKSHIRE & THE HUMBER Winners 14
NORTH WEST Winners 20
EAST Winners 23
WEST MIDLANDS Winners 16
EAST MIDLANDS Winners 14 16
WALES Winners 7
GREATER LONDON Winners 34
SOUTH EAST Winners 24
SOUTH WEST Winners 17
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A QUEEN’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE The benefits of being awarded… A KING’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE
Why the King’s Awards for Enterprise really matter: What motivates a company to enter the King’s Awards? The answers to this question are many and varied, but one thing is certain: companies have everything to gain by entering, and nothing to lose. The King’s Awards for Enterprise are widely considered the highest accolade to be bestowed upon a UK business, celebrating the British companies that have showed outstanding achievement in trade, innovation, promoting opportunity through social mobility, and sustainability. Put simply, winning an Award puts British companies on a pedestal; it celebrates their achievements, in a multitude of sectors, and showcases their innovations, ideas and achievements to a global audience. The King’s Awards are hugely respected, both at home and overseas, and winning has been proven to give companies a winning edge over their competitors, in addition to offering the ideal introduction to new customers. Becoming an elite King’s Awards winner also provides unlimited marketing potential across digital and print platforms, both at local and national level. However, it’s not all about winning. Simply entering and becoming a part of the King’s Awards journey is hugely valuable. If success doesn’t happen on the first attempt, lessons will have been learned during the application process, new targets set, and additional focus given to how the company can come back even bigger and better the following year, on a quest to become a worthy future winner – and one of the best British companies in its field.
Over the past 60 years, since the Awards’ launch in 1965, entrants have come from all around the UK, from city-based centres of commerce to remote locations in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. The majority of winning companies have fewer than 250 employees, but larger companies have also clinched this most prestigious of accolades. Entering the King’s Awards: In order to enter, your company must have at least two full-time employees. There is a straightforward online entry process. How long this takes to complete will understandably vary according to the type of company and its products, and how readily available the required data is. Your chances of success – and the accolades associated with this – are high. On average, a quarter of those entering succeed in gaining a King’s Award. Of course, any award is only as good as the employees who have worked hard to achieve it, and this recognition is the ultimate morale booster. Each winning company receives a formal presentation by The King’s representative (often the county’s Lord-Lieutenant) at the company’s premises or another suitable location; some examples of these presentations can be seen in later pages of this publication.
Be celebrated in print and online
In an exclusive promotional opportunity, available only to King’s Awards winners, companies are offered the chance to appear in the publication you are reading now, the notable King’s Awards For Enterprise Magazine, and its accompanying website.
This high quality publication is independently published, acting as a who’s who of the business world’s greatest innovators. It is distributed to a prestigious mailing list of recipients, both in the UK and internationally.
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Presentations and Celebrations
2M Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, Lady Redmond presenting Dr Maggie Kessler OBE, Co-Owner and Business Export Director of 2M Group of Companies with CEO, Chair and founder of 2M Group of Companies, Mottie Kessler OBE with the 2025 King's Award for Enterprise.
Abacus Flooring
Abacus Flooring chose a location that dates back to 1802, Whatton House hosted the Kings Award celebration attended by over 120 people, including staff, families, customers, suppliers, charities, civic leaders to name a few. The whole day, which included Afternoon Tea, being quintessentially British. Pictured L-R: Mike Kapur Lord Lieutenant; Nick Megson, MD Abacus Flooring Solutions; Amanda Megson Company Secretary, Abacus Flooring Solutions; Mayor and Mayoress of Charnwood and Ian Borley, Deputy Lieutenant.
Airpure Robert Keeling (Managing Director) and Alex Hobson (Operations Director) of AirPure International Limited, an air care and home fragrance company, being formally presented with the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, representing His Majesty the King, also joined by the Mayor of Bury.
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CATEGORY ICONS
THE CATEGORY ICON HOLDERS
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Sandea Wholesale Ltd Sandea Wholesale Ltd is a dynamic and fast- growing distributor of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), OTC products, cosmetics, and toiletries, dedicated to simplifying supply chains and supporting retail success. Established in 2019, the company has rapidly expanded across multiple markets, building a reputation as a trusted partner for over 120 leading brands across 15+ regions. Driven by its core values of transparency, integrity, service, and excellence, Sandea focuses on delivering high-quality products while maintaining exceptional client service. Its diverse portfolio spans food and beverages, personal care, skincare, and pharmaceutical products, ensuring customers have reliable access to essential goods. IDEM Setting the Standard in Machine Safety Switch Products Founded in 2003, IDEM Safety Switches Ltd has grown to become one of the world’s leading safety switch manufacturers. Now celebrating its fourth King’s Award, IDEM designs and manufactures machine safety products that save lives and improve productivity. Each product has been engineered with the customer in mind, ensuring long-term reliability, even in the harshest of environments. As a designer of safety switches and interlocks, IDEM specialises in products for food and beverage, pharmaceutical, packaging, mining and automotive industries – including explosive environment applications and factory/
Sandea’s growth is underpinned by innovation, strong supplier relationships, and a commitment to operational efficiency, with notable improvements in order processing and customer satisfaction. The company has also demonstrated leadership in sustainability by reducing its carbon footprint and adopting eco- friendly practices. With ambitious expansion plans, including new product lines, retail formats, and international market entry, Sandea continues to position itself as a forward-thinking leader in the wholesale sector. Its mission remains clear: to deliver value, reliability, and growth for its partners while meeting evolving consumer demands. Read more on p75. warehouse automation (among others). It is proud to produce the world’s largest range of stainless-steel safety devices, including IP69K and EHEDG hygiene-compliant products designed for the most challenging environments. IDEM Safety operates throughout the world, providing its customers with reliable and cost-effective machine safety solutions. Its experienced team of engineers ensure all products meet the latest international safety standards and are independently tested by TUV and cULus. Read more on p98. Featured Idem’s MLZ-M RFID Interlock is the strongest narrow format solenoid controlled interlock available in the world today and is an example of Idem’s winning 2026 KAE: Innovation award
INNOVATION
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PROMOTING OPPORTUNITY (THROUGH SOCIAL MOBILITY)
The Wiggett Group Founded in 2015, The Wiggett Group has grown from a small family-run electrical business into a nationwide compliance and maintenance specialist serving housing associations and local authorities across the UK. Today, the business employs more than 190 people and delivers electrical, fire and security testing, inspection, maintenance and installation services to over 578,000 homes. At the heart of the company is a commitment to creating opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds and supporting the communities it serves. Established by CEO Reece Wiggett, who grew up in social housing, the business has embedded social mobility and Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) is a world- leading performing arts centre based in Cardiff Bay. Opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 2004, it is an internationally recognised, iconic venue. It houses the 1,900-seat Donald Gordon Theatre, alongside a 250-seat studio theatre, recital hall, dance house, cafés, cabaret venue, community workspace and immersive experience facility. It is a cultural campus, home to eight diverse arts organisations. Its sustainability strategy is shaped by the Board of Trustees, and the CEO and every member of staff plays a vital role. As a home for the arts in Wales, the WMC
social value into its culture from day one. Through the Wiggett Academy apprenticeship programme, more than 45 apprentices have been trained, with many progressing into long- term careers and leadership roles within the company. The business also works closely with schools, colleges and community organisations to provide work placements, careers advice and employment opportunities. Alongside its technical services, The Wiggett Group has contributed more than £2.7 million through charitable giving, fundraising and community initiatives, supporting causes ranging from youth programmes and food banks to environmental improvement projects and cancer charities. Read more on p119. plays an influential role in culture, welcoming more than 1.8 million guests every year. It generates £75 million per annum for the Welsh economy. The WMC aims to ‘inspire the nation, impress the world’ by welcoming world-class West End shows, making its own compelling productions and engaging in diverse community engagement and educational projects. Audiences and communities are at the heart of its mission and, as a registered charity, it runs an expansive programme of free and participatory activity to enable everyone, regardless of age, background or income to experience the arts. Read more on p128. closely with end users to design solutions for modern firefighting challenges, from high-rise incidents and wildfires to emerging risks such as electric vehicle and battery fires. This has led to the creation of advanced nozzle technologies and flow engineering foam equipment that deliver greater performance while reducing environmental impact, including with the new environmentally friendly PFAS free foams. Sustainability is embedded throughout our operations, from product design and material selection to energy generation and resource efficiency. By combining engineering excellence with environmental responsibility, Delta Fire continues to support those on the front-line protecting lives, critical infrastructure and the planet. Read more on p135.
SUSTAINABILITY
AWARD HOLDERS 2022 - 2025
Delta Fire Delta Fire is a UK-based designer and
manufacturer of front-line firefighting equipment, proud to be recognised as a double recipient of the King’s Awards for Enterprise in 2025 for both Innovation and Sustainable Development. At the heart of the business is a simple belief: we are as passionate about sustainability as we are about keeping people safe from fire. From our purpose-built, net zero energy use manufacturing facility in Norfolk, we develop high-performance active fire suppression products used by emergency services, defence organisations and industrial sectors across the UK and internationally. Innovation is central to everything we do. Our in-house research and development team works
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The King’s Awards for Enterprise Royal Reception 2025
Last summer saw King’s Awards recipients from across the UK gather at The King’s Awards for Enterprise Royal Reception, which was held at Windsor Castle on June 12, 2025. Graciously hosted by King Charles III, His Majesty was accompanied by members of the Royal Family, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. This glittering occasion is an annual affair, giving awarded companies the chance to mark their achievements within the walls of one of the world’s most famous castles. During last year’s reception, His Majesty met a diverse group of winners from across Britain, all of whom are leaders in their fields. Overall, there were 199 Awards in 2025, with 162 companies receiving them across two categories: International Trade and Innovation. The largest category was for those who attained awards in International Trade, where 116 Awards were given out, followed by 46 for Innovation. The smaller categories of Sustainable Development (now Sustainability) and Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility had 27 and 10 winners respectively.
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HM Lord Lieutenant of Surrey
Interview with Mr Michael More-Molyneux CVO
The King’s Award has been around since 1966. Do you remember when you personally first became aware of the scheme? I first became aware of the scheme several years before I became Lord-Lieutenant in 2015. However, it was not until I came into office that I began to understand its objectives, purpose, and the very considerable effect on a company, achieving the Award. Can you give us an overview of what the Lord- Lieutenant’s role is within The King’s Award scheme exactly? Lord-Lieutenants and their Deputies are expected to promote the importance, significance and value of the KAE. In order to make businesses aware of the significance of the KAE, the Surrey Lieutenancy has hosted breakfast meetings for business leaders, including past winners of the Award. These have been held at prestigious venues such as Maclaren and the RAC Club in Surrey. We have been most fortunate to have had a well-known bank supporting the breakfasts. Remembering that some 90 per cent of the annual winners fall into the category of small and medium-sized businesses, we have also been fortunate to have the support of Surrey University in supporting promotional meetings and seminars. We are very aware that more companies need to be educated in the value of receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise. The presentation of any National Honour to any individual or charity, is a huge privilege. The King’s Award for Enterprise is no exception. One of the great values of the Award is that every member of staff, can take their own personal pride for the company’s achievement.
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The Awards themselves have changed and evolved over the years. Do you think there is anything that remains integral to them, some common values perhaps? The Award has never been easy to achieve. The King’s Award for Enterprise is considered the highest accolade to be bestowed upon a UK business [so] it is essential that the judges continue to set a high bar for a winning result. A member of the 2025 judging panel remarked that ‘in a world where we are drowning in data and comments, a King’s Award cuts through a lot of noise and is a signal that you are serious and good’. What would you say is the biggest difference between the Britain of 1966 – when the Awards began – and the Britain of 2026? Would you say that the landscape of the UK, as a place to work in, has changed drastically over the past 50+ years? The pace of change, which is constantly accelerating, must be one of the major differences that businesses have experienced over the last 50 years. Nearly every element of our society, government, workplace and product development has had to develop in order to keep abreast of market requirements. Sustainability, environmental policies and AI are three examples which have changed and are changing modern thinking. Many of the companies that win an Award consider it the most prestigious accolade a business can receive. Do you think this has always been the case, or have the Awards become more important over time? As awareness of the Award has grown, they have as a result become more important. The addition of two new successful Award categories over the last few year: Sustainable Development
and Promoting Opportunity, keep the Awards appropriate to the changing face of business.
Historically we have had multi Award-winning companies. Stanhope Seta have won five awards, underlining the significance the company put on the Award. How do you think the King’s Award is regarded overseas? Do you think having an Award gives a company more clout when trading internationally? I was informed by a company some years ago that the fact they had achieved a King’s Award for Enterprise, unlocked the door into China. Her Late Majesty, and King Charles III, are highly respected and revered throughout the world. The British flag reflects the quality of the product, and as a result it can provide nothing but additional sales, marketing and status to its product. How do you see the King’s Award developing in the future? I hope very much that the excellent work of the King’s Award office in supporting entries of companies and its marketing of the KAE, can be further developed going forward. I am sure that with the changes in our business landscape, in the future, we will see awards developed to keep astride of progress and change. I am sure that the newest King’s Award for Enterprise – Young Founder – will encourage a new group of companies to engage with the KAE. Do you think the scheme will still be going strong when Prince George ascends to the throne? I am certain that the Awards will develop with every decade. I hope that they will become even stronger in the future and certainly by the time Prince George ascends to the throne.
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NEW CATEGORY TITLE: SUSTAINABILITY
CELEBRATING A HOLISTIC APPROACH
The Lost Gardens of Heligan - King's Awards 2025 Sustainable Development Winner
The King’s Awards for Enterprise continues to evolve in step with modern business realities. In 2026, the transition from ‘Sustainable Development’ to ‘Sustainability’ reflects a clearer expectation that organisations demonstrate an integrated, organisation-wide approach to responsible growth.
Sustainability is no longer confined to a product or initiative. It is embedded across operations, workforce culture, supply chains and stakeholder engagement. The category recognises businesses delivering measurable environmental, social and economic value through a coherent strategy. As a long-standing judge, Will Tyler brings over three decades of experience in construction
and complex project delivery, with a focus on modular innovation and practical outcomes. Today, through Privateer, co-founded by Steve Wozniak, he leads strategic government engagement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, focused on delivering tangible outcomes across major national entities. With Privateer’s pivot toward space-enabled technologies and data, his work centres on embedding sustainability into delivery models, aligning commercial structures and execution with environmental performance, resource efficiency and long-term societal value. Reflecting on the Awards, Will notes: “The strongest applications are those where sustainability is embedded into the operating model of the business. It is a consistent thread running through decision-making, innovation and delivery.” He adds: “Often it is the accumulation of smaller, well-executed initiatives that together create meaningful and measurable impact.” Fellow judge Jon Saltmarsh highlights the broader impact: “Seeing the passion, energy and ingenuity behind many of the shortlisted applications is hugely uplifting and helps
restore my belief that we can overcome the challenges of delivering net zero.” For organisations considering an application, two priorities stand out. First, ensure claims are evidence-based, with clear measurable outcomes supported by data or credible benchmarks. Second, present a coherent narrative showing how sustainability is embedded across governance, employees, innovation and community engagement. As Jon Saltmarsh advises: “Be honest with yourself when assessing your business and ensure you can evidence that your achievements are truly outstanding.” The revised ‘Sustainability’ category reflects a shift in expectations. Businesses are judged not only on what they produce, but on how they operate and the value they create over time. The Awards recognise organisations leading by example and setting the benchmark for excellence in sustainable and responsible business.
Will Tyler, King's Awards 2026 Sustainability Judge
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Above and beyond Previous winners in this category include The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, a historic garden that has become a beacon for regenerative practices and restoration. Lost to the brambles of time following the outbreak of the First World War, Heligan was ‘rescued’ in 1990, eventually becoming Europe’s largest garden restoration project. Two years ago, in 2024, it became the first garden visitor attraction in the UK to achieve B Corp status, and the estate is managed to optimise biodiversity and accommodate the reintroduction of wildlife. Its 200 acres are a paradise for plant lovers, making it one of the most popular attractions in the South West. Also enjoying success in the sustainability stakes last year was the English Tea Shop (UK) Ltd, an award-winning B Corp-certified organic tea company, which was launched in 2010 and is now present in more than 60 countries. It delivers sustainably sourced teas that reflect its deep-rooted commitment to people and the planet; its success and pioneering spirit based on forging direct relationships with small-scale farmers, bypassing the traditional auction system. This bold move originally stemmed from a belief that true sustainability must begin at the source – by empowering producers and ensuring they are fairly rewarded.
A past winner in the category – 2024 King’s Awards holder Unity Trust Bank – was founded in the 1980s to ‘serve the common good’, its mission simple: to be the bank of choice for all socially-minded organisations within the UK, and help its customers make a positive difference in local communities. In an interview in the 2025 King’s Awards Magazine, Colin Fyfe, CEO of Unity Trust Bank,
said: “Everyone connected with Unity felt a huge sense of pride that their hard work, passion and commitment to sustainable business practices had been acknowledged in this way. “Being the holder of a King’s Award also sends a very positive message to future employees that this is an authentic organisation that truly lives by its values.”
“In this category the successful applicants go so far beyond expectations you feel genuinely proud to be associated with their activities through the Award”
2026 Sustainability Judge, Will Tyler
English Tea Shop (UK) Ltd - King's Awards 2025 Sustainable Development Winner
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NEW FOR 2026
CALLING ALL YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
The new King’s Awards for Enterprise – Young Founder category launches this year, celebrating exceptional entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30.
This year sees a rare first for The King’s Awards as a new category is launched in a bid to develop, support and acknowledge the next generation of business leaders. The Young Founder Award has been created to recognise exceptional entrepreneurs who are aged 18 to 30, celebrate their achievements, and showcase their entrepreneurial spirit and business skills. It will serve to both reward those who have shown exceptional insight, and inspire other young people to follow suit as the United Kingdom strengthens its commitment to develop and reward innovation, and support those looking to launch a new business. The category has been designed to shift the focus beyond youth itself – emphasising business excellence, community impact, and validated commercial performance, rather
than personal background or privilege. Anyone who has launched a business and experienced success, in any field, is eligible to apply, whether they left school with few qualifications or achieved a first at university. Indeed, the new Award has been specifically designed to encourage young people to see entrepreneurship as a viable and attractive career path, and support a long term government push to bring entrepreneurial skills into the national curriculum, enabling school leavers to start businesses sooner. It will showcase stories of resilience and adversity, triumph and hardship, and has been launched as part of the Department for Business and Trade’s Small Business Plan in a bid to champion achievements and support business growth.
The Award is aimed at… • Young business founders aged 18 to 30 at the time the Award is granted (6 May 2027). • Those who may have started a business even earlier in life, but are now operating at a strong, demonstrable level. • Entrepreneurs who show that young people can achieve a meaningful commercial and community impact. • The Award will recognise the business as a whole, with a specific focus on the young founder or CEO who drives it. • The new Young Founder category is now open for applications, alongside the existing four categories. The first recipients will be announced on 6 May 2027.
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To qualify for the Young Founder category, businesses must:
Additionally, applicants for the Young Founder category must:
2. Driving Growth & Industry Influence: business performance over the past one to two years, and any recognition as a thought leader. 3. Leading & Inspiring: the company’s long- term vision and how it is implemented; mentoring or ecosystem contributions. 4. Strategic Resilience: examples of challenges faced and how the business adapted. 5. Customer Value: how customer satisfaction is measured and used to improve products or services.
• Be based in the UK, including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
• Show evidence of commercial success or growth potential, such as a turnover of £250K, or external funding (i.e. investments, loans, grants) totalling £500K. • The founder must be aged 18 to 30 at the time the Award is granted (6 May 2027), and must be actively leading the business during the application period.
• Meet compliance requirements, including HMRC checks and due diligence (for example Health & Safety, National Minimum Wage, etc).
• Demonstrate strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
Applications will be assessed across five themes:
• Employ at least two full-time (or equivalent part-time) staff.
1. Fresh Ideas & Creative Thinking: a short video outlining the founder’s journey, from idea to impact.
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Attendees at the King’s Award Outreach Promotional Event, 12 May 2026 | Photography Credit: Nigel Skinner
As a new outreach initiative strives to expand access to the King’s Awards, we explore how business leaders and founders from all ethnicities can celebrate their achievements and receive the recognition they deserve OPENINGTHE DOORTO EXCELLENCE
A pioneering outreach initiative led by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Ethnic Minority Business Owners, in collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), is helping to widen access to the King’s Awards for Enterprise.
The programme, now in its second year, is designed to ensure business founders from underserved and underrepresented ethnic minority communities are fully informed about the Award and supported to apply. It aims to address a long standing challenge: many
Parliamentary support Three high profile events have already taken place in a bid to highlight the many benefits of applying for a King’s Award. A parliamentary outreach event was held in 2025, a second parliamentary session took place this year, and a regional afternoon tea and speaker reception was held in Leeds. Last year’s parliamentary event was attended by Gareth Thomas MP, the then Small Business Minister, alongside MPs and Peers from across the House. This year’s parliamentary event was attended by Rupa Huq MP in her capacity as Chair of the APPG for Ethnic Minority Business Owners. The Leeds event was joined by Deputy Lieutenant Sandy Needham OBE, together with representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). These events are already generating meaningful outcomes. An ethnic minority business owner from the wider outreach community has now received a King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, and dozens of founders have contacted the APPG and DBT with follow up questions about applying. As one attendee says: “It was an honour to attend such a distinguished occasion bringing together
exceptional ethnic minority led businesses are unaware of the King’s Awards for Enterprise or assume it is not accessible to them. Early results show that this targeted approach is already breaking down barriers and inspiring a new wave of applicants. “We want every eligible founder to feel informed and confident about the King’s Awards for Enterprise,” says the APPG Chair. “By taking this outreach directly into communities, we are widening awareness and ensuring more outstanding businesses know this opportunity is open to them.”
King’s Award Outreach Event Breakfast, House of Commons 30th April 2026. Left to right - King’s Award for Enterprise previous recipients Sunny Jain, Purnima Sen, APPG Special Advisor Diana Chrouch OBE, APPG Chair Rupa Huq MP and King’s Award for Enterprise previous recipient Jay Shen | Photography Credit: Andy Sillett
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“It’s been incredibly rewarding to collaborate in organising these outreach events, to showcase the depth of talent within ethnic minority‑owned businesses and highlight how the King’s Awards for Enterprise can open doors to new
opportunities.” Diana Chrouch, OBE
King’s Award Recipient discussion panel at the King’s Award Outreach Event Leeds. Left to right – Special Advisor to APPG for Ethnic Minority Business Owners Diana Chrouch OBE, and previous recipients of King’s Award for Enterprise Jay Shen and Ashley Bolser | Photography Credit: Nigel Skinner
entrepreneurs, MPs, Peers and business leaders. I valued the thoughtful discussions on enterprise and inclusive economic growth, and appreciated the APPG’s leadership in raising awareness of the King’s Awards for Enterprise. The contribution from Gareth Thomas MP, the then Small Business Minister, was especially welcome.”
The outreach programme directly addresses these disparities by offering clear guidance on the King’s Awards for Enterprise, practical explanations of the application process from the King’s Awards Office, open forum discussions that complement the publicly available guidance, insights from previous Award recipients, a supportive environment that builds confidence and demystifies the process, and a more inclusive and representative pipeline of applicants. The outreach initiative is still in its early stages, but its impact is already clear. By bringing the King’s Awards for Enterprise directly to communities that have historically been underrepresented, the APPG and DBT are helping to ensure that more founders are aware of this national honour and feel confident engaging with it. As the programme continues to grow, the partnership remains committed to ensuring that more outstanding businesses, regardless of background or location, have the opportunity to learn about the Award and apply to be recognised for their contribution to the United Kingdom’s economic and social fabric.
Making a difference Ethnic minority businesses contribute more than £25 billion to the UK economy each year. They are more likely to innovate, more likely to export, and more likely to create local employment. Yet they continue to face disproportionate barriers in accessing business support, finance, networks and national recognition.
King’s Award Outreach Event Leeds. Left to right - Yvonne Stocks DL, Rupa Huq MP, Sandy Needham OBE DL, Diana Chrouch OBE- Special Advisor to APPG for Ethnic Minority Business Owners Photography Credit: Nigel Skinner
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Presentations and Celebrations
Allaero Allaero Ltd held a delightful afternoon tea celebration at our warehouse on the Manor Royal to mark the prestigious King’s Award presentation by Lady Emma Barnard.
Bamboo Connect Bamboo Connect’s entire staff celebrated their King’s Award event in style at Brickedon Grange Golf Club with the Lord Lieutenant Robert Voss in attendance. The afternoon was spent enjoying food and drink and a small awards ceremony, recognising several members of staff.
BOF “Winning the King’s Award is a momentous occasion. This honour reflects our commitment to sustainability and inspires us to keep leading the way in the furniture industry. Thank you Peter Vaughan QPM CStJ, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, for presenting the Award and Grant of Appointment." Jessica Marshall, BOF Sustainability & Communications Manager
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Presentations and Celebrations
Bridgeway Consulting
A proud moment for Bridgeway in 2025, as colleagues came together to celebrate receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise - Promoting Opportunity. The award was formally presented by Veronica Pickering, Lord Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire, recognising Bridgeway’s continued commitment to creating opportunities and making a positive impact through our work.
Brightsun Travel
Mr Deepak Nangla, Managing Director, Brightsun Travel, is presented with the King’s Award for Enterprise by Ms Rosi Prescott DL, Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London. The entire team at Brightsun Travel was very proud that the company received this prestigious award as it headed towards its 40th year of operation.
Community Playthings A representative of Community Playthings receiving the King's Award for Sustainable Development from the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex.
“At Community Playthings, sustainability has never been a trend; it’s been at the heart of everything we do.”
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MEET THE JUDGES Here we introduce a selection of judges from across the King's Awards for Enterprise categories
JUDGE’S NAME Sarah Atkinson
Don’t just tell us what you've done, tell us what difference it has made, and to whom
CATEGORY Promoting Opportunity
AREA OF INTEREST Social Mobility & Inclusion
Sarah Atkinson is the Chief Executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, a charity working to make a practical difference to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds across the UK. Before joining the SMF, Sarah was the Executive Director for Strategy, Policy and Communications at the Charity Commission. Prior to that, she worked within the private sector, including roles with Nationwide Building Society and in public affairs consultancy. Ms Atkinson is a member of the Charity Tax Commission and has board roles at Endometriosis UK, Womankind Worldwide, and the Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years. She is also a Leadership Fellow at St George’s House, Windsor as well as a mentor on the Leaders Plus fellowship programme.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE KING'S AWARDS? Social mobility is one of the biggest challenges facing our country at the moment and it's vital for our economy and our society that we level the playing field for people from disadvantaged backgrounds and neglected communities. We need to celebrate the achievements of UK businesses and social enterprises that have committed to social mobility, and the King's Awards do exactly that. WHY DO THE KING'S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? The King's Awards are a mark of excellence and I have certainly seen how winning has led to increased profile - both within the UK and internationally - and to increased commercial and partnership opportunities. I know winning an Award in the category of Promoting Opportunity is also a huge morale boost to employees and to the wider community they support, because it recognises the impact they have had. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A KA JUDGE? Reading through all the Awards submissions and seeing the range of entries from businesses of all sizes showcasing their efforts to promote opportunities for disadvantaged groups. The entries that stand out are the ones where every part of the organisation has been engaged and it's clear that the business takes real pride in the difference they are making. They bring a real smile to my face. WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS KING'S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? Some of the applicants this year were coming back for a second time, having been unsuccessful previously. It was great to see where they they had taken on the feedback and been committed to improvement, and a real pleasure to recommend them for an Award.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A KING'S AWARD? Don’t just tell us what you've done, tell us what difference it has made, and to whom. Show us that you've been able to create real opportunities for disadvantaged people, and how employees across your business have really engaged. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING'S AWARDS WINNER, AS YOU SEE IT The judging process is exacting and Awards are only given where a business has been able to show commitment to Promoting Opportunity over a sustained period and demonstrate it has made a difference. So winners can be confident that the Award is a real mark of excellence and marks them out to customers, employees and the wider community as a top performer.
DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS
One of the hallmarks of British business is that we are truly innovative and we certainly see that across all the businesses and social enterprises that are recognised in the King's Awards. Strong bonds with the communities in which businesses are located, and investment in long-term relationships, are also, for me, hallmarks of British business. ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD? The pandemic has highlighted and increased the barriers which prevent disadvantaged people achieving their potential, but it has also inspired many businesses to respond to the challenge and invest in social mobility. I’m looking forward to seeing that reflected in next year’s entries.
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MEET THE JUDGES
JUDGE’S NAME Tunde Banjoko OBE
Take the time to put as much effort into the application as you did when doing the work
CATEGORY Promoting Opportunity
AREA OF INTEREST Diversity, equity and inclusion, with a particular interest in social mobility and race equality
A passionate social justice advocate with almost 30 years’ experience running a grassroots organisation, Tunde Banjoko is the founder of multiple initiatives (including the social mobility charity Making The Leap and the UK Social Mobility Awards) which try to help make the world a fairer place. As well as providing consultancy to businesses who wish to make advances on race equity, Tunde is known as an inspiring and convincing public speaker, and is qualified as an Executive Coach. He has an MSc in Urban Regeneration from UCL and was awarded an OBE in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE TO BE A JUDGE FOR THE KING'S AWARDS? I accepted the invitation to be a judge because I believe the King's Awards for Enterprise are an exceptional vehicle to encourage businesses to excel in the area relevant to their category. WHY DO THE KING'S AWARDS MATTER TO BUSINESS? They matter because they are not easy to win. It is a rigorous process and the assessors are experienced and diligent, and that’s before it even gets to the judges, so being awarded one is an achievement. They are extremely prestigious awards, something a business can proudly display for five years. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A KING'S AWARD JUDGE? Just being part of such a distinguished and diverse group of individuals that form the judging panel. They are themselves experienced and successful in business and it is a privilege to listen and engage in their deliberations. WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST ACROSS THE KING'S AWARD APPLICANTS THIS YEAR? How the applicants fared and did exceptional work at a time when Covid was still a major factor. How they adjusted, adapted and, in some cases, pivoted, and achieved quality outcomes; that particularly interested me.
WHAT’S YOUR TOP TIP FOR A COMPANY THAT IS THINKING OF APPLYING FOR A KING'S AWARD? Take the time to put as much effort into the application as you did when doing the work. It is a challenging process, so give it your best shot and really explain in detail what it is you are achieving. Do not leave the assessors to have to figure it out. DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A KING'S AWARD WINNER, AS YOU SEE IT This for me is a no-brainer. You get the opportunity to display the Award which in turn says to everyone – but most importantly current and prospective customers – that you are operating to a very high standard. DESCRIBE A FEW FEATURES YOU BELIEVE MAKE BRITISH BUSINESSES SUCH A GLOBAL SUCCESS The starting point for British businesses is a very high benchmark; there is a long history of global success that has led the way and inspires today's businesses to reach for the very top.
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