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
King’s Awards Magazine 2026
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