The winners of the inaugural King’s Awards for Enterprise have been announced.
Ahead of the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, 148 businesses have been recognised in the categories of International Trade (78), Innovation (47), Sustainable Development (15), and Promoting opportunity (9).
A total of 16 businesses across the South West were presented with accolades, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. The new name reflects His Majesty, The King’s desire to continue the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses.
The awards programme, now in its 57th year, has awarded over 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965.
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Minister for Enterprise Kevin Hollinrake said: “I congratulate the first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise, who exemplify the talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of British business. I wish them every success and commend the invaluable contributions they make to communities both at home and overseas, helping to grow the UK economy.”
Here, we take a look at the South West companies, which are among the first to receive The King’s Awards for Enterprise.
Innovation
Axminster Tools, Devon
The family-run firm, which sells specialist tools and machinery for woodworking across eight UK stores, has recently celebrated 50 years in business. It has now picked up a King’s Award for Innovation, for a jig system which it has designed to help hold and cut woodwork to a high degree of accuracy.
The company, which employs around 250 staff, said its product, manufactured in Axminster, was sold in more than 70 countries globally between 2020 and 2021, with 3,500 units sold in the US alone.
Doddl, Gloucestershire
Formed in 2017, the Nailsworth-based business now distributes its children’s cutlery to more than 30 countries, with listings at a number of high street giants. Its products are designed to help toddlers make the step towards adult cutlery and develop fine motor skills, dexterity and coordination.
Founder Cat Dodd said: “It’s not every day you receive a letter saying His Majesty The King has approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation that your company should receive a King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category. To say we were blown away would be a massive understatement.”
Flexi-Hex, Cornwall
Co-founded by twin brothers Will and Sam Boex, the Porthleven-based SME produces sustainable packaging solutions originally developed for shipping surfboards. In 2021 the B Corp secured a £1.25m investment to create jobs and focus on international expansion.
LearnSci, Bristol
The educational tech firm provides a range of online digital solutions to support universities' science and engineering laboratory-based teaching. It provides students with a variety of interactive learning tools, such as simulations and smart worksheets, which are designed to help rapidly correct errors and reduce marking requirements on educators.
Trackwise Designs, Gloucestershire
The Tewkesbury-headquartered firm uses printed circuit technology to develop products for the aerospace, automotive, medical and scientific sectors. Trackwise says its wiring products, which are exported globally, can reduce space and weight compared to using traditional harnesses, and can reduce manufacturing costs.
Ultramed, Cornwall
Based in Penryn, the digital health company has developed a cloud-hosted preoperative assessment platform for patients and hospitals. The firm said its innovation could help remove the need for up to half of patients to attend appointments in person, helping to boost hospitals' assessment capacity.
Ultramed previously won the Association of Anaesthetists of GB and Ireland’s 2019 Innovation Award and NICE has published a case study about MyPreOp and how it relates to its evaluation framework for digital health products.
International Trade
Advanced Innergy, Gloucestershire
The marine manufacturer, which trades as AIS, is a leading provider of subsea products, as well as insulation and fire protection systems. The company receives The King's Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth, after overseas sales increased by 70% over three years, with key markets including China, Brazil, United States, Malaysia and Ghana.
The company previously received The Queen's Award for International Trade in 2016 and was awarded The Queen's Award for Innovation in 2013, 2017 and 2018.
Celtic & Co., Cornwall
The St Columb-based fashion brand saw sales of its sustainable knitwear and other garments gow by around 150% in the three years to 2021. Celtic & Co. says international sales now accounts for around a third of its business.
The label is part of the Refind Brands group of clothing companies, which describe themselves as environmentally and ethically minded. The Cornish company previously collaborated with the Campaign for Wool on a film which aimed to raise awareness of the role sheep play in the environment - the then Prince of Wales, is a patron for the campaign.
Charter Brands, Devon
Charter Brands is a beer, wine and spirit wholesaler based in Torquay, Devon. The company was established in 2012 to develop and launch its own range of premium spirits beverage brands for both the UK and international markets.
In 2013 the Charter Brands launched Langley’s No.8 London Dry Gin, which was voted UK Gin of the Year at the 2016 New York International Spirits Competition.
This month the business launched Langley’s gin Gin in Greece through marketing and sales company Amvyx, as part of its work to establish itself as a "true global player". The firm previously attained a distribution deal in France and Uruguay. The Langley’s portfolio includes the London Dry, Old Tom, and First Chapter gins.
Coombe Castle International, Wiltshire
The international cheese provider has grown significantly in its four decades, and now exports its British and Irish dairy products across the world.
The Wiltshire-based company ships products to countries including the US, Canada, Singapore and Malta. The company said that its long standing relationships with both large and artisan cheese markers enables it to source a wide range of products.
Coombe Castle was awarded the 4th Queens award for Enterprise: International Trade back in 2018. Since then the company has advised and spoken out about international trade in difficult climates.
Recently, Coombe Castle’s international account manager Helen Dallimore represented the International Cheese Council of Canada at an evidence session in the Canadian parliament. This was to argue against the implementation of bill C-282 whereby the Canadians would put into law that no new access would be granted for ‘Supply Managed’ sectors.
Feritech Global, Cornwall
Engineering solutions firm Feritech, which has its headquarters in Redruth, carries out geotechnical survey work for marine industry clients around the world, using specialist equipment designed and operated by its own team.
In July 2022 the company secured £1m to continue its growth by using the funds to increase its stock of technical equipment to enable it meet demand, which it said had “increased significantly”.
Moreover, in April last year Feritech opened the doors to its 3.5 acre facility in Falmouth expanding its manufacturing capabilities and allowing it to tap into the growing offshore wind farm industry.
The company has said: “This unique capability allows us to provide an outstanding service to our worldwide clients in the marine and offshore renewables industry as well as enabling us to diversify into other ‘harsh environment’ projects, such as aerospace and telecoms, including fast- growing UK sectors such as space and floating offshore wind.”
Ideal Foods, Cornwall
Ideal Foods is a family run, international seafood trade and export company, based in Liskeard, Cornwall, but also has satellite offices in Grimsby, The Philippines and China.
The company, which employs 20 people, exports fish, shellfish and fish-by-products to customers in more than 40 countries around the world, specifically in the Far East, Europe and the USA.
In 2021, the company joined other Cornish food and drinks brands for the G7 Summit. Sustainability is one of Ideal Foods’ core values and the company strives to ensure that no parts of the fish go to waste.
Fish heads and other fish by-products are exported to Asia, supplying the large retailers in Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. The frames, bellies and offcuts are exported to the Ukraine, Poland and Latvia to name but a few.
Scymaris, Devon
Devon scientific data firm Scymaris provides cost-effective ecotoxicology, environmental fate, and analytical chemistry services.
Headquartered in Brixham the company became the anchor tenant at the Plymouth University Brixham Environmental Laboratory site in 2016 and has expanded its global reach, winning clients from key European and US markets.
In April 2023 the firm appointed Glyn Horner global head of business development and announced that it seeks to build upon its record-breaking performance last year.
Promoting Opportunity
Moo Free, Devon
Devon-based vegan chocolate maker Moo Free established itself in 2010 and since then has gone on to win many awards.
Founded and run by husband and wife team Mike and Andrea Jessop, the Moo Free family now sits at over 60 employees strong at its Holsworthy-headquarters. Up until 2021 the brand was predominantly aimed at children, but rebranded in a bid to extend its appeal to a growing adult demographic for vegan products, which was supported by Santander UK with a £900,000 funding package.
The brand says that it ‘always’ aims to act in a humane way and provide an inclusive environment, giving opportunities to those who need them. For example, Moo Free employs many people who have autism, giving them a real opportunity to expand their skill set.
Clayworks, Cornwall
Cornwall’s natural clay plaster manufacturer Clayworks collaborates closely with interior designers, architects and contractors. The Helston-based company produces sustainable and 100% natural clay plasters, which are recyclable, compostable and reusable.
Founded in 2009, Clayworks had support from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Hub in 2021, which helped it optimise and develop and its website for international expansion. And last year created and provided a range of interior wall finishes for The Museum of the Future in Dubai.
LittlePod, Devon
The vanilla company LittlePod was founded by Janet Sawyer in 2010. The company, which is based in Farringdon near Exeter, Devon specialises in natural vanilla product. It won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise (Sustainable Development) in 2018 and was named Export Champions by the Department for International Trade the following year.
Then in 2020 the company invested in its global expansion and launched LittlePod Japan in Tokyo. Janet told BusinessLive, on the expansion that Japanese customers were reassured by the good reputation of the GB stamp with Littlepod's Queen's Award for Enterprise standing her in good stead in securing deals.
Ms Sawyer said: "Tradition and honour means a great deal to Japanese people and they trust in the reliability of the UK Queen.”
