Winners include Fever-Tree Drinks, the UK’s largest exporter of soft drinks, and Scottish Bravest Manufacturing Company, which provides opportunities for military veterans. Applications for The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 open on Coronation Day, 6 May 2023.
The first-ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise were announced today (21 April), celebrating the achievements of UK companies.
This year, 148 companies representing every part of the UK and a wide range of industries have been recognized by His Majesty the King as one of the country’s top awards.
Companies like these play a central role in delivering on one of the government’s five priorities for growing our economy – from creating new opportunities and supporting people into work, to developing new innovations and exporting the best of Britain around the world.
Enterprise Secretary Kevin Hollinrake said:
I congratulate the very first 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 at home and abroad, helping the UK economy grow.
This year’s winners are:
Fever-Tree Drinks, based in London, is the UK’s largest soft drink exporter. The company’s premium mixers are distributed in more than 90 countries around the world, with teams in key regions including the US, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The company receives the King’s Award for International Trade for the outstanding continuous growth of overseas sales over the past six years. Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, a social enterprise based in Renfrewshire providing employment for wounded military veterans and people with disabilities. They have been awarded the King’s Award for Promoting Opportunity. Natural Pet Food Ltd. is a Yorkshire based manufacturer of natural unprocessed raw meat based dog food produced in a solar powered factory. The company has developed completely plastic-free packaging and sources all their high welfare meat from the UK, ensuring the highest level of animal welfare and low food mileage. They have been awarded The King’s Award for Sustainable Development.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise was formerly known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, and the new name reflects His Majesty the King’s desire to carry on Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy by recognizing outstanding British businesses. The Awards program, now in its 57th year, has awarded more than 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965.
This year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise recognize outstanding achievements in:
Innovation (47) International trade (78) Sustainable development (15) Promoting opportunities (through social mobility) (9)
His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants will present the Awards to local businesses throughout the year.
Eligible companies are free to apply for one or more categories. The recipients pass a robust review process judged by experts from industry, academia, the voluntary sector and senior Whitehall officials.
On that basis, the recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise are recommended by the Prime Minister each year.
The full list of Awardees in the four categories can be found here.
Notes to the editor
Recipients may fly the King’s Awards flag at their headquarters and use the emblem on their marketing materials. Recipients also receive an appointment grant (an official certificate) and a commemorative crystal trophy. The awards are valid for 5 years. Awards will be formally awarded in due course by an award of appointment under royal command. Applications for The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 open on Coronation Day, 6 May 2023 For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise. A full overview of the rewards by region and category can be found below:
