Latest news with #King'sAwardforEnterprise
Belfast Telegraph
12-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Creator of shoes worn by the Queen among innovators honoured at awards reception
The King welcomed recipients of The King's Awards for Enterprise at Windsor Castle on Thursday, and chatted to the entrepreneurs and innovators whose practices and products have earned them the prestigious recognition. Among the award winners was Lisa Kay, the creator and chief executive of Sole Bliss, whose products Camilla has frequently been seen wearing at public events, and is said to love for their stylish yet comfortable design. Ms Kay, whose business won an award in the international trade category, shook hands with Charles at the reception, and the pair exchanged a few words. She said: 'I (told the King) that Her Royal Highness has purchased our shoes, so hopefully she finds them comfortable. 'He said, 'She like a heel that's not too narrow', so I said 'Yes, a block heel, I understand', he said: 'Yes, a block heel!' 'He said it gets harder to wear heels as you get older, and I said 'I understand'.' Sole Bliss was launched as a 'very small' business in 2017, Ms Kay said. Its popularity soared after Camilla was spotted wearing a pair of Sole Bliss shoes at the 2018 Royal Cornwall Show. 'A year after we launched, that was amazing,' Ms Kay said. She added: 'Women generally just need comfort, so you're not thinking about your feet, you're thinking about where you are, what you're doing… 'It's for every job really – but especially royalty.' Julia Roberts, Dame Helen Mirren, and Olivia Colman are among the celebrities who were also seen wearing Sole Bliss at public events. Asked how she felt about receiving the King's Award for Enterprise, Ms Kay said: 'It just means the world. 'It's so exciting, you can see I'm very overwhelmed,' she added, laughing and fanning her face with her hand. Ms Kay was also praised by Dame Annabel Whitehead, a courtier and former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who walked up to her during the reception and said: 'We all love you here.' Also at the event were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke of Gloucester, and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle. The awards recognise outstanding achievements by UK firms in the categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility. They are the most prestigious business awards in the UK, with recipients recognised as being among the best of British businesses. Some 197 businesses received awards across the four categories and can now use The King's Awards emblem for the next five years on their products and to promote their services. The viral cuddly toys company Jellycat was also among the winners, with production director Jack Gatacre describing the reward as 'a great honour'. 'We're very happy that people do love our brand,' Mr Gatacre added. The Prince and Princess of Wales were gifted two Jellycat plushies during a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace last month. Seeing the toys, which were in the shapes of a pickled onion and a lemon tart, William said: 'These are like gold dust. My children go crazy for these things. This is a children's currency.' Asked how he felt knowing that George, Louis, and Charlotte love Jellycat plushies, Mr Gatacre said: 'It delights me, it delights everybody at Jellycat that we can make people happy across the world.' Previously known as The Queen's Award for Enterprise, this is the 59th year of the Awards and the third year recipients received a King's Awards for Enterprise following the scheme's name change.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Creator of shoes worn by the Queen among innovators honoured at awards reception
The creator of a shoe brand whose products are worn by the Queen has been honoured during an awards reception at Windsor Castle. The King welcomed recipients of The King's Awards for Enterprise at Windsor Castle on Thursday, and chatted to the entrepreneurs and innovators whose practices and products have earned them the prestigious recognition. Among the award winners was Lisa Kay, the creator and chief executive of Sole Bliss, whose products Camilla has frequently been seen wearing at public events, and is said to love for their stylish yet comfortable design. Ms Kay, whose business won an award in the international trade category, shook hands with Charles at the reception, and the pair exchanged a few words. She said: 'I (told the King) that Her Royal Highness has purchased our shoes, so hopefully she finds them comfortable. 'He said, 'She like a heel that's not too narrow', so I said 'Yes, a block heel, I understand', he said: 'Yes, a block heel!' 'He said it gets harder to wear heels as you get older, and I said 'I understand'.' Sole Bliss was launched as a 'very small' business in 2017, Ms Kay said. Its popularity soared after Camilla was spotted wearing a pair of Sole Bliss shoes at the 2018 Royal Cornwall Show. 'A year after we launched, that was amazing,' Ms Kay said. She added: 'Women generally just need comfort, so you're not thinking about your feet, you're thinking about where you are, what you're doing… 'It's for every job really – but especially royalty.' Julia Roberts, Dame Helen Mirren, and Olivia Colman are among the celebrities who were also seen wearing Sole Bliss at public events. Asked how she felt about receiving the King's Award for Enterprise, Ms Kay said: 'It just means the world. 'It's so exciting, you can see I'm very overwhelmed,' she added, laughing and fanning her face with her hand. Ms Kay was also praised by Dame Annabel Whitehead, a courtier and former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who walked up to her during the reception and said: 'We all love you here.' Also at the event were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke of Gloucester, and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle. The awards recognise outstanding achievements by UK firms in the categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility. They are the most prestigious business awards in the UK, with recipients recognised as being among the best of British businesses. Some 197 businesses received awards across the four categories and can now use The King's Awards emblem for the next five years on their products and to promote their services. The viral cuddly toys company Jellycat was also among the winners, with production director Jack Gatacre describing the reward as 'a great honour'. 'We're very happy that people do love our brand,' Mr Gatacre added. The Prince and Princess of Wales were gifted two Jellycat plushies during a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace last month. Seeing the toys, which were in the shapes of a pickled onion and a lemon tart, William said: 'These are like gold dust. My children go crazy for these things. This is a children's currency.' Asked how he felt knowing that George, Louis, and Charlotte love Jellycat plushies, Mr Gatacre said: 'It delights me, it delights everybody at Jellycat that we can make people happy across the world.' Previously known as The Queen's Award for Enterprise, this is the 59th year of the Awards and the third year recipients received a King's Awards for Enterprise following the scheme's name change.
Mid East Info
19-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Signum Aviation achieves a King's Award for Enterprise - Middle East Business News and Information
Signum Aviation, the UK-based flight planning and operational support specialist for the private aviation industry has been honoured with a King's Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category, announced 6 May, 2025. These Awards are the most prestigious award a UK company can receive. His Majesty The King approves the winners, which recognises companies of all sizes. Signum has also been active in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, located at the General Aviation private terminal since January this year, identifying the Kingdom as a ripe and expanding market. Awais Babar leads Signum Aviation in the Middle East as Regional Vice President. He has led a number of projects in the region and is now based in Riyadh. 'We are honoured to have been chosen for this special award,' said Jonathan Gill, managing director and founder, Signum Aviation. 'It is a terrific achievement and underscores our commitment to our valued clients across the globe. I would like to thank our dedicated and proactive team who continue to work tirelessly and with the upmost professionalism every day to make our business successful.' Founded by Jonathan in 2007, the business has grown substantially from a small office in Chester in the UK and just one client, to a global business supporting over 300 aircraft tails around the world each year. Aircraft types supported range in size from the Pilatus PC-12 through to the Boeing 777. Its facility at Manchester's City Airport, UK and Riyadh is complemented by locations in Denver, USA and Subang, Malaysia. Signum Aviation has become a benchmark company in the business aviation industry, providing flight planning and operations support to an international client base spanning the Middle East, North America, Europe, Africa and China. Its clients include Heads of State, government aircraft and many high-net-worth individuals across the globe. The company specialises in providing a personalised service offering tailored and flexible support to its customers on a 24/7 basis. Its service portfolio consists of providing flight planning, handling setup, overflight and landing permits, weather briefings and runway analysis, as well as airfield performance, flight watch services and third-party charters. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, is the most prestigious business award in the UK. The King's Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen's Awards for Enterprise, were renamed in 2023 to reflect His Majesty The King's desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II's by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The awards celebrate the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services, delivering impressive social mobility programmes, or showing their commitment to excellent sustainable development practices.
Powys County Times
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Powys' Stashed Products celebrates innovation award
A Powys bike storage company has reacted with delight after it was the only business in Wales to be recognised for its innovation in a major awards scheme. Stashed Products, based in Abermule, was one of 197 organisations across the UK to receive the award. But it was the only company in Wales to win the King's Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category. It was recognised for its SpaceRail bike storage system, which uses a modular, overhead rail system to hang, slide, spin, and store bikes. The system aims to reduce storage space, protect bikes from damage, and display them. Stashed Products was founded in 2021 and designs storage systems for "active enthusiasts." Founder Elliot Tanner said: "We're incredibly proud to receive the King's Award for Innovation. "SpaceRail began as a sketch in a garage — born from the frustration of storing multiple bikes in a tight space. "To be recognised at a national level is a huge honour and a reflection of the passion, engineering and team behind the product. "To be the only recipient in Wales in the Innovation category is incredible." The King's Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen's Awards for Enterprise, were renamed in 2023 to reflect King Charles' desire to continue the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. Now in its 59th year, the award is the most prestigious business honour in the country, with winners entitled to use the King's Awards Emblem for the next five years.
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Exotic English gardens lost for centuries is named one of the best in the UK
THE Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall has been named one of the best in the UK. The gardens after 'lost' as a result of World War I - but has just won a King's Award. Advertisement 5 The Lost Gardens of Heligan is one of the best gardens in the UK Credit: Alamy 5 There are hundreds of species of plant and flower in the gardens Credit: Alamy The Lost Gardens of Heligan was first developed in the mid-18th century and were cultivated by the Tremayne family, with the creation of rides for horses, walled flower gardens, and a melon yard. It was thriving up until World War I, when the Heligan gardens were left to ruin. The 'lost years' were between 1914 and 1990 when they were rediscovered and the restoration project became one of the biggest garden transformations in Europe. The year 1991 marked the restoration of the Italian Garden, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan officially opened to the public on Good Friday in 1992. Advertisement Read More on UK Gardens In 1994, the Flower Garden was restored and in 2024, The Lost Gardens of Heligan welcomed its eight millionth visitor. The Lost Gardens of Heligan is split into three parts and is home to the UK's only outdoor jungle which has exotic plants. In the jungle are four ponds, giant rhubarb, banana plantations, bamboo forests and avenues of palm trees. The jungle has a microclimate which is at least five degrees warmer than gardens in the north of the UK . Advertisement Most read in News Travel It's where you'll also find one of the longest Burmese Rope Bridges in Britain, stretching 100 feet above ancient tree ferns. The Pleasure Grounds were first laid out 200 years ago - they have historic pathways and plants. The seaside town of Newlyn in Cornwall has been dubbed as one of the 'coolest' places to relocate 5 The gardens were 'lots' after World War I Credit: Alamy 5 But were rediscovered and became a huge renovation project Credit: Alamy Advertisement Some plantings are over 150 years old, and are home to the national collection of camellias and rhododendrons which were introduced to Heligan pre-1920. Like many gardens in Cornwall, Heligan reaps the benefits from a mild climate. The Productive Garden has 300 varieties of fruit, vegetables, salad and herbs which supply the on-site kitchen and are incorporated within the daily lunch menu. The Lost Gardens of Heligan is now one of the best gardens in the UK and in May 2025 was honoured with a King's Award for Enterprise. Advertisement Laura Smit-Chesterfield, managing director of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, said: "The team at The Lost Gardens of Heligan are delighted, honoured, and proud to receive a King's Award for Enterprise." That's not the only award it has won - over the years, The Lost Gardens of Heligan has been named Britain's Finest Garden and the Best Garden in the UK. Tickets for The Lost Gardens of Heligan for adults are £28, children between 5 and 17 are £12.50, and children under five go free. Here's another Advertisement And six exotic UK gardens you can visit year round where it feels like the Caribbean - even in winter. 5 The Lost Gardens of Heligan has a tropical garden with a pond Credit: Alamy
