A musical instruments company, an eco toilet paper business and an historic attraction are among the South West recipients of this year's King's Awards for Enterprise.
The annual awards recognise businesses which play a "vital role" in growing the economy to improve lives, with categories including international trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.
Of the 197 Ƶ businesses to win, 17 awards went to businesses in the South West of England. Of those, 11 were recognised in the international trade category, one for innovation and five for sustainable development.
Since its inception in 1965, the awards have recognised more than 8,000 companies. The King's Lord Lieutenants – his representatives in each county – will present the awards to businesses locally throughout the year.
Among the South West winners is Cornwall's Lost Gardens of Heligan - the heritage-focused visitor destination including gardens, estates and farms - which was recognised in the sustainable development category.
Laura Smit-Chesterfield, managing director of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, said the organisation was "delighted, honoured, and proud" to receive an award.
“His Majesty The King has been a tireless champion of sustainability and environmental stewardship for over 50 years," she said. "He has led the way with quiet determination and visionary insight, inspiring a national - and indeed global - movement toward a more balanced and respectful relationship with the natural world.
"We, at Heligan, are intensely proud to stand alongside others in building upon His Majesty’s legacy, and to continue advocating for a nature-friendly future with hope, energy, and purpose.”
Bristol-based ethical bank Triodos also scooped a sustainable development award - the fourth time it has received the accolade.
“It’s a real honour to for the bank to be recognised," said Triodos's outgoing chief executive, Dr Bevis Watts.
"At a time where it feels the world is scaling back on its sustainability commitments, Triodos continues to be a global pioneer in ethical banking and using the power of finance to support projects that benefit people and the planet."
Inductosense, also based in Bristol, was the only South West winner of the innovation prize. The business designs and manufactures ultrasonic sensing technology to monitor internal corrosion and erosion.
Other winners included Tomcat, a Gloucestershire-based manufacturer of bespoke inclusive tricycles (international trade); Devon personalised gift company Letterfest (international trade); and Dorset's Naked Sprout (now Naked Paper), an eco-friendly toilet roll business (sustainable development).
“There are some exceptional businesses from the South West recognised in this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise," said Gareth Thomas, minister for services, small businesses and exports.
“I wish the winners every success as they continue to grow, innovate and prosper, and commend the invaluable contributions they have already made to communities at home in the South West and abroad, helping to boost the Ƶ economy.”
South West winners of the King's Awards for Enterprise 2025
Sustainable development
English Tea Shop Organic (Ƶ), Dorset
The organic tea business was founded in 2010 with an ambition to have a "net positive impact on the planet and the lives of everyone involved" from farm to cup. It previously won a Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2020 in the sustainable development category.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall
One of Cornwall's top tourist attractions, Heligan was lost to the brambles of time after the outbreak of the First World War. In 1990, the vast estate reopened to become Europe’s largest garden restoration project. Last year, the organisation appointed a new chief executive.
Hobbs House Bakery, Gloucestershire
The family-owned bakery in Gloucestershire with a 100-year history has committed to sourcing all its flour from "healthier soils" by 2032. All the company's packaging is either recyclable or compostable and its latest internal report shows a 22% reduction in carbon. Last year, the business extended its Chipping Sodbury head office from 20,000 to 30,000 sq ft.
Naked Sprout (Naked Paper), Dorset
The Poole-based alternative toilet paper business was established by Leila Francis Coleman and Tom Whelan in 2020 after the pair decided they wanted to create an unbleached product that was "a whole lot kinder" to the planet. The bamboo paper is produced in a fossil-free factory and claims to have a 50% smaller climate footprint than other eco brands.
Triodos Bank Ƶ, Bristol
It is the fourth time the bank has received the award for enterprise; it was also a recipient in 2004, 2010 and 2020. It is the only Ƶ bank to have achieved the category accolade this many times and was praised by judges for having developed its sustainable practice since 2020 and remaining "a beacon" for others.
Innovation
Inductosense, Bristol
Inductosense is a spin-out from the Ultrasonics and Non-Destructive Group at the University of Bristol. Since forming in 2015, the company has achieved various certifications, and trialled the technology with major operators around the world. In 2023, following approval from Saudi Aramco, it secured investment from Aramco Ventures.
International Trade
Clarendon Specialty Fasteners, Wiltshire
The company is a stocking distributor of aerospace and commercial fasteners, hardware and associated products. It is also an authorised distributor for many manufacturers, with a growing presence in all major geographic markets. The business has locations in the Ƶ, Germany, Thailand, Mexico and US.
JG Glover & Co (Peregrine), Bristol
The historic British clothing brand can trace its roots back to 1796. The company was founded by Thomas Glover, a hand frame knitter, and the business evolved over the next 200 years from from a cottage industry to selling its products around the world. Today, Peregrine is stocked in 80 different retailers including in Germany, the US, Iceland and Canada.
John Packer, Somerset
John Packer started his woodwind and brass business 50 years ago with a small woodwind repair shop in Taunton. The musician and trained oboe maker and repairer has consulted on the design of instruments for a number of major manufacturers including Yamaha, Boosey & Hawkes and Schreiber.
Leafield Environmental, Wiltshire
Leafield Environmental, previously known as Linpac Environmental and formed in 1959, has developed a specialist range of recycling bins, litter bins, novelty bins and accessories for external and internal use. All the products are made in-house at the company's factory in Corsham.
Letterfest, Devon
The Barnstaple-based business was founded in 2011 and makes personalised illustrations, art prints, books and gifts that tell people's own stories.
Red Savannah, Gloucestershire
The luxury travel company was established in 2011 by George Morgan-Grenvill. The Cheltenham-based business is now a multimillion-pound turnover company and is also a previous Queen's Award for Enterprise winner.
Shearwell Data, Somerset
Based in Exmoor National Park, Shearwell Data was established in 1992 and is a global supplier of animal identification and livestock management systems. It provides a range of products and services designed to assist livestock farmers in managing their herds and flocks. The company was recognised for outstanding short-term growth. In the three years to September 2023, its total overseas sales grew by 69% to nearly £7m, representing almost a third of its annual turnover. Shearwell Data already exports to 35 countries and employs more than 150 people worldwide.
Tracklements, Wiltshire
The company was established by William Tullberg in 1970 after he tried his hand at the art of mustard making at his home in Urchfont. In the early 1970s, the company started selling to Harrods, later expanding into savoury jellies. Today the business is headed up by William’s son, Guy, and makes a range of over 50 products.
Tomcat Special Needs Innovation, Gloucestershire
Founded in 1998 and employing more than 20 staff, Tomcat SNI designs and manufactures custom tricycles for children, teenagers, and adults with disabilities or mobility challenges. Since 2022, export revenues have increased by 33%, with strong demand from Europe and emerging markets in Canada and Australia.
Viper Innovations, North Somerset
The business was founded in 2007 by co-owners and directors Max Nodder and Neil Douglas as an engineering consultancy, offering design and project management services for subsea distribution equipment. Over the years it has invested heavily in research and development (R&D), resulting in a strong pipeline of product and services.
Wittenstein high integrity systems, Bristol
Wittenstein high integrity systems (WHIS) is a division of the WITTENSTEIN group, which was established in 1949 and operates in over 40 countries. Originally part of the aerospace group, WHIS has spent more than 25 years at the forefront of safety engineering.
