The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s highest official awards for businesses. They were announced on 6 May in both 2025 and 2026, and are given in four categories: Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity.
2026: 35 London winners
The 2026 awards, announced on 6 May 2026, marked 60 years since the first awards were given in 1966. There were 186 awards to 185 businesses across the UK, with one Bristol company, Tailfin, winning two. Greater London had 35 winners: 18 for International Trade, 7 for Innovation, 7 for Sustainability and 3 for Promoting Opportunity.
East London winners in 2026 included:
- House of Hackney, the interiors brand based at St Michael’s Clergy House on Mark Street, Shoreditch: Sustainability
- Aspire Community Works, Minerva Street, Bethnal Green: Promoting Opportunity
- Rhotic Media, Hanbury Street, Spitalfields: Promoting Opportunity
- The Profs Tuition, Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf: International Trade
- Sygna (EMEA), One Canada Square, Canary Wharf: International Trade
Other London winners included Fabrx, ZED PODS, Salad Finance, Vision RT and Novatus Global for Innovation, and Redemption Roasters for Promoting Opportunity.
2025: 34 London winners
In 2025, 34 London businesses won: 19 for International Trade, 9 for Innovation, 4 for Sustainable Development and 2 for Promoting Opportunity, according to the official press book published by The Gazette.
Gas Strategies
Gas Strategies Group, based at 10 St Bride Street near Fleet Street, won the King’s Award for International Trade in 2025. The consultancy was founded in London in 1988 to provide information on the natural gas industry and now advises clients on gas and liquefied natural gas. Its overseas sales grew by 160% over three years, and exports made up 98% of its sales. Its main overseas markets include Saudi Arabia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Spain and Papua New Guinea.
Other London winners in 2025
- Innovation: Brompton Technology, Digital Control Room, Eskan Electronics, Qualis Flow, Ripple Suicide Prevention, Silverstream Technologies, TLC Design, Transreport and Yoto
- International Trade: Brightsun Travel UK, Charcoalblue, Elgin White, Gas Strategies Group, Harod Associates, Jellycat, JPA Product Design, Londonist DMC, NAFS Healthconsultancy & Training, Public Digital, Q5, Rainbow Productions, Sibylline, Sprint Logistics Holdings, Star Pacific UK, The Cognition Company Group and Virtual Human Resources Holdings, among others
- Sustainable Development: Brompton Bicycle, English Tea Shop Organic, Gibsons Games and The London Early Years Foundation
- Promoting Opportunity: Social Pantry and TDK Dalston Wholesale, which trades as The Dusty Knuckle Bakery
How the awards work
Businesses apply to the Department for Business and Trade. Winners can use the King’s Awards emblem for five years and are presented with the award by the Lord-Lieutenant of their county. In 2026 a new category, the King’s Award for Enterprise: Young Founder, was introduced for founders aged 18 to 30.